The swimming pool, Reethi Faru resort, Maldives

The resident - sea urchin, at Reethi Faru resort, Maldives

There are often some symbolic thing for the resort of Maldives.  This time it's sea urchin.  I have seen a large number of sea urchins here.  I recall how my father taught me how to open sea urchin and how my grand ma forced me to eat this.  I didn't like seafood much when I was a kid.  Couldn't imagine this can be so expensive these days.

Water Villa, Reethi Faru resort, Baa Atoll, Maldives

The expansion of the Male Airport means the corresponding growth of its tourist industry.  Over the past 5 years, I have seen lots of local and international chain resorts have been growing rapidly.  This Reethi new resort was just opened half year ago, and situated in Raa Atoll, north west of Male city, about 1km north of Dhigali resort.  The room is quite cozy with a nice open shower, indoor shower and a bath tub.  The sun deck is separated into 2 levels with a lower one for an unblocked ocean view.

Monsoon wind, northern Maldives

From June to September, occasional strong monsoon wind could hit different parts of Maldives.  See how the big waves pounding the west wide of the below Dusit Thani resort in Baa atoll (northern Maldives).

Hulhumale (Airport island), Maldives

Witnessed this airport island has been changing rapidly.  Used to be quite rural without any restaurants or shops, nor even some high rise buildings.  Now that there are more and more trendy boutique hotels and quite a no. of bars/pubs on the beach road.  I'd imagine it's gonna be a busy commercial beach place.  I hope that it's not gonna be another Kuta beach (Bali)....

The wanderer, Hulhumale (Male Airport island), Maldives

IHOP (International House of Pancakes), Siam Paragon BKK

It's quite difficult to tell the others about the difference of buttermilk pancakes and the Asian style pancakes if they often claim "crisy" outside only for the latter one.  Though I am not into American food, I like the way it was made so hearty and comforting.  IHOP was one of my favourite restaurants I visited in the States.  So when I first noticed this in KL and Dubai, I felt like meeting a good old friend. When they opened in Siam Paragon, I was happier it was geting closer and more convenient.  Photo 1: is their all day breakfast with steak cubes with fried onion, (original) hash brown, scrambled egg and their signature pan cake.  We also ordered their other specialities like waffles and French toasts.  On personal preference, I'd prefer waffles, but I'd still like their pancakes because of the good old memory.  

Central Westgate and a lunch at Ikea, Bang Yai, BKK

It takes about 1.5 hours from Asoke to Bang Yai (MTR blue line to the end and change to purple line).  We then browsed Ikea and took a lunch.  A bit disappointed with the food being like left-over and a bit cold.  Though we didn't expect it too much for the prices we paid, at least those shouldn't be not hot or warm.  I prefer the Ikea Bang Na.

Kang, noodle soup, Siam Center, BKK

Noticed the male chefs cooking in the open stall often look at their phones.  When the noodle was served, I could feel it's just lukewarm.  Then the shrimp and mantis shrimp were already a bit dried out due to its prolonged time after shell-off.  The shrimp paste pork was disappointing too.  This told expanding with more branches is quite risky.  

HORECA, 4F., CW Tower, BKK

It's quite interesting to check this supplier for hotels, restaurants and cafes.  HO stands for Hotel, RE for restaurants and CA for cafes.  

成都故事 (Cheng Du Story), Supalai Wellington, Huay Kwang, BKK

The name of this restaurant is a bit subtle and literal that aroused my curiosity to try it.  The prices are not expensive as compared to other Chinese eateries in BKK.  When the chilled crushed cucumber was served, there came a very nice aroma of pasley, garlic and cucumber.  The fried rice and the dumplings were freshly made.  Some fresh shrimps (with no soda powder marinating) were used in the fried rice.  I also like the way they didn't put the bitter gourd in boiling water for taking out the bitter flavour.  I often prefer the ingredients be prepared as they are, without too much marinating or pre-boiling.  

Zurich Airport, Switzerland

British Airways enhanced inflight products, London Heathrow to HKG

About 15-20 yeas ago, BA had a TV ad. highlighting their 180 degree flat bed business class seat, which was quite innovative.  It has now appeared this seat isn't that appealing when Qatar Airways introduced their Q-suite, Etihad with their luxury suites and SQ constantly with their award-winning spacious suites, BA fell much behind from all these.  BA announced its enhanced inflight products by offering their bedding and overnight amenities of the White Company.  In addition, their meal service has been improved much.  I was surprised they made some very nice seafood congee even after long hours of flight before landing.