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Explore Secrets of the Distant Stars with Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villa’s SKY Gurus

It’s hard to find a more ideal location than SKY at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas to discover about the Maldives’ night sky. Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah is a stargazer’s dream location. The private island’s remoteness means that it is free from light pollution. Additionally, its proximity to the equator affords spectacular views of both the southern and northern sky.

At SKY, Anantara Kihavah’s overwater observatory, guests sip Champagne or cocktails and gaze through a powerful telescope. Two resident SKY Gurus, Zunnoon Ahmed (Zunnu) and Ali Arushal (Shalli) share fascinating stories of the night sky. Harnessing their local knowledge, they reveal intriguing tales behind distant constellations. Both natives of Baa Atoll, Zunnu and Shalli are captivating storytellers with unique backgrounds.

Zunoon Ahmed

Born and raised on the small island of Kudarikilu in Baa Atoll, Zunnu has always been fascinated by the night sky. His fascination evolved into a passion for astrophotography when he was just 16 years old. This marked the beginning of his journey into the world of astronomy.

Assistant IT Manager by Day and Storytelling SKY Guru by Night

Zunnu is currently serving as Assistant IT Manager by day and storytelling SKY Guru by night. With this, his passion for stargazing only grew stronger. He collaborates with online telescope operators in his spare time, engaging in astro imaging to capture captivating glimpses of the cosmos through remote telescopes. Additionally, he is constantly looking for new ways to expand his knowledge.

I always make it a habit to check online astronimy forums for the latest celestial discoveries and engage in discussions with fellow space enthusiasts, explains Zunnu.

Zunni originally joined Anantara Kihavah in 2017 as an IT Coordinator. In this role, he oversees the hotel network, manages hotel applications, and plays a key role in ensuring the seamless operation of various technological aspects for a smooth guest experience. From here, Zunnu grabbed the opportunity to develop his celestial passion. He started volunteering to study stargazing under the supervision of the resort’s first SKY Guru, Ali Shameem.

Across the next five years, Zunnu conducted research, took theory tests and participated in stargazing demos as part of his detailed training process.

The experience of learning about the stars was a bit challanging when I started. But it has become truly fantastic now. The journey of understanding the cosmos has been both rewarding and enlighting. We all have a natural curiosity to understand the world around us. And the night sky, with its myriad stars, has always been a source of wonder and questions. Stars often hold cultural and mythological significance in various societies. Many cultures have created stories, myths, and legends based on constellations and individual stars, adding a sence of mystery and importance, he says.

Recalling his first stargazing session at Anantara Kihavah, Zunnu commented on how the positive reactions of the guests turned it into a rewarding and fulfilling experience, both for him and for his captivated audience. Sharing his passion now comes easily to the engaging Zunnu. 

While his own personal favourite star is Aldebaran, Zunnu is more than happy to take advantage of Anantara Kihavah’s pristine location away from light pollution to find and share a variety of celestial events with the resort’s guests.

Ali Arushal

A more recent addition to Anantara Kihavah’s team of SKY Gurus, Shalli is another native of Baa Atoll. He was born and raised on the island of Kendhoo. Shalli describes his childhood on Kendhoo as happy and enjoyable. While his interest in the stars began at a young age, it was not until he joined Anantara Kihavah that he delved deeper into the field of astronomy.

From Ensuring Transport Operations to the Fascination with Skies

Shalli joined Anantara Kihavah’s transport department in 2021 as part of the launch crew. His main role involves ensuring smooth transport operations. However, his fascination with the Maldivian night sky led him to volunteer for training as the resort’s next SKY Guru.

During one and a half years of learning about stargazing from the resort’s first SKY Guru, Shalli’s intensive training involved theory tests, reading assignments, and stargazing demonstrations. Eager to expand his knowledge and complement his training, Shalli also seeks out additional information from the internet and YouTube.

Describing his first stargazing session with guests as stunning, Shalli quickly warmed to his new role. As a SKY Guru, Shalli enjoys sharing his passion and imparting unknown knowledge about the stars to others. Antares is Shalli’s personal favorite star. He finds joy in showing guests distant constellations and sharing spectacular events such as lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, or meteor showers.

The SKY Gurus guide guests through a cosmic journey, exploring stars and planets from both hemispheres. Using a green laser, they point out constellations and explain concepts like light years and galaxy types. Guests can then view the sky through the observatory telescope, which reaches 30 million light years away.

The locale gives guests an opportunity to see lunar eclipses, stars and planets invisible from Europe or America. Sometimes, depending on climate and time of the year, you can even catch a glimpse of Saturn with its pale-yellow rings, belts of Jupiter that vary in width, colour and intensity from year to year and the several hundred thousand stars that makeup Messier 13.

SKY is the finest overwater observatory in the Maldives built with a 3.8 metre revolving Ash- dome and equipped with a research-grade Meade 16” LX200 telescope with a magnification of 400x mounted on a super-giant field tripod.

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Celebrate Eid Al-Adha with Authentic Maldivian Traditions at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hosts Fun Cultural Eid Festivities

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

  • Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
  • Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
  • Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
  • Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
  • Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
  • Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

  • Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
  • Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
  • Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.

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