Exciting and immersive activities abound in the Maldives, offering visitors a variety of ways to engage with and enjoy the experiences unique to this paradisaic part of the world. In particular, the arts – embracing the beauty of living – are intrinsic to the Maldivian way of life, with a rich local cultural heritage stretching back centuries.
At The Nautilus, we have a passion for the arts and the immersive, inspirational experiences they offer; indeed, the phrase “art of bohemia” is one of the signature hallmarks that guides our vision of hospitality and creative, bespoke luxury. From the resort’s architectural design and the exquisite furnishings of island interiors, to the arts experiences we dream up for guests, our entire island is soaked in a bohemian atmosphere: one of laidback luxury, whimsical beauty, and freedom of individual expression.
Below are just some of the imaginative art experiences you can expect from your stay at The Nautilus.
1. Bask in beauty during Nautilus Rising
Once a week, during Nautilus Rising, the Joy of Art demonstration is hosted at Naiboli’s poolside lounge, where our resident artist, Adhurey, as well as visiting local painters present their talents using different approaches and mediums. At the same time, guests are serenaded by Bea, our in-house musician, whose acoustic guitar melodies stir the soul daily during every Nautilus Rising – and into the night.
These artful expressions provide guests with an enchanting opportunity to wind down during sunset, literally surrounded by beauty, and to enjoy peaceful contemplation and inspiration while savouring drinks and nibbles. And they also offer tasters of what you can expect from a private lesson with Adhurey or Bea, should you wish to explore your creativity.
2. Spice up your cooking know-how
Naiboli again sets the scene for this fun and relaxed cooking demonstration, where guests are invited to watch our master chefs at work as they explain a particular cuisine, the various ingredients and their benefits, and how they are combined to create delectable taste sensations. It may just whet your appetite for something more – perhaps a cooking class with one of our culinary artists.
For example, how about a traditional curry class, which explores the world of spices so vital to the Indian Ocean trade route? The wide range of fragrant and fierce seasonings not only quickens the taste buds, but also has numerous health benefits. Imagine a concoction of evocative flavours like green chilli, ginger, cardamom, curry leaves, turmeric, cinnamon, fresh coriander, toasted coconut and coconut milk. Whether you are an expert or a beginner, this class is a must for all kinds of foodies.
3. Make macramé masterpieces
Macramé – that beautiful, bohemian tradition of decorative knotting – has its origins in the Middle East, where the craft was used in fringes of garments and household fabrics. The art spread to Europe becoming a pastime of sailors and a Genoan speciality and continued to gain global popularity until the present day, where it is now used to adorn walls, create hammocks and display plants. You will notice that we absolutely love this art form – it adorns The Nautilus’s spaces in such an elegantly effortless way and adds a touch of boho-chic to any interior.
In this step-by-step workshop, you will learn how to make your very own macramé creation, to take home as both a beautiful object and a wonderful memory of your island home away from home.
4. Learn wood sculpture from a master artisan
Liyun refers to the sculpting of wood, the intricate abstract carvings embellishing doors, boats, vases and boxes all over the Maldives. Different types of tools are harnessed by local artisans to render the smoothest, finest details, with the work often finished off with another meticulous process central to the region’s craft culture: lacquer art.
While we cannot promise that you will become an overnight master sculptor in this workshop, we can promise an incredibly rewarding and engaging experience as you learn the basics of wood sculpting and learn from the Maldives’ foremost craftsmen.
5. Embark on a meditative journey
The Nautilus offers a number of meditative sessions drawn from various cultural, religious and wellbeing traditions from the East. Our Solasta Spa therapists present two of these experiences at Naiboli: a breathwork and meditation session that incorporates Buddhist crystal singing bowl practices, as well as a tea ceremony presented by Serena, which draws from the mindfulness traditions of Chinese Zen tea ceremonies.
Above all, our vision is inherently creative: our desire is to offer guests a blank canvas on which to design a truly bespoke getaway. So get in touch to start creating a world of your own making at [email protected].