June 2018: Original Maldivian eco-resort and pioneer of barefoot luxury, Gili Lankanfushi, is introducing a new range of castaway adventures for children aged 4 and over in time for the summer holidays. This summer, the islands littlest guests will discover the Indian Ocean haven in Robinson Crusoe style, through scavenger challenges, immersive cultural experiences and underwater exploration, all led by Gili Lankanfushi’s experienced Mr. Fridays.
Holidays will kick off with a Pirate Party on nearby One Palm Island, where budding explorers will spend the afternoon marooned on the secluded sandbank sipping from coconuts, hunting for lost treasure and learning to build ocean rafts and island shelters using scavenged construction materials.
Adventurers will bring their scavenging skills back to the main island for a wild art class using natural materials such as palm leaves and coconut coir, and a natural cooking class with the island’s chefs, collecting tropical fruits, fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs from the island’s vast organic garden to make their own traditional Maldivian curries, juices and smoothies.
Working with the local community on nearby island Himmafushi for an introduction into Maldivian island culture, music classes will teach children the traditional Bodu Beru drumming technique, whilst local Dhivehi language classes will allow them to greet and communicate with islanders and staff through basic Dhivehi phrases.
Taking to the seas, conservationists-in-making will explore the crystalline waters with Gili Lankanfushi’s marine biology team for an educational underwater treasure hunt. Snorkelling through the shallow lagoon, children will learn about the kaleidoscopic array of Maldivian marine life, identifying colourful fish species, friendly eagle rays and paddling sea turtles.
Whilst children are occupied, parents can head to Gili Lankanfushi’s overwater Meera spa for an afternoon of peaceful pampering, or to the wine, cheese or chocolate cellars for something more indulgent. Families can continue to explore the island together with range of activities including family film screenings in the open-air Jungle Cinema, beach picnics, buggy driving lessons, family cooking classes and kayaking, snorkelling or surf lessons.
To book: Seven nights at Gili Lankanfushi for a family of four in a Villa Residence starts from $9,002, including daily breakfast and dinner and three family activities. This package offers a 20% saving. Valid until 20th December 2018
Call +960 664 0304 / Email [email protected]
www.gili-lankanfushi.com
For media enquiries:
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Tammy Gan, Marketing Communications Manager at [email protected]
BIRD Luxury Travel PR
[email protected] or +44 (0) 20 7112 882
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Editor’s Note
Gili Lankanfushi: Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Malé international airport. Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.
Coral Lines Project: Launched in 2014, the Coral Lines Project aims to rehabilitate the coral reef – damaged by an intensive El Niño event and Crown of Thorn Starfish outbreak – through direct transplantation of mature corals onto lengths of rope suspended in mid-water and through indirect coral spawning from the nursery. Currently the nursery has 180 lines, each containing approximately 50 coral fragments, and is home to more than 8,500 corals. Frames are placed in a sheltered site, with optimal current and lighting conditions, are periodically cleaned and checked, and monitored every three months for fragment size and survival rates. The innovative project has now been adopted by six other Maldivian resorts.
