Mosquito Coil Cover

Back in the 70's and 80's, I remember my late grandmother lighting mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes. They were placed in a mosquito coil cover to properly contain the powder from the burnt coils. 

It is now the rainy season and a climate like Malaysia, is literally a breading ground for mosquitoes. I tried a few types of mosquito repellants, i.e. spray, electric and etc, but they were just not as effective as the incense. They are typically made from a dried paste of pyrethrum powder. 

As I did not have a cover, i merely placed them on a old newspaper and the powder scattered everywhere as the fan was on.

On my outing to Raub I managed to purchase these NOS mosquito coil covers below RM4.00 respectively.

The only difference from my late grandmother's one is that, hers were a tad heavier due to a more solid construction and it had a bucket like handle to hang it 

 

This is the versatile version with a circle hook. The rubber tappers would tie these to their trousers and go about their choirs. At such wee hours in the morning they are bound to be bitten by mosquitoes without a portable mosquito incense coil 

Brand of the item

Playing Cards & Yo Yo

Purchased these at a steal for RM28.00 at BookXcess or famously known as Big Bad Wolf Books at SS15 Courtyard, Subang Jaya.

The Playing Cards & Yo Yo set comes in a beautiful metal box with playing instructions

Hooks to Hang Things in Car Booth

Ever been in a position where you had food and drinks placed in grocery bags in the car booth well placed between other grocery bags only to have found them toppled down once you reach home?

I have been in dilemma numerous times. So I did my own DIY hooks in the car booth. Sharing this for all to follow.

Cheers. The pictures are self explanatory

Glazed Pottery for Taping Rubber

Have been looking for these glazed pottery to collect the rubber latex, for quite some time.

These are used by the rubber tappers. Finally I can place them in my showcase.

Marvel Select Captain America

Purchased this Marvel Select at Speedy Video Subang Parade for RM39.90. Bloody steal if you ask me. Damaged box though. 

In World War II patriotic solider Steve Rogers recipient of the "Super Soldier Serum" became the living symbol of freedom, Captain America. Left for dead while frozen in ice, the star-spangled hero with an indestructible shield awoke years later to continue his never-ending battle for liberty. This quote I copied directly from marvel universe wikipedia. 

Roasted Cashew Nuts

This is one of my favourite junk food to much on while watching movies. Purchasing it from shops is expensive. A small packet may cost RM5.00 and it is laden with salt and preservatives. 

Make some of your own, literally the cost of peanuts. I purchased a container of cashew nuts

 

Fresh nuts, Smells yummy

 

Roast them in a wok until they are evenly lightly brown. No oil is required. Just sprinkle a little white pepper and salt for taste.  Taste a small piece to ensure that it is properly cooked and crunchy

That's it. You're done. Happy eating

Rubber Tapping

Old MacDonald Had A Farm

E-I-E-I-O

And on his farm he had a Rubber Tree

E-I-E-I-O

With a Rubber Rubber here

And a Rubber Rubber  there

Here a Rubber, there a Rubber

Everywhere a Rubber Rubber

Old MacDonald had a farm

E-I-E-I-O

That’s right folks. You see rubber products everywhere as far as the eyes can see. Sole of the shoes, end of pencils, car tyres, wires, pipes, balloons, balls, gloves, rubber bands, door stoppers and lots more.

The Rubber industry has provided livelihoods to many people, especially the Indian community in Malaysia.

The rubber latex is collected by making an incision into the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels. This process is known as "tapping" rubber. The latex is led into the cup by a galvanised "spout" knocked into the bark.

Initially the half shell of coconut was used as the collection container for the latex. Then it was glass bowls, subsequently glazed pottery, thereafter aluminium and finally it is now plastic cups.

The cups are supported by a wire that encircles the tree. This wire incorporates a spring, stretching as the tree grows.

The first cut is called “buka Jalan” open the road. There is an art to cutting the rubber tree. It cannot be too deep as to cause the trust to be damaged and it cannot be too shallow as not to produce latex.

Tapping normally takes place early in the morning, when the internal pressure of the tree is highest. A good tapper can tap a tree every 20 seconds on a standard half-spiral system, and a common daily "task" size is between 450 and 650 trees.

Sample of a plastic cup used to collect the latex (sticky, milky colloid fluid). Picture from the internet

A recent addition to my private collection. Glass vessels used to collect the latex. They were utilized in Malaya during the 1920’s, before embarking to pottery vessels.

The antique dealer that I had purchased the items from, informed that he stumbled upon the items in a chicken barn in one of the village houses, near the railway station in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan. It was used by the owner’s son as feeding bowl for his chicks. To the untrained eyes it was an unwanted item that could be used as a feeding bowl but the dealer knew what they were and it’s value

Dry latex is still clearly visible, after all these years

 3 varieties of glass vessels, comprising of 1 dunlop, 1 dunlop logo and 1 CWC logo

According to sources CWC is no longer operational

Police Museum, Bukit Aman

Malaysian Police has received their fair share of criticism. You can read about it all over the internet portal and various blogs. However, I have to state this that during darurat or in the state of emergency. They are the elite squad that rose to the occasion. 

Thus, due recognition must be given to these elite squad who had laid down their lives for their country and people. May Allah SWT always bless them.

These are pictures taken at the police museum, located close to Bukit Aman

A brief directory

Mock up during Communist occupation

There is ample explanation provided, so please read

Some of the items used by the Communist on display

Uniforms used by the local authorities at that time

Bicycle was the common mode of transport

Pornographic materials (handkerchives) confiscated. This would be a cool addition to my collection of antiquities, if I can get them.

You will only see the desired images once the handkerchief is folded

A mock up of the Bukit Kepong incident

How police forces hid under the bridge

Old poilce shields and baton

Peace declaration with the Communist Party

The actual pens used in signing the said declaration

Chin Peng's signature

Candu pipes

Currency used in Malaysia at that time

Fake wooden spear

Even here vandalism happens. Why does his pants need to be down?

The casting of the shadow makes this figure surreal

Old leather Portuguese shield

Portuguese coins

Brass Gongs used at various Police Station to warn people during a state of emergency