Vilamendhoo, South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Vilamendhoo has refurnished its rooms, with new bedding, cabinet and wall painting in a lighter colour.    The room rate on full board for this water villa with a panoramic view is just around US$300 net.  In taking out the 3 meal cost, the room is just around US$70-80 net.  That's why I often told the others those hotels in Phuket and Bali are much more expensive than those in the Maldives.  

CX's Premium products of "Move Beyond" campaigne, HKG-MLE(Maldives)

Before summer, Cathay Pacific announced its new campaign with a slogan "Move Beyond".  In August, on the regional business class flight, a bigger pillow and a day blanket made by Bamford UK.  Later on,  in the medium and long flights, slipper, duvet and mattress topper are provided.  On the dining, it will be served on a checked order and nicely presented on fine table ware.  On the outbound flight I took the main course beef filet in sweet and sour onion sauce with steamed rice.  This time the steamed rice wasn't re-heated in the tray set.  It was more moist and soft.  On the way back, I took the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup.  I was quite impressed with the noodle texture, broth and the presentation.  

New resorts in South Male Atoll, Maldives

The Thai Singha Estate's new entertainment hub The Crossroads (in the centre of photo 1) has taken shape.  This hub contains a yacht marina, a big venue for live and entertainment performance, and a diverse dining places including Mango Tree, Baan Khanita, Hard Rock Cafe, Cafe Del Mar...  Connected to this hub, on the right is Curio by Hilton and on the left is Hard Rock hotel.  Noted there are more resorts being built on the further top left.

On photo 2, Waldorf Astoria finally came to the South Male Atoll, about 15-20 minute boat ride south of Crossroads.

Growing Hulhulmale, Maldives

In just only 2 years, we have seen a rapid expansion of Hulhulmale (the island linked the airport).  The expansion further grows to the north with double the size.  The whole area is about 3-4 times bigger than the capital Male City (west of the airport, with a newly built Sino-Maldives bridge).

This time I have seen more and more high rise buildings as well as housing estate compound.  The architecture design reminds me of those Thai style condo. (e.g. Lumpini/Supalai).  I was thinking one day if I could take underground train in this new CBD.

Moments in Qing Dao, China

Qing Dao and Hong Kong shared some historical background, or I should say most of the coastal ports in China shared the same - once being ceded as a colony.  It was also very sad to see how China was once being ripped off in the late Qing dynasty.  

Hong Kong looked quite advanced and civilized in the eyes of many mainland Chinese but sadly got swept away in the past summer.  I chatted with a taxi driver in Qing Dao, whom was once  very fond of Hong Kong and thought about going for a visit as he often felt Hong Kong was superior and a lot of goodies.  However, what he saw on the TV definitely scared him and I even discouraged him to go, as he spoke in Mandarin that would cause him some troubles.  In this short trip in Qing Dao, I have seen quite many things about Hong Kong.  Restaurant looked like Hong Kong and the main road (where many renowned hotels are) also named after Hong Kong, from Hong Kong East, Middle and West Roads.

I feel sorry for my father.  Qing Dao reminded me of him as he used to share a Qing Dao beer with me when I was a kid, and the mineral water from Qing Dao too.  If he knew how Hong Kong has become...  I wish that he could only remember the time he had the beer and my cooking for him.  So let me write this to fade it away.  

外婆家 (Grandma's home), Qing Dao, China

Visited the branch in Hang Zhou quite many years ago.  The chicken baked in clay pot has still been in my mind.  This time I was glad to run into this one in Qing Dao.  So this time we ordered some steamed rice to go with the chicken, plus the stir fried veggie, pan fried small yellow fish and siu lon bao.

金玡居 (Jin Ya Ju) noodle shop, Qing Dao, China

It seems mashed garlic is quite commonly used in a lot of cold dishes or dumpling dip sauce.  Had a chilled cucumber, tomatoes marinated in dried plum sauce, noodle in chicken broth (Hong Kong style), five spice pork chop and beef noodle soup (Taiwanese style).  The chicken broth was boiled in long hour, with a big stewed dried mushroom, and a dish of grilled pork on the side.  The beef noodle soup was quite impressive.  We "cleaned" all the dishes below.

船歌魚水餃 (Chungge fish dumpling), Qing Dao, China

Dumplings seem to be quite popular in Shan Dong province.  Perhaps Qing Dao is just by the seaside.  I have seen quite many different seafood dumplings.  This one caught my attention.  It was rather more impressive for me to taste a very authentic tofu veggie soup and a prawn stewed with cabbage.  The strong home style cooking of these 2 reminded me of my childhood.