Starling Parade at Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier's Original was built in 1823. Since then is has been rebuilt again and again, after storms and unfriendly events had taken their toll. In it's young days it was the first ever Pier that became a tourist attraction. Candy, Souvenier and Fortune Teller Stalls started popping up and an entree fee was introduced.

Nowadays Brighton Pier employs 500 People from  all over the world. Visiting the Pier is now free of course and even the deckchairs are free of charge. Be quick though, you know what those Germans are like.

Despite worries of Climate Change the first signs of Spring are here, it's getting warmer and the Starlings are back!
Since as long as I have lived here (and a long time before that) the Birds have gatherd at both of the Piers of Brighton for a big Flying Parade at Sunset. They flock in from every direction during  the afternoon all heading towards the sea. Then suddenly they start making formations and just fly joyfully in big shawls over and around the Pier. Before the old West Pier burned down, we used to think that they were roosting in the structure of the old buildings, but after the buildings were gone the mysterious spectacle continued. My conclusion is that they just come down to Brighton for a party, just like many a tourist crowd does as well. They simply are having a good time. It is stunning here most of the time but in particular at this time of the day.

My ideal visit to the Pier would start in the later afternoon. About 4 o'clock. Take in  some of the amusements. Which ever tickles your fancy. The Bungee Trampoline just outside on the beach is always popular and looks like a good little workout, too.
My friends took me on the Crazy Mouse Ride one evening. It's meant to be an easy ride, you know, for beginners like me... Everytime we went round one of the corners, I thought we'd wind up straight in the English Channel.

Another friend tells me that the Booster, a 38m tall Pole, swinging around in a huge circle, giving you an experience of 3.6 G-Force is a good fun thrill. I take his word for it!
As with most funfairs new Rides keep coming to the Attraction and Brighton has been known, to get the latest and best before everyone else.

 



You simply cannot come to to seaside without having Fish and Chips. There is really not much more I can say about that.
Just maybe one little thing and even Heston Blumenthal is agreeing with me on this, The Palm Court Restaurant and Take Away Kiosk make the Best Fish and Chips ... in the World!
What better place to eat them? Really, if you can name a better place I will buy you an Exra Large Portion of your favourite Fish and Chips! Please let me have a chip though.

Another thing I can never get enough of, are the stunning views to either side of the Pier. The latest addition to the coastline sillouette is of course the Brighton Wheel. Built in 2011 it has become a bit of a controvercy with the local residents. It looks pretty awsome though, I think.
Random Fact: The Wheel was first built in Germany and before it came to be in Brighton it was an Attraction at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Last but not least, there is a Pub! They thought of everything!
Chill out on the Decks (litterally) with a refreshing drink while watching the Starlings do their spectacular spiel and the sun quietly saying it's bye bye and making way to the twilight sky...

For more information on Brighton Pier, this is their official Wbsite: www.brightonpier.co.uk/

Minced Beef Dry Thai Curry

This pungent Curry was inspired by my visit to Thai Wok Restaurant in Male. Of coure this isn't the same recipe as they use,  it is my recreation using healthy ingredients. I've had something similar many years ago in my Backpacking days, when I was working in a Thai Restaurant in Koh Samui and was eating there with the Family every day. It's fiery hot and fragrant, perfectly balanced salty, sweet, spicy and sour from the Lime squeezed over at the table. As I was cooking it it reminded me of it's mexican cousin, the Chilli Con Carne. It must be a great combo - Chilli and Minced Beef!

Ingredients:

250g Extra Lean Minced Beef

100g Green Beans, cut into little rounds

6 Kaffir Lime Leafes, sliced into very thinstrips, like little needles (keep some for garnish)

2 Lemongrass Stalks, dry outer leaf discared, then chopped  finely

1 tbs  Red Thai Curry Paste

4-10 birds eye Chillies, sliced into small rounds

1/2 tsp Palm Sugar

Vegetable Oil

Lime to serve

Fry the Beef in a little Vegetable Oil until no longer red. Then add the Beans, Curry Paste, Lime Leaf and Lemongrass. Stir this around for a couple of minutes until the Curry Paste becomes fragrant, then add a glug of water and cover with a lid. Cook for a few more minutes, until the beans are just cooked.

I'm having a friend round for dinner tonight, so I am also making a Thai Green Curry, Sticky Rice, a Som Tam Salad and Stir Fried Spinach with Garlic. Can't wait!

Lemongrass Fifth Restaurant Male

Finally! My favourite Restaurant in Male is Lemongrass Fifth.

Fareedhee Magu, Male 300-9000 

 

I've eaten there so many times, they've given me a discount card.

The Restaurant has an airconditioned Downstairs, but we always favour the Semi Open Air area Upstairs or even right outside on the Balcony,  where the Fruit Bats do their evening rounds.

When I first discovered Lemongrass Fifth, I was looking for something to eat for lunch on a Friday afternoon. In the Maldives Friday is like a Sunday, most Shops and Restaurants are closed.

If you ever find yourself facing the same dilemma, Lemongrass Fifth to the rescue! So it's open on Friday but surely that's not why it's my favourite. You're right. The real reason is the menu. It's like an encyclopaedia of Thai food. I could study it for hours before I decide what I'm going to have.

Tonight we shared a Tom Yum Steamboat, then I had one of the fried whole fish dishes. The waiter looked at me a bit funny , hesitated, then said with a side to side head shake 'ok'. It is an indulgence even for me, and really it is for sharing  (comes with 3 portions of rice) but you know me, I am having what's left as my crew meal!

The side dishes are Garlic Water Spinach and Green Papaya Salad. Two of my 'Must Haves' in any Thai Restaurant.

Once again everything was lovely. The only one small thing I missed here, was my beloved Chilli Fish Sauce, but then hey will bring some, if asked.

Do: Have a Cola Float! It's old fashioned and very nice.

Don't: Think that a green Curry is mild. 

Is is unusual that I am already contemplating what I'm going to have next time,  and why do I always seem to be envious of the person who has the Green Curry?
 

Kurumba Island Resort Maldives

Kurumba means Coconut and doesn't it roll of the tongue nicely? It is the first private resort that opened to tourists in the Maldives in the 1970's. The Design of the resort makes me think 'Zen' and 'Peaceful' and it may have been here for 40 years already, but there is nothing old about it. Kurumba has 180 rooms with 8 different styles to choose from.
At beach walking speed the island can be circumnavigated in 30 minutes. It is indeed surrounded by soft white sand and turquoise child friendly shallow water.

In amongst the plentiful flowers, shrubs and coconut palms the beautiful beach bungalows are hiding. My favourites are the Deluxe Bungalows right by the sea. You can open your glass double door out to your little terrace and hop right onto the beach. All it needs is a hamock, but maybe it's just me, I like hamocks.

To protect the island Kurumba has wave breakers around the lagoon. All along these you'll find marvellous snorkelling scenery. Just outside of the them, by the reef shelf, are thousands of tropical fish of all colours and sizes. Talking of size there are also a few baby reef sharks swimming along the shore, and today when I was calmly bobbing along, thinking I was in a live aquarium, duh duh duuuhhmm...I met their Daddy!

Not to worry though, he looked big and scary but is harmless really.
Apart from snorkelling you can indulge in plenty of other activities. From watersports to yoga, table tennis to finding your dancing feet and sea legs.
Your holiday will be tranquil but never boring.

Being conveniently close to the airport this resort would seem favoured for families or shorter holidays, but I think a romantic getaway would be equally wonderful here.


There are several restaurants and Bars dotted around, offering a great variety of delicious dishes including Seafood, Barbecues, Arabic, Chinese, Italian and Japanese cuisine as well as the usual Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Do: Book a trip to see the amazing Manta Rays, if they are offering it, (depends on whether they are currently around.)
Do: Visit Male Island and go to one of it's great Restaurants or walk around the Fish Market. There is a choice of my favourite restaurants in Male on this blog.
Don't: Swim over the corals at low tide, they can be razor sharp.

This is their Website:  http://www.kurumba.com/

Thai Wok Restaurant, Male, Maldives

My third favourite restaurant on Male Island is
Thai Wok Restaurant. H. Ameeru Ahmed Magu, K. Male' 
(960) 331-0007.
With a large array of authentic dishes at very good prices this is an obvious choice for a casual meal for Locals and Foreigners alike.
My Top Tip: Do ask them how big the portion is that you are ordering. Most rice and noodle dishes are large enough to share by a whole family. While meat and side dishes come in 3 different sizes and small really means small.

There is one thing that puzzles me. With Thai food being so plentifully found everywhere here, where are all the Thai people. To be honest I haven't seen any. Not one!

Ok back to Thai Wok though. Tonight I had the obligatory Tom Yum soup followed by deep fried fish with tamarind sauce and a dry minced beef curry. If like me you like Thai food spicy, you will probably also love the fact they have the chilli fish sauce and chilli vinegar condiments on their tables, to which I helped myself happily! All my dishes today were faultless and I enjoyed them very much. Best thing is, what I can't finish now will make my crew meal on the flight home  :-)
Oh and by the way the take away food was laced up in little plastic bags, skilfully wrapped with tiny string, I have only ever seen that done by Street Food Vendors in Thailand, so I think I now know where the Thai people are... They're in the kitchen!

Kuda Bandos, Maldives

If you're looking for a 'marooned on an island' excursion on your Maldivian holiday, Kuda Bandos will be worth a visit.
No matter how many times I've been here it always has the wow effect, every time. The water couldn't get any bluer, the sand couldn't be any softer and the sound of the waves gently lapping against the beach couldn't be any more relaxing.
Top Tip: (from a german) As soon as you get there grab yourself a sunlounger,


It is the easiest place for snorkelling I have encountered so far. Just step into the water and you're there, surrounded by a multitude of tropical reef fish. The best place to snorkel is to the right of the little channel they use for jet ski's and small boats next to the pier. Be careful though at low tide. The coral is closer to the surface and can be razor sharp.

To get to Kuda Bandos arrange a picnic trip from your resort or hire a private transfer. It currently costs $11 entree fee to be payed on arrival at the island.
If you are not part of a picnic excursion, there is a small bar that serves cold drinks, beer and some snacks. Otherwise a Top Tip is to loiter around other peoples BBQ and take a look after the tour groups have finished eating. Many times I have been offered to help myself to anything that is left. Sometimes they even put a few fresh bits on the barbie just for us.

Must do:
Keep some bread for the fish at the pier.
You will get a huge array of colourful fish coming for a feeding frenzy. It's a small effort but such fun!

Aïoli Restaurant, Male, Maldives

Whenever I come to Male as Crew we like to visit Aioli Restaurant, near our Hotel.
I have been there many many times and cannot fault their food.
The menu has a mixture of delicacies from all the various Asian and European cuisines, competing for your attention.
What do you like? What do you fancy today?
There is definitely something for everybody.
Creative Salads, comforting Pastas, exciting Curries, Vegetarian Food, fresh Seafood, juicey Steaks and local Fayre.

The outside or airconditioned (sometimes too chilly) inside sitting areas are friendly and reflect the style of the varied cuisines that are served here. Downstairs by the courtyard is a vitrine with tempting cakes and sweets on display,  which I can imagine will make coming here for afternoon tea a nice idea. Still it is never very busy in Alioli and I cannot quite understand why.

Butter Chicken with Rice and Garlic Nan is the favourite dish amongst the Crew, but I personally went for the Hot and Sour Soup with Prawns. I love it, but if you are not used to the chillies it will give you hickups!
One great thing that I like alot about Aioli, is that they will accommodate your taste for degrees of spicyness. Just tell them how hot or mild you like it and they'll do it.Which makes me think, why don't restaurants have a scoville chart type rating for dishes. ... Make mine an 8 out of 10 please :-)

Here  is a link to their website: http://www.aioli.com.mv/index.htm