Rangali Revival Corner
18 March 2007 – Ok, I’m back with the next Male installment. So since we’re actually here to work, let’s get to it.
So imagine ourselves back at the MAT airport.
Step this way through to the Hilton lounge.
This is what it looks like on the inside. Actually it’s really due for a reburfishment, starting to look a bit dated.
And yep, this is the rather dull and drabby corner we’ve been assigned to revamp. At the moment, it houses two computers for guest use.
During the first trip, we caught up with Maad, the supervisor over at the Hilton lounge.
More recently, we were all ready to rumble… we chucked out the comp booths and replaced it with a new set of cupboards that Engineering built us in 3 days.
The therapists, Asih and Mod have also arrived to lend a hand. Still looking rather messy…
But finally, here’s the end product. May I present…
The Rangali Revival Corner! Not too bad huh? Considering it was put together in 2 mere days!?!
And I’ve dressed up the cupboard top too. On the left, some Valmont products, a Swiss brand that we use at the Over-Water Spa.
In the middle, I’m trying to promote our treatments, e.g. Hot Stone massage + Thai Herbal massage. Notice the coconuts? Yeah, I’ve now become quite chummy with the gardeners; I think they’re pretty amused by me. Must be wondering why I keep rummaging through their rubbish pile.
And on the right, some Thalgo, which we use and carry at the Spa Retreat – French. Not bad lah hor? When you have limited resources, you have to get REALLY creative! Methinks I pulled it off.
The other thing Yukiko and I had to do was spice up this really boring retail shelf. Aren’t you falling asleep just looking at it??? How to sell anything like dat?…
And now it looks like this…
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I know! It’s quite a case of “Extreme Makeover”, isn’t it? THIS, I’m really proud of! I think it looks gorgeous now, and you almost, almost fail to notice the ugly black metal shelf now, doncha?
It definitely deserves a closer look. So yes, on the top shelf, we have our “Top 5 Romantic Spa Treatments”.
On the second, we have Valmont again, then Thalgo on the third.
The bottom shelf is reserved for the gym, which yes, is actually part of the Spa Department, though you’d hardly think so. Well, this is one way to tie up the two areas.
Ooh I also wanted to show off these pretty little pouches I manage to find in Male. What are they for? Well, the detail-oriented me has thought of everything – you know how jewellery can sometimes get in the way of massages? Well these are for the guests to place their little knickknacks in while we do the mini treatments, just in case they didn’t quite know where to put them for the ten minutes.
And just before I finish off this second episode, I thought I’d also share my lunch with you. Yep, for 20 Rufiyaa, which is about US$1.60, staff working at the MAT lounge can purchase a lunchbox from the canteen. No choice one, what you see is what you get. Today, chicken noodles with very deep-fried fries. Well, what you expect for 20 Rf?!? But if you think that’s scary… haha I’ve got a picture that would freak out all you avid coffee drinkers, and I can only imagine the faces of Clare and Hazel, who are baristas and roasters! Ready?…
FAR OUT hey?!! What you mean “What?”?!!
THIS! The coffee may be illy, but man… the milk is warmed in a plastic jug?!? Yah, the same kind that you use to… to… what does one use this kind of plastic jug for anyway?!? Well, NOT to warm milk in definitely. Somemore see how the barista(?) is scooping the foam out? Classic!
Oh well, all part of the charm of a different culture I guess. And no, you have not seen the last of Maldivian life. Yep, now that the work is done, I’ll be bringing you on a tour of Male, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait till next time…