Gallimaufry#146

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸

SCENES OF MALAYSIAN LIFE

Platform wait

Packed evening commute

Toothless

Toothless is a character from the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise, which includes books, animated films, and a TV series. He is a Night Fury dragon, known for his sleek black scales and glowing green eyes.

Isn't it  amusing to see the creative things people choose to decorate their cars with?

Dinner -  Vietnamese stew

Vietnamese beef stew, known as bò kho, is a fragrant and flavorful dish that showcases tender beef simmered with an aromatic blend of spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, complemented by lemongrass and ginger. This stew boasts a slightly sweet and savory flavor profile, enriched by the addition of fish sauce and soy sauce. It often includes carrots and sometimes potatoes, and is typically served with French baguette or rice. Unlike Western beef stew, which generally relies on herbs like thyme and bay leaf for its flavor and is served with potatoes or bread, Vietnamese beef stew stands out with its distinctive aromatic profile and lighter, more spiced broth.

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Tower Bridge 2011

After watching so many movies featuring the Tower Bridge, it felt surreal to finally stand before it, as if the countless scenes I’d seen on screen had woven a dreamscape that now unfolded in vivid reality before my eyes.

The bridge’s towering presence, so familiar from countless movies, suddenly loomed larger than life. My mouse buddies couldn’t help but feel a thrill of goosebumps. 

STONEHENGE

My obsession with Stonehenge began in high school when I read Victoria Holt’s The Legend of the Seventh Virgin. The book drew me in with its vivid portrayal of ancient druidic rituals and the mystical aura surrounding the stones. I was captivated by the way the story blended history, legend, and mystery, leaving me in awe of the enigmatic monument. That early intrigue has stayed with me ever since, deepening my curiosity about the ancient past and the secrets Stonehenge still holds.

Doesn't he look great in khaki?

It's fascinating that archaeologists and researchers are still actively studying Stonehenge. While the iconic monument itself has been examined for centuries, ongoing archaeological work continues to delve into its construction, purpose, and the culture of the people who built it.

Who knows what the next groundbreaking discovery will reveal? Each new finding holds the potential to rewrite our understanding and bring us closer to the heart of this timeless enigma.

Gallimaufry#145

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸

 HIGH-TEA BUFFET WITH GIRLFRIENDS

Top left to right—Indian fish curry, Thai prawns, baked potatoes

Middle left to right—aloo ghobi with mattar, fried Siamese rice noodles, chicken kurma

Bottom left to right—lamb varuval, meatball with cream cheese, oyster sauce tofu

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD 1990

Throwback to one of the most heart-pounding moments at Universal Studios, California.

image source - reddit

I was way too scared to take a picture myself during the Jaws ride, so I found this one online to show what it's like when a massive shark leaps out of the water, just inches from your boat. 

The screams, the water splashes, and that sudden surge of adrenaline – it was all too real! 

Definitely a ride that has you gripping the edge of your seat and reconsidering every ocean swim you've ever taken.

After seeing the Jaws movie, I was too terrified to even be in a swimming pool – it might sound ridiculous, but it was a fear that took me a long time to shake off!

Bruce

image source - reddit

Bruce, the hanging shark at Universal Studios Hollywood, is a replica of the mechanical shark used in Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie “Jaws.” Spielberg named the shark “Bruce” after his lawyer at the time. The original Bruce was notoriously unreliable during filming, but it became a beloved symbol of the movie. The replica of Bruce was displayed at Universal Studios Hollywood from 1975 to 1990. It was initially located in the Visitor Entertainment Center and later moved to the docks next to the Warlord Tower. After some time, it was relocated to the entrance of the studio tour, where it remained until 2014. In celebration of the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary, Universal Studios Hollywood has brought back the iconic hanging shark as part of the tour. Visitors can now see Bruce once again, along with other classic elements from the park’s history. 

Have you seen the movie “Jaws”?

Miami Vice

Remember the TV show Miami Vice? I recall a high-speed boat chase and explosive action scenes—it was like stepping straight into an episode of Crockett and Tubbs' thrilling adventures.

KITT

Remember Knight Rider? Seeing KITT and talking to us with that iconic voice and flashing red scanner was absolutely thrilling—like being part of an action-packed Knight Rider episode!

Earthquake

A massive surge of water would cascade down a sloped area, mimicking a broken water main, and rush towards the ride vehicle. This created the illusion that the tram was about to be flooded, but the water would be redirected just before reaching the guests.

The Earthquake ride at Universal Studios Hollywood was one of the most exciting and immersive attractions in the 1990s. Based on the 1974 film Earthquake, it was part of the studio tour and simulated a massive quake in the San Francisco subway system. Guests experienced shaking ground, collapsing structures, gushing water, and even a derailed subway car. The ride was an impressive display of practical effects, showing how Hollywood creates disaster movie magic. 

Gallimaufry#144

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a cherished celebration in many Asian cultures. It takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. 

During this festival, children light up the night with colorful lanterns and parade through the streets. 

Mooncakes, a traditional delicacy, are an essential part of the celebration. These round pastries, often filled with sweet bean paste, lotus seed paste, or salted egg yolk, symbolize reunion and completeness. Families gather to share these treats, savoring the rich flavors and the sense of unity they bring. 

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Mid-autumn festisval 2009

Mid-autumn festival 2012

Mooncakes

Dinner- pork schnitzel

Gelato with a twist

Plain old vanilla just isn't cutting it anymore. Ever tried Tie Guan Yin, osmanthus, durian, or lychee gelato? 

I have, but I think I’ll stick with pistachio, thank you very much! 

So, what's your favorite gelato flavor?

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Palazzo Vecchio 2023

I had a bit of a scare at a gelateria in Florence. My son went inside to queue up for gelato while my husband and I took a quick restroom break. We had planned to meet outside the entrance of the gelateria afterward. However, unbeknownst to us, there were two entrances. While I waited at one, my husband and son were waiting at the other, with their eyes glued to their phones as usual and probably not noticing the two entrances. To make matters worse, my phone was in my son's backpack. After waiting for what felt like an eternity—though it was only 10 minutes—I started to panic, especially since I have anxiety issues. Finally, I went back into the store, realized there was another entrance, and we were reunited. 

Has anything like that ever happened to you?

I was at the spot marked with a white circle and the hubs and son were at the spot marked with the yellow ellipse.