Alepa: The Act of Anointing the Body

A part of the sacred rituals of privileged Indian Royalty of yore; now, in Jiva Grande Spa’s lavish Indian Mud Bath Pavilion, you will encounter the rare and authentic experiences of ‘Alepa.’

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Welcome to a ceremony that resonates with symbolism and spirituality, as you feel yourself being gently elevated to a higher, harmonious and centered state of being.                

The setting ensures you first forge a bond with nature. With the enchanting blues of the vast ocean stretching out before you, you’ll walk through a lush garden, on stepping-stones flanked by fountains… to your own serene space. Then Alepa unfolds in a relaxed sequence.

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The sacred act of anointing therapeutic pastes begins…Feel the cool visceral sensation of herbal mud mixtures on your body that is unhurried, comforting, meditative. Fragrances from the oils envelope your being. Even the contoured sun-beds are heated for your pleasure.

In this cocoon of comfort, the healing pastes stimulate nerve endings, revitalize your blood circulation and renew your vitality. After rose water softens the gently drying pastes, you are led to an invigorating outdoor shower - akin to a natural waterfall – to rinse off the mud. The effect is at once exhilarating.

Now it’s time to sip on refreshing organic teas…a prelude to the glorious finish: a deep tissue massage by a therapist. And you can gently drift away into that state of utter bliss.  An intimate inner journey to supreme wellness, as only the Royals demanded — and were respectfully honoured with.

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The incredible lightness of well-being…with Jiva.

It’s that image of paradise we gently escape to, a feeling of bliss that our urban-stressed bodies crave for. It’s that luxury Spa set in a faraway enchanted island; where genial masseurs release every knot and restore energy flow…

Now take your body and soul to where your mind has often wandered away; the extraordinary Jiva Grande Spa. With views of the mesmerizing blue beyond, havens of comfort fan out around a courtyard with private sundecks. This is where India’s ancient healing wisdom comes to life as we channel your Jiva or ‘life force’ to optimum wellness.

 Sensuous…yet sensible too

Aromatic massages, fragrant body wraps, invigorating saunas, yoga & meditation—all in a setting of understated elegance in wood and stone, with evocative local touches. As befits a Spa of international repute, you also enjoy a unique spa cuisine with regenerative and anti-oxidant natural ingredients, yet served with all the finesse of Le Cordon Bleu dining.

If all this spells romance to you, you’re in paradise. Our over-water couple spa suites take intimacy and bonding to another level.

 Authentic spa experiences

Now may be the time to indulge yourselves with the famed Alepa  (‘anointing of the body’): a signature treatment that carries with it an aura of the fabled lifestyle of Indian Royalty.  Ceremonial bathing rituals, led by gracious attendants, will make you feel pampered and privileged… as the experience leaves you with a heightened sense of well being.

Come embrace a deeper understanding of mind, body, spirit. Radiate with a new energy; rekindle your love of life.

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Discover Taj Exotica Maldives’s Top 10 Romantic spots

 Our most romantic spots on the island are revealed. Tell us your favorites too…

 1. The Tree House:

 Bespoke dining and an intimate setting amidst the green jade trees to enjoy a dinner with your beloved.

2. Jiva Grande Spa ‘Couple Treatment Room’:

Rejuvenate with our signature therapies in the intimate setting of the Couples room at the Spa Pavilion.

3. Deep End Restaurant: 

Gourmet tasting menus, hand-picked ingredients served with the finest wines; all in a breathtaking setting at the Deep End Restaurant.

4. The blue lagoon:

New adventures in a vast blue world, teeming with colourful fascinating life await you and your beloved.

5. Private beach hideaway: 

As the majestic waves serenade you and our butler serves you delectable delights, bask in love and starlight at a private spot on the beach.

6. Lagoon Villa Bath: 

Soak in a rose petal bath in your private lagoon villa with your beloved, and savour timeless ocean views.

7. Wedding Pavilion: 

Built in the middle of an earthly paradise, the Wedding Pavilion is the ideal place to Renew your vows and proclaim your love all over again.

8.  Sunset Beach Dug out dinner: 

Kindle the flames of your deep romance with a sea-breeze, stardust and a gourmet meal.

9. Ocean Pavilion:

The ocean pavilion provides the perfect setting with endless views to fall in love all over again!

10. Swing in the lagoon: 

Swing Amidst clear blue waters, hand in hand with your beloved…a simple, yet unforgettable way to rock your world.

Have you been to Taj Exotica, Maldives? Share your favourite romantic spots with us…

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One exotic island. 7 incredible must-do’s!

1.Romantic Rendezvous:  Sail away to a magical mid-ocean tryst…a languid sunset cruise on sail-boat Dhoni
 Romantic Cruise in Dhoni

2.Epicurean Delights: Book a table-for-2 in the Ocean Pavilion; enjoy intimate moments over gourmet fare

Romantic Dinner

3. Holistic Rejuvenation: Surrender your body to the nurturing touch of Ayurveda experts at Jiva Grande Spa

Jiva Grande Spa

4.Vintage Tour: Sample the Riviera’s finest with our sommelier; perfect for wine aficionados

Wine Tasting

5.MasterChef Exotica: Watch it, try it, master it. A Cooking-Food Tasting interaction with culinary geniuses

Interactive Dining with Finest Chef, Taj Exotica Maldives

6. Water-vaganza Dive into our underwater paradise; or enjoy exhilarating water sports.

Corals

7. Wedding Wows: Renew your wedding vows in paradise! Sunset Beach setting or an intimate Wedding Pavillion.

Renewal Of Vows


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A day in the life of our Resident Marine Biologist…

Welcome to the fascinating ‘underworld’ of the Maldives…(where the Don may well be a Reef Shark; and a very harmless one at that!)

As the Resident Marine Biologist at Taj Exotica, I regularly take guests snorkelling to our own beautiful Coral Garden. Every expedition begins with a thorough briefing of what marine life you can expect to see underwater. This is to enhance your experience below, with safety tips to increase your confidence.

And what a spectacular world awaits you! The reef is a stunning place, and full of surprises each day. If we are lucky we may spot a Hawksbill Turtle or a Reef Shark passing by. But if we aren’t lucky enough to spot them there are still many more fish in the sea! Brightly coloured Parrotfish and Sweetlips can be seen cruising along the reef. Almost every day we find Nemo; the Maldives very own species of Anemone fish hiding amongst purple Anemones.

Then it is time for me to check on our own Coral Garden Project—an artificial reef we are building close to the resort. Each of the frames that make up the reef is sponsored by guests. I take time to check each piece of coral; to make sure it is healthy and clean, or if there are any unhealthy pieces of coral that need replacing. Later, I email the guests who have sponsored the frames to let them know how their reef is growing and the fish life around their frames. They enjoy being in touch, and feel gratified with their contribution to the environment.

Then comes my favourite part of the day! I finish my day by feeding the resident Sting Rays at 5.30pm.  We are lucky enough to have four Sting Rays that come every day for feeding; two Whiptail Sting Rays which are enormous and two Black Sting Rays. Recently a juvenile Black Sting Ray has also started to come here but he is still rather shy! The feeding normally lasts for 30 minutes as I play with the Sting Rays and explain to the guests that are watching. It is also a good chance to answer any questions that guests have about other marine life. We often get small Black Tip Reef Sharks circling around as we are feeding the Sting Rays. This sounds dangerous but let me assure you: the Sharks are actually very shy and harmless!

Once a week I also present a short talk to guests in the bar on the Maldivian marine life. I enjoy teaching people the fascinating ways of the world below the sea, which invariably leaves them amazed. This makes it all truly special for them; a memory they will keep forever.

Marine Biologist

Robyn
Marine Biologist at Taj Exotica, Maldives

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Renew your wedding vows in paradise!

An exotic, enchanting island, one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world…What better place than this piece of paradise to renew your wedding vows and celebrate love!

My team and I at Taj Exotica have created an intimate Wedding Renewal Package: full of magical settings and delightful surprises, inspired by the beauty of Maldives. So what will it be for you: A Sunset Wedding on the beach with close friends? Or a private celebration at the Wedding Pavilion right in the middle of the ocean!

Our choice of wedding ceremonies

A Sunset Wedding is popular with couples for its setting on the beach. The sky is ablaze with a riot of hues, and soft evening breezes caress the bride’s hair as she walks down to a flowered canopy, to link hands with her partner’s.

If you like, the vows could be your own: a favorite poem, a love song, or even the classic vows of your faith, repeated with true meaning.

The Wedding Pavilion with its intimate and personal aura can be quite a heady experience: a ceremonial setting with soft wedding music right in the middle of the ocean! Imagine clinking glasses of wine over the swishing sounds of waves, as the sunset gives way to a moonrise…

Our own romantic touches

Now here are our little extras to delight the bridal couple: your beloved and you will arrive to a decorated villa, with fine wine, romantic music playing, and a floral bath to set the mood.  Your Beach Wedding or Pavilion Wedding ceremony will be recorded in a lovely album of pictures with our compliments.  After the ceremony comes our complimentary bottle of champagne for the toast. And some sparkling wine and canapés for your special invitees.

Then an incredibly romantic sunset cruise for just the two of you!

More treats we include in our package:

  • A 50 minute spa treatment during your stay
    • 15% discount on all purchases at our boutique
    • Complimentary sight-seeing visit to the capital island Male

 

You can also get a video CD of the wedding ceremony, a champagne breakfast in your villa the morning after, and a special dinner at the beach for the entire family, for an extra charge.

So surprise your spouse. Or enjoy planning this together. This is the grand romantic gesture that your love deserves!

Do write to me and we shall plan this unique event the way you want. Email: simmi.soodan@tajhotels.com

The price of the package is USD 2380.00 inclusive of Service Charge,GST, nett  & non-commissionable and is valid from 24th December 2011 to 23rd  December 2012. Price does not include accommodation.

Warm Regards,

Simmi Soodan

Associate Director of Sales-Maldives

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Give 2012 the perfect welcome!

Join us as we ring in this festive season at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa! Our tropical paradise is the ideal escape this winter and our Festive Program is sure to convince you to visit!

Choose a special candlelit dinner this Christmas, or revel in the spectacular views of the lagoon on the cruise with your beloved… 

   

Await the New Year by rejuvenating and reviving yourself with natural therapies & yoga lessons or if you’re feeling adventurous, indulge in the exhilarating sports at the Diving centre.

And finally end this year by celebrating at 24 Degrees with gourmet feasts and bubbly that set spirits high or serenade to the live band at Deep End.

There’s a lot more in store for you! Come celebrate with me and my team.

Warm Regards,

Kunal Arya

 

 

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