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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Welcomes Back Mama Baerbel Richter For Her 43rd Visit!

Four days ago, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef welcomed a repeat guest, Baerbel Richter to the resort. The German couple Hans and Bärbel Richter first arrived in the Maldives in 2000. Even for their first Maldives visit, the couple chose to stay at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. This was love at first sight for the couple, who continued to visit the country time and time again.

With this, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and its team were adopted by the couple, who are now known as Mama and Papa of the resort. This year, Mama Baerbel Richter made her 43rd visit to the resort, which became a major celebration at the resort. The team at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef welcomed Baerbel in true Maldivian style, showcasing true Maldivian hospitality. For years, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef has been celebrating the awaited return of Mama and Papa. This year, however, Richter was unable to make the trip due to old age.

Mama’s enduring loyalty is a testament to the warm and welcoming environment that our resort strives to create for each and every guest, says Thoha Yoosuf during Mama’s 42nd visit at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

In addition to Mama and Papa, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef also celebrated yet another loyal Vilu Reef lover in 2023. Last year the resort welcomed back the beloved “Vilu Sisters,” Ms. Melanie Per and Nicole Per, who returned for their 18th visit.

Maldives Resorts such as Sun Siyam Resorts are generally loved among visitors for the amazing hospitality provided. Not only does the team make you feel like you’re home away from home, but the resorts offer more than a luxury getaway. Curated experiences such as the resort’s exclusive Lagoon Breakfast experience have also made it more intriguing for travellers.

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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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