But the sheer remoteness of Bawah Reserve makes it possible for you (and we mean you, Sista!) to experience the true freedom of letting your hair down, literally.
Bawah’s allure is in its sheltered seclusion in the Anambas Archipelago. The nearest habitable island is a two-hour boat ride away. This glorious remoteness means when you’re on your private beach – and there are several to choose from – you are completely alone. Well, you and the picnic basket your hosts will pack for you, that is.
With no one around for miles, we can think up of so many ways to enjoy this privacy which truly is a rare luxury.
There’s no better or more delightful way to discover the local culture and its people by eating your way into the experience!
As with anyone travelling with a dietary restriction, early planning ensures your vacation plans remain stress-free. And, with today’s hospitality skills include being mindful of guests’ dietary needs, it’s even easier to communicate your request on halal food to your hosts if you give it a little bit of thought.
Don’t delay that communiqué
To manage expectations on both sides – yours and the host’s – early communications is key. Enquire during the booking process if the hotel can cater to your halal requirements.
Are there any Muslim kitchen staff on-board?
Having a fellow Muslim in the kitchen certainly
helps! Because he/she would be able to advise you on matters concerning storage
of halal meats/ingredients, separate kitchen work areas and any risks of
cross-contamination.
Speak to the man on top aka The Head Ched
Many hotels and resorts are happy to arrange
halal-certified meats for the duration of your stay. To ensure there is no risk
of cross-contamination, enquire if:
a) the halal meats are stored separately from the
rest of the kitchen items
b) seafood can be stored separately from the rest
of the kitchen items
c) it is possible, throughout the duration of your
stay, to have the halal meats/seafood stored independently from the rest of the
kitchen items
d) the kitchen can prepare your meals with separate utensils (knives, cutting board, pans, grills, pots).
You’d be surprised at just how accommodating the industry can be. That only leaves you to enjoy the scenery and all else in between.
Halaluxe is a BIG fan of Spa Village. Being in their spa is a journey to experiencing the healing traditions and ancient wellness rituals of the place they operate. Combining age-old traditional remedies sourced from indigenous ingredients used to curate signature therapies in every spa, each treatment is unique and a delightful sensorial experience.
Credit: Spa Village Malacca
Now you can retreat to and experience all their spas with an amazing offer. For a limited time, purchase the Spa Village 11.11 One-for-One offer for 11 spa treatments at MYR3,000 and enjoy another 11 spa treatments, complimentary. That is a bargain offer of MYR136 per visit!
Credit: Spa Village Gaya Island Resort
All vouchers are valid for two years and transferable across all Spa Village properties in Malaysia. These are: Spa Village Pangkor Laut, Spa Village Tanjong Jara, Spa Village Cameron Highlands, Spa Village Malacca, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, The Majestic Spa Village and Spa Village Gaya Island.
To purchase, visit bit.ly/3eJ1EC1. For more information, WhatsApp +60 18 340 9034 or email spavillagekl@ytlhotels.com.my. Offer ends 12 November, 2020.
Disclaimer: Halaluxe makes no money from this promotion.
How simple is “halal”? We break it down for you here:
What is “Halal”?
Making food halal (permissible) simply means ensuring that meats are slaughtered
the Islamic way, or that they are procured from a Muslim slaughterhouse.
Next is to ensure that all ingredients used in the kitchen are also
halal. For instance, halal food should not come in contact with non-halal
ingredients, such as alcohol, pork or by-products of animals that have not been
slaughtered in the Islamic way. Examples of this are using halal-certified
bouillon or halal Mirin.
How do you make a kitchen halal?
A halal kitchen or work area can be easily achieved if one can follow
these SOPs:
have a clear,
designated and defined working area that separates halal cooking from the
non-halal kitchen area,
separate refrigeration
area and separate storage for halal meats/seafood and halal ingredients,
while a separate set of
cooking utensils and equipment can be fitted for the purpose of this dedicated
halal kitchen/work area, anyone desiring to cook halal may use any existing
equipment if these are thoroughly cleaned,
ensure everyone
understands halal, and adheres strictly to halal SOPs when preparing halal
meals.
What other tips do you have?
Halal
products and ingredients are widely available these days. At the end of the
day, having the right attitude towards halal integrity and respecting the needs
of the Muslim will have far reaching effects in ensuring halal compliance in
the kitchen within the perimeters set above. Ultimately, it boils down to respecting
the requirements of other religions and accommodating the dietary needs of
Muslim customers.
Have a question? Please submit to anis@halaluxe.com
Irresistible deals from hotels and resorts you don’t
want to miss!
Credit: Avani Luang Prabang
So, okay. We’re all waiting for several borders to open. In the meantime, some leading resorts and properties are enticing us to plan and dream by offering gift cards and certificates with added value. From flexible cancellation policies to no blackout dates and a validity of three years, we‘re highlighting some of the best options.
Credit: Six Senses Uluwatu Bali
Six Senses
The “Plan Now, Play Later Certificate” are available
to purchase until December 20, 2020 and are valid for a period of three years
from the date of issue. It offers an additional 20 percent bonus that may be
used towards a room upgrade or any purchases on property including dining, spa
treatments and activities.
Choose from 1 to 4 nights Reserve Certificate that offers
up to 40% savings and exclusive benefits. Offer ends 22 July, 2020 but you can
redeem your holiday when you are ready to travel. Each property details its
blackout dates and cancellation policies.
For a limited time, Avani is giving travellers who
purchase its eGift Certificate before 22 July, 2020 a bonus credit of 45% of
its original value. This can be redeemed for stays until 31 July, 2021 at any
of Avani’s 32 properties across the globe. Use it for overnight stays, tours
and other excursions offered by Avani insiders, or indulge in their spa
treatments or dining experiences.
For stays at Aman, you can purchase your gift cards from
now until 31 July, 2020. These gift cards offer an additional 20% bonus value that
may be redeemed at select Aman destinations (Terms & Conditions apply) in
exchange for accommodation, dining experiences, spa therapies, retail and an
array of adventures and activities. Gift cards are valid for three years from
the date of issue while the 20% bonus expires 12 months form the date of
issue.
The world was on pause because of Covid-19. But here’s how the world is preparing to reopen for tourism.
Airlines: Various airlines are banking on June to
resume its flights and recover from the coronavirus outbreak in anticipation of
more relaxed COVID-19 travel restrictions. Among them include Korean Air,
Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. Korean Air, for instance, will fly to Vancouver,
Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, Beijing and Taipei with improved
safety measures that include temperature checks on all passengers and disinfecting
of aircraft weekly (daily for all flights to North America, China and Italy). And if you’re in Australia, where Qantas hopes to resume flights in
July, you could snag a AUD$19 bargain flight when the domestic routes reopen.
Destinations: Denmark showed some love by allowing
travellers from Germany and neighbouring Scandinavian countries to reunite with
their spouse or partner end of May. A love letter presented at the border
suffices. If you don’t have a love interest in Denmark, consider Italy where
the popular island of Sicily announced it will pay for half your flights and a
third of your hotel costs if you visit later this year. Elsewhere, the governments
of Turkey, Thailand and Australia’s New South Wales will reset the travel
button by kickstarting the domestic market in June.
Hotels: Aman Junkies would be happy to know that some of their favourite Aman resorts are already open, including Amanoi (Vietnam) and Aman Kyoyo (Japan). More resorts will reopen this June, including Amangiri (US), Amansara (Cambodia) and Aman Sveti Stefan (Montenegro), with flagship property Amanpuri (Thailand) to welcome guests back on July 1. Belmond is also staggering its property openings, beginning June 19 with Italy, the UK and the US. Hoteliers are rolling out special packages to attract guests, too. Anticipating the return of guests to Maldives in autumn 2020, Anantara Kihavah Villas is offering a six-night package that includes three bespoke adventures: snorkelling with manta rays (subject to season – you might be lucky enough to even catch the migration), stargazing at the only over-water observatory in the Maldives and dinner among the coral at underwater fine-dining restaurant, SEA. Unsure when you can travel? The packages are valid until October 31, 2021.
Just as our daily lives are upended by
the coronavirus, the future of travel too, remains uncertain. But just recently,
news of some countries slowly relaxing their travel restrictions have given us
some hope of reviving – and feeding – our wanderlust. Australia and New Zealand
are considering a trans-Tasman travel “bubble”, while in Europe, a “travel
corridor” is being planned between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Credit: Jason Childs, Nihi Sumba
Undoubtedly, travel will not be business
as usual. At present, travelling abroad remains on hold as many airlines remain
grounded. Even when borders do open, travellers need – and must – adapt to a
new normal. But what can we expect of our travel plans post-Corona? Here are
some ways our travel will change in the future.
We’ll take to
our backyard. We will be able
to travel again some day. But till that someday comes, leisure travel will
focus more on what’s in our own backyard. That’s right. There will be a revival
of domestic tourism. Travellers are likely to explore facets of their own
country, taking road trips, doing staycations, driving coast-to-coast, and just
looking with fresh eyes at what’s in their neighbourhood and beyond.
Credit: Danum Valley, Tourism Malaysia
More do-it-yourself-itineraries.
Anyone who has ever made travel plans via
a third-party booking website would have gone through many frustrations when
the pandemic hit. Hours on the phone, long waits for e-mails to be answered –
these are all some of the challenges many went through to change their bookings
successfully. Though many agencies have positively amended their changes and cancellation
policies, travellers are likely to feel more secure making their own travel
plans in future. So independent travel will seem more favourable – from booking
their own accommodation to airline tickets and car rental. Need to cancel? It
just takes calling each operator directly. No hassle. No worries.
Intimate, remote
and secluded hideaways. Social
distancing will be at the top of travellers’ minds even as they plan that
vacation. Certainly, for those who can afford it, luxury getaways that cater to
small group travel such as private resorts, intimate villas or remote islands
that offer isolation and bespoke experiences provide the ideal escape. Think
Bill Bensley’s Shinta Mani Wild, Nihi Sumba, Pangkor Laut Estate, the Aman and
Soneva brands – you get the picture. Discerning travellers would want to avoid
group exposures yet be able to balance both safety and leisure as they enjoy
the retreat.
Credit: Shinta Mani Wild
Conscious
travel, here we come! As life hits
the pause button during the pandemic, we see nature reclaiming their places. Conscious
travellers are likely to reassess their travel choices, seeking destinations or
resorts that work to give back to the community or champion sustainability. Gift
back trips, more local authentic interactions and responsible travels will grow
naturally from here. Consider resorts such as Bawah Reserve, Six Senses Bhutan,
Song Saa Private Island, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort that
are leading the way in sustainable tourism and more.
This Ramadhan, all the way from Leicester, UK sees Brother Yusuf Chambers streaming his Voice of Islam webinars with international and local guests. Halaluxe caught up with the respected Brother in Islam to speak about the daily talks, his recently concluded da’wah tour of New Zealand and Ramadhan in lockdown.
Assalamu’alaykum, Brother Yusuf. MasyaAllah, you’ve had some heavyweights as guests on your show: Abdurraheem Green, Sheikh Abdur Raheem McCarthy, Arnoud van Doorn,Lauren Booth. What do you hope to achieve and for viewers to take away from the webinars?
Walaykum Asalaam. The aim behind the webinars is to relink the ummah to the Al-Qur’an, especially in this month of Ramadhan. Additionally, to foster a sense of the ummah from around the globe as being a living growing family that they all need to tap into. Finally, the aim is to reunite us all upon Tawheed and Da’wah by showcasing the amazing efforts of Voice Of Islam and our brothers in New Zealand that have gone through huge challenges after the Christchurch Masajid attacks more than a year ago that claimed the lives of 51 people.
What have been some of your own takeaways from interviewing so many guests?
The messages have been clear and unequivocal: Islam is the solution for mankind’s worries, Al-Qur’an certainly needs to be taken more seriously as an evidential miracle, and the da’wah is an essential part of being a human wherever you are in the world today. Most of my guests have been new Muslims or reverts to the faith from around the globe; they have spoken about their struggles in coming to this faith and defined innovative solutions for passing the message of Islam in their respective communities which are nothing more than a rekindling of The Prophetic Vision of Rasulullah PBUH, the da’wah!
How
has Ramadhan been for you under these circumstances?
Ramadhan has been a blessing as usual, but especially this one, we’ve been given time to read and learn the Al-Qur’an, spend time with our families and reunite with this ummah via many online forums, Alhamdulillah. The lockdown was actually much needed. Had we been free to roam around, would we have focused upon the Al-Qur’an and had time to get that quality time with our family? I doubt it!
You are in New Zealand exactly one year after those dreadful events in Christchurch, working tirelessly to raise funds via Voice of Islam to further the da’wah in New Zealand. Tell us how we can help.
We urgently need to raise £25,000 to fund da’wah materials, specialist da’wah stalls, trips across New Zealand to teach the masses about this beautiful religion and to train our fellow Muslims on how to BEST convey this message! All we need are 250 AMAZING individuals chosen by Allah SWT to be the bearers of the flag of Islam and DONATE £100 each! Donations can be made to: https://www.voiceofislam.me/support
Tell
us how we can tune in to your show.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/VoiceOfIslamTV/. You can also check my Facebook, Yusuf Chambers. for guest announcements and past interviews. InsyaAllah, the show will run til the end of Ramadhan.
Like
many of you stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown, it is hard to
imagine life without travelling anymore. But here’s where some hotels and
resorts have gone creative. From breathing exercises and easy workouts to concocting
immunity-boosting drinks and home spa remedies, these fun virtual learning
classes and activities are just the thing you need to keep your wanderlust
dreams alive. And just to get you in the mood, the folks at Le Barthelemy Hotel
& Spa in St Bart’s have recorded the sounds of the beach for your listening
pleasure. Download here: https://www.lebarthelemyhotel.com/media/46905/sons-montage-barthelemy-copiemp3.zip
Aman Hotels and Resorts
Aman has
always encouraged guests to “switch off” and reconnect with their mind, body
and soul. This practise of wellbeing continues during this unprecedented time.
Embark on a wellness journey with @amanyara_resort on Instagram,
where Aman’s Wellness Immersion Manager David Melladew has released a series of
health-focused videos. He’ll guide you on the right breathing techniques for
optimal health, share a counter with his mixologist for the recipe on the immunity-boosting
Amanyara Cooler, and more.
Credit: Amanyara
Nihi Sumba
With programmes streamed live from Nihi Sumba seven days a week, it’s enough to get us looking forward to plan the day’s activities. Against the backdrop of the gorgeous Indian Ocean, this daily live programming run the range of interviews (learn about the unique Sumba culture), classes (relaxing with a healing bowl), coaching tips (how to de-stress) and even kids activities (art class with boiled eggs). Get your daily fix here https://nihi.com/nihi-at-home-series
Credit: Nihi Sumba
Six
Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
“At Home With Six Senses” is all about bringing the company’s on-property wellness programmes online. Following Six Senses’ key wellness pillars, advice, articles, interviews and video tutorials are categorised accordingly. They are Mindfulness, Eat, Sleep, Move, Live Naturally and Connect. Each programme offers practical and pragmatic ways for you to stay well, healthy and motivated during this unprecedented time. One day you will be guided on how to de-clutter your fridge, then grow your own microgreens the next. There’s even a complimentary dosha (Ayurveda body type) reading and consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor! Check out Six Senses on social media and look for the hashtag #AtHomeWithSixSenses.
Credit: Six Senses Hotels Resorts and Spas
Belmond
Belmond is amping up your stay-at-home game
with its Digital Care Package that looks at both lifestyle and wellness Belmond-style.
To ease your wanderlust, the company has curated “me time” ideas such as
at-home spa recipes, sleeping rituals for a sound sleep, and even a lockdown
reading list. They have also released the Belmond Invitations, a series of
content on IGTV and Facebook that have brought viewers to a floristry
masterclass with Simon Lycett and a poetry reading by Gala Gordon and Isabella
Macpherson. Keep tuned to @belmond for more.
Tucked away in its quasi-private cove and accessible only by its dedicated boat, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has been a magnet for couples and honeymooners seeking privacy and seclusion. Just beyond Nha Trang’s tourist trail in south Vietnam, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay uses its dramatic rock formations, crystal clear waters and backdrop of towering mountains to its advantage, seamlessly weaving it all into its architecture design and more.
Founded in 1995, the Six Senses brand has a strong focus on sustainability and the environment, hence a stay at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay easily takes your Vietnam vacation to the next level. In fact, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a great example of how luxury and sustainability can co-exist. The resort’s 59 villas are interwoven into the natural topography. Some are perched over dramatic rock formations complete with a pool carved out of natural boulders; others are set on hilly slopes.
Credit: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Our two-storey villa is right on the sandy beach. Made from sustainable wood and natural sourced materials, it is built with environmentally-conscious features. Ours had solar hot water panels while large floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide ample ventilation. The upper floor living pavilion is made of dark wood with high-thatched roofs; its open concept perfect to enjoy the late evening breeze and sunsets. Both our indoor and outdoor showers are fitted with refillable ceramic dispensers. Our personal pool is just mere steps away from the beach, and we’ve been told guests get a kick out of switching easily from the pool to the open waters to swim and snorkel in the live coral reef.
Credit: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Every guest is assigned a personal butler. Called the Guest Experience Maker (GEM), they are really a gem (no pun intended!) in guiding you through the resort’s varied excursions and ensuring you do not miss any of the unique experiences the Six Senses brand has to offer. For instance, one morning, we woke up early to visit the resort’s own chicken farm to collect our organic eggs for breakfast. We saw big, healthy, plump chickens roaming freely in their huge coop which, we were told, included their own private pool and exercise platforms. The chickens, we found out later, are fed organic food scraps from the kitchen, including rice and pho, which explained why the place was devoid of the usual ammonia stink common in ordinary chicken farms.
The farm is part of the Six Senses Earth Lab
initiative that exists across all other Six Senses properties. Six Senses Ninh
Van Bay’s was launched in November 2018. Like our egg collection experience, there
are other programmes guests can explore through Earth Lab to learn more about
the resort’s sustainability efforts. We went on a tour of the resort’s organic
vegetable garden, the mushroom hut, a children’s programme that lets them sow
the soil and help with transferring seedlings. There is also a shed on site
where guests can learn to turn lemongrass, eucalyptus and orange peels from the
farm into essential oils that are then used in the spa. Roaming further, we
walked past the resort’s water treatment plant. By producing their own water
using reverse osmosis and bottling them in glass, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay saves
around 15,000 plastic bottles per month.
As with everything else, even dining at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay takes on the brand’s sustainable values. The resort’s organic produce supports the farm-to-table concept with creations such as the stunning pomelo salad with laksa leaves and rice paper rolls. The kitchen uses fresh ingredients as much as possible and cooks them as healthy as possible, without flavour enhancers and the like. Often the kitchen tries to make food from scratch. Their ketchup uses only three ingredients – tomatoes, vinegar and sugar, while their homemade ice cream, complimentary to guests daily, is devoid of all the nasties and highlights seasonal fruits such as passionfruit, green apple and mango.
Credit: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
The H Factor
At Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, meals can be prepared to meet the guest’s halal dietary needs. “Our meat suppliers are halal certified and we can prepare the meals in a separate (no pork) area,” says Marketing Communications Manager, Ary Arbiani. Halal meats are also stored in a separate refrigerator. Presently, overseeing the resort’s F&B needs is Executive Chef Ozgur Bozgurt who is well versed in halal food preparation. Guests are requested to advise the team upon reservation on their halal requirements.
5 Priceless Touches
*Our GEM who went above and beyond to surprise us with
a prayer mat which he Googled for reference, then went to the “mainland” to get
it!
*He also ensured our mini fridge was Syariah-compliant
and gave us lots of fresh juices instead.
*The personal pool that made this getaway truly halal!
*A cooking class designed to adhere as much as
possible to the Muslim faith requirements.
