OF MICE AND raMEN

Sunday, July 3, 2022

Gallimaufry#38

Just a gallimaufry of photos ...

Bengal clock vine

The curious name ‘clock vine’ comes from the fact that it twines around a support in a clockwise direction.

Just a bird sitting on a rock contemplating life ...

Some days the pelican, some days the statue, just live with it ...

Rendang, lemang, ketupat

Rendang — fork-tender caramelized meat slow cooked in an assortment of spices and coconut milk. This dish is usually served with ketupat or lemang.

Ketupat

Rice cooked inside a pouch made from woven palm leaves

Lemang

Glutinous rice cooked in hollowed out bamboo tubes

In Japan, frogs are a symbol of good fortune.

FROM THE SHOEBOX — PHOTOS THAT RARELY SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY

SeaWorld, San Diego 1990

I was amused and entertained by orcas aka killer whales.

I AM SO ASHAMED.

I didn't know then ...

Ocean Park, Hong Kong 1993

Hoi Wai, also known as Suzie Wong, was a 20 year old female killer whale who lived at Ocean Park Hongkong. She was captured in Iceland on October 12, 1977 and died on April 21, 1997.

I thought killer whales cavorting with trainers and leaping high out of the Shamu Stadium pool was the coolest entertainment ever. Never before had I been in the presence of such talented, magnificent creatures ...

... until...

I watched the documentary Blackfish. The disturbing footage and emotionally charged interviews with former SeaWorld trainers made me realize the plight and cruelty involved in keeping wild animals captive for the sake of tourism and entertainment. I should have turned my back on cetacean captivity.

Looking at these photos, I now feel so guilty of not recognizing how horrendous it was for the orcas to be basically living in a bathtub and being forced to perform 3 times a day.

KILLER WHALES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE DOMESTICATED!

Me and Shamu

Shamu lived in SeaWorld for six years in the 1960s. Since then, many orcas at the controversial marine park have performed under the same name.

Fun Fact

For centuries, orcas have instilled fear in the hearts of mankind. The name 'killer whale' is actually a misnomer because these orcas are in fact dolphins. When mariners plying the seas hundreds of years ago saw the orcas taking down large whales, they labelled them in their language as “whale killers".

Over time, the name was lost in translation with many people taking it very literally.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Gallimaufry#37

Just a gallimaufry of blue-themed photos ...

Salisbury Cathedral

In Japan, blue means fidelity.

Plague of William Golding (novelist of "Lord Of The Flies")

Lord Of The Flies was required reading in Malaysian secondary schools back in our days.

Mussels in Brussels

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Gallimaufry#36

Just a gallimaufry of photos ...

Medinilla scortechinii King 'Orange'

Cattle egret

Zinnia

Afternoon delights in my favourite cafe

"Some beautiful paths on our journey can only be discovered when you dare to face the unknown." Daniela Birch

Traditional Dutch house in Zaanse Schans

Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Gallimaufry#35

Just a gallimaufry of photos ...

Crossandra orange

Turquoise-fronted amazon

Fun fact

In India, a murderer was put behind bars when the victim's pet parrot squealed on him. The police had no initial leads on the crime, until the parrot, named Hercule, provided the vital clue. The victim's husband picked up on the fact that whenever his nephew visited, the parrot would start screeching. It would even react when the nephew's name was mentioned in conversation. The family then informed the police and the suspect was taken into custody. Upon questioning, the nephew confessed to the crime.

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Rue du Chêne, Bruxelles