Thursday, May 15, 2014

A Tale of Two Bridges

A friend invited me to join the family for a scenic drive across the second Penang Bridge which was declared open on March 1.

I was curious, so I gladly accepted the invitation which also includes dinner at the Red Chopsticks, an authentic Nonya cuisine restaurant in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

After dinner, we headed to the 24km long bridge that is the longest in Southeast Asia. Traveling on the curved bridge that is well adorned with lights felt like a never-ending ride. I fell asleep in the car, probably because of the sumptuous meal earlier.

When I awoke we had already reached the toll and we wanted to U-turn. The toll collector told us to exit at Tambun. My friend did that. We were looking forward to check out the curve and lights again.

But we ended up on the first Penang Bridge instead. The first one was opened in 1985 and stretched 13.5km.

It was odd that we got to use the 1st and 2nd bridge on the same night. While we were heading home we had a different view of the 2nd bridge from the 1st bridge as both bridges were running parallel to one another. We wouldn't have been able to enjoy this view if we were on the 2nd bridge. Again, this was all unplanned.

Sitavana Vihara: Pristine Energy

This is the gateway to the Sitavana Vihara (悉达林) on Penang Hill.

To reach this place, you need to travel 2.8 kilometers of rugged terrain. We went up there in a 4 wheel drive driven by this hero.

He deserves to be called a hero because he has contributed so much to the development of this place. The former cop, who owns and manages the sanctuary together with a group of dedicated volunteers had planted all the fruit trees, built the stairs, the kuti, etc over the last decade. At 73, Yeoh Keng Hock is fit as a fiddle. If you wish to get to the sanctuary, call Uncle Yeoh at 0124996118.

That's me on my way up to the Santa Vihari Sima Hall, built at the peak of Sitavana Vihara, which stands at 600 meters above sea level. The pristine energy here is invigorating. The hall is where monks are ordained.

The entire development spreading over 7 acres has 376 steps but we only used the steps when descending the hill which took only 3 minutes.

View from the top. I can see the two Penang bridges from here.

The view mid-way.

A worker, Aung Aung, seen here with the Miracle Fruit tree. I don't know if that is the name of the tree but that's what Uncle Yeoh calls it. I'm bringing back the seeds to plant in my own garden.

The "guardian angels" of the place.

Sadhu (3x)

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Trick Art and Wesak Day Rainbow

Have heard so much about the Penang street art but haven't seen the real thing till tonight.

May also visit the Made In Penang Interactive Museum in the Behn Meyer Building at Weld Quay if I have the time. I was told the artists are all Penangites who are based in China and is owned by Penangites Sdn Bhd.

Tonight I just want to enjoy the breathtaking view at Straits Quay. Caught the Wesak Day rainbow which was there with the moon.

The moon and the rainbow were certainly there but it's hard to see them in this shot.

Dined at Blue Reef Fish & Chips. I had peppermint tea to go with the outlet's signature Garoupa in Traditional Beer Batter.

With my cousin Lee Moo Lan. I really enjoyed her company and gracious hospitality. Thank you for making me feel at home.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Twenty Minutes Ahead Of Schedule

Took a selfie at the Senai International Airport in Johor this morning. So sad to leave dear Shella behind.

Soon it was time to check in. I've not made any plans. Don't even know when I'll be back. Will just go with the flow.

While waiting for boarding call, I bumped into Rotarian and Past District Governor Lim Hock Teck and his lovely wife Sally Tan. My Wesak Day certainly got off to a great start. The couple invited me to the Sitavana Vihara in Penang Hill tomorrow. Yes, we are on the same flight. It was all unplanned and I am certainly going with them to the Buddhist sanctuary.

And my flight arrived at the Penang International Airport earlier than scheduled.

Managed to visit the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Kampar Road for the food dana offering. It was packed with devotees. I heard it is one of the oldest Theravada Buddhist temples on the island.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Happy Wesak Day

12 May 2014

Sia Tze Jee Buddhist Temple abuzz with activities

By Chuah Bee Kim

Charmaine Tan. NST pix by Mohd Azren Jamaludin

Charmaine Tan was among the devotees who is helping out with the preparation for Wesak Day, an annual celebration that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. It is celebrated by Buddhists on May 13.

However, not all Buddhists celebrate the occasion.

The 26-year-old piano teacher said she was excited about the charity sale which was organised by the temple committee in conjunction with the celebration.

The fund from the charity sale will be used to provide free medical consultation for the public.
"Since we introduced the free medical consultation programme, many have come to the temple to seek treatment," she said.

The charity sale, from 8am to 2pm, will feature a variety of home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers.

Besides the charity sale, there will also be chanting sessions.

"I understand many devotees will be chanting for good health as having vibrant health is the most important thing in life," she said.

Her father, Tan Chew Peng, who is the committee chairman of the temple, was away getting more cushions for devotees who will be using that during the chanting session.

"The devotees will stand during chanting but they are also required to kneel at times in order to bow to the deities," she said.

"Last year, there were about 600 devotees. This year we are expecting more. That's why my father had to go out to look for more cushions in anticipation of tomorrow's turnout," she added.

In conjunction with the event, the temple also hosted a charity dinner for the underprivileged on Sunday.

The temple built nearly 60 years ago was originally at Jalan Trus here before moving to Jalan Tun Abdul Razak where the Danga City Mall now stands.

It is re-located to its current location at Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies in 1998. The Sia Tze Jee Buddhist Temple is one of the oldest in Johor Baru.

Off Record

Meanwhile, Charmaine's mom Agnes also taught me to chant the mantra of Sakyamuni Buddha 南无本师释迦牟尼佛 (Namo Ben Shi Shi Jia Mo Ni Fo) which can be used during walking meditation to calm the mind.

Yes, I think I will try it.

Happy chanting!

BN Wants To Help

Tan Sri Shahrir with Koh (left) and Cheah (right)

JOHOR BARU: A Taoist temple belonging to Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Guan Sheng Tan fears it may face the same predicament that befell the Wong Ah Fook mansion.

The temple in Jalan Lumba Kuda is an extension of the mansion and was untouched during its demolition. It now stands among the ruins.

The temple's committee members hope the state government would step in to save it from facing a similar fate.

Temple chairman Koh Kim Poh told the New Straits Times he had received a call on Wednesday from a man claiming to be a representative of the Wong Ah Fook mansion owner, telling him to leave the premises by the end of the month.

"Temple devotees will celebrate the birthday of its deity, Guan Kong, on July 20. We will not be able to hold the celebration if we do not have a site."

The temple was built 14 years ago without a permit.

Seven committee members turned up at the office of Johor Baru member of parliament Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad yesterday.

Shahrir urged the mansion owner to discuss the matter with him before deciding on the next course of action.

"The owner or his representative can see me or the Johor Baru MCA Public Complaints bureau chairman John Cheah on this matter.

"It is best that all parties meet before another mistake occurs. The owner committed the first mistake when he demolished a soon-to-be declared heritage mansion without submitting any building plans to the local council.

"He then made a second mistake by demolishing it without getting a permit from the Johor Baru City Council. The temple committee members seem adamant not to vacate the premises. So, I hope the owner will not commit another mistake."

The mansion was was demolished on April 30.