Gallimaufry#164

The Crane Outside

Our 17-storey condo is currently undergoing a major roof repair, and it's not for the faint-hearted. A massive crane has been stationed right outside our balcony — and I mean right outside. From where I stand, it looks uncomfortably close. One wrong swing, one slip in coordination, and the consequences don’t bear thinking about. Of course, we trust the contractors know what they’re doing, but still...

Front-row seat to nerve-wracking precision.

Living beneath a hovering steel giant is an exercise in faith — and nerves.

Please don't swing this way!

A game of inches

Every time this 50-tonne crane maneuvers through the tight space below my balcony, it's nerve-wracking to watch — especially knowing it's guided only by the sharp blasts of a rigger's whistle. One false move... and I don’t even want to imagine the consequences.

Hats off to the crane driver and rigger — guiding a 50-tonne crane through this impossibly tight space with nothing but whistle signals takes serious skill and precision.

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Wings over Cobblestones

They’re there in nearly every town square I’ve wandered—pigeons, cooing confidently on centuries-old rooftops, strutting past café tables like they own the place.

Dinner - Chinese

Drunken clams

Pork ribs braised in pumpkin sauce

 

Caught this little squirrel in full ninja mode—tiny, fluffy, and on a mission!" 🐿️💨

Croatia: The Birthplace of the Necktie

Did you know that Croatia gave the world the necktie? Back in the 17th century, Croatian mercenaries wore knotted scarves as part of their uniforms. The French, captivated by the style, named it "cravat" (from Hrvat, meaning "Croat"), and King Louis XIV helped turn it into a fashion statement.

💙 Fun Facts & Legends:
🔹 Some say Croatian women tied scarves around their soldiers’ necks as a symbol of love and loyalty. ❤️
🔹 In aristocratic circles, different cravat styles once hinted at political views or social rank. 👔
🔹 Napoleon was obsessed with cravats and owned hundreds!
🔹 Croatia holds the world record for the longest necktie—808 meters—wrapped around the Pula Arena in 2003.

Creating this giant necktie was a monumental effort: it took 120 kilometers of thread, 450 kilograms of fabric, and over 300 hours of sewing. The trickiest part? Tying the massive knot—secured 21 meters above ground and stretching 9 meters deep. Thankfully, around 100 children pitched in to help extend the tie all the way down to the Pula boardwalk, making it a truly unforgettable sight.

Every October 18, Croatia celebrates Cravat Day, honoring its stylish contribution to the world!

Gallimaufry#163

Descending into the unexpected

Mural at Chin Swee Temple, Malaysia

Panko

Buffet dinner—Father's Day and Son#1's birthday celebration

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

This charming souvenir shop is located at Bled Castle in Slovenia, and it's known as Grajski čebelnjak, which translates to "Castle Beehive"

The shop specializes in bee-related products, reflecting Slovenia’s deep cultural ties to beekeeping. Slovenia is home to the Carniolan honeybee, one of the most docile and efficient honeybee breeds in the world.

Did You Know?

• Slovenia is the first country in the world to officially protect its native bee species (Carniolan bee).

• World Bee Day (May 20th) was proposed by Slovenia and approved by the UN to raise awareness about the importance of bees.

Maskeron

In Dubrovnik, Croatia, there's a charming local legend centered around a maskeron—a stone gargoyle-like face—embedded in the wall just a few feet above the ground on the outer wall of the Franciscan Monastery, near the Pile Gate entrance to the Old Town.

This maskeron, often called the "Dubrovnik Gargoyle", was originally a medieval water spout, but over time it became the focus of a quirky ritual. According to local folklore, if you can balance on top of the narrow ledge of the maskeron, facing the wall, and then take off your shirt and put it back on without falling, you will be granted everlasting love.

Our guide shared that no adult—other than children—has been able to successfully take off their shirt and put it back on while balancing on the maskeron. A few have managed to take it off, but none has succeeded in putting it back on without tumbling.

Son#2 takes the challenge

             

If you care to look carefully, there is a mini gargoyle where the mice gather—a forgotten guardian, perhaps, or just a secret audience to their daring antics. Perched quietly, it has watched generations of whiskered challengers attempt the Maskeron feat.