mandy + deniel wedding reception

I received an invitation from my old friends, Deniel and Mandy to attend their wedding dinner last month. The fantastic and wild wedding reception of Mandy and Daniel was held at the Lu Yeh Yuan Restaurant, one of the biggest restaurants in Melaka.

Deniel and I were secondary school classmates and we used to hang out at Deniel’s cyber cafe and snooker center during the old days. Then I got to know Mandy when Deniel started to date her about 8 years back. Those are amazing couples and have finally tied the knot.

I too met many old friends the Franciscans that night. Most of us didn’t get to meet each other after our secondary school when everybody off our own way to tertiary study. This dinner however had made us reunion, came and gathered together and brought back all the memories of the old days.

Iu-Lung the young and talented photographer was there as the official photographer of the reception. I brought my gears and it was intended to take a few shots of my old friends. However, being a photographer myself, it has already become a practice and I started to go around and photographed the reception with Iu-Lung.

The night was simply fun. Everybody had a good time laughing and drinking as much as we could.

Congratulation to Mandy and Deniel on your marriage! Wishing you a wonderful journey as you build your new life together.

Below are some images I took. May all beings be happy.

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at the entrance of Asia Fun Park funfair, from left: Wee-Peng, Stephen Tang, Henry Lee and Koh-Yiaw

A funfair can be a very special childhood memory for the most of us. Early this month, Stephen suggested to us (Henry, Wee-Peng, Koh-Yiaw, and I) to go to the funfair in town to bring back this wonderful memory. After having our suppe, we went to the funfair although it was already 2:30 am in the morning.

It was a small scale funfair located in Melaka Raya, occupied only the size of a football field. The place was nicely decorated, fully lighted with flickering and colorful lamps, and filled with beautiful and cute cartoon graffiti. At the time we went, there were not many visitors, and most were youngsters.

Stephen and Henry were the most excited ones. Both of them visited the side stalls and played games like wheel of fortune, bingo, toss the ring and catch little duckling, hoping to win toys for their nieces and nephews. They didn’t disappoint the children and won many prizes including a big doll. In fact, a funfair wouldn’t be fun without these interesting prizes.

There were also rides like bumper cars, ferries wheel, pirate ship, spinning aeroplanes, and other stimulating rides. It was fun to observe others to play and how they screamed like crazy. Old folks like us didn’t go for any ride, probably losing our bravery as we turn older.

It was really enjoying for us. I was doing photography for a wedding dinner before we went to the funfair, therefore I had my camera with me to capture photos of the place, the folks and the fun we had. Thanks to Stephen for inviting us. May all beings be happy.

Winnie the Pooh and partner Henry

little ferries wheel

funfair side stalls

bumper cars

come and win prizes

the chipmunks: Chip and Dale

ducklings with hidden number

motion

wheel of fortune

grand prizes of dolls

360 degrees turn

fasten your seatbelts

ready to go

toss of the night: Stephen won grand prize

consolation prizes: keychains of football clubs

catch of the night, from left: Wee-Peng and Henry

from left: Henry and Stephen, with all their glory

probably a nice pillow for Stephen

kiddo, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?

more game more fun more prizes

ducklings for chipmunks

you are the one

cute dolls to grap

group photo at the funfair, from left: Wee-Peng, Stephen Tang, Henry Lee and Koh-Yiaw

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"You are my hero, dad"

We don’t need a special reason to give blood. We know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day and it’s the right thing we do. Donating blood is simple and is a safe process:

A tiny drop of blood is taken from your fingertip. This allows the staff of hospital to check your haemoglobin levels and ensure that giving blood won’t make you anaemic. If all is well, you will be able to donate blood. You will donate about 350ml or 450ml of blood – this amount of blood is quickly replaced by your body. Once you have given blood, you should have a short rest before being given some refreshments usually a drink and biscuits. All in all giving blood shouldn’t take more than an hour.

There was a blood donation event held in Mahkota Parade of Melaka last Saturday and Sunday. The event was organized by University of Malaya, Fifth Residential College of UM, Lions Club and Mahkota Parade. While we had some free time to shop for Chinese New Year goods in Mahkota Parade during the weekend, Wee-Peng and I dropped by the venue and I took some shots over there. Sharing some shots here:

crowd registering

Wee-Peng was waiting

blood grouping tiles

accompany

donating blood

busy medical assistants

Give HOPE! Save LIVES!

adorable blood cell

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beach of Pengkalan Balak, Melaka

After our first visit to Lubok Cina to meet the Ling’s family, Kok-Liang, Tracy, Wee-Peng, Patrick, Meng-Hong and I left the place and drove back to the town of Melaka. It was 4:00 pm in the afternoon and we were starving. Since Pengkalan Balak is not far from there, we headed to the beach and look for some local food.

The town was lively in the afternoon when we arrived. Just at the corner of the street to the beach, we found a Malay food stall with many diners. In fact, we didn’t have many options as it was Hari Raya; many Malay-operated shops were close for business. We parked our car and had a meal there. Nevertheless, the food was yummy especially the cucur udang (in Malay: mixture of prawn fritters with fried tofu, cucumber and others ingredients topped with wonderful peanut sauce). Many customers ordered the dish too.

After the meal, Patrick and Meng-Hong who drove in a car returned to town for dinner with their family. They left but the rest of us stayed for sightseeing at the beach. There is a Turtle Sanctuary Centre not far from where we ate. It took us some time to drive and locate it however was already closed after 4:00 pm when we found the centre. Without disappointment, we walked along the rocky beach, then sat under the trees and enjoyed the scenery of the seaside and the life of typical fishing village:

cucur udang, a local malay food

Tracy was photo taking

green green grass by the beach

the beautiful coastline of Pengkalan Balak's beach

the fishermen

home-coming

rocky stones

home with catch

friends, Tracy and Kok-Liang

the sand, the swimmers and the joy

friends resting under the trees, from left: Kok-Liang, Tracy and Wee-Peng

We had a very good time at Pengkalan Balak. Thanks to Kok-Liang, Tracy, Wee-Peng, Patrick, Meng-Hong for their company. May all beings be happy.

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the Ling's family: Cynthia, little Chern, and Mark

Congratulation to the proud parents, Mark and Cynthia for their newborn baby, Khim-Chern. Hope the both of you be loving parents. Do your best. Enjoy your baby!

Last week was the full month of little Chern from the Ling’s family. They celebrated by throwing a party at the house of Cynthia’s parents in Lubok Cina. It took us 45 minutes drive from Melaka to the place.

Before this party, we paid a visit to the Ling’s family a week before the party. Kok-Liang, Tracy, Wee-Peng, Meng-Hong, Patrick and I departed after our breakfast and travelled to Lubok Cina. Ever since Cynthia delivered the baby, we didn’t have the chance to visit the family. So it was thrilling of this trip.

When we arrived, Mark the new father was happily welcomed us and showed us around the house before bringing us to little Chern. Cynthia, the new mother was in the house, looking healthy and cheerful, expecting for our arrival. We just could not wait to step into the house and look at the baby. Little Chern was so tiny and cute. He was sleeping in the baby hammock. We didn’t want to interrupt his slumber so we had a chat with the parents for their new experience.

the fingers of father and son

Shortly during our chat, the baby woke up and cried. He was hungry. The moment came when the new father had to carry his responsibility to milk the baby. So Mark held little Chern in his arms just like what a mother would do and slowly placed teat into the baby’s mouth. The atmosphere was warm and quiet; everyone was watching at the father and son.

Mark feeding little Chern in his arms

Mark patiently feeding little Chern while the baby enjoyed the meal. After 20 minutes finished the milking, Mark held little Chern up on his tight, repeated gently patting on the baby’s back to bring him to burp. This would help little Chern to get rid of some of the air that he tends to swallow during feeding because not being burped frequently and too much swallowed air can lead to spitting up and gassiness.

Feeding a baby is an exciting experience for any new parent and Mark seemed to enjoy it. The process happened again during our second visit for the full month party. Mark became very experience after a month of practice.

During the second visit, many of us got to hold the baby the arms. After feeding, Cindy, Tracy, Lawrence and Cinda were so keen to hold little Chern and did that one after another’s turn. Some of them held baby for the first time, feeling excited yet anxious. Then the couples started to talk and play with the baby. Maybe, it is soon for us to see a new family of our friends.

Short after little Chern back to slumber land after milking, both visits ended in warm embraces and promises to visit again. It was a wonderful trip to Lubok Cina to see the Ling’s family and exciting experience to observe the parents taking care of little Chern.

Thanks for everyone for going on these trips together and spent a precious time together. We would like to congratulate and thank the Ling’s family for having a healthy and cute baby, inviting us to their house and sharing the experience with us. To Mark and Cynthia, may little Chern fill your life with sparkles and twinkles.

 May all beings be happy. Share some shots taken after the jump:

little Chern: ya dad?

in the baby hammock

Lawrence with Mark and little Chern while milking

little Chern: haaaa, yummy milk....

Mark patting the back of little Chern after feeding

Cindy happily holding little Chern in her arms

Tracy pampering little Chern

little Chern: hey dude, what say you?

Cinda and Yi-Xian having good time with little Chern

in the arms

Cindy and Argen with little Chern

little Chern: zzZzz... comzz, comezz...againzzzz....

the happy Ling's family

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the happy couples, Kok-Liang and Tracy at the Chong Long Temple

Segenting is a beautiful fishing village not far from Batu Pahat. Here, the residents built their homes at the edge of the sea which supported by stilts to brave the high tides. There are a lot of temples in this fishing village. As most of the residents are fishermen, they pray to the Deities for a good harvest. One of the well-known temples would be the fish-touching Chong Long Temple which I came in April with friends. After sharing the trip of fish touching, my friend, Tracy was so interested to go for fish touching and requested to visit Segenting village for the first time. So we’d decided to go again.

Cinda at the Lover Bridge, waiting for inspiration for photography

It was a Saturday early morning last August. Tracy and partner, Kok-Liang together with Cinda, Wee-Peng and I traveled to Segenting village. When we arrived the weather was cloudy and after paying respect to the Deities at the Chong Long Temple, we went for fish-touching. This time I managed to capture the shots of the huge Arapaima fishes on the upper level of the temple. These two fishes were larger in size (exceed 2 meters) and their bright red patterning were distinctive than the rest found on the ground level’s pond. There were many visitors there trying to touch these fishes in the belief that it could bring good luck.

Short after we toured around the temple, we headed to the Lover Bridge (情人桥), which is actually a jetty. It is not far and could be seen from the temple. I missed the chance to visit to this bridge due to the rain and ever since my last visit, I was always wanted to visit the bridge. I knew I would be back. Eventually we were standing on this long jetty, built of rows of plank supported by stilts. The scenery was beautiful and the feel was good with the breeze.

The lover bridge used to be a docking and undocking platform for the fishermen however it is now romantic spot for dating couples. Many couples date here and that is probably how it got its name. Some locals believe that after a guy and a girl take a walk on the bridge, they would fall in love and become couples. Another adverse version which I heard would be its curse: if couples walk through the bridge, they will soon break up. Whichever is true, it is still a nice spot to enjoy a pleasant walk and sight for beautiful sunset.

the Lover Bridge of Segenting, sighted from the Chong Long Temple

It was a pleasing out of town trip together with good friends. Thanks to Tracy, Kok-Liang, Cinda and Wee-Peng for taking me to this great place and being my company. I hope we have the chance to go again and stay longer to tour around the village next time for photo-shooting.

May all beings be happy. More shots of fish-touching and the Lover Bridge after the jump:

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from left: Kok-Liang and Wee-Peng with their shirt stamped with the names of Da Er Ye Bo (大二爷伯）, blessed and waiting for the procession to begin

The seventh lunar month is regarded as the ‘ghost month’ (鬼月), which is the traditional Chinese festival celebrated by the Chinese in many countries during the 30 days. In this month, the gates of the nether world are opened up and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. Chinese would perform rituals and prayers to their deceased relatives, offer food and drink and burn hell bank notes and other forms of joss paper. Mass rituals and prayers are also held in temples or Chinese neighborhood and in some case, Chinese opera, dramas, and even burlesque shows are performed to the deceased ones as an act of ‘merry-making’.

Every year fall on the 13th of the ghost month, Chinese temple – Di Fang Fu (地方府) located at the Jelotong cemetery in Batu Berendam, Melaka, holds a grand celebration. It is the temple where Chinese worships to the Deities “Da Er Ye Bo” (大二爷伯) and “San Ye Bo” (三爷伯), who are the Deities from the nether world. There will be a 1.5 km procession around the Jelotong cemetery with devotees carrying a black and a white palanquin, ferrying Da Er Ye Bo. It is believed that ones who participate in the procession would be blessed by the Deities and be in good fortune.

Chinese lantern on the main building with the name of Di Fang Fu temple and the names of the three Deities

The late night on the 13th of the seventh lunar month (22th of July this year), Wee-Peng and I together with Kok-Liang and his younger brother visited to the Chinese temple, Di Fang Fu (地方府) located at the Jelotong cemetery in Batu Berendam, Melaka. Kok-Liang and Wee-Peng had been taking part in the procession for years and brought me there for the first time. According to Kok-Liang, the temple was established in the 80s and first housed in a shed-like structure. Years ago, it was then moved to a bigger building, a shorter distance away in the same area. Today, the temple stands a majestically view with all wall bricks and granite, mural design in and around the whole temple premises. It is a beautifully constructed new place of worship amidst a greenery landscape overlooking thousands of Chinese graves on the hillside of Jelotong.

The temple was already crowded with devotees when we arrived. Not long after that, we met Murphy and Desmond who being the volunteers in helping the event. They had been taking part in this celebration for years and this would be the first time to help as volunteers. We would first have to pay respect to the Deities by offering joss-sticks before we queued up to receive blessing from the medium of Da Ye Bo (大爷伯). The line was long and we waited for about an hour to receive blessing which said to be a must in order to walk across the cemetery.

the medium of Da Ye Bo (with tall hat) giving blessing to the kneed devotees

Years ago, the mediums of Da Er Ye Bo (Da regards as elder where Er regards second, and Ye Bo means lord), the two Deities would give blessing to the devotees for the procession. This year however, Da Ye Bo was the only one who gave blessing. Before I continue on the event, let me share one of legends of Da Er Ye Bo which I found and translated from Chinese:

A very long time ago, in the southern province of China, there lived two inseperable friends by the name of Xie Bi-An (谢必安) and Fan Wu-Jiu (范无救), who then became sworn brothers. They had great mastery of martial arts and worked as the loyal magistrate constables (policemen nowadays), serving warrents and hauling in criminals for judgement, but never harming honest folks.

medium of Da Ye Bo (Xie Bi-An) giving blessing and cleansing to the devotees. The words '一见大吉' (one glimpse, great felicity) can be seen on his hat

Once during a prisoner transfer, they lost the prisoner. So they decided to split up to search for the prisoner and Xie told Fan to meet up under the South Platform Bridge. Soon after they went seperately, they were caught in a torrential rain, and great curtains of water beat down upon them.

Fan arrived at the bridge first and waited for Xie. The water level rose higher and higher. Fan had given his word that he would wait for Xie therefore he remained where he was. Eventually Fan was swept by a great of water and drowned. Later when Xie arrived at the bridge and found Fan’s dead body, he was overcome with gried, and in remorse he hanged himself to death from the tree where Fan’s body was found.

The extraordinary affection and loyalty that Fan had for Xie (so much that he was drowned rather than leaving the place where he had promised to wait), and that Xie had for Fan (so much that he hanged himself rather than go on living without his sworn brother), much moved the King of Nether World, who had them appointed as his assistants, where they continue to work together to protect the people from bandits and other bad elements.

Today, Xie Bi-An is known as Da Ye Bo, who is recognized by his chalky white skin and his long tongue, and by his tall stature, made taller yet by a high white hat bearing the words, “one glimpse, great felicity” (一见大吉), where Fan Wu-Jiu is known as Er Ye Bo and is easily recognized by his short stature and dark red or black skin and by the little plaque he carries reading “Good and Evil Clearly Differentiated” (善恶分明).

The medium who possessed by Da Ye Bo was giving blessing and cleansing to the devotees. It was our turn after a long queue. We kneed with our back facing the medium while he gave us blessing. While waiting for the rest of the devotees to receive blessing, I met Kenn-Wai. What a coincident! I was so happy to see him that I could learn something from him while Kenn-Wai also showed a happy smile after seeing me with my camera. He did not carry his camera to the procession and felt deeply regretted. We then started to have discussion of taking shots in low light condition and put our experience into action.

It was about 2:00 a.m. in the morning when thousands of devotees had received blessing from the medium, Da Ye Bo. The statues of Da Ye Bo and Er Ye Bo were then placed on the the two palanquins respectively, one was in black and the other was in white. Before the procession began, strict instruction was given that everyone was advised not to talk nor look back when walking across the cemetery. It was somehow to show respect to the spirits of the cemetery. Everyone would then have to walk with bare foot and holding the lighted joss-sticks, following the medium of Da Ye Bo and the two palanquins on the lead.

joss sticks

The procession began with the cheering of the devotees and fireworks setting off, heading towards the cemetery not far away from the temple. The noise was then reduced to minimum soon after we started. It was dark with such minimal light in the sky from the moon and everyone could barely see the path. It was a pain to walk in the dark and on the stony ground of the cemetery. Although it was quiet during the procession, I could hear people complaining about the pain of their feet. Of course there was a truck following the march to pick up those who could not continue the walk.

The 1.5 km path leads back to the temple, making a big turn across the cemetery hill. My friends and I were at the back of the march and we arrived at the temple after 30-45 minutes walk later than many people. Before we arrived we could hear people started cheering and fireworks were set off again for the celebration to the completion of the procession. Though I could not make it in time to witness, Kenn-Wai later described to me how the medium of Da Er Bo was thanked and ‘sent’ back to the other world after finishing the procession. Stacks of joss papers and papier-mâché items were then burnt as thanksgiving to the Deities. The celebration ended in a real peaceful and joyful environment.

joss papers and papier-mâché items were burnt as an offering to the Deities

I really enjoyed to witness and would like to thank Kok-Liang and Wee-Peng for bringing me to participate in this grand celebration. And thanks to Kenn-Wai for sharing his shots and experience of photography with me. We had fun snapping the event together. May all beings be happy.

Shots Kenn-Wai and I took:

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莲花池

莲花（英文名：Lotus flower）是多年生水生植物。根茎（藕）肥大多节，横生于水底泥中。叶盾状圆形，表面深绿色，被蜡质白粉覆盖，背面灰绿色，全缘并呈波状。叶柄圆柱形，密生倒刺。花单生于花梗顶端、高托水面之上，有单瓣、复瓣、重瓣及重台等花型；花色有白、粉、深红、淡紫色或间色等变化。

还是第一次那么近距离接触到莲花。

五月的某天，是突然的安排和决定要去靠近Merlimau莲花池一趟。觉说莲花盛放的时候是很漂亮的。虽然不知道莲花的花语是什么，也不知道莲花代表什么，但是那鲜粉红的花瓣，黄黄的中心，给我的感觉是活跃、满足、快乐。但愿在看着这篇文章的你们也一样。幸福，快乐。

五月的莲花照：

五月。天空

莲花池隔壁的河流

五月莲花

专注的觉

觉： 人生似如莲花般吧？

一直和我一起在马六甲摄影的觉，谢谢你让我看到很多很美好的画面

谢谢觉，谢谢那天载我们去的 Wee-Peng 和 Meng-Hong。

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juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

Her name is Mocheng, a diabetes patient who just moved to the Centre from Ipoh’s. She is 59 year-old, yet looking wan and sallow beyond her age. She is immobilized but a thin and pale person lying on the sickbed of the centre. Mocheng is a bed ridden who requires full-time care and support. She has two bedsores: one on the right side of her back which has the diameter of a small bowl, and the other one on the right buttock which is smaller yet with meat and bone exposed.

Yesterday was a rainy day but it could not obstruct our plan of going to the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka as we described earlier. After gathered for breakfast, Kok-Liang, Tracy, Cinda and I went to the centre with some friends who joined us for the first time: Perry Gan and Angel were those two in all sincerity to help and Cinda’s father, Gan papa and her brother, Albert Gan who were very supportive and compassionate towards the patients of the centre.

Thomas the supervisor, Amy the nurse and the other staffs were there to greet on our arrival. After handing some second hand goods, we spent an hour chatting with the staff and the patients, trying to understand the centre’s operations and patients better. Again, we met Boy-Boy, the toddler with Down syndrome and just had his heart surgery done. Amy told us that his mother had not been to the centre to visit the child for quite some time. And George the autistic child was still the same old quiet boy except with 3 new friends, the triplets who recently accepted to the centre. They were equally quiet as George, however being hyperactive and craving for food. That gave Perry a bit of headache; he was engaged to play police-and-thief with the trio of keeping them away from stealing food of a disabled elderly.

Everyone at the centre was good and healthy. Just before we left the centre, we were introduced to Mocheng, a new patient of the centre. Nevertheless, it was a new and heartbreaking acquaintance. When Mocheng was first transferred to this centre, the sight of her lying of the bed sent a wave of sympathy to Amy, who then offered her care, kindness and support to Mocheng. Amy would have to reposition bedbound Mocheng every few hours to avoid further bedsore damages and help changing the dressing of the two wounds every 2-3 days. The hydrocolloid dressing used for Mocheng is rather expensive but effective to mold to the pressure sore and helps promote healing and skin growth. After knowing this, Perry went straight to purchase some dressings and donated to the centre in order to help Mocheng.

It was a meanigful visiting to the centre, making us feel lucky and contented with our live. Having said that, we also hope to do our best to help the less fortunate group especially Mocheng. Today, Wee-Peng and I visited to the centre again and handed a medical air mattress which we borrowed from someone, hoping that this bed can assist with the treatment of Mocheng’s bedsores. Soon we will be going to the centre again for donating daily necessities and also looking a good way to help Mocheng.

Thanks to the staffs at the centre for your kindness and caring of the patients. Thanks to the patients for making our day that much more special. Thanks to fellow friends and family for your company and support. May all beings be well and happy.

Unfortunately I didn’t snap any photo to share here, due to the rain keeping me from bringing my gears.

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From right: Wee-Peng, Murphy and Ann at the durian stall

It was the Sunday of the week before, when Victor Chan’s partner, Sook-Kwan came to Melaka to pay Victor’s family a visit. After picking her up from the bus station, we went for a breakfast in Malim Jaya. Even though I had only met Soon-Kwan during Victor’s funeral, we became good friends since then. Time and tears really helped comfort us the loss of a good friend, we but cherished his memory, the memory which became a treasure to all of us who know Victor.

After a wonderful breakfast with Sook-Kwan and sending her to Victor’s house, Murphy and his partner, Ann, Wee-Peng and I met up for brunch. Wee-Peng suggested to go for something he did not have for some time, which then came to his mind, Teochew porridge. The four of us just love Teochew porridge and our favorite eating place for it would be the Teochew porridge restaurant in Kampung Jawa however it is close on every Sunday. We had to go for the second option which was the other Teochew porridge restaurant in Bukit Cina.

Teochew porridge is a full meal made up of many cooked side-dishes such as pickled lettuce, salted duck egg, salt fish, braised tofu and many more, served with a Teochew style rice porridge. We loved it not because the dishes are strong in flavours, also as the dishes served in small amount, we could pick many different delectable dishes to go with the porridge. Though I was full after meal with Sook-Kwan, I could not resist having some of it.

After brunch, Murphy gave us the suggestion of going to Bunga Raya for Luo Han Kuo dessert. It isn’t far from Bukit Cina, 3 minutes drive from Teochew porridge restaurant. It is a pushcart at the street adjacent to Bunga Raya Road, selling Luo Han Kuo for decades and well-known among the locals. I had it so much and loving it, since I was brought up in Bunga Raya.

Luo Han Kuo (or Luo Han Guo for pronunciation in Chinese) refers to Siraitia grosvenori, a sweet fruit used as sugar substitute and medicinal herb for treating cough and sore throat. The fruit is usually used by the Chinese in making dessert served with ice, seeing that it is so refreshing for us who live in this extreme weather of Malaysia. And Murphy’s craving could explain its taste as he had 3 bowls of the Luo Han Kuo dessert in few minutes.

While wandering where to go next by sitting at the old street of Bunga Raya, Murphy again proposed to go for durian to help in our digestion, although we knew it was irrelevant. Our stomach was filled with watery porridge and dessert. However, speaking of durian none of us would say no. We then traveled to Klebang to look for durian stalls.

During the durian season every year, there are many fruit stalls offer durian in Melaka. And the long stretch of road along the Klebang beach is one of these places to look for durian. There is no telling of which sells better durian, but the word of mouth. We gambled our luck on this durian stall at the roadside, which then turned out to be dissatisfaction of the durian’s quality at the price the stall offered.

We are surely looking for an alternative place for durian soon. May all beings be happy. Share some shots I took:

Teochew porridge in Bukit China:

Luo Han Kuo in Bunga Raya:

unknown durian stall in Klebang:

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The front entrance of Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng

Collected a total amount of RM450 of donation, Kok-Liang, Wee-Peng, Dylan, Cinda, Regine and I went to purchase daily necessities such as rice, biscuits, coffee, tea, chocolate powder, cooking oil and etc., and made a trip to the old folks home, Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng and donated the items.

Wee-Peng was happily unloading

Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng is a government funded old folks home and it takes care of senior citizens and also physically or minor mentally handicapped elderly. It is located in Cheng and about 30 minutes drive from Melaka town, next to the new Tesco Extra. The main objective of this trip was to raise awareness and build the compassionate heart towards the elderly among friends.

It was not the open day of the center when we went, thus the management prohibited us from taking photos of the elderly. However after unloaded the items from the car a staff, generously took us for a tour of the center’s residential dormitory where we met the elderly.

Every elderly seemed thrilled to have some company. While taking the walk with the staff, there were some elderly who talked to us and needed our attention. Some also smiled at us and wished we could snap photos of them when they saw our camera. They gave us a look that would soften even a heart of stone.

Currently there are 220 elderly staying at the center so it requires large amount of funds to maintain the center. According to the staff who led us, it would require more adult diapers (size: L) for the elderly. So we’ve decided to make another trip there with more adult diapers.

Thanks to Kok-Liang for the arrangement and fellow friends for the support. It was a fulfilling event and we hope it is a little glimmer of something special for elderly who have so little. May all beings be happy.

The address and contact number of Rumah Seri Kenangan old folks home:
Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng,
KM. 12, Jalan Cheng Baru,
75250 Melaka
Tel.: 06-3121179 (Miss Emily)

Dylan at the front entrance

Kok-Liang, the organizer of this trip

From left: Dylan, Cinda and Wee-Peng

Donated goods

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The street of Chinatown of Bangkok

The last day in Bangkok before we departed to Krabi, Boon-Huat and Wei-Seong left us back to Malaysia in the morning and didn’t join us to Krabi. Wee-Peng, Meng-Hong and I would not want to waste our last morning in Bangkok, so we decided to get to the Chinatown of Bangkok, one of earliest Chinese community’s areas in Thailand.

Meng-Hong (left) and Wee-Peng at a Chinese lanterns stall in the Chinatown of Bangkok.

Originally a community of Chinese traders relocated and settled here in Chinatown from Rattanakosin (the old City) in the 1700’s, and continues their own traditions and religious practices. The area is quite unlike the rest of Bangkok, relatively untouched by modern development. To us, it seemed like a little Hong Kong with Chinese businesses and Chinese characters’ signboards everywhere and it was not difficult for us to shop for Chinese goods.

Jewelry and gold shops and pawnshops are very popular in today’s Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Besides, there are also morning markets with stalls selling garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instruments, and local delicacies at a bargain, often at wholesale prices. We had packed up our belongings and so we didn’t plan to buy anything, but to do a leisurely stroll through the morning market.

Another common sight in Chinatown is Chinese food stalls. These stalls set up by the roadside offer a wide variety of quick inexpensive meals or popular Chinese food from simple bowls of noodles and soup to grilled meat, fresh seafood, sweet cakes and the locals’ favourite roasted chestnuts. Though we had a very simple breakfast at one of these food stalls of bread with condensed milk and teh tarik (literally pulled tea), and they were really sweet. Thais are really strong-flavour lovers.

It was only a half day tour in Chinatown then we headed off to the airport and took a flight to our next destination, Krabi. The whole trip in Bangkok for 4 days was so fun and pleasurable to witness and experience the Thai’s culture and customs, Songkran water festival, the Red Shirts, shopping, nightlife and people-watching. May the people in Thailand find peace and be happy. 

Some of the photos I took in Chinatown of Bangkok:

This photo is the Pantip Plaza (IT Mall) of Bangkok, the premier IT shopping mall in Bangkok with retail categories ranging from gadgets, cameras, telecommunications and services.

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Chatuchak weekend market - a boy was doing double "teh tarik"

Taking a break from all the temples, we decided to do some shopping to the Chatuchak weekend market, the largest market in Thailand. The market is sprawling 35 acres and comprised of more than 15,000 shops stalls. It’s perhaps one of the largest weekend markets in the world too. Though it is not available everyday, Chatuchak weekend market opens on Saturday and Sunday, and it’s believed to attract over 20,000 of visitors each day. Fortunately we had a weekend in Bangkok when we could visit the market.

AA less fortunate child and his mother at the Chatuchak weekend market

Chatuchak weekend market is a shopping paradise! There is a huge range of products including household items, books, trendy clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. We were surprise to see how huge the market is and the varieties of merchandise sold there, nearly everything under the sun. Like a sea of infinite possibilities, we navigated through Chatuchak’s army of stalls and tried not to get ourselves disoriented. Sarcastically, almost all of what we had bought and had seen in our shopping for first few days in Bangkok and Pattaya could be found from the market and at good bargain too.

We would prefer to have cheap street food than classy and expensive restaurant’s meal. Hence Chatuchak weekend market would be our best choice to have our lunch. The foods offered are very variety and cheap. Thais are strong-flavor lovers which results their foods or drinks being usually sweeter, and more spicy, sour, and salty than other cuisine, yet delicious. So we started our feeding frenzy there. Within 2 hours, we had a bit of everything including fried chicken, spicy stir fried pork, meat and fish balls, satay, mango sticky rice, pineapple, coconut juice, teh tarik, iced blended coffee, durian ice-cream, snacks and much more.

Chatuchak weekend market is one must never missed in Bangkok. It was totally worth our time to discover that its wealth of culture provides for good opportunities to make wonderful finds. The market too attracts a colorful crowd of hawkers, tourists, beggars, street artists which provided me with interesting sights for photo taking:

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Before the event-shooting for the blood donation in Bukit Beruang last Sunday, Cinda invited Wee-Peng and I for a photography outing at the Jonker Street of Melaka in the morning. She needed a photo of “window” topic for the KL photonian‘s presentation thus asked for our company.

We started early in the morning to avoid the hot weather. Walking along Tokong Street, we were looking for inspiration which could bring back the nostalgic old days, especially with the windows of Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Xiang Lin Temple. At the same, we were also looking for gaps, holes, cracks, and frames which she could use as a form substitution for windows. After the temples at Tokong Street, we moved to Jonker Street and continued our search of the heritage buildings.

It would be my first photography outing with Cinda. Thanks to Cinda as I really enjoyed the shooting session and also my morning walk in the heritage town of Melaka with Cinda and Wee-Peng’s company. May everyone be happy.

Sharing some photos I took that morning:

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Gate to the Grand Palace

Being the capital city of a Buddhist country means that Bangkok is full of some of South East Asia’s finest temples. Therefore our visit to Bangkok would not be complete without seeing some of these famous temples (Wats in Thai). On the second day and fourth day in Bangkok, we visited a couples of temples:

• Wat Traimit (Temple of Golden Buddha)
• the unknown temple (we got blessing from a Luang Pu monk)
• Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace (The Emerald Buddha)
• Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
• Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

Boon-Huat, Wei-Seong and Wee-Peng at the steep stair of Wat Arun's central prang

These temples we visited are the spiritual part of the capital’s heart and soul and each of the temples is unique like no other as the architecture and decoration are awe-inspiring. It would be good to share the story of each temple together with the photos I took after the jump:

Wat Traimit (Temple of Golden Buddha):

It was on the second day we were in Bangkok and Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha was the first temple we went after we went to the Erawan Shrine. It is the home to the famous Golden Buddha which is 3 meters tall and weights 5.5 tonnes.

The Golden Buddha was cast sometime in the 13th century and at some point, it was covered in plaster and lacquer, most likely in an attempt to hide the valuable icon from thieves or looters. At that time, no one seemed to know that it was made of pure gold.

The true nature of the Golden Buddha wasn’t discovered until it was moved to its present location at Wat Traimit in 1955. In one morning of 1957, a temple monk, who had dreamed that the statue was divinely inspired, went to see the Buddha image. Through a crack in the plaster he saw a glint of yellow, and discovered that the statue was pure gold.

In early this year (2010), the golden statue was then moved into a new chapel perched high atop a four story marble-clad ziggurat which is shown in the photos I took. After visiting Wat Traimit, we departed to Pattaya.

The unknown temple:

The fourth day in Thailand, we planned our free and easy day tour in Bangkok. The first in our list of places was this unknown temple near the Grand Palace. Not knowing a single word of Thai, we could not read the name of the temple written on the entrance of the temple.

We got the direction of this temple from a Thai friend of Boon-Huat who was then met us at the temple. It is a sacred temple located in a small town village where a Luang Pu monk lives and gives compassionate blessing to visitors. And Luang Pu is a title given to an old renowned monk. If I’m not mistaken, my friends called his name by Luang Pu Sung Lung.

According to the Boon-Huat, many celebrities from overseas would travel here and pay homage to the Luang Pu monk. Wei-Seong told me that Luang Pu monks are usually high-ranking monks and very skillful to cure people from illnesses and black magic. Many politicians from Malaysia have also come to visit and receive blessing from the Luang Pu monk. That was the reason Boon-Huat requested to go to this temple first.

In fact, the monk would not meet visitors during the time we arrived. We got lucky to have met him through the help of the Thai friend who communicated with the assistant of the temple on behalf of us. The Luang Pu monk gave the five of us blessing by chanting sutra on our foreheads with Thai perfume oil.

Wat Phra Kaew (The Emerald Buddha) and Grand Palace:

After the unknown temple, we headed to the Grand Palace located in the historic center of Bangkok. Within the ground of Grand Palace, it enshrines the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Our friend, Ah-Too’s brother told us that it would take hours to tour within the Grand Palace, where we thought it would take us most of the time of the day. So we didn’t want to go into the Grand Palace but to take photos of the entrance area.

However, a tour guide at the doorway told us that it would take only an hour to tour the whole palace (I found out that wasn’t true later). So we changed our mind and decided to enter the palace. The tour would require proper attire for all visitors: strictly no short pant or skirt. I was the only one wearing long pant so the other four had to borrow long pants from the management with no cost.

When we were at the ticketing line, it rained. We had no choice but to retreat to our next destination, Wat Arun with river cruise. Although Grand Palace is a must to visit in Bangkok, it might be a good call for us to skip it and spend the rest of our day visiting other places before we left Bangkok and headed to Krabi.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn):

After the Chao Phraya River cruise tour, we arrived at the jetty of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. It is perhaps one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. The beauty of the architecture and the fine craftsmanship declare its status as a temple of the first grade and one of the most outstanding temples in Thailand.

It is believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was besieged by a Burmese army at the time, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. He later had the temple renovated and renamed it to Wat Arun or locally known as Wat Chaeng.

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower) and surrounded by four smaller satellite prangs. These prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. We were amazed with its fine craftsmanship: beautifully decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain placed delicately into intricate patterns.

The central prang has steep steps that lead up to two terraces. The height is reported by different sources as between 66 m and 86 m. We managed to walk up the steep stairs to the top terrace and had really magnificent views of Chao Praya River and other significant landmarks of Bangkok such as the Grand Palace. This was the place where I took many photos:

Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha):

We took a ferry to Wat Pho which is just across the river from Wat Arun. It is also located directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of Reclining Buddha and is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha.

Designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana, the reclining Buddha is measured 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha. We couldn’t imagine the size of this golden reclining Buddha until we saw it inside the complex.

On the way out of the complex, each of us bought a bag of 50-satang coins (equivalent to ½ baht) and plunked them one by one into a row of 108 copper pots at the rear of the reclining Buddha for good luck and to help the monks keep up the temple. The sound of the coins hitting the pots seemed almost musical.

Wat Pho is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Even prior to the temple’s founding, the site was a center of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions. Yet we didn’t go for the massage. After this, we headed to our next destination, Chatuchak weekend market where we spent the rest of day shopping before sunset.

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