A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 4 – Getting to the Park Hyatt Maldives

Previous Trip Notes:
A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 3 – Hyatt Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi
A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 2 – EY130 First Class
A Delayed Honeymoon: Part 1 – Baltimore > IAD, & Etihad Lounge

I had already taken a 13-hour flight halfway across the world, but my journey to the ultimate destination of the Park Hyatt Maldives had really only just begun. I booked my ticket to the Maldives for a total of 90,000 American Airlines miles (less than the previous years sign-up bonus on the American Airlines Executive Card – which had a $250 fee) and $42. While the flight from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi was in first class, the final leg from Abu Dhabi to Male was in economy. I constantly checked for award space to open up in business class, as there were still seats available, but to no avail. I was slumming it in economy.

That first pain and realization comes when you arrive at the airport. Business and First class to the left, with almost no line, or economy to the right, with quite the line. I logged into the free airport wifi to still check if any business class seats had opened while I snaked through the customs and security lines. I had hoped to hear from NSPwife before my plane took off – she was flying from Istanbul directly to Male, and set to land about 15 minutes before I took off.

After making my way through security, I was directed to one of the terminals for my flight. By this time, it was starting to get a little close. However, when looking at the gate numbers, I realized I had been directed to the wrong terminal! After a fast walk, I managed to get back to the correct terminal, and while walking, stumbled across the Etihad Business Class Lounge. I walked in to see if I could talk to an agent about a free upgrade since there was availability and I had voluntarily downgraded on this segment.

While they couldn’t help me, they did offer access to the lounge. Always nice to have a beer at roughly 8:30am while on vacation.

Etihad Lounge – Abu Dhabi

Etihad Lounge Bar – Abu Dhabi

Etihad Lounge – Abu Dhabi

Etihad Lounge – Abu Dhabi

Etihad Lounge – Abu Dhabi

After a couple minutes, I had to head to the gate. Finally resigning the fact that I was about to fly in economy, I stopped checking my phone for available seats and boarded the plane.

Now – this isn’t an economy flight like I’m used to in the United States. In addition to the Asian tradition of handing out warm towels before you take off, the seat had power outlets, usb chargers and a full entertainment system.

Etihad Flight – Economy

Etihad Flight – Economy

Of course, even the airport tower control has to be fancy:

The seats were fairly comfortable, and before I knew it, I was being served a meal.

Etihad Flight – Economy Meal

Etihad Flight – Economy Meal

Overall the flight was quite nice and uneventful. And since we were returning from Male to Abu Dhabi in economy four days later, I was happy that this was the case.

I exited the plane; now I’m at the Hyatt, right?

Male Airport

Nope. I’ve only taken a 13-hour flight, had an 11-hour layover, and another 4-hour flight. Still a ways to go. I collected my baggage from the baggage claim, and then a representative from the Hyatt came up to me to take me to the airport lounge to wait until our next flight. When I got there, I was able to reconnect with NSPwife – who had been there already for four hours – who I had not seen in almost a month!

By this time, it was apparent she wasn’t exactly traveling by herself (note – she would not let me take any “baby pics”).

The lounge was a nice getaway, but more akin to a domestic airport lounge in the U.S., with even less appealing food (is that even possible??). There were sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks (alcohol is prohibited in the country except for within hotel resorts).

Lounge at Domestic Male Airport

Lounge at Domestic Male Airport

Lounge at Domestic Male Airport

Lounge at Domestic Male Airport

Lounge at Domestic Male Airport

One other word of advice: alcohol cannot be brought into the country. At all. Customs will “hold” your alcohol upon entry to the country, and you can collect it when you leave, but there is no saving money by bringing in duty free alcohol.

There was a “spa” in the lounge, but it was not open when we were there. So NSPwife and I spent some time catching up, read our books, and then took a walk along the beach:

Male Airport Domestic Lounge – Spa

FINALLY, a representative from Hyatt came and took us to our plane. When we boarded, we were still unsure if we were on a flight with a touchdown at Kadhdhoo airport or if we were direct to Kooddoo.

Flight from Male to Park Hyatt Maldives

Flight from Male to Park Hyatt Maldives – Of Course, a Non-Alcoholic Drink

Luckily, it was the latter. So at 20,000 feet, we watched the sun set over the Indian Ocean. It was surreal.

We finally landed in complete darkness. The airport was the size of a gas station – so we were able to collect our bags in about three minutes. Hyatt representatives were there to pick us up. They took our luggage and we all loaded up in a golf cart. A short five-minute ride took us to a pier, where we jumped on a speedboat.

Kooddoo Airport

So…this is something I hadn’t considered. It is pitch-black. Like, you can’t see anything. And we are FLYING through the Indian Ocean, in a boat. A part of me felt like we were drug smugglers. Was the captain wearing night-vision goggles? I think so…how else could they navigate through complete darkness? Every once in awhile we would see some lights of another resort.

Speedboat Ride from Kooddoo Airport to Park Hyatt Maldives

Speedboat Ride from Kooddoo Airport to Park Hyatt Maldives

Speedboat Ride from Kooddoo Airport to Park Hyatt Maldives

Speedboat Ride from Kooddoo Airport to Park Hyatt Maldives

Speedboat Ride from Kooddoo Airport to Park Hyatt Maldives, Complete Darkness

After about 30-45 minutes, we started to slow down. We made our way to the jetty, and got back into a golf cart. Another 3-minute drive and we finally hit our private villa.

A car ride, followed by a plane ride, taxi drive, hotel stay, taxi ride, plane ride, lounge stay, plane ride, golf-cart drive, speed-boat ride, golf-cart drive, and check-in. We were there.