Maldives. Love during a pandemic

May 20, 2026

Author: Vladimir Krustev

Travelogue about Summer Island, Doha Airport, and the Indian Ocean.

Love during a pandemic – a Maldivian recipe

“When you want something truly badly, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” It was finally our turn to witness the truth of this unchangeable universal law. After two desperate attempts, thwarted by the pandemic situation, and consequently marked by much hope, disappointment, and the constant, tense monitoring of news from the tourism industry, which has been so ominously quiet over the past year, our Christmas miracle came true! As last year was inevitably drawing to a close, despite the prevailing uncertainty, fear, and all the resulting restrictive measures, we managed to celebrate some of the most significant holidays for our young family in the Maldives – a unique place that has deservedly earned its nickname „Paradise on Earth.“.

To travel to the Maldives, you will need: * Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. * Visa: Most nationalities are granted a free 30-day visa on arrival. However, it's always best to check the specific requirements for your nationality before traveling. You can usually find this information on the official website of the Maldivian immigration department or your country's foreign affairs ministry. * Return or Onward Ticket: You may be asked to show proof of a return or onward ticket. * Sufficient Funds: You should have sufficient funds to cover your stay. * Accommodation Booking: You might need to present a confirmed hotel or resort booking. Additional things to consider: * Travel Insurance: Highly recommended to cover any medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. * Currency: The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but US Dollars are widely accepted, especially in resorts. * Dress Code: While resorts are generally relaxed, it's advisable to dress modestly when visiting local islands or the capital, Malé. This means covering your shoulders and knees. * Health Precautions: Consult your doctor about any recommended vaccinations or health advice. * Packing Essentials: Sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear, light clothing, and any personal medications.

Thanks to the indispensable intermediation of the tour operator Sofia Luxury Travel, in less than 48 hours (and in the week before Christmas!), we obtained plane tickets and a reservation for 8 nights on an all-inclusive basis at the fabulous resort Summer Island Maldives – the island where „dreams come true, and summer never ends.“ In compliance with the regulations in force in the Maldives, at Sofia Airport, as well as at the airport in the capital of the Maldives – Malé, we had to present negative PCR tests for COVID-19 in English, conducted within 72 hours before our flight. No one showed particular interest in the information either here or in Malé; they simply scanned the images. It was also necessary to provide special health declarations, available on the online portal of the Maldivian Immigration Services – to our delight and convenience, the tour operator agency took care of filling them out and sending them at the right time. Although we had stocked up on masks and sanitizers, Qatar Airways staff handed out protective face shields and sealed kits with personal protective equipment to all passengers: one piece of sanitizer, a mask, and a pair of disposable gloves each.

Our flight was on Christmas Eve, which also contributed to the unusual silence that Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport was immersed in. Nevertheless, there were no shortage of people longing for travel to warmer countries, and our plane, with Doha as its final destination, departed half-full, but only as far as Bucharest, where the Romanian passengers filled its capacity entirely. At the risk of provoking the justified indignation of esteemed readers who adhere to epidemic control measures, I hasten to share that the latter at Sofia Airport were noticeably stricter than those on the plane, where there were no empty seats between passengers not traveling together; food and drinks were served simultaneously for everyone in a given row, which somewhat rendered the mandatory wearing of masks and face shields on board meaningless, and strict control over the latter was also lacking. The only thing bringing us relative peace of mind was the thought that all passengers on board should be healthy or at least not infected with COVID-19.

The impressive Hamad International Airport in Doha as a work of art

After a total of about 5 hours of calm, though not entirely comfortable flight (I highly recommend spending more money if possible, but traveling in business class, as the comfort of economy is comparable to that of a low-cost airline), we arrived in Doha - the capital of Qatar.

We had a 9-hour layover at the impressive Hamad International Airport. On its own, it is a landmark in the Arab world, impressing with stunning architecture, spacious halls with high ceilings, designer solutions, and modernism. It offers diverse opportunities to fill the time between flights with numerous boutiques of world-renowned brands; lounge areas scattered throughout the terminal; its own airport hotel; sleep&fly cabins, which gave us the chance for a few hours of quality sleep before our flight back to Bulgaria; a spa, pool, and gym; restaurants and cafes that can satisfy even the most discerning taste. The airport also has special rooms for smokers, with so-called „quiet rooms“ intended for rest without the usual hustle and bustle, as well as prayer rooms. However, access to the latter was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, resulting in many mats with praying Muslims spread out in front of their doors. But what inevitably caused our astonishment and sincere admiration were the sculptures displayed throughout the airport, turning it into a unique gallery, attractive with its unconventionality and scale. American sculptor Tom Otterness has left his mark with eight giant bronze sculptures, collectively titled “Other Worlds.”.

The interactive sculptures are a favorite stop for children, constructed so they can slide, sit, or climb on them. For older children, they offer an opportunity for a fun photo, but also a reason to reflect on the message they carry. Nevertheless, the undisputed favorite not only for us but also for passers-by from all over the world was the giant yellow bronze bear, comfortably sitting in a simple, black table lamp – a product of the brilliant creative mind of the Swiss Urs Fischer. The installation is 7 meters high and weighs about 20 tons, and a curious detail is that it was purchased by a member of the Qatari royal family for $6.8 million and subsequently donated to the airport. This object of contemporary visual art embodies the idea of travel, but recreated through a journey back in time to childhood and its symbols, reminiscent of home.

After the enriching experience in every way that Hamad Airport offered us, another 5 hours in the air awaited us. All the discomfort from prolonged sitting and the inconveniences on the plane seemed to vanish the moment we caught glimpses of the magnificent island nation of the Maldives through the portholes, surrounded on all sides by the emerald waters of the Indian Ocean. Scenes more vivid than any photograph unfolded before our excited eyes, so that with every cell in our bodies, we now realized that the beauty we had admired on screen for so long was completely real and attainable!

Welcome to the Maldives: Geography and Climate of Paradise

The impressively extensive Maldivian archipelago consists of 26 atolls, comprising 1,190 coral islands, most of which are surrounded by coral reefs. Only 203 of these islands are inhabited, the largest of which is Malé, where the only city and harbor (actually the capital of the same name) are located. The moment we got off the plane, a heatwave hit us, and we felt the high humidity of the air with every pore of our skin. Due to its proximity to the equator, the Maldives have a tropical monsoon climate, and the temperature ranges between 24 and 33°C, being around 30°C during our stay. An interesting fact is that the Maldives are also the lowest country in the world – the highest point on its territory reaches only 5.1 meters.

Landing in Male and a speedboat adventure

We found ourselves at the modest Male airport, which in comparison to Hamad in Doha, was more reminiscent of a bus station in the deep Bulgarian countryside. As soon as we crossed the threshold of the airport, our luggage was scanned – a crucial check to ensure we hadn't brought in prohibited items such as alcoholic beverages, pork, drugs, spearfishing equipment, pornographic materials, etc. Upon exiting the terminal, we were greeted by a crowd of at least 50 locals holding signs – representatives of various tour operators/resorts. Amidst the total chaos of wandering tourists and a cacophony of all sorts of languages, we managed to find the representative of our resort island, Summer Island Maldives (though not without the help of a helpful colleague from another company, who clearly took pity on us when he saw our confused expressions). From here, the options for reaching the different resorts are travel by speedboats, domestic flight by plane, or seaplane flight. An important detail is that seaplane transport is time-restricted – they can only fly during daylight hours, as they lack the necessary technical equipment to fly at night or in reduced visibility. Although we secretly hoped to travel by seaplane, to experience firsthand what it's like to take off and land on water, our transport to the resort was a speedboat. It was about 40 minutes of an extreme experience, as startling as it was adrenaline-pumping. On board the boat, we literally understood what the expressions „on the crest of the wave“ and „plowing through the waves“ mean, and even with the slight dizziness and my trembling legs when we stepped ashore, the feeling this journey left me with could be described by a single phrase – boundless freedom.

Accommodation at Summer Island Maldives Resort

From our very first moments at Summer Island Maldives, we were impressed by the hospitality of the resort staff, as well as the incredible tranquility with which everything happens there – without unnecessary stress, so leisurely, as if time had stopped and there was no need to constantly rush to catch up. The reception was a spacious wooden hall, open on all sides except for the high ceiling from which several huge traditional fans hung.

Romantic surprises and exoticism in the beach villa

We were welcomed with non-alcoholic cocktails, a tray with a refreshing face towel, and important information about our stay, which was also sent to our personal emails for easy and quick reference. We were taken to a superior beach villa with an ocean view, cozily nestled among palm trees and other lush island vegetation. Upon entering, we were pleasantly surprised by the typical Maldivian honeymoon amenity – a bottle of wine, a platter of fresh local fruit slices, and a congratulatory message on the bed, entirely made from natural materials (freshly picked and beautifully arranged leaves and flowers from the island's bushes). Similar surprise messages were planned for my husband's birthday and for New Year's.

In any case, our favorite spot at the villa was the spacious outdoor bathroom at the back – the feeling of taking a shower while a tropical downpour poured down just a few meters away, and a curious gecko crawled on the wall opposite you, was truly incredible.