Everybody knows that scent is the most powerful of our
senses. So it is no surprise that sometimes a smell can warp you right back to
an unforgettable moment on a trip or an amazing experience while travelling, sometimes bringing back memories more vividly than a photo album can. I
have got a few of those. Good and bad.
An obvious one is body products that smell of coconuts. As
soon as this wonderful scent wafts into my nostrils, I’m mentally transported
to a far flung beach with lots of palm trees and clear blue water sprinkled
with blue starfish.
A slightly less pleasant smell is the Chinese stinky tofu. As pungent as this Chinese delicacy reeks, smelling this will conjure up memories of my trip to China a few years ago where I wandered around the Muslim Market in Xian, discovering all kinds of weird food types. I tried a good few, but the disgusting smell of the stinky tofu made me very reluctant to try it. Although I have heard good things about it.
Photo by uniquenikki under Creative Commons Licence |
Then there is the durian. The fruit from hell. I was introduced
to this stinky number growing up in Jakarta in Indonesia. I remember being
driven to school with the windows down, till we passed the street vendors
selling durian and those windows went right back up. It is worse than a human
fart. And from what I remember, it tastes just as foul.
Photo by Jeevs sinclair under Creative Commons Licence |
It amazing the way scents bring back memories.
ReplyDeleteRight. It is apparently the most powerful of our senses.
DeleteI think I would like a waft of durian, very quickly. I saw all the signs on the Singapore metro about it being banned, but I really want to know just how bad it is!
ReplyDeletehaha, it is super bad. I don't get why one would eat it.
Deleteso brilliant idea to put this theme into a post, indeed a scent can bring a lot of memories :)
ReplyDeleteah durian, i missed my city but not the durian as i probably the only one Jakartan who hate it :))
haha, yeah I do not really miss that sucker either.
DeleteGaaaaahhh... DURIAN!!! It's the fruit from hell indeed. Not sure if you know about this cologne range back in the day, "Angel's Breath"? The smell of durian is seriously my idea of devil's breath!!!
ReplyDeleteHoney x The Girl Next Shore
haha, that is very well put. How nature was able to create something like that, is beyond me.
DeleteThe smell of the overpacked car interior in summer... ooh I know exactly what you mean! Everyone's childhood right there!
ReplyDeleteThe joy of going on holidays in the 70s and 80s.
DeleteI love how scents can bring back all these wonderful travel memories. I am envious of your visit to the markets in China!
ReplyDeleteThey were quite something indeed. Lots of weird stuff that I was too afraid to try.
DeleteIsn't apple and cinnamon potpourri lovely? Especially around Christmas...
ReplyDeleteYes, totally. I reminds me of Christmas in the USA.
DeleteStinky tofu? No thanks. I find normal tofu offputting enough so stinky tofu would have been an instant veto for me. I have never smelled a durian and I'm certain I don't want to! However, I would very much like to visit the location of your first picture. Where is that please??
ReplyDeletehaha, yeah I will leave the stinky tofu to others as well. The first picture I actually took on the beach in Grenada. It's Grand Anse Beach. Lovely there.
DeleteI agree, I'm also not keen on durian AT ALL. But coconut bringing back memories of island holidays, yes please! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteNo worries. It was a great topic this month.
DeleteTotally agree that smells take you straight back to a moment. It really is so powerful! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the most powerful of our senses, so I have been told.
DeleteEugh Durian! I first came across that in Indonesia too, such a cool looking fruit with a pretty vile smell (I was too chicken to taste it) great post :)
ReplyDeletehaha. I have actually never tried it either, but that smell!!! Why would you wanna try it?
DeleteI can't stand durian, but my family LOVES it! So much so that they order durian desserts while I sit back and hold my nose. Ha! The first time I bit into one, it tasted like raw onion to me. I tried -I really did.
ReplyDeleteOMG, that is so brave of you. I will not touch it with a stick. Ever.
DeleteAhhh growing up in Hong Kong I definitely remember the smell of stinky tofu when walking down the streets! It's so so bad. There are definitely both good & bad scents that reminds you of your travels :) x
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can't imagine having to smell that every day.
DeleteAhh...stinky tofu...tastes as bad as it sounds! They say it grows on you, but life is too short, so many other delicious street foods in China..once was enough for me!
ReplyDeleteI know right? Why try something that smells like crap?
DeleteHaha durian is definitely a killer - will be sure to avoid the stinky tofu too ;) Lots of love, Andrea xxx
ReplyDeleteNothing better than the smell of croissants and the sea!! :) Lots of love, Andrea xxx
Andrea's Passions
Yeah I much prefer the sea and croissants to durian and stinky tofu any time. haha
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