Part XI: Etihad MLE-AUH
After a wonderful stay, it was unfortunately time to depart. We left the resort around 2:30, with our bags and ourselves picked up by golf cart and taken to the main building for check out. Rough seas as we departed, but managed to make it on the boat and back to the Kooddoo airport.
From there, we had a one-stop flight on Maldivian Air, which was uneventful. Great views of the surrounding atolls.
In Malé, we were greeted by a Hyatt representative and escorted over to the main terminal building. When we learned check in had another 5 minutes to open, our host waited in line for us so we didn't have to stand. That's service! After check-in, he walked us over to customs, and that was the end of our contact with the Park Hyatt. Sad...
Customs took no time, and we were in the main, modern terminal building for Malé. It's undergoing some expansion, so I'd expect more lounges in the future. Since we were flying business class on Etihad, we were entitled to use the Leeli Lounge. A basic but decent food spread awaited us, as well as soft drinks and waters.
After killing time there, we walked through the shops in our terminal, and then to our gate. Once boarding began, we were bused to our plane, an A320 without lie-flat beds but still very comfortable seating.
This was a quick 3 1/2 hour flight, but the flight attendants couldn't have been more attentive. We were welcomed with champagne, and then given menus to choose our meal for the journey.
I went with the Chicken.
L went for the veggie option.
A few more drinks and I was passed out! I woke up just before landing. Taxing took forever at AUH, and 30 minutes after landing we were finally parked. A private bus for business class whisked us away to customs. With fast passes, customs took no time at all. Off to the Hyatt Capital Gate for a one-night layover.