inflight issue 17

MADE IN KANUHURA/WOODTHE STEPS FROM YOUR VILLA DOWN TO THE WATER; A CHILD DRAWING WITH DRIFTWOOD ON THE SAND; THE MAHOGANY CLASP ON YOUR HEIDI KLEIN BIKINI; THE OLD CHESS SET AT THE HANDHUVARU BAR

www.kanuhura.com

Kanuhura, The Maldives 4.3° North, 73.3° East

Maldivain Air Taxi-Wood_165x225:Mise en page 1 7/7/09 3:01 PM Page 1

Dinesh Bhaskar, Ground Operations ManagerMail: [email protected]

Think Associates Pvt.Ltd3rd Floor, M.Chaandhaneege, Majeedhee Magu, Male, Rep. of MaldivesTel: +960 334 2640, Fax: +960 334 2642Email: [email protected]

Please address all enquiries to:

Business Development: Shumaes Rasheed

Art Direction: Hassan Shujau Design / Layout: Rajesh M.S., Arif Abdulla

Illustrations: Ahmed Imad, Ali Umar Production: Ibrahim Sinan

Published by

Published for

Maldivian Air Taxi Private Limited CompanyMale’ International Airport, Republic of MaldivesPhone: +960 331 52 01, Telefax: +960 331 52 03www.maldivianairtaxi.com

EditorialWelcome to the 17th edition of Inflight

As always we have presented some entertaining and informative articles for your reading pleasure.

In this issue we are delighted to present some very informative insight into MAT; in “Aviation with a difference; interview with the new GM” Fredrik Groth the new GM of Maldivian Air Taxi talks about the workings of the world’s largest seaplane operation and highlights what is so unique about the airline. “The arrival of MAT” by one of our regular contributors Royston Ellis narrates the story of how the Maldivian Air Taxi came into being.

Thomas Pickard presents a photo feature of Male’ today, the capital of Maldives in “Male’, a unique capital”, while “Green Star” translated from one of the largest local daily newspapers, gives a picture of how the landscape, or shall we say the seascape, will change in the future with an exciting new development. The ‘Green Star’ is a fantastic futuristic project under which several floating properties will be developed in the North Male’ Atoll.

Our content will not be complete without something on the vibrant marine life that so many seek to explore; in this issue, Adrian Neville expresses the excitement of the first snorkel, written in such a way that many would identify with the feeling and excitement that they have had in their first snorkel in the Maldives.

We wish you a pleasant flight.

Adheel IslmailEditor

Team

The Maldives .................................................10

Route Map .....................................................14

Aviation of a different kind: Interview with new GM Fredrik Groth .....................18

News ..............................................................22

Green Star The Maldives Dream Project .................................26

The Arrival of MAT ........................................30

Male’ - A Unique Capital ....................................34

Maldivian Recipe ..........................................38

Your first snorkel ..........................................40

Photo Flights ................................................ 44

Twin Otter ......................................................46

Contributors

Royston Ellis is a British author based in Sri Lanka who has written many books about the Maldives,including ‘A man for all islands’,the biography of the Former President Gayoom. His latest book is the 2008 edition of Maldives (Bradt Travel Guides).

Contents

Disclaimer MAT Inflight is published for Maldivian Air Taxi Pvt. Ltd. by Think Associates Pvt. Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of Maldivian Air Taxi Pvt.

Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011 by Maldivian Air Taxi Pvt. Ltd. Opinions in MAT Inflight are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by Maldivian Air Taxi Pvt. Ltd. Maldivian Air Taxi Pvt. Ltd. and Think Associates Pvt. Ltd. accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies other material. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information in the magazine and kindly please contact the publisher to call to attention of any errors or omissions in the MAT Inflight.

ISSUE NO. 17

Writers

Cover Photo

Photography: Capt. Rob McIntyre (Cover Photo), Thomas Pickard, Caroline von Tuempling, Yassin Hameed, Adaaran Resorts, Think Associates, Sakis Papadopoulos

Thomas Pickard is a freelance photographer and writer who lived in the Maldives for two-years, producing over twenty articles on the country. Thomas’ work has been published in OutsideMagazine (US), D-Magazine (Italy), Kris Flyer (Singapore) and Serendib Magazine (Sri Lanka).

Adrian Neville has been photographing and writing about the Maldives since living here in 1993/94. He has traveled throughout the country documenting island life and is presently focused on his new website, based around his best selling guide book, ‘Resorts of the Maldives’.

Capt. Rob McIntyre is a barefoot pilot of Maldivian Air Taxi whose flying career spans over 21 years. Flying barefoot in the Maldives provided him with such a unique opportunity, not only from a pilots perspective but also from the point of view of a photographer. He has recently published his very own book featuring breathtaking photographs.http://barefoot.blogspot.com

athuruga beach & water villas thudufushi beach & water villas

Visit us at www.diamonds-resorts.comContact us at [email protected] Phone us at +960 6680508

enjoy real hospitality

ari atoll

Welcome AboardIt gives me great pleasure to welcome you on board this flight of Maldivian Air Taxi. Having recently moved to the Maldives and joined MAT myself, I hope you will be as amazed by this country and excited about this seaplane ride as I am every time I take a flight. The views out the aircraft window are truly unique, and the feeling of touching down on the water and pulling up to your resort, or our own Male’ sea plane terminal, will stay in your memories.

Sea planes have become closely associated with a Maldives vacation. On a busy day, Male has fifty takeoff and landings on its land runway, while we alone have over a hundred water movements in half that time (we only operate from water during daylight time). So it can get very busy on the water and in the air. To ensure safety at all times, our fleet of 21 aircraft are equipped with the latest avionics, our maintenance is second to none, and our pilots meet the highest international requirements. On the ground, you will also be serviced by great professionals, whose objective is to get you and your luggage to your destination quickly and smoothly, and hopefully with a smile on your face.

The views out the aircraft window are truly unique, and the feeling of touching down on the water and pulling up to your resort, or our own Male’ sea plane terminal, will stay in your memories.

Fredrik GrothGeneral Manager

07MALDIVIAN AIR TAXI Inflight Magazine |

I trust you are comfortably seated, earplugs installed (unless you love the humming sound of the engines), your cameras loaded, and ready for a great experience. Our barefooted crews are photogenic, and the views outside even more. On approach to your resort, look out for that turtle, manta ray in the sea, or pick out the best looking coconut palm tree on your island and claim it!

Have a great flight and come back to fly with us soon again.


Lars Erik NielsenChairman of the Board

It is a pleasure to have you on board Maldivian Air Taxi. We wish you a memorable flight and an enjoyable stay in the Maldives.

At Maldivian Air Taxi, we have a wealth of experience in this unique form of air travel and have carried millions of passengers to their dream holiday destinations, on excursions and on photo flights. We strive to capitalize on that experience to make your journey with us an exceptional and unforgettable one.

We thank our partners who have worked with us to help us grow, to become the largest operation of its kind in the world. We

extend our appreciation to each and every individual resort and the industry at large and the Government of Maldives for their unwavering support to make air transfers part of the unique tourism product that the country has to offer.

We at Maldivian Air Taxi look forward to working with the Government to increase access to transport in the whole country for domestic travellers as well as tourists. Our objective is to ensure convenient, safe and comfortable air travel to all the corners of the country through the introduction of innovative infrastructure and round-the clock services, which is unique only to the Maldivian Air Taxi.

Have an enjoyable flight!

The Maldives stands a synonym for calm, peace and serenity;

sun-kissed beaches, tiny wavelets tapping its shores, blue tropical skies and the

harmonious rustle of palms. The special quality of these islands lie in the fact that one minute they can delight you by their natural beauty from the air;

then humble you by the sheer closeness to nature that they

bring you, once you are on the ground.

Geography: The Maldives consists of approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 27 atolls, spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers, making the country one of the most unique destinations in the world. The islands stretch over a distance of 700 km from north to south.

Climate: The temperature of Maldives ranges between 24°C to 33°C throughout the year. Although the humidity is relatively high, the constant sea breeze helps to keep the air moving. The average sea temperate is around 26°C.

Population: The population of Maldives has increased rapidly during the last few decades. However with a population of approximately 320,000, the country still remains one of the smallest independent nations in the world.

10 | www.maldivianairtaxi.com

Religion: Maldivians are devout Muslims and rigorously follow the basic tenets of Islam. The Islamic Center which accommodates more than 5,000 worshippers dominate the skyline of the capital city Male’ with its shining golden dome and minaret. Several mosques are dispersed throughout the capital and each inhabited island

History: Archeological remains excavated in different parts of the country prove that people were living here as early as the third century BC. The Maldives and its people are mentioned in several mariners’ logs and records of naval expeditions by the Chinese and the Arabs and later the British and other European explorers.

Culture: A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world


Dollar, Euro or any other European currency. All major credit cards are also accepted at the resorts. However, if you are visiting Male’ or any of the local islands, you will need to hold local currency for purchases you may wish to make.

Education: Maldives boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world with 98% of the country’s population being able to read and write. Educational standards are among the highest in the region and schools follow the British system of education.

Health: The Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ is the state run general hospital in the country providing a high standard of medical care. ADK Hospital, also located in Male’, is the largest private healthcare facility in the country. A decompression chamber is within easy reach of most resorts in case of a diving emergency.

Business Hours: The working week in Maldives begins on Sunday and ends on

came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance, resemble African influences, while other cultures and traditions reflect East Asian and South Asian characteristics and traits.

Language: Dhivehi, spoken throughout the Maldives, is a language belonging to the Indo-Iranian group of languages. The language is spoken only in the Maldives and Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep Atoll (India) to the north of the Maldives. The present script Thaana, was introduced in the late 16th century and is written from right to left. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the islands. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italianand Japanese.

Capital Island: Male’ which is about 2 sq kms is the capital of the country. It is the center of administration and the hub of trade and commerce. About 100,000 people live in Male’.

Economy: In the last quarter of the twentieth century, the economy changed from the age-old traditional system based on fisheries and agriculture to a modern economy that rode on the success of the newly established tourism industry and a modernized and mechanized fishing industry. Maldivians enjoy the highest GDP per capita in South Asia today.

Currency: The local currency is Rufiyaa. At the time of publication, the exchange rate is pegged between Rf 10.28 and Rf 15.42 to a US Dollar. If you are heading to a resort, you need not worry about local currency as all your bills at the resort can be paid by US


Thursday. Government offices are open from 08:00

to 16:00 hours and the private sector from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.

Some offices in the private sector open on Saturday. Weekend falls on Friday

and Saturday.

Communication: Mobile telephone services in the country are offered by Dhiraagu and Wataniya Telecom Maldives. Both companies have roaming agreements with various operators across the globe, which enable you to use your home number while in Maldives. All the resorts in Maldives offer internet services as well. Some resorts offer broadband connections in the room while others offer Wi-Fi zones at key locations on the island. All resorts offer IDD telephone services.

Shopping: The northern end of Chaandhanee Magu is the place to be if you are looking for souvenirs to take home. A range of batik sarongs and wraparounds, wooden handicrafts, candles and other knickknacks are available from the shops lining the street. You will also be able to find some souvenir items if you visit the neighboring islands near your resort. Look out for genuine Maldivian hand

painted t-shirts and lacquered boxes, miniature dhonis and reed mats if you really want to take a piece of Maldives with you as a memento.

Country Dialing Code: +960

Electricity: 240 Volts AC

Local Time: +5 GMT


ROUTE MAP


Adaaran “Select” Meedhupparu Alimatha Aquatic Resort Anantara Resort & Spa Maldives*Athuruga Island Resort Banyan Tree Maldives*Bathala Island Resort Centara Grand Island Resort & SpaChaaya Lagoon Hakuraa HuraaChaaya Reef Ellaidhoo Club Med Kanifinolhu*Constance Halaveli Resort MaldivesDhoni Island Dhiggiri Tourist Resort Diva MaldivesFilitheyo Island Resort Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda- HuraaFour Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru Heenfaru *Huvafen Fushi by Per AQUUMIsland Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Maldives, Spa Resort & MarinaKandholhudhoo

Kanuhura MaldivesLily Beach Resort & Spa at HuvahendhooMaayafushi Madoogali Resort & SpaMedhufushi Island Resort Moofushi Nika Island Resort One & Only Reethi Rah Palm Beach Resort & SpaRanveli Village Rasdhoo *Soneva Fushi Resort & Six Senses SpaSoneva GiliSummer Island Taj Exotica*The Rania Experience The Regent MaldivesThudufushi Island Resort Vashugiri *Velidhu Vivanta Coral Reef Maldives W Retreat & Spa at Fesdu Zithali Resorts & Spa Kuda-Funafaru


The jewel island.

w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

Inflight: Welcome to the Maldives. Have you been to the Maldives before?

Fredrik: It is a fantastic opportunity to be here; I feel really privileged to be able to work with an exciting company such as MAT in this very unique and beautiful country, a place to which people traditionally come on holiday.

Yes I came to the Maldives as a tourist over thirty years ago. That must have been in 1980 or 1981. I flew from Sweden via Sharjah and Colombo and reached here after 20 hours of travel. I came with my father and stayed in Kurumba; it was amazing. Who would have known I would come to work here. Maldives was a very different place then. I remember Male’ as it was at the time; it had more of a village like atmosphere with sandy streets and hardly any traffic.

Inflight: Glancing through your CV, it seems you have spent your whole career in aviation?

Fredrik: Yes, that is true. Think I got the aviation “gene’ in my body early on flying gliders at 16 and a pilot license a few years

later. After finishing graduate school in the US I joined the aviation industry and have stayed there ever since; ten years in the United States at a leading aircraft maintenance company, then eight years as the head of Swiftair, a Spanish airline with 40 aircraft flying passenger and cargo in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Prior to my move to Male, I worked in New Delhi as CEO in a business aviation company, servicing and maintaining aircraft for private, government and corporate customers in India.

Inflight: We know you are familiar with the operations at Maldivian Air Taxi as you have been a Consultant for the company for several months prior to your appointment as GM. I would like to ask you about your impression of the operation?

Fredrik: Seaplane operation was new to me when I got involved with Maldivian Air Taxi. This is certainly THE country and THE company to learn about this very unique type of transportation. There is not any other country in the world with as many commercial seaplanes and it is truly unique! I do not think many who fly on Maldivian Air

Aviation of a different kind: interview with new GM Fredrik Groth

Recently Fredrik Groth took up the position of General Manager of Maldivian Air Taxi. He took time out of his schedule overseeing the operations of the largest seaplane operation in the world, to speak to Inflight about his background, his thoughts and vision for Maldivian Air Taxi.


Taxi really think about the nature and scale of the operation we have here.

Maldivian Air Taxi flies over 450,000 passengers per year with an average of about 60 movements a day. We presently have 21 aircraft in operation flying to about 30 resorts many times each day. On average we move over 1200 passengers daily on their way to or from their dream vacation, peaking to a high of 1800 on our busiest day so far, in February this year. On top of that we have ad hoc charters and other services we operate for our customers and for the community.

Inflight: Coming from a long aviation background what strikes you as being unique in this operation?

Fredrik: First of all we have to keep in mind that Maldivian Air Taxi is an airline that is managed similar to the traditional airlines that our passengers are used to. Our operations conform to regular air transportation regulations and are covered by the highest international standards when it comes to safety, training, maintenance, flight and ground operations and the whole range of things that have to be done just like the airlines in Europe or Asia.

However we have to operate in a completely different environment; landing on water in waves, taxiing and docking on the sea, working around daylight limitations, and much more. Also to maintain aircraft which operate in a salt water environment is not easy. That is why you might see our people on the docks hosing the salt off the aircraft. We must continually adapt to the need of arrival times of the incoming airlines, and combine people who come in from different flights making it a very unique operation.

What is vastly different to other airline operations are things such as having to place fuel for refueling in outstations further away from Male’, I am sure there aren’t many airlines that need to do that in order to operate. Fuel is available wherever they land. Furthermore we have to maintain our own pontoons, 35 in all, strewn across the tourism zone spanning a large area of the country.

On average ten of our airplanes spend their night in a resort. You could see an airplane floating in the lagoon attached to the buoy.They start the day from the resort. These aircraft too has to have their morning inspection done just as the ones starting off


from our docks here. That is certainly unique.

In spite of all these our turnaround time is just 20 minutes in Male’ and 15 minutes in the islands. And at any given time most of our aircrafts are in the sky. Each of our 21 aircraft flies about 7 hours a day.

Inflight: What are your goals and objectives for the airline now?

Fredrik: Right now I want to focus my attention on enhancing what is already a very unique experience for our passengers. I know the transfer with us is an experience that many treasure today. This is certainly part of their total Maldives experience. The perspective from the air is totally different to what passengers would experience if they travel by speedboat.

We have several ideas that we want to execute fairly soon in order to make the waiting time at our terminal more rewarding and more exciting for all our customers. We will continue to invest in our aircraft to improve reliability and comfort. We are also planning to expand further into other travel products such as scenic tours, photo flights and picnics to which we are unable to cater adequately today. There are several requests for those services and we want to make it more accessible as it is such a rewarding experience.

Our goal is all about enhancing the customer experience and making the transfer with Maldivian Air Taxi a truly positive flight that our passengers will treasure forever.

Inflight: What do you say about the company you are now managing?

Fredrik: This is a company that has been operating for the last seventeen years. It has grown tremendously during this time. Maldivian Air Taxi already has an organization that is functioning very well.

The company is very well recognized for taking care of its staff and their training and we are constantly working to put more and more Maldivians into the different posts.

We also have a lot of nationalities that are combined here, which makes it extra exciting. People coming together from all over the world based on their particular backgrounds. We have just over 420 staff from sixteen nationalities; however most of our staff are Maldivian. So Maldivian Air Taxi is a truly international environment. And I would like to note that all of them have contributed in their respective areas to make this company what it is today.

Inflight: What would you like to say about the future?

Fredrik: It is very much keeping up with the changing markets. We will try to remain leaders rather than followers and ensure we are geared to serving our present customers as well as take on new resorts as they expand into the new zones. As the country develops there will be fixed land airports in the country. This can be an alternative for some, however the seaplane takes you right to the doorstep of the resort, in comparison if you fly to land based airports there is yet another boat transfer. So we want to maintain this as the preferred mode of air transport in the Maldives.

Who was it that said the famous words that ‘the only thing certain about the future is that it is uncertain’? I agree with that. Maldivian Air Taxi has been a success story so far. We need to ensure it remains a successful company for a long time ahead, no matter what challenges and changes come along.


Source: Haveeru Daily

Source: Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Source: MTPB

Thailand Company Sets to Expand in Addu with HeratheraLeading Thai hotel chain ONYX Hospitality Group has officially taken over the operations of Herathera Resort in Addu atoll on January 2011.The resort developed by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will be rebranded to “Amari Herathera Resort” in 2012.

ONYX CEO and President Peter Henly expressed his company’s satisfaction over the current development standard of the 546-bed resort and assured that the company would make Herathera a name known and trusted by tourists from around the globe.

“We will do our best in order to make this resort a success and a resort trusted by tourists,” he said.


Hyatt introduces Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa on the Indian OceanHyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with Driftwood Maldives Private Ltd. to manage Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa Island in the Maldives. The hotel has commenced operations as Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa on April 1, 2011.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will be the first Hyatt hotel in the Maldives, a chain of 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of India, just south of the equator. The first resort in the Maldives to follow Earth Check certification standards for construction and operations, the hotel’s design provides for guest comfort and privacy, while ensuring sensitivity to the surrounding environment. Situated in the Indian Ocean’s largest and deepest atoll, Huvadhoo, the hotel opened in late 2009 and has been operating as Alila Villas Hadahaa.

Kuramathi Island Resort wins TUI’S International Environment Award 2010

The Eco center at the Kuramathi Island resort has won the highly acclaimed international award - TUI’s International Environment Award for the year 2010, making them the first winner in the Asia pacific region in the award’s history.

The accolade comprises of prize money worth Euros 10,000 which is designed to stimulate & assist in continuation of sustainable development activities while building links with tourism.

NEWS

Source: Six Senses

Source: Haveeru Daily

Source: Singapore Airlines


Six Senses offering Private Residences

For the first time in Maldives, Six Senses are offering the privilege of owning Private Residences for foreigners to enjoy holiday home ownership in the Maldives. Private Residences are offered both in Six Senses SonevaFushi located in Baa Atoll & Six Senses Laamu Resort which is located in Laamu Atoll. The Residences set in the pristine environment of the Maldives will offer its owners an opportunity to enjoy the private island lifestyle and at the same time enjoy the benefit from attractive rental yields and tax benefits. The Villas feature anything from one up to six bedrooms, dining and living areas, private swimming pool and beachfront garden with private access to the beach. Many of the villas are already complete.

Maldives to submit sites for World Heritage listThe Maldives is to submit its list of historical sites, including the Friday Mosque in the capital Male’ and other mosques with stone carvings, to be included in the World Heritage List.The Heritage Department has devised a tentative list of 16 historical mosques to be submitted to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list includes the ancient mosques in Haa Alif atoll Baarah, Kelaa and Utheemu, Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu Mosque, Eid Mosques and Kalhuvakaru Mosque in Male’, the ancient mosque in Raa atoll Meedhoo, the ancient mosque in Alif Dhaal Fenfushi, the ‘Geiy Miskiy’ and ‘Kedeyri Miskiy’ in Fuvahmulah, the mosque at the ‘Koagannu’ area in Seenu Atoll Hulhu-Meedhoo.

Singapore Airlines introduces day time flights to MaldivesServices between Singapore and Male’ in the Maldives have been increased effective March 27th, with SQ462/461 operating three times per week. The new daytime flight will depart Singapore at 0950 hrs and arrive in Male’ at 1115 hrs, while the return flight will depart Male’ at 1230 hrs and arrive in Singapore at 2015 hrs. With the existing daily flights that operate at night, flight frequency will increase to ten per week.

Aus der Luft betrachtet eröffnet sich ein grandioser Ausblick auf das etwa 2.000 Inseln und Inselchen um-fassende Archipel im Indischen Ozean. Wie herrliche Juwelen erscheinen die Eilande im tiefen Blau des Meeres. Doch auch aus der Nähe halten die Malediven, was sie versprechen. Strahlend weiße Strände, im Wind wippende Palmen und tropische Vegetation – die Malediven gehören zu Recht zu den Traumzielen dieser Erde. Hier finden Schnorchler und Taucher herrliche Korallenriffe und eine faszinierende Unterwasserwelt. Die modernen Urlaubsresorts bieten besten Service und verfügen über eine breite Palette an Sport-, Wellness- und Unterhaltungsangeboten. Genießen Sie die Ruhe und Abgeschiedenheit der Malediven – und freuen Sie sich auf einen Traumurlaub im Inselparadies.

42 INSELN UND 2 TAUCHSAFARISMit JAHN REISEN können Sie die herrliche Inselwelt der Malediven entdecken. Jede Insel ist einzigartig – sicher ist auch Ihre persönliche Trauminsel dabei.

MALEDIVEN – INSELN DER ENTSPANNUNG


I first saw the amazing ‘Green Star’ about a year ago on the Internet. It was such an awe-inspiring concept, so futuristic not many would have thought it would ever become a reality. It was an idea that deserved no further attention, as it was simply “a dream”.

Ministry of Tourism in Male’, soon after the signing ceremony, the first in a series of steps that would bring this dream project to life.

Under the lease agreement, the government of Maldives has allocated five pristine lagoons in Male’ Atoll for the development. The project will be undertaken by Dutch Docklands Maldives, a joint venture company between Dutch Docklands and the Government of Maldives in which Dutch Docklands would own 95%.

Koen and Paul revealed some interesting details of the project that has made the project now seem tangible and one that would certainly come to life.

According to them, Dutch Docklands would invest an estimated US$ 500 million for this project. The preliminary work on the project will begin this year and the project is expected to be complete by 2015. The Green Star is just one of the modules of the whole project that will be spread over the five reefs granted under the lease.

The Green Star, the largest and the most complex development will be located on a reef not far from Bandos Island Resort and will consist of a floating hotel and conference facilities. Just five minutes away by speedboat will be a one-of-a-kind golf course; an 18-hole course that will be spread over three floating islands. The other

The Maldives Dream Project

Last year a memorandum of understanding was signed between the government of Maldives and Dutch Docklands to develop several floating facilities in the Maldives, including a convention center and golf courses. The renderings made public at the time show a collection of fantastic amphibious mini-cities, one of them depicting a star-shaped, tiered island with indoor spaces hidden under lush green-roof terraces, complete with interior pools and beaches.

Last month I met with the world famous Koen Olthuis, the creative mind behind this unique project, and Paul van de Camp, CEO of Dutch Docklands who were visiting the Maldives to sign the agreement for the lease of the reefs over which these developments would take shape. I met them at the


development on a reef close to the resort of Thulhaagiri will be 43 floating villas built on floating rings. In the northwest of North Male’ Atoll will be a 250-room resort set on four floating islands.

When asked how this truly new concept came into being and how it was conceived,

adapting the technology for the environment of the Maldives. “

Paul said that they find the Maldives to be one of the best places for such a project and that they have had requests for similar developments from Dubai as well.“We have looked at several potential locations for this kind of project. This is a country that pays close attention to environmental preservation. And we believe the Maldives is the perfect place for such a project today”.

He said that with this technology the reef is left untouched and there is no harm to any marine life. ‘With land reclamation we destroy the reefs and the marine life that inhabits those reefs. Even if you decide to dismantle one of the structures after 80 years, the reef will remain in its natural condition”.

According to him it is not only the high value of investment that has generated global media interest for this project, it is also

many believe this is the kind of solution we need, to resolve or to mitigate the environment problems in

countries such as the Maldives

Koen said “there really is no new technology in this project, the Dutch has been using floating technology for many years”.

His philosophy, though new to us, is logical and one that would suit a country such as the Maldives where 99% of the country is water. “In Netherlands it has been proven that it is much better to make friends with the water and the sea rather than fight against it. For this project we are simply

because many believe this is the kind of solution we need, to resolve or to mitigate the environmental problems in countries such as the Maldives. He said this project fits in perfectly with the Maldives’ national goal of becoming a carbon neutral country.

The project has now moved beyond the conceptual stage and Dutch Docklands is working with several companies and universities who are conducting studies and working out the details of the project.

“For instance we are experimenting on ways to grow turf on a floating golf course. We know it will take about two years to grow the

turf. Once refined the technology can also be used for cultivation on floating islands.”

“Energy is the other area in which studies have been done. Wind turbines, which may be seen as the obvious choice for such a project destroys the view, on top of which there is also the issue of laying the foundations in the reef. That’s why we are looking at new technology for energy generation”.

“We are going to install circular floating solar panels. A large portion of the energy needs will be contributed by these three-meter wide solar panels that will be installed on the surface of the sea”.

They also highlighted some important facets of the design and technology that will be used in the construction of the facilities. The resort for instance, will be built on four separate rings on the sea. Water will pass through these rings to provide cooling for the rooms and the central resort facilities. Each of these rings will house fifty to sixty rooms.

The floating units will be located on the deeper areas of the reefs and these units will be manufactured and constructed abroad. Once the platforms are installed, the units will be brought in and assembled on top of the platforms. The facilities would compare with the best of the resorts in the country; there will be private swimming pools for the rooms and villas and there will be beaches just like the islands. “Guests can see no visible difference to a beach on any of the islands, unless they dive and see beneath the surface”.

The first phase of the project will be the construction of the luxury private villas and the marketing of these units. There is no doubt in their minds that these projects will be commercially viable. They envisage executing the largest module in the project; the Green Star and the golf course as the last and final phase of the project.

The dream will eventually come true when the Green Star, the flagship module of the project, which also happens to be its insignia, is finally complete.

Translated and adapted from an article published in Haveeru Daily

on February 3, 2011, written by Mr. Ahmed Saeed.


Aus der Luft betrachtet eröffnet sich ein grandioser Ausblick auf das etwa 2.000 Inseln und Inselchen um-fassende Archipel im Indischen Ozean. Wie herrliche Juwelen erscheinen die Eilande im tiefen Blau des Meeres. Doch auch aus der Nähe halten die Malediven, was sie versprechen. Strahlend weiße Strände, im Wind wippende Palmen und tropische Vegetation – die Malediven gehören zu Recht zu den Traumzielen dieser Erde. Hier finden Schnorchler und Taucher herrliche Korallenriffe und eine faszinierende Unterwasserwelt. Die modernen Urlaubsresorts bieten besten Service und verfügen über eine breite Palette an Sport-, Wellness- und Unterhaltungsangeboten. Genießen Sie die Ruhe und Abgeschiedenheit der Malediven – und freuen Sie sich auf einen Traumurlaub im Inselparadies.

42 INSELN UND 2 TAUCHSAFARISMit JAHN REISEN können Sie die herrliche Inselwelt der Malediven entdecken. Jede Insel ist einzigartig – sicher ist auch Ihre persönliche Trauminsel dabei.

MALEDIVEN – INSELN DER ENTSPANNUNG

In March 1972, the first organised group of tourists arrived in the Maldives, spearheading an amazing, unexpected and frenetic development that was to lead, 20 years later, to the founding of Maldivian Air Taxi.The arrival of the first group of tourists, who stayed in houses in Male’ and visited nearby uninhabited islands and engaged in scuba diving and spear-fishing (eventually banned), resulted in the development of the uninhabited island of Vihamanafushi, which was named Kurumba after the Dhivehi word for coconut. Originally it had 20 rooms and 40 beds. It was the beginning of what has become the “grand hotel” of the islands, the premier resort of Kurumba Maldives.

The then president of the Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir, instantly recognised the potential of tourism. The islands of Bandos, Furanafushi, Farukolufushi, Baros, Vilingili, Meerufenfushi and Wellasaru were selected for development. All were within easy reach by dhoni (motorised wooden boat), of the airport.

The rooms were simple, not like the lavishly furnished, luxurious air-conditioned rooms of today’s resorts. They had plain cement floors, asbestos

ceilings, and half-tiled toilets. For bathing and washing, they used brackish, salt water drawn from the ground. Rainwater was collected for drinking purposes.

Surprisingly, this very simplicity appealed to the early visitors and their enthusiasm for holidaying in the islands was spread by word of mouth, helping the industry to flourish.

By the end of 1973, the number of visitors, mainly from Sweden, Denmark and Italy, had grown to 3,790. Five years later, there were 17 resorts and 29,325 visitors but no policy, law or regulations governing the expansion and development of the industry.

The new president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in 1978 set out to transform the industry into something viable and worthwhile in an effort to preserve the natural beauty that attracted tourists to the islands, as well as to make tourism sustainable.

By Royston Ellis


The Government began to earn direct revenue from tourism through the rental charged for the islands, together with a bed tax (an amount paid by the resort operator to the Government for each night of each tourist’s stay at a resort). The income from tourism quickly matched, and then overtook, that earned from fishing.

From 1980 to 1990, 40 new island resorts were opened and visitor arrivals at the end of that decade were close to 200,000 a year.

With most of the new resorts being several hours away from the airport by boat, by the time Lars Erik Nielsen, who was to become

the founder of Maldivian Air Taxi, arrived on holiday in 1991, the Government and resort owners were keen to improve access to the islands.

Lars Erik Nielsen discovered during his holiday that Maldivians are hospitable people that welcome guests who respect the traditional lifestyle of the islands. He also realised they were keen to embrace new technology, new developments, and the new career opportunities that sustainable tourism could bring.

The history of aviation in the Maldives had been a chequered one. It was only after the airport runway was lengthened by 300 metres, that major international airlines took an interest in landing at Male’ International Airport. They were led by Singapore Airlines, which operated return flights between the Maldives and Europe.

In 1989, in response to demands by tourist companies for easier access to resorts than by boat, two companies (one British-managed, the other with French and Singaporean


It seemed obvious to Lars Erik Nielsen that seaplanes were the best way to reach resorts being built in atolls a long journey by

boat from the international airport

A makeshift wooden jetty was setup for the first flights but the infrastructure was quickly expanded to meet demand.

The first flight of the newly formed Maldivian Air Taxi took place in November 1993 by Cessna Caravan C-208 fitted with floats. It carried four passengers.

involvement) began operating Russian-built Mi-8 helicopters for tourist transfers. These had Russian pilots and Maldivian cabin crew. (Helicopters were eventually banned from operations after several accidents.)

By 1991, the Maldives had four domestic airports for fixed wing aircraft to serve locals travelling to and from the capital, but these were far from the new resorts. It seemed obvious to Lars Erik Nielsen that seaplanes were the best way to reach resorts being built in atolls a long journey by boat from the international airport.

It was passion, not potential profit, that inspired him. He liked seaplanes. At first he was unaware of the overall situation in the Maldives and was only motivated to investigate further by his own harrowing experience in getting to his resort by boat.

It became obvious to him that the Maldives needed a viable domestic air service so guests could reach their holiday resorts quickly, conveniently and in comfort. He discovered that the government of the Maldives was hoping to expand tourism throughout the atolls so that the whole country could benefit from increased employment opportunities and income. Although he saw the value of starting a seaplane taxi service, Nielsen had no experience of such an enterprise. However, he had been fascinated by flying and by seaplanes since childhood.

He was 40 when he arrived in the Maldives and was qualified as an electrical and mechanical engineer. He was running an offshoot of his family’s business with 200 employees in Saudi Arabia.

The solution to the problem of accessing distant resorts was simple and logical to Nielsen; he talked up his idea of seaplanes

to anyone who would listen. He claims he didn’t have a clue how his idea would work; he just knew it would.

Always affable, he built up friendships with Maldivians. He is proud that those friendships have endured over the years.

He says, “I met with government officials and convinced them of the benefits of a seaplane service. I was frank. I said I couldn’t afford much but I would create a company and get it going.”

The government officials were experienced in dealing with foreigners wanting to invest in the islands, and had learned caution. While they were impressed with Nielsen’s enthusiasm and honesty, they wanted action not proposals.

Nielsen went back to Denmark, convinced he had an idea that would help the Maldives. He looked for investors and eventually managed to raise US$350,000 as share capital.

Explaining how he overcame the difficulties of starting an airline in a country he knew only from brief visits, he says: “I succeeded because I don’t know much, but I know how to employ good people. I focus on finding people who are fantastically good at their job, and trust them to use the opportunity to blossom.”



Nielsen was fortunate in finding the right people who helped both in sourcing aircraft and in setting up the operation in the Maldives. The name, Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT), seemed to come naturally.

Since float, or sea, planes require no landing pads, as do helicopters, they could provide a regular service to resorts by landing in and taking off from the island’s lagoon.


But first, MAT had to help each resort install a pontoon to serve as arrivals and departure platform and a buoy for securing the aircraft. The resort’s own boats would be used to ferry passengers to and from the pontoon to the resort.

On some resorts, the seaplane could taxi right up to the beach while in later years, some resorts built permanent jetties where the seaplanes could moor alongside.

At the Male’ International Airport, a makeshift wooden jetty was set up for the first flights but the infrastructure was quickly expanded to meet demand.


By 1994 three De Havilland DHC6 Twin Otters carrying 15 passengers and two

pilots had been added to the airline.

The waiting lounge then, on the northern side of the runway at Hulhule, was an open-sided hut with a roof of palm thatch and a floor of sand. The red-and-white liveried aircraft (in their leased colours) were tied to a wooden jetty extending into the lagoon.

A guidebook published in 1994 said: “The pilots are young, blond and tanned and wear white pilot shirts and jungle green shorts. They radiate confidence and enthusiasm for their aircraft and willingly explain technicalities above the noise of the flight. One pilot made a point of cleaning the outside of the window before take off so we could take photographs.”

The pilots, who came from Canada with the leased planes, wore sandals. They soon kicked these off and flew barefoot, earning MAT the reputation of being “the only airline whose pilots fly barefoot.”

MAT was an instant success, showing what one man with the right idea at the right time, helped by the right people, can achieve.

(Extracted from the MAT eGuide, available on www.maldivianairtaxi.com)

Royston Ellis is a British author based in Sri Lanka who has been visiting the Maldives for over 25 years. His books include the Bradt, Insight and Berlitz Guides to the Maldives. www.roystonellis.com.

In many ways, the capital city of Male’ is the exact opposite of what visitors come to expect of the Maldives.

Male’ is a city of over 100,000 people perched precariously on a tiny island, two metres above sea level and barely 1.95 square kilometres in size. Such statistics make Male’ a contender as one of the world’s most densely populated cities – a staggering proposition when you consider that the Maldives is best known for its open ocean vistas and luxury resort settings.

The differences between Male’ and the rest of the Maldives is what makes it such an interesting place to visit. While Male’ has narrow, scooter clogged streets, which you inevitably become lost in, the real charm of Male’ is being able to wander the streets, meet some of the locals and catch a glimpse into what life is like for nearly a third of the people living in the Maldives.

If you want to rub shoulders with the locals’, the best time to visit the capital is usually from mid-afternoon onwards, as people finish up with work and school commitments. Head to the northern end of the island, where Artificial Beach, the open playing fields and the surf break are located. Purchase a bag of freshly made popcorn from one of the hole-in-the wall shops and go for a wander along the ocean promenade. If you are a sporty person, don’t be surprised if you are asked to join an impromptu game of volleyball or asked if you want to shoot some hoops on the basketball courts.

Finish the evening with a visit to one of the tiny roadside stalls dotted around the ring road, near the prominent tsunami memorial. Though the stalls are largely visited by locals don’t be shy of asking for a seat, ordering a fresh coconut to drink and having a chat with the locals. This is Male’ after all, and the best way to get to know a city is by talking the people that call it home.

Male’ ; a unique capitalBy Thomas Pickard

Male’ ; a unique capital



Surf’s up! A Maldivian surfer pulls an aerial manoeuvre on a wave at the one-and-only surf break in Male’. Blessed with warm, clear waters and favourable swell conditions for 8-months of the year, the Maldives is a must-visit surf destination for globe trotting surfers’.

A commuter’s view of Male’, on one of the regular ferry services from Male’ International Airport to Male’. Where once Male’ was a city of coral lined streets with single story houses, today Male’ is a modern city complete with high-rise buildings, paved roads and early morning and late afternoon traffic congestion.

One of the great ironies of Male’, is the fact that no natural beaches exist on the tiny island city, yet as a destination the Maldives is well known for its pristine beaches. To remedy the situation, the Maldives’ Government created what would become known as the Artificial Beach. Each afternoon as the heat of the day subsides, families and children flock to the beach to cool off and swim in the azure coloured ocean water.

Two men carry a pot filled with freshly caught tuna, to the fish market in Male’.

A man paddles a small boat loaded with bundles of bananas to the fruit and vegetable market in Male’.

A commercial fisherman walks along the back deck of a brightly painted fishing dhoni at Male’ harbour.

Maldivian men play volleyball at one of the free

Maldivian men play volleyball at one of the free volleyball courts on the island. Most evenings men, women and children come out to the open spaces at the northern end of the island to play basketball, volleyball and football.

Graves at Grand Friday Mosque in the heart of Male’. Grand Friday Mosque is one of the oldest and most important sites in Male’. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, the mosque is a must-visit site for anyone visiting the capital.

A seller stands with money in hand, waiting to sell rows of freshly caught Skipjack Tuna at the Male’ fish market. Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna are the lifeblood of the commercial fishing industry in the Maldives and both fish continue to be a staple of Maldivian menus.

Early morning street scene, as parents’ take their children to school, in the heart of Male’.

A stack of old surfboards beneath a coconut palm, near the one-and-only surf break in the city.


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A man crouches between motorbikes while talking on his mobile phone. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the Maldives is ranked number 18 in the world for countries with the highest per capita cell phone usage.

Two couples’ talking on the side of the road, on the ring road that runs around Male’.

Rows of commercial fishing dhonis, opposite the main fish market in Male’. Each day commercial fishing dhonis jostle for space in the harbour, so crews can unload and deliver their catches of tuna to the fish market floor.

Rear view of four fishermen sitting atop a sea wall made of tetrapods, in the late afternoon light. The tetrapods were donated by the Japanese Government and used to help protect the low-lying city from big seas and tidal surges during bad weather. Fishing in the late afternoon is a popular past time amongst men living in Male’.

Thomas Pickard is a writer and photographer who called Male’ home for two years. He returns annually for assignment work.

MALDIVIAN AIR TAXI Inflight Magazine |

(Cumin and Onion Rice)


Ingredients:

500 grams rice1 cup coconut milk3 tea spoons cumin seed5 pods cardamoms2 pcs cinnamon (about 1/2 inches)1 onion sliced2 tea spoons ginger (grind to a paste)3 inches of rampe leaves cut into smaller piecessalt to taste

Method:

Mix ginger and onion, add half the coconut milk and mix. Wash the rice, and in a cooking vessel add remaining coconut milk, and water. The water should be 3/4 inches over the rice. Add salt to taste. Also add all remaining ingredients except onion. When the water starts to disappear, add sliced onion, and simmer until rice is done.

DhiriFiyaalee Baiy is traditionally served on special occasions such as the Eid, with accompaniments such as Kandu Kukulhu, Theluimas (fried fish) and Ambu Satani (mango salad).

Juwayriyya Wajdhee is one of the most famous cookery writers in the Maldives who first shot to fame with her publications in 1980. She has formulated several new recipes and dishes giving them her own names. Juwayriyya has 39 publications to her credit and has to date presented 3779 recipes in Dhivehi through her cookbooks. While many of these are her own creations, she is also credited with reviving and presenting some of the traditional recipes of the Maldives in its true original form. Juwayriyya has appeared in several television and radio shows.

MALDIVIAN RECIPE

HEAVEN OF MIND & BODY

dizzying . dazzling . distinctEmerald specks enveloping turquoise waters, Scattered beads of powdery beaches patching endless ocean, Green palms swaying delicate fronds to and fro, Crystalline lagoons giving way to white sands, Hues of blue fading into pristine coral reefs, Welcome to Maldives -- the most incredible Heaven on Earth.

Fasmeeru Building 5th Flr, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, P.O. Box 2034, Male, Republic of MaldivesTel: +960 332 9889 Fax: +960 331 2832 Email: [email protected]

WWW.CROWNTOURSMALDIVES.COM

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The coral reefs of Maldives have one of the highest densities of fish populations anywhere on the planet. The place is dancing with fish in every nook and cranny of every drop-off, cave, overhang and canyon. It is a world of hyperactivity that seems to be at ease, a kaleidoscope of flashing colour and delightful designs. So much goes on beyond our knowing down there but just to observe is to wonder and be thrilled.

If your first ever snorkel is in Maldives, you never forget it. Many a guest at dinner on the first evening of their holiday is wide-eyed and talkative trying to describe their experience, but mostly what comes out is “It’s amazing, really amazing…I mean…phfhh”.

You sit down in the water just by the beach and pull your flippers on. Then you turn and make your way across the shallows to the edge of the lagoon. Before you’ve gone a body length you realise there are fish right next to you, good-sized fish with the translucent colour of sand through water, perfect camouflage. Something else is flashing colour at you, the beautifully painted and endearing picasso triggerfish, darting in and out of your vision.

At the first coral boulders, loosely scattered around in the sand, are some tiny fish defending some crevice territory, others are resting on top pretending they’re not there,


By Adrian Neville

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while a pair of butterfly fish dance a ‘pas de deux’. A couple of dashing blue surgeonfish pass by your mask and entice you on further towards the massing corals.

The living corals are coming in different shapes and sizes,

brain corals next to table corals next to leather corals, all

aptly named. The surfaces below you are alien: wrinkly, splayed,

rounded and crunchy. The fish are in profusion now, your eyes

taken by a group of psychedelic wrasse, then a grey boxfish with


white spots and the weirdly elongated trumpetfish. You can’t know what they’re up to, you can only watch and admire as they go about their daily business of feeding and not being fed on. You take a look up at where you are going and a forbidding darkness is beginning to loom ahead.

Unsettled, you wonder if you should maybe head back now but your

attention is caught by a rasping, crunching sound and you look around to find a large parrotfish gnawing at a coral, its solid body rippled with pastel pinks, yellows and greens. And suddenly a mighty disturbance as a blue-fin jack flashes over the corals in pursuit of a fusilier.

You fancy you’ve seen everything – this place is all it’s cracked up to be – but you haven’t even reached the place where experienced snorkelers start,

where you will head straight to from now on. And it’s a shame

because there is so much in the lagoon to linger for, but the drop-

off draws you out with a constant promise of the real excitement.

You can’t repeat the first time you go over the drop-off, it’s a case of diminishing

returns of excitement, but the first time is a thrill bordering on the frightening. It’s as if you throw yourself off a high building at night but continue to fly as the ground drops vertically away. The brightness of the

It is a world of hyperactivity that seems to be at ease, a kaleidoscope

of flashing colour and delightful designs.

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sun bouncing around the lagoon is absorbed immediately by the blue depths and you are at once reminded of and grateful for the mass of the water holding you up.

Out over the reef edge you’re looking through your mask at another world. It is thriving and complete but entirely out of sight from above the surface. From now on it will never be quite out of mind. Below are not just ones and twos or small groups but huge schools of fish now streaming along in loose ranks, now suddenly, in response to some unseen danger, in tight formation turning and twisting en masse. Rainbow runners, blue-striped snappers and silver sprats flashing and shimmering in unison.

You begin to pick out different corals as you peer down at the reef wall: big boulders here, staghorn and branching corals over there, with some waving, soft corals and a big fan

coral in between. Little red-toothed triggerfish are

climbing all over it and you’d love to take a closer look but don’t know how. Another day you’ll learn to ‘equalize’ and skin-dive down.

Something catches your attention out of the corner of your eye, from the open water. It was big and moody and your heart leaps. There it is again, my God, it’s a shark, a surge of adrenalin is around your body in an instant. Fight or flight? No question, you decide now is definitely the time to go back. When you reach the beach again, you have calmed down. Your partner lying back, reading a book on the sun-lounger glances over, you’ll talk soon enough but right now you’re savouring your first snorkel.


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The Maldives is a unique place whichever way you look at it. But from the air it’s not only unique; it is magical, breathtakingly beautiful and almost surreal. As you pass over miles and miles of atolls, reefs and lagoons; each of them an

immaculate wonder of nature, you can only wonder in amazement. Together it’s a tapestry of infinite shades rather than colors, no artist can conjure in his imagination.

Maldives; an aerial perspectiveMaldives; an aerial perspective

PHOTO FLIGHTS

45MALDIVIAN AIR TAXI Inflight Magazine |Photo: Sakis Papadopoulos

Photo: Adaaran Resorts

The first de Havilland Canada aircraft flew in 1925, piloted by none other than Geoffrey de Havilland. This first aircraft was called the ‘Moth’ and was quickly followed by many variations – all of them highly successful. However, in the early ‘60s, pressure was put on de Havilland by the US Army to come up with a safer, twin-engine version of the aircraft, and thus the Twin Otter was born.

The Twin Otter proved to be an immediate success, proving immensely popular for short-haul commuter transportation. It replaced many aging piston aircraft that had come on the commercial scene after World War II and it was common to see the Twin Otter flying regional routes around the world. It is our belief that MAT’s success in the Maldives and the consolidation of our reputation as a safe and reliable seaplane operator in a relatively remote country is primarily due to the fact that the Twin

TWIN OTTER

Otter is the most ideal small aircraft to an aviation environment such as the Maldives. At first the Twin Otter was most popular for short-haul commuter air transportation.

It was not until the Twin Otter was forced out of urban routes by newer, larger capacity aircraft that it returned to it’s primary role as an aircraft that can take off and land in a very short distance. This proved of immense value to the operations in the Maldives, where seaplanes are now the primary source of travel for tourists

visiting resorts located in atolls far off from the international airport.

The fleet of planes operated by MAT is at present the world’s largest such fleet, making MAT the largest seaplane operator in the world.


inflight issue 17

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