Maldives magic: sea, culture, coconuts

RESORTS in the Maldives are typically associated with luxury. While that is true, Fushifaru Maldives does a good job of merging culture, history and the Maldivian lifestyle with its experiences.

Perfectly positioned in the Lhaviyani Atoll in the Maldives, the 5-star resort dedicates every Friday to the Maldivian culture, when guests can truly immerse themselves in learning more about the local lifestyle.

The Thaana class offers a new side to the Maldives as staff teach guests how to write their name in Dhivehi – the official language of the Maldives.

The class offers insight into the coconut, as well as tutorials on how to dehusk a coconut and make coconut milk and cream. Staff also demonstrate how one can climb a palm tree to fetch coconuts.

Some locals even take a nap under its sheltering leaves.

The Maldivian food scene is a crucial part of the Fushifaru experience, and executive chef Kadrianta Sinulinga does a good job of demonstrating the destination's cuisine through his meals.

In a cooking class, Kadrianta prepared Maldives’ tuna curry, chapati and fried coconut rice.

If cooking isn’t your thing, their Sandbank experience, just a 10-minute boat ride from the resort, is a bucket-list activity for most travellers to the resort.

Think dreamy, blue skies and OTT picnic set-ups.

Since the weather wasn’t too great during our stay, we opted to check it out at night.

With just our cellphone torches to guide us and an outdated phone to call for a boat when we wanted to leave, we soaked in every moment.

There is something different to do every day of the week at Fushifaru. There are bespoke activities like exploring the Underwater Playground, turtle snorkelling and picnic lunches.

Or you can book a few pamper treatments at the spa, or indulge in a teppanyaki-style dinner.

Want to relax and unwind? There are plenty of areas to do just that.

Whether you put your feet up in your villa, read in a hammock or swim in the infinity pool, you will leave feeling rejuvenated.

Visit www.fushifaru.com/