Gallimaufry#119

Just a gallimaufry of photos 📸

Coconut stand

In Malaysia, coconut stands are a common sight along roadsides and beaches. These simple setups typically offer fresh coconut water, a refreshing beverage extracted from young, green coconuts. They are usually manned by migrant workers who skillfully open the coconuts using machetes to serve customers. Additionally, some stands may also sell other beverages such as sugar cane water and fruits like durians.

Mudskippers

Chinese New Year dinner

Yu Shang

Yu Shang, also known as Yee Sang, is a popular dish in Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine, especially during the Chinese New Year festivities. It's a vibrant and symbolic dish, enjoyed for its auspicious meanings and delicious flavors. The salad typically consists of various shredded vegetables, strips of raw fish (often salmon), crunchy toppings like peanuts and sesame seeds, and a sweet and tangy dressing. When eaten together, it symbolizes prosperity, good luck, and abundance for the coming year.

One of the most exciting aspects of enjoying Yu Shang is the tossing ritual known as "lo hei" in Cantonese or "lao sheng" in Mandarin. This communal tradition involves everyone at the table using their chopsticks to toss the ingredients together while shouting auspicious phrases. The higher the toss, the greater the prosperity and luck it is believed to bring. It's a lively and joyous affair, symbolizing unity, good fortune, and the sharing of blessings among family and friends. The tossing action also represents the scattering of good luck in all directions. It's a meaningful and interactive way to start a meal, fostering a sense of togetherness and optimism for the year ahead.

NOSTLAGIA

Remember this?

I can still recall the whirring sound of a cassette player and the way it delicately spun a tape. Back then, we curated mixtapes, meticulously selecting each song to create a personalized soundtrack that spoke volumes about who we were and what we felt. Sometimes, the tape would snag and be pulled out of the cassette by the roller, a moment of suspense when luck determined the outcome. If fortunate, a quick fix with a pencil would spool it back into place. Other times, the tape would be mangled, requiring delicate care to cut out the ruined part and then splice it back together with cellophane tape. Oh, the relief when your cherished song resumed playing smoothly, even if it meant some parts were missing!

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

SANTORINI 2023

All over Santorini, it is impossible to miss the ubiquitous sight of girls in vividly colored dresses, their long trains billowing in the wind as they strike captivating poses. Some stand precariously on ledges and domed rooftops, navigating the heights for that perfect, gravity-defying photo. Against the backdrop of Santorini's iconic blue domes and pristine whitewashed architecture, the Santorini flying dress phenomenon has become a coveted item on many Instagrammers' bucket lists.

During the high season, THE FLYING DRESS PHOTO conducts an average of eight flying-dress photo shoots per day, with rates starting at USD $605 per hour.

Sharing some of my favourite flying dress shots from the SANTORINIDRESS Instagram feed.