Malaysia 1994 - 1996

compiled from two negatives

Langkawi, Malaysia, Dec. 1995

Sultan Abdul Samad Building, negative scan

The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market: other species are sold in their local regions. Regarded by many people in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species. The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia. The durian, native to Southeast Asia, has been known to the Western world for about 600 years. The nineteenth-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace famously described its flesh as "a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds". The flesh can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, and it is used to flavour a wide variety of savoury and sweet edibles in Southeast Asian cuisines. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked. From Wikipedia To be honest: distinctive odour is clearly an unterstatement, it simply stinks horribly ;-) From LutzP

Thaipusam "Thaipoosam" (Tamil: தைப்பூசம், Taippūcam ?) is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). It is mainly observed in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia,[1] Mauritius[2] Singapore,Guadalupe, Reunion, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar[3] The word Thaipusam is a combination of the name of the month, Thai, and the name of a star, Pusam. This particular star is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a Vel "spear" so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. There is a misconception among people that Thaipusam marks Murugan's birthday; however, it is believed that Vaikhasi Vishakam, which falls in the Vaikhasi month (May/June), is Murugan's birthday. From Wikipedia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம் oder Thai Poosam Kavady) ist ein besonders von Tamilen am Vollmond des tamilischen Monats Thai (Januar/Februar) gefeiertes Hindu-Fest. Pusam bezieht sich auf einen Stern, der während des Festes seine höchste Position erreicht hat. Das Fest gedenkt einerseits des Geburtstags von Gott Murugan (auch Subramaniam oder Skanda genannt), dem jüngsten Sohn von Shiva und Parvati, sowie der Übergabe einer vel (Lanze) von Parvati an Murugan, damit er den Dämonen (Rakshasa) Soorapadman besiegen könne. Das Fest wird nicht nur im Süden von Indien ausgelassen gefeiert, sondern ebenso in Malaysia und Singapur aus Wikipedia