Humphrey's Restaurant - Amsterdam

When in Amsterdam I can't resist a return visit to my favourite place to eat and dine, Humphrey's Restaurant. Offering a 3 course fixed price meal with a selection of starter, main and desert that changes with what is in season.  Drinks are not included in the price, but for the quality and amount of food you get, it is a great value.

As if the meal isn't enough, a  fresh loaf of bread served on a wood cutting board along with two flavoured butters gets placed on the table for sharing. The bread is so delicious this alone could be a nice meal, but don't overfill as this is just part of the starter and you'll have much more to come.

After walking around the streets and canals, exploring the red light district, flower markets, museums, or after your visit at a coffeeshop and your suddenly feeling hungry, any visit to Amsterdam requires a visit to Humphrey's Restaurant.

Traveling through life

Traveling through life

Ageing, experience changes , lessons, accomplishments, failures, sorrow, respect

Those we meet and those we keep

Family trees, friendship chains and links

The outside is showing wear, inside requires maintaining

The only certainty in life is that we will eventually walk to that door of no return.

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WiseWords by Joe Mendonca

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First Class on-board SouthWestTrains

I recently did an upgrade on SouthwestTrains from London to Bournemouth and wanted to know what do you get for paying that extra bit more?

The difference is minimal from standard class which already is comfortable and new, first class seats offer a separate cabin with slightly better seats that recline, some with table, and power outlets at the seats for charging and powering mobiles and laptops.

Buffet service on-board, though it really is just a trolley selling crisps and snacks, including coffee and drinks such as wine and beer - which is more than adequate for a two hour journey.

The website says you can upgrade on weekends for £5 by paying the ticket collector directly on board, though the benefits don't outweigh the price. A journey of this length is equally achieved in standard class at a third of the price.

Though be warned, there is a ridiculous pricing structure when it comes to British Rail, had I taken the return journey 30 minutes before the price is inflated by about 400% - for the same journey, just different time. Though this is seen in the airline industry, it doesn't make sense on routes as  these.

First for Moscow - Goodbye BMI - Welcome to Oneworld - Wifi Onboard - Dreamliner in Economy

British Airways is the first airline to offer a first-class service between the UK and Moscow, a flight that takes just four hours. I'll get the chance to experience it personally on a return fight in July thanks to my collection of Avios (Airmiles) - a first for me too!

The takeover of BMI is now completed and approved by the European Commission, acquired by IAG (International Airlines Group), parent company of British Airways and Iberia. This means the group will gain 42 slots at London Heathrow, 14 of which will become routes to Scottish destinations and 2 slots leased to Transaero for flights to Moscow.

Oneworld alliance has a new member airline, AirBerlin. This ahead of the opening of the new Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt airport on June 3, 2012. The first two flights to simultaneously take off from the parallel runways on June 3rd are AirBerlin and Lufthansa, and will also mark the closing of Berlin Schonefeld and Tegel airports. The new airport has a six track rail station under the terminal building operating an Airport Express to the city centre. Just makes you want to return to the buzzing city of Berlin.

Thai Airways is set to take delivery of six superjumbo A380 aircraft, equipped with On Air's in-flight connectivity services and wifi. It's a long haul to Bangkok and ability to text or email will be a great way to stay connected on route, but how much will it cost?

The new B787 Dreamliner may offer more space in economy, but it all depends on who you fly with. Japan's ANA (All Nippin Airways) will be your best option offering a configuration of 2-4-2 (eight across). A competitive airline industry and a way to keep prices down, Qatar Airlines managed to change the configuration to 3-3-3 (nine across) which will add 120 more economy passengers than ANA airlines, which means other airlines are sure to follow, not great for passengers but good for keeping airlines profitable.

More news to follow, visit Joe Journeys to discover the latest destinations and arrivals.

Finnair Lounge - Helsinki

The white decor, padded walls, lighting of the Finnair lounge immediately have a wow factor about it, modern and contemporary. Though it looks the part, it does have some unusual characteristics for a business lounge.

The reclining chairs facing the runway look comfortable but lack any power outlets for charging mobile devices including laptops. Instead one must settle for the smaller chairs just behind them or settle for a table on the lower level.

Coffee, tea, juices and water are available in the self service area along with the smallest selection of snacks for a lounge. Drinks are served by request by an attendant, where gin and tonic are free, and champagne charged at 14 euro a glass! There is another choice of 'sparkling wine' or Cava, which is free.

Possibly the busiest lounge I've ever experienced, at one point I thought it had filled all the seats with a que waiting to enter. It resembled more a posh cafe than a lounge. Though once you completed your third cava it didn't matter where you were anymore.

Getting Guaranteed Blue Sky

It's been more than 14 days since the sun has spread its rays on the ground in London, continuous clouds , rain and showers have obstructed the glowing rays of light to penetrate through.

The only solution I've found in cracking the way to get some glance at seeing any bright sky is making sure you get above 33000 feet.

It's a tall order, but if it's a day flight your guaranteed a glimpse of the blue atmosphere and the glare of the sun or a reflection at the least.

My eyes hurt. It's bright out.

Written onboard flight BA0794 to Helsinki