The Rafflesia in full bloom

Thierry Douin, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, when not running his hotel is usually running around with his camera.

An avid photographer, his photos have been featured in Transit Café.

Cheong Fatt Tze "Blue" Mansion, Penang

This week, he shares three photographs he captured while on a holiday in Penang and Ipoh.

One of the photos is the rare Rafflesia flower in full bloom “which we were particularly lucky to find after a two-hour jungle trek near Ipoh in the Bukit Kinta forest reserve”, he said.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Penang

And contrary to popular belief, he says the Rafflesia does not smell. “In fact even the decomposed one does not. From a bud to a bloom, it takes nine months. Once in full bloom it lasts two to three days and then decomposes itself.”

• Photos courtesy of Thierry Douin