What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0192

9551.  Bidets have some (serious) power;
9552.  The Maldives is 10 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time;
9553.  The ocean/water is turquoise blue in the Maldives;
9554.  Watch your head; seaplane doors are rather low;
9555.  I can say I’ve flown in a seaplane;
9556.  “Eating out” in an overwater villa (on Fesdu Island) in the Maldives . . . check . . . in an overwater villa . . . (double) check;
9557.  Apparently, the average income in the Maldives fell from $10,000.00 USD to $6,000.00 USD because of covid-19;
9558.  Tipping isn’t necessary in the Maldives. . . . A 10% service charge is added to everything, but, given the low salaries and the excellent service, it is a nice gesture to help the resort staff earn some extra money;
9559.  Islam is the predominant religion in the Maldives and, although dress is casual to very casual on the islands, beachwear is not acceptable in restaurants;
9560.  In the Maldives, alcohol is only available to foreigners in resorts;
9561.  Alcohol is expensive in the Maldives;
9562.  The nasi goreng at the Kitchen at the W Maldives is really tasty;
9563.  The sand in the Maldives is so fine . . . it’s like flour;
9564.  I can say I saw a swift-footed rock crab in the Maldives;
9565.  I can say I’ve been snorkeling in the Maldives;
9566.  I can say I’ve seen a pufferfish (while) snorkeling;
9567.  There are sea cucumbers in the Maldives;
9568.  I can say I’ve seen a giant clam (while) snorkeling;
9569.  The customer service at the W Maldives is outstanding;
9570.  A tablet of “Avomine 25” will knock me out;
9571.  In a (hotel) tub in the Maldives . . . check;
9572.  Almost all pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often deadly to fish;
9573.  Tetrodotoxin is up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide;
9574.  There is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans;
9575.  There is no antidote to tetrodotoxin;
9576.  On a glass floor (window) . . . check;
9577.  On a sun lounger . . . check . . . in a cabana . . . (double) check;
9578.  Sambar is a vegetarian curry;
9579.  Apparently, the key to snorkeling is getting a good seal with your mask. . . . It should stick to your face;
9580.  I can say I’ve seen a conch (while) snorkeling;
9581.  Watch out for shell fragments in your swim shorts/trunks after snorkeling;
9582.  The percentage of our lives human beings spend thinking about, planning, having and remembering sex is incomparably greater than that of any other creature on the planet;
9583.  On a pool float(y) . . . check . . . in a private overwater plunge pool . . . (double) check;
9584.  “Eating out” on a sun lounger (facing the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean) . . . check;
9585.  Even on the remote islands, there are bats in the Maldives;
9586.  I can get motion sick looking through a clear bottom kayak;
9587.  (Eating) mint helps with motion sickness;
9588.  (Deep fried chicken) wings battered with cereal and (sliced) almonds are (rather) tasty . . . who knew?
9589.  Apparently, fish eat peanuts;
9590.  Masroshi (i.e., grilled chapati stuffed with smoked tuna and coconut) is tasty;
9591.  Elizabeth likes gulab jamun;
9592.  As Alfred Kinsey noted back in the 1950s, “Even in cultures which most rigorously attempt to control the female’s extramarital coitus, it is perfectly clear that such activity does occur and in many instances it occurs with considerable regularity;”
9593.  No group-living nonhuman primate is monogamous and adultery has been documents in every human culture studied including those in which fornicators are routinely stoned to death;
9594.  In the Maldives, you can get the reef fish to come to you by throwing (tiny) bits/pieces of bread in the water;
9595.  I might be allergic to outdoor furniture oil sealer/protectant;
9596.  Wear socks with your snorkel/swim fins; it’ll protect your feet from sand and chafing;
9597.  Cachaca is (basically) Brazilian rum;
9598.  Tuna on pizza is (actually) pretty good . . . who knew?
9599.  Rihaakuru is a sauce made as a by-product of processing tuna;
9600.  All of the bartending, cleaning/janitorial and serving staff at the W Maldives are male except for the hostesses;