Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A Riddle in Penang
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
1:10 PM
The other day while walking around in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia, I witnessed an event related to an age-old question.
Although I can't dispute the typical answer for why the chicken crossed the road, I suspect there were other issues at play too. However, the chicken wasn't interested in talking and had protection.
Non-chicken-related posts on the way. But if you crave another chicken & rooster photo, see the earlier post "China Scenes: Villages Around Kaili, Guizhou".
Although I can't dispute the typical answer for why the chicken crossed the road, I suspect there were other issues at play too. However, the chicken wasn't interested in talking and had protection.
Non-chicken-related posts on the way. But if you crave another chicken & rooster photo, see the earlier post "China Scenes: Villages Around Kaili, Guizhou".
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Vegetarian Thali in Penang
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:55 PM
A photo of a most glorious vegetarian Indian thali I enjoyed in Penang, Malaysia:
Can you identify which bowl contains the sweet dessert?
And that's all for today. More tomorrow...
Can you identify which bowl contains the sweet dessert?
And that's all for today. More tomorrow...
Friday, January 11, 2013
A Penangite's Thoughts About Frozen Food and Crime
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
7:24 PM
While walking around George Town in Penang, Malaysia, I paused for a moment to consider where I should head after discovering the hawker stall where I had planned to pick up lunch would not be open until later. As I looked around, a man working at a nearby hotel came out offering his assistance. I appreciated his helpfulness, and I now see that some guests of the Red Rock Hotel have singled him out online for his excellent service.
During the resulting conversation, he asked where I was from. I told him I'm from the U.S. and asked him the same question. He proudly said, "Malaysia!"
When I later praised Penang's food, he commented it was a shame so much of it is now frozen at some point. In that way he said, "We're becoming more like America." He then added that the similarities between Malaysia and the U.S. did not end with frozen food or the design of their national flags.
For example, "America has too many weapons, and more and more people in Malaysia now have weapons too." When I asked if many people walking nearby were likely carrying weapons, he looked off into the distance and replied, "No, but more people who commit crimes like robbery have weapons."
He then had to return to assisting the hotel's guests. As we bid farewell he asked me to give his blessings to Barack Obama. He's definitely a fan.
I'm familiar with neither crime nor frozen food in Malaysia, so I will refrain from commenting on the man's statements. But I can say that after I walked away I soon discovered he had pointed me in the right direction.
After I asked to take his photo, he deliberately positioned himself in front of the hotel sign. |
During the resulting conversation, he asked where I was from. I told him I'm from the U.S. and asked him the same question. He proudly said, "Malaysia!"
When I later praised Penang's food, he commented it was a shame so much of it is now frozen at some point. In that way he said, "We're becoming more like America." He then added that the similarities between Malaysia and the U.S. did not end with frozen food or the design of their national flags.
For example, "America has too many weapons, and more and more people in Malaysia now have weapons too." When I asked if many people walking nearby were likely carrying weapons, he looked off into the distance and replied, "No, but more people who commit crimes like robbery have weapons."
He then had to return to assisting the hotel's guests. As we bid farewell he asked me to give his blessings to Barack Obama. He's definitely a fan.
I'm familiar with neither crime nor frozen food in Malaysia, so I will refrain from commenting on the man's statements. But I can say that after I walked away I soon discovered he had pointed me in the right direction.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Always Riding
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:47 PM
I've shared photos of a variety of bicycles and other wheeled vehicles I've seen in Chinese cities such as Zhuhai. Not far from an outdoor market in Penang, Malaysia, I saw a bicycle that did not seem unusual in any away except for its riders.
And they're probably still there.
More later...
And they're probably still there.
More later...
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Disappearing Outdoor Market in Penang
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
10:37 PM
Yesterday, I saw an example of Malaysia's ethnic diversity at an outdoor market in Penang. I happened to be nearby today, and I decided to take a quick look.
The scene was rather different.
A couple vendors were set up on the side. And I recognized the faces of a couple other vendors who appeared to be relaxing. But as the photo shows, there were few signs of yesterday's lively market.
Today, I visited the location around 3 p.m. Had I stopped by at a similar time yesterday, and not at 5 p.m., I may have never "discovered" the market and had the opportunity to photograph some of its scenes.
I will later share some other examples to highlight how time and luck can matter in research, whether you're trying to understand a culture or the human brain.
The scene was rather different.
A couple vendors were set up on the side. And I recognized the faces of a couple other vendors who appeared to be relaxing. But as the photo shows, there were few signs of yesterday's lively market.
Today, I visited the location around 3 p.m. Had I stopped by at a similar time yesterday, and not at 5 p.m., I may have never "discovered" the market and had the opportunity to photograph some of its scenes.
I will later share some other examples to highlight how time and luck can matter in research, whether you're trying to understand a culture or the human brain.
Diversity at an Outdoor Market in George Town, Penang
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
12:00 AM
Today in an historical area of George Town, Penang, I saw more signs of Malaysia's incredible ethnic diversity: Chinese ancestral homes, Islamic mosques, Catholic churches, Little India, and so on. But it is the people, not the buildings, which made the largest impression. So instead of highlighting anything historical, I first want to share some scenes from an informal outdoor market I stumbled upon. A variety of people could be found there...
Monday, January 7, 2013
A Mosque and Islamic Arts in Kuala Lumpur
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
10:17 PM
Today was a longer than expected travel day. Such is life when a bus breaks down and you have to wait for another to show up. Fortune also has it that the hotel in my new location has chosen this week to upgrade their Internet. But at least there are some nearby cafes with wifi.
So, another light post...
This past weekend I stopped by the National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
However, I could not visit inside due to restrictions.
Fortunately, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia was nearby. The fusion of artistic styles seen in the section of Islamic art from China particularly caught my attention.
More later on Malaysia's rich mixture of cultures. For now, I will return to my Internet-less room. It will be like the old days.
So, another light post...
This past weekend I stopped by the National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
However, I could not visit inside due to restrictions.
Fortunately, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia was nearby. The fusion of artistic styles seen in the section of Islamic art from China particularly caught my attention.
More later on Malaysia's rich mixture of cultures. For now, I will return to my Internet-less room. It will be like the old days.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Birds and an Unexpected Ad at the Bird Park
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:58 PM
The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park claims to be the "world's largest free-flight walk-in aviary". As a kid I was fascinated by aviaries so I decided to make a visit. It did indeed seem rather large, and it was possible to see a variety of birds in close proximity (although some were kept in smaller cages).
I will refrain from sharing a full set of bird photos, but I feel compelled to share a photo of one of the few advertisements posted outside the park.
Maybe Ayam A1 thought looking at all those birds would put people in the mood for some chicken.
OK. That's all--back to more typical topics in upcoming posts.
Keeping an eye on the human |
I will refrain from sharing a full set of bird photos, but I feel compelled to share a photo of one of the few advertisements posted outside the park.
Advertisement for chicken nuggets |
Maybe Ayam A1 thought looking at all those birds would put people in the mood for some chicken.
Not humored |
OK. That's all--back to more typical topics in upcoming posts.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Front View from a Driverless Train in Kuala Lumpur
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:29 PM
One day while taking the light rail on Kuala Lumpur's Kelana Jaya Line I boarded the front car. I then discovered its trains are "driverless" and include a front window providing an excellent view. And I have since noticed it is particularly popular with kids.
Several of my friends have kids who are fascinated with trains. So that provides me a convenient excuse to share a few photos from a train ride today when the front window was free.
The front view definitely makes the train ride a bit more interesting, though not as "interesting" as the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai. Despite (or because of) the Shanghai tunnel being a "trippy" experience and Lonely Planet commenting:
Father helping his young daughter look out the train's front window |
Several of my friends have kids who are fascinated with trains. So that provides me a convenient excuse to share a few photos from a train ride today when the front window was free.
On an elevated portion of the line and about to enter the tunnel near the Masjid Jamek station |
An exciting curve |
It appears I had some onlookers |
Approaching a station |
Off again |
The front view definitely makes the train ride a bit more interesting, though not as "interesting" as the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai. Despite (or because of) the Shanghai tunnel being a "trippy" experience and Lonely Planet commenting:
Stepping from the trains at the terminus, visitors are visibly nonplussed, their disbelief surpassed only by those with return tickets.I typically recommend it to friends visiting Shanghai. As noted on CNN Travel:
But what's not to love about the sudden appearance of blow-up dolls, flashing colored lights and booming, disembodied voices saying vaguely apocalyptic words such as "magma" and "hell." You won't get that on the metro.You also won't get that on the Kuala Lumpur light rail, which is probably a good thing.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
An Afternoon of Fabric and Stores in Kuala Lumpur
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
11:17 PM
On this first day of 2013, I'll keep it light and share some scenes from my explorations today in Kuala Lumpur. They begin in an area well known for its fabric shops and end at the Sultan Ismail elevated light rail station. Some of the scenes provide a small taste of Kuala Lumpur's mixture of cultures and architectural styles.
A pedestrian street lined with fabric stores |
A nearby "food court" |
One of many food vendors |
Several carpet stores |
More stores |
A sale section at the Sogo department store |
Food court at the Sogo department store |
Capturing some "Christmas spirit" |
Sultan Ismail Road |
Section of the Kuala Lumpur Rail Transit System's Ampang Line |
News Year's Kuala Lumpur 2013
Posted by
Brian Glucroft
at
4:42 AM
If I could sum up my New Year's experience in downtown Kuala Lumpur this 2013 in two words it would be "snow spray". I have now seen enough snow spray to last a lifetime. More of it was sprayed by the thousands of peoples in the streets I visited than... well... it was a lot. Whether it just set back the healing of the Earth's ozone layer or not is a question for scientists to explore.
All I can say is that New Year's in Kuala Lumpur was far more intense than my experience in Phnom Penh several years ago (which was pretty good). At the moment, I am out of words, so I will just share some photos, even if they are a bit fuzzy. For the rest of you still waiting for 2013, I'll just say most seems the same, but you might want to stay clear of any snow spray.
Happy New Year's...
All I can say is that New Year's in Kuala Lumpur was far more intense than my experience in Phnom Penh several years ago (which was pretty good). At the moment, I am out of words, so I will just share some photos, even if they are a bit fuzzy. For the rest of you still waiting for 2013, I'll just say most seems the same, but you might want to stay clear of any snow spray.
Happy New Year's...
Where I had a late night seafood dinner of sting ray, clams, and assorted veggies |
The head chef from Myanmar |
The snow spraying fun had already begun before midnight |
Snow spray explosions |
Nobody was immune |
Big crowds |
Enthusiasm |
Taking over the streets |
Many disposed snow spray cans |
Photographic opportunities |
Capturing the moment |
Walking down the middle of the street |
More snow |
Still snowing |
Never enough snow |
Nobody was safe |
Plenty to clean up |
US $5 per cup for a Carlsberg beer at one bar |
Some Indonesian guys I met |
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