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)
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