Nestled in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah offers more than just a tropical island retreat—it’s a haven for stargazers. Situated far from urban light pollution and close to the equator, it offers breathtaking views of both the southern and northern skies.
SKY, the overwater observatory and luxury cocktail bar at Anantara Kihavah, provides an unparalleled celestial experience. Here, guests can enjoy Champagne or cocktails while peering through one of the region’s most powerful telescopes, all while being regaled with captivating tales of the night sky by the resort’s resident SKY Gurus.
Zunnoon Ahmed, affectionately known as Zunnu, and Ali Arushal, also known as Shalli, are the Resident SKY Gurus at Anantara Kihavah. Both natives of Baa Atoll, they not only share mesmerizing stories of the stars but also harbor their own unique backgrounds.
ZUNNOON AHMED
Born and raised on the tranquil island of Kudarikilu in Baa Atoll, Zunnu’s fascination with the night sky began at a young age. His passion for unraveling the secrets and stories of the stars blossomed into a love for astrophotography when he was just 16, marking the start of his journey into the captivating world of astronomy.
While Zunnu chose to pursue a conventional career in IT, currently holding the position of Assistant IT Manager during the day and transforming into a storytelling SKY Guru by night, his fascination with stargazing continues to intensify. In his spare moments, he collaborates with online telescope operators, delving into astro imaging to seize mesmerizing views of the universe through remote telescopes. Meanwhile, he remains ceaselessly driven to broaden his understanding of the cosmos, always on the lookout for fresh avenues of exploration.“I always make it a habit to check online astronomy forums for the latest celestial discoveries and engage in discussions with fellow space enthusiasts,” he explained.
In 2017, Zunnu commenced his journey with Anantara Kihavah as an IT Coordinator, responsible for maintaining the hotel network, administering hotel applications, and vitalizing technological functionalities to ensure guests’ seamless experiences. Embracing his celestial enthusiasm, Zunnu eagerly immersed himself in the study of stargazing, volunteering under the guidance of the resort’s inaugural SKY Guru, Ali Shameem.
Over the course of the following five years, Zunnu engaged in research, completed theoretical examinations, and actively participated in stargazing demonstrations as integral components of his thorough training regimen.“The experience of learning about the stars was a bit challenging when I started,” he explained. “But it has become truly fantastic now. The journey of understanding the cosmos has been both rewarding and enlightening.”
Reflecting on his inaugural stargazing venture at Anantara Kihavah, Zunnu expressed how the enthusiastic responses from the guests transformed it into a gratifying and enriching encounter, benefiting both himself and his enthralled spectators. Presently, the charismatic Zunnu effortlessly shares his ardor with others.“We all have a natural curiosity to understand the world around us,” he explained. “And the night sky, with its myriad stars, has always been a source of wonder and questions. Stars often hold cultural and mythological significance in various societies. Many cultures have created stories, myths, and legends based on constellations and individual stars, adding a sense of mystery and importance.”
Although Aldebaran holds a special place in his heart, Zunnu eagerly utilizes the pristine location of Anantara Kihavah, devoid of light pollution, to explore and showcase a diverse array of celestial phenomena to the resort’s guests.“We regularly witness awe-inspiring solar eclipses, captivating lunar eclipses, mesmerising meteor showers, and enchanting planetary conjunctions in our cosmic spectacle,” he enthused.
Ali Arushal
a recent addition to the esteemed team of SKY Gurus at Anantara Kihavah brings with him a deep-rooted connection to Baa Atoll, hailing from the serene island of Kendhoo. His upbringing on Kendhoo was marked by joy and fond memories, with his fascination for the celestial realm taking root early on, although it wasn’t until his tenure at Anantara Kihavah that he fully immersed himself in the study of astronomy.
Initially part of the resort’s transport department since 2021, Ali’s primary duties revolved around ensuring seamless operations within the transportation sector. However, his profound admiration for the celestial wonders of the Maldivian night sky led him to eagerly volunteer for training as the resort’s next SKY Guru.
Undergoing rigorous training for a year and a half under the guidance of the resort’s inaugural SKY Guru, Ali’s journey involved theoretical examinations, extensive readings, and practical stargazing sessions. Seeking to augment his learning, Ali actively pursues additional insights from online resources like the internet and YouTube.
Ali vividly recalls his inaugural stargazing session with guests as a mesmerizing experience, quickly adapting to his newfound role. As a SKY Guru, he finds immense joy in sharing his passion and unraveling the mysteries of the stars to others. While Antares holds a special place in his heart, Ali revels in showcasing distant constellations and extraordinary celestial events such as lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, and meteor showers to guests.
Guiding guests on an awe-inspiring cosmic voyage, SKY Gurus like Ali illuminate both hemispheres’ celestial wonders, elucidating observable phenomena with the naked eye and utilizing a green laser to highlight various constellations while providing insights into light-years and diverse galaxy types. Guests are then afforded the opportunity to peer into the depths of the universe through the observatory telescope, boasting a staggering viewing capacity spanning 30 million light-years.
Anantara Kihavah’s unique locale offers guests a rare glimpse of lunar eclipses, stars, and planets typically unseen from other regions like Europe or America. Depending on climatic conditions and the time of year, fortunate observers may catch sight of Saturn with its pale-yellow rings, Jupiter’s dynamic belts of varying width, color, and intensity, and the myriad stars constituting Messier 13.
SKY stands as the premier over-water observatory in the Maldives, featuring a 3.8-meter revolving Ash-dome and housing a research-grade Meade 16” LX200 telescope with 400x magnification, securely mounted on a super-giant field tripod, promising unparalleled celestial exploration experiences.
Tags: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, astronomy, Celestial Experience, night sky, SKY Observatory, stargazing
