My dream holiday to paradise turned out to be an agonising nightmare – I never want to get on a plane again
A DUBLIN woman has told how a dream holiday in the Maldives went from “paradise" to a "nightmare” - and led her to vow never to get on a plane again.
Katie Walsh, her partner and his child enjoyed the trip of a lifetime before it turned into a holiday from hell when they had to face an agonising 16 days in isolation apart.
The 27-year-old tested positive for Covid and had to isolate alone while her partner and his daughter had to isolate in another room for 14 days despite testing negative.
The couple “gave up Christmas” so they could finally take their dream holiday having put it off for two years.
However, their dream rapidly descended into disaster.
She told the Irish Sun: “Paradise changed to a nightmare as I tested positive on my PCR to fly home and then spend 11 days in isolation.
“It’s all so upsetting. And then I'm sad that I have to be on my own for the next 14 days but I actually had my booster before I came away.”
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While she was “grateful” to have no symptoms, the couple were shocked their dream holiday had taken a turn for the worst.
The HR student said: “We were super cautious. We basically gave up Christmas and then flying, we got medical grade masks.
“We honestly thought we were doing everything perfect.
“We were happy, we were in a place that you were eating outdoors.
“We didn't come to encounter any guests or anything like that. It was just the three of us.”
The couple had to cough up thousands, on top of their holiday bill, to remain in isolation at the resort.
Although they had bought travel insurance, it only covered up to €2000 worth of hotel expenses.
From day one, the pair asked for additional PCR tests, offering to pay the $100 fee, but were told they were not “allowed additional tests, as those were the rules and antigen tests weren’t available”.
She continued in tears: “I want to be totally honest with everyone - Instagram versus reality. Yes, the pictures look great but this is the reality for the next 14 days.”
COVID POSITIVE
While in isolation, the couple felt they were left completely in the dark by local authorities.
Katie explained: “We did not receive even one piece of paper from an official or HPA (similar to the HSE in the Maldives) or a letter from anyone.
“We were relying on an assistant front office manager for all our information.”
Having reached out to the Irish Embassy, they were told there was not much that could be done.
The couple were both informed individually that they were the only people at the resort infected, leading Katie to feeling “very guilty” and a “huge inconvenience”.
She recalled: “The resort was so lovely for her holiday and they couldn't do enough for us."
“I felt like I contracted some sort of disease that like no one in the world ever had and it was like I like that I was made feel terrible for this.
“Turns out there was other people on the island with the exact same thing.
AVID TRAVELLER
“I used to work on a cruise ship so I've travelled to 47 countries. This is the worst experience I've had.
“I've had some random experiences in other countries, but I feel like I'm an avid traveller and then something like this happens.
“I'm never getting on a plane again but if I do get on a plane again, I'll be bringing antigen tests with me.”
Katie had more holidays planned this year but now feel they "might stick to the Irish hotels for a while".
She continued: "I'm still a bit shuck over the whole thing. I haven't been sleeping.
"I had nightmares the whole time I was there, like night terrors.
"Not being able to sleep and it's still happening now even though I'm home."
The Dublin woman is warning other travellers to ring up travel insurers and ask what exactly is covered.
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She took to Instagram to post a list of vital tips for anyone traveling soon, advising people to bring extra medication, have the Irish embassy contacts at hand and to pack antigen tests.
She added: “I am never want anyone I know to go through this.”
