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Sunday, September 11, 2022

Gallimaufry#48

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸

I had no clue what these were but an image search with Google Lens identified them as the buds of the Poison Arrow Vine.
Poison Arrow Vine 
Can you guess what this is?

It's a macro shot of the inflorescence of an amaranth.

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

I love street photography and this shot of excited kids on a field trip, taken in 2011, is one of my favourite photos. Somehow, sharing snaps of children without parental permission didn't feel right, so I had their faces blurred.
But it was the happy smiles and unadulterated joy on their little faces that captured my attention in the first place.
I did some research online and learned that, as long as the photos are shot in a public location and not used for commercial purposes, it is totally legal to post photos of children without parental consent. 

What's your take on this?

Batu giling 
Long before the advent of electrical food processors, this massive stone metate was found in every Malaysian home. This crude contraption was used to grind an assortment of spices and herbs into rempah (spice paste).
 
image credit - http://www.pickles-and-spices.com/

It required a fair bit of elbow grease to work the heavy roller back and forth. Hands were calloused by the constant chafing against the ends of the course granite roller. The rhythmic rumble at the crack of dawn when Mom was grinding out the rempah was a sound I grew up on in the '60s.
When we were little, we used to love watching mom roll out the rempah. She would squat behind the batu giling with an array of plates and bowls of ingredients lined around the stone slab on the floor. She would then place some onions, turmeric, candlenuts, galangal and chilies on the slab, deftly smash the ingredients, and magically turn them into a smooth paste. The fascination became a dreaded chore when my sisters and I were old enough to take turns doing "rempah duty". But according to our Indian neighbor, this "exercise" was great for building the chest!
Ha, turned out, it was a myth. None of us sisters grew up well-endowed. But then again, you can't make mountains out of molehills, if you catch my drift! 😉

Korean BBQ

I love the novelty of the traditional Korean way of dining, where you sit cross-legged on the floor at a low table during your meal. But sitting on the floor after an hour or so can be a bit uncomfortable when your legs start to cramp.
So, Dorae (Malaysia's largest Korean restaurant chain) came up with this brilliant idea that allows you to enjoy the traditional experience minus the discomfort. The answer? A hole in the floor under a low table so you can stretch your legs!


Gunung Lang Waterfall



My Corner of the World

60 comments:

  1. What amazing photos! the waterfalls are so stunning. And the Poison Arrow vine is something I have never seen before. It is strange looking. and does look poisonouss.

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  2. What a great post :) thanks for your sharing...

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  3. The exercise might not have increased your chest, but it did strengthen your arms.

    As for pictures of children, I'm of the don't share persuasion. That's why all of my pics on my blog are of empty classrooms. I only post pics of my nephews with their parents' permission. (Niece is now 21, so she can give her own permissions.)

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  4. A great assortment of pictures this week Veronica! I loved them all! The waterfall ones were especially exquisite! Interesting about the grinding to make the rempah! That does sound like a lot of work. I like the concept too of the tables at the Korean BBQ to have that place to put your legs. That would be uncomfortable to sit like that for a long period of time (especially as one ages lol). I don't agree with the take of posting pictures being "okay" of children without their parents' permission if it is in a public place and not used for money. I don't think that is right to do. Glad you blurred their faces. That is why I don't post pictures or names of family members here for privacy, even if they were to give me permission.

    betty

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  5. I'm really impressed by those grinding stones, Veronica. I can just imagine how much fun you had watching your mom until the moment you became old enough to man that station yourself. I can hear myself saying, "No thanks!" And the waterfall? Simply breathtaking!
    Blessings!

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  6. Bellos paisajes y lindas flores. Te mando un beso.

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  7. Beautiful photos of the waterfall, Veronica! I have never seen Poison Arrow plant before. It has very beautiful flowers.

    Happy Monday!

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  8. The waterfall looks so beautiful! I love the macro shot of amaranth too.

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  9. Wonderful photos, as always. In the EU is is not allowed to publish photos of other people's faces without permission. Loved the photo of Tower Bridge, I grew up there and still miss my old home! Hugs, Valerie

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  10. The flowers of the Poison Arrow plant are so beautiful, I love the dark pink hue. The Batu giling seems like stone grinder in Filipino language. I think we had something like that before during the 70's but only for the rice grinder kind. Having one of these is now rare, but they sure are a great help in the kitchen!
    Thanks for sharing your photos, Veronica!

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  11. Hello,
    I love the pretty flowers and plants. I have a similar photo taken in the spot with the bridge in the background. I love the waterfall, a beautiful place. I could sit on the floor to eat, but I would have a tough time getting back up, lol. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy new week!

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  12. The poison vine is new to me, but what an amazing plant! You'd have to bring in a fork lift to scrape me off the floor if I sat down to eat at that restaurant today! LOL I love the stone grinder story and especially those majestic waterfalls! How beautiful nature is!

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  13. It seems to me that pictures taken in a public place should be suitable for posting without editing out the faces. It's part of the background scenery effectively. I read a while ago where a guy tried to sue a TV news organization for showing his car in a street scene with the licence plate visible, claiming it infringed on his privacy by revealing where he had been. It gets a little ridiculous, I think.

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  14. Dear Veronica,
    the waterfall is a dream - a magnificent sight! When I ate Japanese for the first time in Vienna, there were also such "holes in the ground" as with the Korean BBQ. I loved the idea too!
    You show beautiful plants again. I would not have recognized the inflorescence of an amaranth. When it comes to photos of people on my blog, I decide what to show and what not to show from time to time. The law on this is a bit fuzzy. It is apparently allowed to show larger groups of people (more than four people), but not individual people. On the other hand, it is allowed to show individual people if the photo is "art". A photograph can be defined as art if it is displayed in an exhibition or is planned to be displayed in an exhibition. I keep showing photos in exhibitions, e.g. in our town hall. When I was in India, school children kept throwing themselves in the mail wanting to be photographed - not for money, but just because. I think these kids were proud to be photographed and laughed very happily too - and I didn't hesitate to feature some of them on my blog...
    What I found particularly interesting today was what you wrote about the contraption that was used to grind an assortment of spices and herbs into rempah. I can imagine that was exhausting. Is there an electrical device in every Malaysian household today to achieve the same effect?
    All the best,
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/09/juli-august-2022-teil-2-und-weiter- geht.html

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  15. Great photos, all, but those of the poison arrow vine and the amaranth were especially nice. Thank you for sharing your images at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/09/probably-coolest-carousel-ever.html

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  16. Look at those amazing waterfall pictures! I think many asian cultures involve sitting on the floor and eating together like that.

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  17. The poison arrow plant: iti looks like it has blood dripping off of it! Amazing. I wonder if it is the poison dart plant. I praise the innovative seating, but with my disability I would still be out of luck. :-(

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  18. I've seen that same amaranth plant here, they grow here as weeds and are usually most unwelcome. Field trips I remember as a child were always better than being in the classroom, so much fun

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  19. Brilliant photos as always and the food looks delicious

    Have a gallimaufreytastic week 👍

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  20. So many beautiful things but those waterfalls are stunning! I could go for some Korean BBQ, yum!

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  21. The photo of the Korean BBQ that you shared looks so tantalizing when viewed right before dinner... YUM! Also, your close up shot of the amaranth was really amazing!

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  22. Dearest Veronica,
    What a perfect ending of a busy day!
    You always make me feel so happy—like being back in your region.
    Sure, those grinding stones we have seen being used in Java; lots of respect for the women! AND for you for having done so yourself.
    Haha, it sure will not change your DNA–features.
    Thanks for posting these compilations.
    Big hugs,
    Mariette

    PS Just managed to complete the subtitle of Pieter's 2–hour long training video. What a job. It was already done by YouTube—but all wrong words. Scientific words and such they are a mess if done 'automatically'. Need to do two more but 'only' 1.5 hour long 😉

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  23. That waterfall looks impressive, I also love these flowers so much. They look great. Have a nice week!

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  24. Loved your wonderful collection of images today. You included a little something for everyone. I hesitate to have plants with names like poison although the plant looks interesting. As for children's photos., from a distance who can tell who they are? Close-up shots of children I feel isn't safe to share not even by family. There are too many predators online. That's how I feel and I don't share people shots on my blog. Just my choice.

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  25. Lovely strand of images. I enjoyed your close ups.

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  26. The waterfall is absolutely beautiful. I love waterfalls and would live by one if I could. lol

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  27. Hello, All of the photos you shared of different things are new to me. What a fascinating post, and the waterfalls are extremely beautiful. I never show pictures of my family, or a stranger. Social media is not always a safe place, and photos can be copied and used in unhealthy ways.

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  28. Hallo,

    Oh my comment is gone :-( But I love the plants and flowers. That was what I was writing. And an amazing waterfall. Is it warm in your area now?

    Yes, we are allowed to use the photos. But it is a sort of werid to do it with childs on it. We never know what people do with it.

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  29. That waterfall is just amazing! So tropical too. Nice korean style BBQ there

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  30. Poison Arrow vine - what a name for such a beautiful plant!
    I think if the children have been photographed in a public place - like your photo from London - it shouldn't be a problem to post it on a blog. It's different if you take photos of specific children where it is clear that this is not your usual street photography. But the entire genre of street photography would simply die out if we couldn't publish those pictures.

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  31. wow the waterfall and the interesting plants are wonderful. I don't think I would want to be grinding with a stone. I know what you mean about photographing children. You see some great scenese sometimes. I more often not only click if I am further away or they have their backs to me. It is a tricky situation. I don't know if I would want a random stranger taking photos of my children. Enjoy your week and stay safe. I am joining you today from the My Corner of the World link up.

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  32. I don't post that many pictures even of my grandchildren, so I understand your concern about this, and you are thoughtful to be respectful of each situation. That is a pretty cool set up with the dining tables. Very creative. The waterfall is beautiful. There's something about a waterfall that is calming and peaceful.

    Have a splendid September week.

    ~Sheri

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  33. Gorgeous nature photos.

    I can almost see your mum using the stone grinder.
    Even I grew up to seeing my Mum grind most of the paste in the stone metate. And believe it or not I still have one at home, which is fabulous and I use it often for my mustard paste- mustard fish curry, poppy seed paste, etc.
    Well, I don't use it, my help does, and the flavours are on the spot, unlike a mixer grinder.

    The Korean style of sitting has now been adapted in most Japanese restaurants too; where you can actually put your legs down.
    Sitting on the floor and eating again is fabulous for the digestion, something I love and did engage in a lot as a kid. Now it's a once in a blue moon practise. Also eating out of a banana leaf- so sustainable and recyclable. And great for the planet!

    Have a lovely week, Vero.
    Big hugs and love xoxo

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  34. The waterfall is beautiful. That is a good idea about having a hole under the table for your legs, butt I would still have difficulty getting up.

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  35. The waterfall is so imposant, it must be a really wonderful place in the world with all the exotic flowers, plants and trees. A beautiful place to make holidays,
    greetings and hugs
    Kirsi

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  36. What a gorgeous waterfall! We are always glad for all the modern conveniences. The people even 100 years ago had it so much harder. We are truly lucky, especially in the kitchen.

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  37. Bellísimo post Verónica. Me encantan las flores y esas preciosas cascadas. Gracias.
    He tenido problemas con blogger, ya solucionados. No se Actualizaba.
    Buen miércoles.
    Un abrazo.

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  38. Beautiful shots and that waterfall is amazing. Wow.

    I'm hungry for Korean food now. Yummy.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  39. I so enjoy your pictures! It has been quite a few years since I had Korean bbq!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  40. massive stone metate is unique.... and interesting.

    Have a great day

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  41. Oh wow! That waterfall is amazing!!

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  42. Looks so good. Hope you’re well. Regine
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  43. ...you have some lovely floral delights. If I sat on the floor I don't know is I could get up gracefully!

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  44. Beautiful and special images, but also very interesting information.
    The flowers are amazing, but also the waterfall. I confess that I have to do more gym to stay like in the image to eat!😃
    Thank you, Veronica! Happy WW and a fine week!❤️😘

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  45. I always love your gallimauafry of pictures and then the larger versions telling us more about each one. And those flowers are all lovely (not sure about that poison dart one, probably would want to wear gloves handling that one?).... and my favorite part of the post today was your story about your mother and that metate and the spice paste and other delicious food you grew up with. ....so interesting and fun. And I'm laughing about how you and your sisters missed out on being endowed with the benefits your neighbor mentioned when you took over that rolling out chore. Fwiw, the older I get the happier I am that I missed out on that too ;>)_

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  46. You can do a google lens search to identify things in photos? That is incredibly cool. My take on the photos is no, but I work in a school where a lot of parents have solid reasons for not wanting their kids' photos online, so that colors my opinion. Here to wish you a happy day.

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  47. Very beautiful watetfall...i like environment suround that place and the weather was so cold

    the korean bbq looks tasty...aku suka potongan tipisnya dan dicelup sauce sebelum dipanggang. Yummy ^^

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  48. You saved the best images for last in this post, Veronica Lee, as that waterfall was magnificent. No, I would not have know the "what is this?" since I am not familiar with the amaranth plant. The story about using the stone rollers to make spice paste was interesting with a fun part at the end.

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  49. Beautiful photos. I loved the clever solution to the sitting cross legged at the restaurant.
    As far as photographing children (that are not my own.) I know what is legal but I think a little extra caution is advised. I don't photograph kids except in groups and at a little distance and I don't provide any identifying information like even what school the kids are from or anything like that.

    Children I do know. I don't take photos of them at all. More and more parents are sensitve to their kids images on social media so I don't even ask. Generally the parents post enough photos so that I can see what my young relatives look like.

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  50. You have shared some amazing photos this time. Your comment on Batu giling made me laugh out loud. Well said :D Brilliant idea from Dorae and your food photos always makes me hungry.

    -Soma

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  51. Another lovely collection of photos, Veronica. The Korean restaurant came up with a great idea to keep their customers comfortable. Love the waterfalls!

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  52. Beautiful photos! The poison Arrow Vine is really eye-catching with its long threads. So cool!

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  53. Thanks for capturing the beautiful colors around you, Veronica. As things begin to fade and die around here, those lush pictures of green and growth are life indeed. Thank you, friend!

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  54. A marvelous series of photos, wonderful areas to walk. The flowers are spectacular and so unusual. The food looks delicious! Thank you very much for sharing them.

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  55. I absolutely love plumeria blooms... they're so beautiful! And I had no idea that the frangipani scent intensifies at night. That's so interesting!

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