Showing posts with label Perak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Perak. Show all posts

Monday, 22 May 2017

O my Ipoh!

Ipoh, my Ipoh!
Slow and steady, you stay sturdy,
facing the currents through waves of tide.
But there are storms we cannot weather,
lashing the old soul that's seems almost eternity.
Wake up, people, wake up!
How strong we think we are,
yet when the time has come we have to go.
Iconic Ipoh tree in front of Ipoh Railway Station. Uprooted by storm in 3 May 2017.

1920s Cenotaph in front of Ipoh Railway Station. Originally built in memory of Perak Warriors.
 The British Architect that designed Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Arthur Benison Hubback, left quite a few marks in Ipoh.
Ipoh Town Hall. Built around 1914.  Designed by A.B. Hubback.

Ipoh High Court. Another of A.B. Hubback's design. Completed 1928.

And this century old Ipoh Train Station. Built in 1914 by the same designer A.B. Hubback. 

Hubback really liked Roman-Greek grandeur in the later years of his design in Malaya. And of course not forgetting, this is the guy that introduced "onion dome" to many of the buildings (especially mosques) in Malaysia.
 
Fascinated by this thorny rail. Wonder what's the purpose of this rail.

 This place is wedding photo shoot favourites for local couples.

Don't forget the famous Ipoh Kacang Putih. Before leaving Ipoh, grab a couple of spiced/flavoured nuts and crackers. Ipoh's kacang putih is fresh and crunchy.
A panorama view of the Ipoh Railway Station Square. Come at night for a good stroll with plenty of little stalls offerring skates and mobiles for rental.

The Park

Many Ipoh children from the 70s-80s have some fond memories of D.R. Park (Taman D.R. Seenivasagam). When there was limited shopping complex/supermarket. When play, run and falling were norms.
The main entrance into D.R. Park.

Now children gets variety of structures in the playground. Back then it was the cement slide and monkey bars. Anything else?

Been there since...

Children can also rent bicycles and ride around the park. There are mock traffic road and signs that caters for the children.

D.R. Park is accessible by car. It is nice even for a car ride.



Waller Court

Almost as old as the country. A project by D.R. Seenivasagam. It is the first public housing project in Ipoh. There were a total of 17 blocks with over 500 units catered to the public. Back then many families squeeze into a unit. Some will have relatives staying nearby in different units. The community back then was a close knit one. Everyone knows everyone. 

As time goes by, many left the flats as their financial standing improved. Those left behind are stuck and hopeful for better replacements by the government, but help never came. The builings became bare and open to crime and destruction.

 But those who have stayed there could still clearly recall the places where they bought their breakfast fishball noodles or desserts or tuckshop for titbits. They recall the rooftops that they as kids jumped and run about. The open space that the kids played and explored freely. Life then may be lacking in wealth but never in love.

The Cantonese used to call these flats "Buck Caap Ook" (pigeon house) due to the small size and stacked like a pigeon house. Each unit is provided with a room, some with 2 rooms and a living area and the back balcony as kitchen and washing area.
Along the way into Waller Court, there are majestic rain trees that stood against the test of time. Giving life and keeping watch. Waiting its cue to call it a day. 

Monday, 9 March 2015

In & Around Sekeping Kong Heng @ Ipoh Old Town

The revived and attractive mini bazaar at Sekeping Kong Heng is truly refreshing. The open-green-minimalist combined design portrays a very warm environment.

There's boutique..
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There's craft stall to keep kids occupied..
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Plenty of stalls selling arts and crafts..
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And nostalgic ice balls for sale..
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.. with many nicks nacks..


Around sekeping, there are a few cafes/bars


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Modern vs historical


 Natural lighting with lots of greens..
 Functionality with some old charm..

Not to forget Yasmin's Museum is where this canopy is located. Let's hunt for this..

Thursday, 15 November 2007

Chinese celebrating 9th Emperor God's visits at Tow Boo Keong, Ipoh

The 1st 9 days of the 9th Chinese Lunar month spells busy period for Tokong Tow Boo Keong (Tow Boo Keong Temple) in Ipoh. In fact, most Chinese Taoist will be busy visiting temples at their area. It is one of those time where wishes were made and thanksgiving were performed(when wish comes true). Why come during this period? It is this time that the 9th Emperor God visits the earth via the waterways. That's why you'll see procession from the river on the first day to the temple, and a return to the river on the 9th day.

About Tow Boo Keong Temple

The temple is situated at Jalan Kampar, Ipoh. Expect double to triple parking at the roadside during this period. There will be usherers to guide you to a parking space and sell you all the prayer paraphernalia.

Inside the temple, you'll be moved to tears (hihi... more like smoked to tears). Worshippers will present the tributes, burn incense and candles, make wishes, ask for direction (using the bamboo sticks) and stand dumb (that would be me). Every donation given will be responded with 3 drum raps and 3 bell rings. Those completed their prayers will walk below the God's table for blessing and get amulets for protection. Full of customs. Full of tears (me again).

The tributes
The usual food presented to 9th Emperor God would be "miku". Miku is a hokkien word meaning tortoise shaped bun.

The demand for miku is astoundingly huge. Everyone who visited the place will buy at least in 3's or 5's. You'll witness many hands behind the making of miku.

Miku is actually steamed bun with slight sweet tinge in taste. The traditional way of using rattan tray to steam the buns are still being practised as it will help ensure no water droplets will fall on the buns. Some may also use fat go (literally prosperity cake in cantonese).
No worries if you have missed the usherers. The basic prayer paraphernalia are piled up at the front door for your easy access. As you can see, you can also pay tribute by presenting oil for the 9th Emperor God's lantern. Light is a common element in many religions.
The coloured papers are clothes to be burnt as present for the 9th Emperor God. Included in there are gold and silver money, as well as papers of good wishes also to be burnt and presented to the God. Wrapped within are incenses and candles. It was said that the more ashes a Deity/God receives, the higher is their power/status.A bamboo tree tied across a high coconut trees carries the light showing the worshippers "the way". It forms as a blessing too.
Traditional Chinese Opera show were also laid out as entertainment and tribute for the God. The show can be in Teo Chew (Ipoh) or Hokkien (Penang). Some temples may go as far as hiring artist from China. The clothes and shows are more elaborated as compared to local troupes. But it is not because local troupes have no initiative, just that the art is diminishing in Malaysia. Difficult to find new blood to take over, and even lesser demand.The way I see it?
It is a belief. It is a custom. It is a culture. It is a part of society. It is a part of life.

Saturday, 7 July 2007

Tempting rest spot at Damai Laut


Tempting rest spot at Damai Laut, originally uploaded by everythingasian.

Damai Laut is a hidden beach resort surrounded by wetlands and tropical rain forests. It takes around 40 minutes ride from Sitiawan town. The place is run by Swiss Garden Resort & Spa. Pretty nicely done up. The only drawback is that it is quite far away from all other contacts. But golf lovers may like it here - 18 hole golf course and a driving range.

As for us, we just love the activities at the beach...

Thursday, 5 July 2007

Calming walk at Teluk Batik, Perak


Calming walk at Teluk Batik, Perak, originally uploaded by everything asian.

A treasured moment with all my friends at Teluk Batik, Perak. Teluk Batik beach used to be a favourite picnic haunt during the 80's. Pollution caused this beach to loose its lustre during the 90's, but the state government is restoring the spot to its former beauty. A short distance from Lumut and Sitiawan. If you happened to be there, don't miss this place.

It is a playground for photographers when the sun sets.