Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th June, 2023

“What would you like to do to celebrate your 50th birthday, Rennie? A week of surprises and a party with friends like you organised for me, or something else?”, asked Steve. “Why don’t we celebrate just the four of us in the Maldives?” was my answer.  Being in Sri Lanka and only an hour’s flight away, it’s a local trip versus a long haul journey from Europe where we would prioritise family and likely other destinations anyway.

Steve agreed, and enjoyed making the choice of where to stay – priorities including seaplane transfer from Male to give a first-time experience for us each.

He chose Innahura resort, about 35 minutes’ flying time north of Male and we weren’t disappointed with what we found in reality after the excellent reviews he read before booking.  Travelling as a family and staying in a pair of beach villas was always going to be different to travelling as a couple last year and staying in an over-water villas, but a wonderful privilege none-the-less; plenty to share with each other and the fun and laughter of doing-so together.

The food was delicious with variety on each occasion, we were barefoot most of the time which felt so free (even the restaurant had sand for the floor), and when snorkelling we felt privileged to be so close to nature with its clear water and beautiful fish.  Sunset cocktails and the tranquillity of being just outside peak season made it very peaceful.  Our villas were spotlessly clean and comfortable and the staff made everything seem so effortless.

Steve booked us on a sunset sailing cruise but the weather didn’t play ball and so we went on a motor vessel instead.  Unfortunately the heavy swell kept the dolphin away and rain masked the sunset but it still felt lovely to be out on the water together, the kids enjoying mocktails at the bar in our absence!

The same heavy swell unfortunately prevented SCUBA diving as it would be too dangerous re-entering the boat, but we still had a fabulous time and all-too-soon it was time to leave.  We could have done with a fourth night, but as it was we were returning just 44 hours before leaving home in Sri Lanka for life in England and with final readiness to complete.

Getting to and leaving the resort were highlights of the trip, the seaplane flights absolutely living up to expectations.  The De Havilland Twin Otter is very noisy inside but the take offs and landings were so buttery smooth that it was impossible to tell the point when contact with the water was lost or regained.  Flying high enough for a good view, we were also low enough to see detail of the sea and atolls beneath us, soaking up the experience in the process. Breathtaking, as well as pause for thought with all the changes ahead for each of us.

The surprises weren’t over when we landed back at Male though because almost certainly courtesy of Steve’s BA Gold / OneWorld Emerald tier level, we found at the gate that we’d all been upgraded to business class for the flight home!  Although we’d already had the lounge to use, this certainly lifted the spirits with our 90 minute delayed flight now departing at about midnight, and Emi’s pure delight on the short bus ride to the aeroplane lifted all the passengers’ spirits; she just radiated undiluted happiness.

Happy 50th birthday to me.  I drank champagne and ate a delicious meal on the flight.  Why not?!

Rennie