Kurumba
October 1972 - 2012
Rejoice. The goose had laid the golden egg
October 1972 - 2012
Rejoice. The goose had laid the golden egg
The small island OF VIHAMANAFUSHI ( Kurumba ) as it was then called, was the very first resort in the Maldives and on October 3rd 1972 received her first guests. I arrived a few years later having been asked to visit the island by Ahmed Mujuthaba, who headed tourism in the country. Kurumba was close to the airport and local dhoni (boats) would ferry guests over. It was wonderfully basic. Simple rooms, no fans, no hot water and sandy floors. A real Robinson Crusoe retreat.
Moosa Sobree was the Manager, a very intelligent man who had been brought in from Gan, a large island at the very bottom of the Maldives, just below the equator. The British Royal Air Force had occupied Gan as a staging post after World War II. The Maldivians living and working with the British on Gan had the advantage of speaking English and had learnt some of the modern ways needed to converse with tourists.
The early guests fell in love with the simplicity, serenity and the luxury of silence. The abundance of multifarious fish, clean clear water, sugar white sand and the friendly people. The policy of no spear fishing, removal of corals, or shells has paid off as so many reefs in the world today have been gutted. As the years passed, customs and needs started to change, swimming pools were built, air conditioning was installed and a wider choice of restaurants. However the Maldivians involved in those early days had much to learn about tourism and struggled with lack of funds, coupled with having to learn fast what these visitors NEEDED!
Kurumba had her first face lift in 1979. To me she is now beauty personified and has become the Grand Dame of all resorts in the Maldives. The island had cared for heads of governments from all over the world and fronted Commonwealth meetings in her stunning conference hall. There is something for everyone here today.
Moosa Sobree was the Manager, a very intelligent man who had been brought in from Gan, a large island at the very bottom of the Maldives, just below the equator. The British Royal Air Force had occupied Gan as a staging post after World War II. The Maldivians living and working with the British on Gan had the advantage of speaking English and had learnt some of the modern ways needed to converse with tourists.
The early guests fell in love with the simplicity, serenity and the luxury of silence. The abundance of multifarious fish, clean clear water, sugar white sand and the friendly people. The policy of no spear fishing, removal of corals, or shells has paid off as so many reefs in the world today have been gutted. As the years passed, customs and needs started to change, swimming pools were built, air conditioning was installed and a wider choice of restaurants. However the Maldivians involved in those early days had much to learn about tourism and struggled with lack of funds, coupled with having to learn fast what these visitors NEEDED!
Kurumba had her first face lift in 1979. To me she is now beauty personified and has become the Grand Dame of all resorts in the Maldives. The island had cared for heads of governments from all over the world and fronted Commonwealth meetings in her stunning conference hall. There is something for everyone here today.
VOILA!
On the 3rd October 2012 I was flown out to be part of Kurumba’s 40th birthday celebration. The sun was shining; there was a cool breeze and calm seas. Forty of us divers gathered together to dive Kurumba’s colourful and busy house reef. Pictures were taken along the way and at 10 meters we gathered to pay homage. Back on dry land, we enjoyed refreshments.
Later on it was time for Cinderella to get ready for the Ball. I put on one of my forty National Dresses, the one with pink roses (the rose Fennifemin (check spelling in Dhivehi ), the national flower. All I can say is what an evening it was, sheer nostalgia and most beautifully done. Thirty years with "my little darlings' (this is what I call the Maldivians) flashed before my eyes. Mr M.U Maniku (Chairman of Universal Enterprises) gave an incredibly moving speech out lining the Kurumba Story, so moving and brave. When they first started out creating Kurumba they were just kids, but with guts and ambition they got their Goose to lay. Lacking funds or knowledge of such an undertaking, nevertheless they battled on and on. Here we have before us now Kurumba the Grand Dame of the Maldives Islands. Mr M.U Maniku’s incredible speech brought tears to my eyes. I sat with all the 'oldies’ like me that had been so loyal and by M.U’s side all the way. They went up to receive an Award of Honor, their faces said it all. We were all together with 'old Mama' (me) bonded together until death do us part.
An evening never to be forgotten.
