The Balik Pulau Durian Feast

The durian ( /ˈdjʊriən/)^[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family^[1][3] (although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae^[1]).
Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique 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, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as tert-Butylthiol, almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia.

People come from all over the country to savor the Durian from Balik Pulau as it is well know to be  finger licking good among durians found in Malaysia. 

I never did found out who this young man was but he was busy  helping out at  the Duirna feast which was organized byt the Balik Pulau Art Club of which I am a committee member.

There are varieties of Durians to be found  and some are know to be worth a fortune or their weight in gold as they say.

A few friends standing before one of my creation which found its way to the show.

The lee family was there too.

 Mr.Sui Hoe one of Penang's 'OTai"  

Tyhe ad hoc pannel.

Another trip to the Cemetary

The gentleman in green Malay baju has lost his only son who was 51 years of age to a respiratory complications.  He is the brother of my cousin in law and so at three in the morning sometime in the early morning hours my cousin and I were at his house making sure all goes accordingly in getting things prepared for the burial next day. The death having taken place  at what is considered an early age an autopsy was required by law and this had to be performed at the Hospital in Balik Pulau whis is pratically on the other side of the Island. So the corpse was driven  from his home all the way to Balik Pulau and there was kept in the cooler as there was no doctors available to perform the autopsy. We came home in the early morning when the sun was rising.

I did not care too much for the family as they seemed rather aloof even given the fact that I was there lending a helping hand for my cousin's sake i hung in there without loosing my cool. Sometimes it does makes you wonder if it is all worth the effort for  helping those whose head is either buried in the sand or stuck in the clouds. The grave was located close to where most of their relatives were to be found buried and as space was not readily available most burials had to be done on top of older existing graves. In a way it is the beauty of the Dato'Keramat Cemetery where my ancestors were all buried alongside each other or one on top of another. The cemetery has a a landscape of its own which evokes the transitory -ness of life and the lack of lack of permanence of this physical world.  

It is not uncommon to see gravestones being temporarily removed from a burial site as it is a common practice here mostly due to lack of space. Islam places not too much attachment to the  departed in the physical form like the Chinese do. It is not due to lack of respect or care, that although it could be better taken care of, but most Malays in general are not into making things or the environment look pretty or neat, somehow the sanctity of the cemetery does not warrant such great care in thier lives except comes the end of Ramadan when most visit the graves of their loved ones.  

It is the Muslim practice that the dead is to be buried as soon as possible not wanting to pass the tweny four hours cycle of the death period; keeping the dead for days in the house for moarning is not the Muslim way. From earth to earth as soon as possible with as less fanfare as need be and as little show of sorrow as necessary. The Chinese on the other hand are known to hire mourners for the dear departed and the funeral procession often reminds one of the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.  

Muslims must have the cheapest means of burial as that is how the religion ask of  its followers. The rituals are simple and fast. The hole dug in this case was barely four feet deep and it was beginning to fill up with water when I took a peek into it. I was warned not to step too close as the walls were likely to crumble. Carrying the corpse from the main road into the grave site was a task i would not want to repeat too often as i was struggling with the weight while falling all over gravestones in trying to make my way to the hole.

Simplicity is the key to a Muslim burial, at least in this country most who were present sat around waiting for the event to be over with. Perfumed water is sprinkled after the completion of the burial and the imam recites verses from the Quran especially for the dead. Ironically in my view here is when you are told who you really are and what lays in store for you in the event of your death. The basic instructions given for you to cope with the upcoming events after all the mourners have departed were spelled out and you are sent on your journey in the afterlife.

It is strangely peaceful whenever i wisit the grave yard at Dato' Kramat on perak Road in Georgetown. it is where my Grandfather and grandmother were buried and so my aunties and uncles, those that have left this world for the next. It never fails to remind me that someday, somewhere I too will have to be carried and deposited into the hole, next to or on top of someone who was there before me.

For those who have rarely of never at all visited the cemetery or grave yard in their lives, my advice is to try and make an effort to do so as it is in its own way a comforting experience and a good cure for those whose minds are governing every moves of their lives; it is a grounding experience.

Reflections of the Water.

This coastal  is about one kilometer from the original coastal area, the land has been reclaimed  for development. 

This may not be the face that launched a thousand ships but it is a face that has lived life to the fullest. His story be told the Portugese has been around and done some.  

Mamat as they called him was caught playing his invisible drum  set,; he is mentally handicapped and has the innocence of a child.

Where would i be otherwise than to sit and watch the clouds go by, the calm before the storm.

The house on the water a physical manifestation of the mind extending itself out into the unknown  or getting away from it all; a corner of my own.

The work itself is part of keeping the mind in gear; keeping life a little more exciting;doing something not because you really need a home but simply because it keeps you busy in the evenings.

The 

The spirit of comaraderie; of friendship and a sense of belonging among man is vital for our mental health and well being.

Learning to respect each other's positionand status in our relationships is paramount to knowing who we are in the scheme of life. 

What was created together in the spirit of brotherhood can never be torn apart once it is completed it has become a bond that ties up our understanding of each other.

Designing a shoe for Karim

My first try at shoe designing, I think it is not a great success and i believe i used the wrong medium for it.

Although the Chinese ink is permanent in  quality it is not one hundred percent as one would use Acrylic.Acrylic is more water resistance and brighter in color.

The design itself was to simplistic and organic for a shoe of this nature. Should have spent more time designing a more abstract style; simple and minimal with energetic bold strokes.

Oh well I tried to do it under the worse of scenario; i was tired and burned out after a long day at the Penang Festival.

Dinner with some Foreigners!

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Ms. Marez Kristine R. Domalleg from the Philippines

Art appreciation and hot discussion about seeing things that is not there in a painting but can be made to see if looked long enough. Faces and dragons, butterflies and even snakes.

Mr. Pau Balagher Alcarria from Spain with Marez

Rosario , from Chille, a treat at Kassim Mustafa nasi kandar Restaurant, umm...good!

Chris the man from Colorado.

The Aceh Street Mosque.