First Day Off
22 Dec 06 — Yup, so having worked 5 long days (we work 10 hour days over here, 6 days a week), I’m having my first off day. So what’s there to do when you are stuck on an island? Actually, you might be surprised, there’s more than I originally thought. Ok, firstly, there’s the gym, which indeed I’ve already paid my first visit to today, aren’t I good?!! So in the gym, there are classes one can join, like yoga, pilates, tai chi, meditation, etc. Just have to pay token sum of about US$3 to the instructor. Then being in the Maldives, surrounded by the ocean, there’s the diving centre of course. So usually if I was to just follow the divers out on a diving excursion, it would only cost me about US$6 per trip, just for the equipment rental, yet another perk for us staff. However, I’m not certified yet, so I can’t go on open dives. I’ve wasted no time. Today I also went down to the Padi dive centre to book my name in for a discovery course. After that, I will have to take the theory, study some book and watch a video. Following which, I will start with the basic open diver course before moving on to the advance course. The basic certifies you to dive to a depth of 20m, and the advanced up to 30m. Aiyoh, can’t wait. Today Hiromi my roommate went on a dive and actually saw dolphins and whales siah! Alas for me, I’ll have to stick to snorkeling for the time being, but eh… mai xiao xiao, around these areas, even just snorkel also got TONS to see! Unfortunately today again cloudy and rainy weather, even poured for a while, so I put it off.
But that’s not all folks. Apart from the dive shop, we also have a water sports centre. Haha, here’s where it gets exciting! Ahem hem hem… (clearing my throat), you can choose from parasailing, kite sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, wind surfing, surfing, kayaking, that banana boat thingy, and aquabikes. Eeks! Can’t wait to try them out! And then, if you are keen and can find partners, there are also badminton courts, tennis courts, table-tennis, pool tables, a soccer field. Erm… think I might pass on these. Though badminton maybe in time.
So far, I’ve mentioned all the sporty stuff, but this is afterall, a resort and SPA. So yes, for those who aren’t fitness-inclined, on their off-days, they can indulge in some luxurious pampering. So this is my area, and I should know this by hard by now. At the spa retreat, we offer massages of all kinds – Swedish, Thai, Ayurvedic, Shiatsu, Hot Stones, Aromatherapy, etc. There are also facials, again many many kinds, and then scrubs, masks and wraps. In addition, there are manicures and pedicures, speaking of which, the GM himself absolutely luuurves pedicures, so the story goes that when he saw the pedi chairs pictured below in a magazine, he immediately ripped the page out and ordered Tara, my spa manager, to get them. Like there wasn’t even a contact for where to purchase them. She had to scout around for 2 days on the internet to finally find them, and they came at a pretty price of US$7500 each!
So where was I? Oh yah, you can also have hair treatments, a haircut, OR, if you are so inclined, you can also get waxed! Ouch! Again, I’ll take a raincheck. And so we come to the best part, most of these treatments would only cost us staff US$10! What a beeeautie!
What’s next? Oh yes, we can also go on excursions that are organized by the hotel for guests. These range from visiting local schools and villages on other islands around the area to having a picnic on a deserted island, from sunrise fishing trips to sunset dolphin cruises. All free of charge for us staff. And then of course, what remains is basically what you can come up with, or what you’ve come armed with: sunbathing, reading, watching telly, surfing the net, listening to music, cleaning your room, chatting with friends, hanging out at the staff bar, playing cards, doing cartwheels, writing an epic, making sandcastles, blowing bubbles, whatever turns you on really.
So in terms of feeling stuck and getting bored, can’t say that I’m at that stage yet. At the moment, still lapping up the Indian Ocean, can’t believe I’m here! So if there was a gripe about settling in, it would be more with regards to the company of friends. Well, to give you an idea, the following is an extract from an email I sent Billie yesterday: “Hmm… today feeling rather vulnerable. It’s the social aspect of being on the island. Feeling like I don’t fit in anywhere. Not with the Japanese, not the Thais, not the Aussies, much less all the other nationalities. Hmm… seems like at least at Chiva Som, the farangs were more united, ‘cos I guess there were so few of us anyway that we don’t really form any cliques. Whereas here, in any given nationality, there seems to be at least a good handful of them, so naturally they stick together and speak their own language. Except of course me, the one and only Singaporean. There’s not even another Malaysian or a Chinese! Odd one out. And I guess that’s why the locals don’t seem to know what I am, some greet me with “konichiwa” and some with “sawadee-kah”. Sigh…
And you know me, I’m not one to really go out of my way to make friends. And I definitely do not want to hang out at the local staff bar – Manta Bar. I know these things take time, but boy is it tiring. Mealtimes are especially tedious depending on who you’re seated with. Some people make the effort while others though they are generally quite friendly, don’t really. So there we are seated, awkward silence, awkward silence. I mean, man, I’m the new kid on the block. You’d think the decent thing to do would be to initiate the conversation being the oldie? But no… Hopefully the situation would improve with time, and I’d seek out one or two persons that I can consider real friends, not just colleagues/hi-bye friends. Yeah, I’m not greedy at all, one or two would be more than sufficient for me. But until then…”
So yeah, for now, that’s the part that sucks. But actually that feeling’s also very transient, depending on the day. Like today, I feel absolutely fine. Hiromi and Cynthia were also off today, so we spent some time together and had meals together, and chatted quite a bit. It really helps to have some people to talk to, especially at this initial stage. Getting emails and skyping with friends from back home is also very comforting, like today, chatted with Adeline. She very sweet, reminded me that lotsa people back home love me. Aww… So yep, don’t worry too much about me everybody. I’ll be fine.
Ok, and finally, pictures pictures! Yep, got round to charging the batteries for the camera finally. Unfortunately, again it was a rainy stormy kind of day, so didn’t manage to take as many pictures as I would have loved to, and also, the pictures don’t do the actual place enough justice. But well, these are what I have anyway. So enjoy for now, will post up more in future!
Firstly, pictures of my accomodation.
These are the apartment blocks which house our rooms.
Corridor leading to our rooms.
My room, which I share with Hiromi, Yukie and Cynthia. See, these are those crappy cupboards I was talking about.
View of bunkbeds and our bathroom.
Yep, this is that hard bed with the thin mattress.
Lucky you, I’ve spared you a picture of our bathroom stall that always gets flooded (‘cos the water doesn’t drain properly), so soap suds, hair and other yucky body stuff are always floating around in murky water. Totally gross! I wasn’t exaggerating about conditions right? It does look bad, doesn’t it? Can you imagine living in these sorts of conditions when you’re 30?!? Man, like I’m so NOT built for this lor…
Ok lah, now show you nicer part of my life here, my workspace.
So first of all, to get from the staff quarters to the Spa Retreat, I would have to walk through many paths such as these.
Here we are at the “entrance” to the Spa Retreat, which comprises both the spa itself, as well as 21 spa villas (aka hotel rooms).
To get from the “mainland” to the spa, we’d have to walk along this long bridge. Along the bridge, there are all these barrels. So what are they for? They contain water, so often when it’s sunny, the planks get really hot, and since both staff and guests go around barefooted quite a bit, it’s for them to cool off the heat. Can also wash sand off lah.
So this on the right is Mandhoo, the spa restaurant where they serve healthy lean cuisine.
And on the left, the spa reception area and the relaxation area. Come I show you the inside…
So yep, here’s where spa guests are first greeted, and they can also make bookings and check into the spa villas here.
When people turn up for appointments, we lead them to the waiting/relaxation area via this courtyard.
And yup, they wait here.
This building also houses the mani/pedi area where you can find that infamous pedi chair. I’m definitely going to have my go on these top-of-the-line babies!
And also the consultation room, aka my office. Notice full length window on right…
… this is the magnificent view it commands. Isn’t it crazy?!? I’ve never seen anything like it! I just love standing by it and looking down at all the happy fishies swimming below.
And then when the therapist comes get the guest…
…they are brought down this long corridor…
…which leads to 9 individual couple treatment room. And indeed it’s a loo in the open! A bit intimidating hor? Haha but very refreshing!
Interior of room, with adjoining outdoor rain shower. I had a treatment the other day as part of my training, and got to experience the outdoor shower. Very strange, with the sea and fishes swimming underneathe, and the sun shining brightly above.
Last but not least, a spa villa. After a while, all the buildings look the same.
Ok, so that’s it from me for now. Will continue to keep you all updated about my life here!