Footprints to Health
“No need for heels, it’s about feeling the sand between your toes”. Wise words for a wellness holiday in the Maldives where I was stepping up my footprints to health.
Privileged on its own island, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi successfully reset my senses: the glittery sparkles dancing and skimming the water’s surface like the visual healing effect of Reiki, the calming sound rhythm of the waves smooching with velvety sandy beaches and warm air stroking the skin. Peace, tranquillity, serenity. The basic ingredients for healing the soul.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a place of palm trees, flowers and lush greenery enveloping idyllic thatched villas or leading to more on stilts over the water. Authentic and luxurious, this Maldivian resort has allowed nature to take its lead and even a butler to personalise your stay – a petal bath in your outdoor jacuzzi, a buggy ride to the mixology class or to a movie under the stars. There are 21 villas in 12 category styles. All are stylish, attic style rooms with open air bathrooms, modern with personal touches that make your day. The 81 over-water villas brag glass floor sections with terrace stairs directly into the sea. Privacy and plenty of space – no fights over sun loungers here! Iru Fushi offers bed & breakfast, half-board and all-inclusive plans.
The Spa
Breathe in, breathe out. A unique Reflexology Path leads to the Spa. This barefoot walk imparts an acupressure effect, with rocking exercises for the arches and written reminders to drink water and be mindful as you balance along its path. The spa is like entering a sacred area, candles flickering and scented flowers perfuming the air. Water channels escort the pebbled paths to 20 asian-inspired villa treatment rooms. And with 160 treatments offered, resident ayurvedic consultant, Doctor Ruhal, prescribes, customises and guides guests to therapeutic solutions. He also undertakes local research in indigenous Maldivian treatments.
The ancient wisdom of local Divehi medicine, known as `’Dhivehi beys verikan,` is integrated into the spa’s philosophy. Practiced by islanders over centuries, traditional herbalism and age-old bodywork techniques connect guests to the local atoll way of life. And as an endearing touch, part of the proceeds from each Maldivian treatment is used for charity purposes helping to support island community initiatives.
The spa menu ranges from Maldivian treatments which centre on the local resources of coconut oil and milk for body scrubs, relaxing baths and massages to traditional Ayurveda treatments such as Shirodhara which uses herbal medicinal oil poured onto the third eye. The visionaries who practiced herbalism in the Maldives devised a treatment for the relief of body aches and joint discomforts from stress-related conditions. Named, Umbuliveyo Banun, it involves a personally prescribed herbal paste freshly picked from the island. This is applied on the affected areas and then enclosed in a wrap of banana leaves with hot stones placed on vital points. A stimulating head massage, a single stream of oil poured over the third eye and a full body massage using oil processed from local herbs completes the process.
Activities to uplift
Get away on a trip to an uninhabited island with no one else around except your waiter and the lapping waves buffing against the shoreline. Fins and mask on, join the underwater residents amongst bright blue coral. Safe with your snorkelling guide, rub shoulders with clown fish and turtles and don’t worry about the silver tip baby sharks, they’re just checking out their territory.
To educate
The nature walk reveals the rich variety of vegetation on the island. The hanging roots forming tunnelled pathways from the old Banyan tree. Fragrances of the decorative fangipani flowers, splashes of colour from bougainvillea and hibiscus plants and hidden lotus ponds. It also introduces the locals – the geckos and Asian koel. You can walk around the island in 25 minutes – that is if you are not distracted by the scurrying crabs, pieces of coral and the unbelievable colour palette on the horizon following you.
And to make you smile
You can be assured of a show from an evening cruise to watch the dolphins’ waltz, silhouetted by the sunset’s dramatic colour show and follow their dance under and by your side as they tease and demonstrate their skills.
Dining to nourish
With 14 restaurants and bars, the range of dining options is wide open. A dedicated superfood section on the breakfast buffet or a floating breakfast in the privacy of your villa. And in the evening, the fire theatricals and dextrous display of Japanese cuisine or maybe a more intimate dinner on the beach by candlelight.
Giving back
With a focus on saving the environment, planting a coconut tree is a small way to make a contribution to the island. A permanent signature to your stay. This gesture has been initiated by the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. A commemorative plaque is carved with your name and your plant which will be watered and nurtured on your behalf over its life.
My Wellness Holiday in the Maldives
My footprints to health have walked the deserted beaches with views seen usually in photographs or the top instagram posts. Barefoot, I have felt the earth beneath my feet, grounded and mindful. The warmth from the cloudless sky has melted stress, my senses invigorated. My wellness holiday to the Maldives at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has reset my mind, body and soul. I leave on the seaplane with my shoes ready for my walk back to real life.
Take a look at the resort here
