Prep for traditional Kerala Kathakali performance. Stage make-up session starts one hour before the performance. It involves the application of several layers – base and colours made out of crushed natural coloured stones mixed in coconut oil. The performer applied his own make up first and is later aided by another artist. Before the performance…
Tag: travelling
Rail Adventure: London – Inverness
Train journeys are a great way to just take a back seat and enjoy the scenery as you watch the world go by. I’d usually peek into the homes, towns & villages along the line (not in a creepy stalker kind of way 😄), and wonder about the stories and lives of the people who…
Our Fading Heritage: Jerejak Island
My next read! Waiting to dive into the pages to find out more about our very own Ellis Island here in Penang, Malaysia. Sadly, the spot where more than a million migrants to Malaya landed between 1877 and 1957 is earmarked for development of a theme park and resort. Heritage groups are fighting to preserve…
Serenity Path
Khareyana Spa – One of my favourite spots in the town (now a city) I practically grew up in – Petaling Jaya. I’ve been visiting this old residential bungalow that was converted into a spa sanctuary since 2003. The proprietor Puan Azam – a retired civil servant has always been very warm and welcoming since…
Queenstown, Singapore
Queenstown in Singapore holds a lot of pleasant memories. I spent quite a number of school holidays at my Aunt’s Singapore Housing Development Board (HDB) flat along Margaret Drive. The Queenstown Public Library was my favourite spot in addition to the NTUC Fairprice store – both a 10 minute walk from the flat. I witnessed…
Drive Thru: Central Spine Rd
One of my favourite drives – low traffic and amazing scenery! The partially opened Central Spine Road that will link Kuala Lipis in Pahang to Kuala Krai in Kelantan once it is completed. It currently terminates just outside Gua Musang town.
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Wishing my Chinese friends, family and followers a Happy & Prosperous New Year! A special shout out to those born in the year of the pig. To everyone else in Malaysia and around this region – enjoy the holidays! Guan Yin temple, Raub, Pahang, Malaysia.
Shades of Syria in Victoria
I bought my first Syrian carpet in 2001, while on assignment in Aleppo. The burst of colourful textiles caught my eye as I was wandering around the rustic and historic neighbourhood of Al-Jdeida. Each carpet features different designs and colours which I was told represents the regions it is produced in. The ones in Damascus…
Black Madonna of Catalonia
The Black Madonna of Montserrat (La Moreneta in Catalan which means the little dark skinned one) is the patron saint of Catalonia together with St Jordi (St George). The dark features of this statue currently at the Montserrat Basilica is courtesy of the pigment from wood it is carved out of – believed to have…
Mythical Langkawi (via Ferry)
It’s been 15 years since we last visited Langkawi Island, the mythical island believed to have been cursed for seven generations by a young woman – Mahsuri – who was falsely accused of adultery. Locals believe the curse has been lifted as the island began to prosper over the last few decades after at least…
Heritage Trail: Assumption Church, Penang
The Church of the Assumption on Farquhar Road in Penang was built in 1786, the year Captain Francis Light and British settlers landed on Penang island. They settlers set foot on this tropical island just off Butterworth/Seberang Prai on the mainland of Peninsular Malaysian on Aug 15th – the feast of the Assumption of the…
Liquid Light: Liverpool Docks
My first impression of Liverpool was how industrial the Merseyside shoreline looked. But one needs to appreciate the history of Liverpool and how this city impacted global trade and migration. The Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Docks are the best place to start – if you’re visiting Liverpool for the first time. Above is one…
Maria Dass the World 