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Hatyai: One-Day Road Trip To Hatyai, Thailand

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Hatyai Trip: One-Day Road Trip To Hatyai, Thailand – I went on a one-day trip to Hat Yai, southern Thailand last Sunday. Hat Yai, the southern most part of Thailand is about 2.5 hours from Penang. From Penang to border of Thailand at Bukit Kayu Hitam take about 1.5 hours + and from the custom border to the city of Hat Yai, it takes about an hour.

Now, almost every year that my family will go to Hat Yai, Thailand because we want to pay a visit to a relative who lives at there. Mom asked me to join them for the road trip, since it’s only a day trip and Thai food is pretty good, why not?

On the way to Hat Yai, sunrise by the North-South highway.

Hat Yai is a small city that is famous to Malaysian and crowded with Malaysian tourist. It is located at the southern part of Thailand. I don’t really fancy about Hat Yai because it’s not attractive to me. I prefer Bangkok, Phuket, or other Thai’s island. Hat Yai, in my mind is not very authentically Thai, because people at there can actually speaks Mandarin and Hokkien. This is because of the big number of Malaysian Chinese visiting the city and the Thai learned up the language so that they can communicate in business, and food.

7 Eleven has good pork sausage and burger! =D

This is Thai’s flag.

Nevertheless, Hat Yai still have a sense of Thai with its architecture, people and food. However, you can’t really see tall building in the city. There’s not much attractions for you to visit, it’s only eat, shop and pray. Shop at Central departmental store, Lee Garden Plaza, or at the big market for some cheap bargain. Pray at Chinese Buddhist temple, or Thai’s Buddhist temple. As for eat, it’s Thai food, some travel to Songkhla seaside area for seafood, it’s about 40 minutes away from Hat Yai city.

Lunch at Saban-Nga Restaurant.

Checking out the famous shopping market where you can find clothing, bags, accessories, food and more. It’s a girl’s shopping heaven here. Most of the vendor can speaks Mandarin and Hokkien.

A Chinese charity temple.

Well, what I did there was visit my relatives, window shopping with mom, brought some Thai’s snack, pray at the Chinese temple, and eat Thai food. In this one-day trip, eat was the most interesting to me. I went to two cool restaurant – Saban-Nga Restaurant and Log Terrace Restaurant. Both serve good Thai food.

Tuk-tuk is how you get around Hat Yai area with fare as cheap as 20Baht/person.

Dinner at Log Terrace Restaurant.

Do you like Hat Yai?

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February 28, 2012
Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple

Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple – Pearl Hill’s Tua Pek Kong Temple is another cool Tua Pek Kong temple in Penang, located on the hill top of Pearl Hill at Tanjung Bungah. I found out that this temple is kinda cool because it’s located on top of a hill instead of at the ground level.

Many people might not realize about the presence of this temple because it’s at the Pearl Hill. Pearl Hill is a high-end residential area which houses many bungalow by the hillside. What’s so special about this Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple is that from here, you can get a good view of Tanjung Bungah and the sea.

You also can enjoy a nice breeze of air. It’s really relaxing up there and recently there’s news of turning the area of the Tua Pek Kong Temple into recreation park so more people can enjoy the scenery and nature. Gotto thanks my friend Merritt for introducing me about this place last time. I can see that Penang people really like Tua Pek Kong.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=5.460386,100.295402&spn=0.005126,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b9ae18dfbcb73fb14&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

Have you been here before? Penang has many hidden places.

February 24, 2012
Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong

Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple – Tua Pek Kong is one of the Chinese god in Malaysia which also means “Grand Uncle”. This Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong is known as the first Tua Pek Kong temple in Malaysia and it’s also origin of the Tua Pek Kong.

Wikipedia says that Tua Pek Kong was named Zhang Li from the Hakka clan and his Sumatra-bound boat was struck by wind and accidentally landed on Penang which at the time, that area only had 50 inhabitants. After his death, local people began worshipping him and slowly Tua Pek Kong is spread all over Malaysia.

You know, so many years of being in Penang, I’ve never been to this place. It’s located in Tanjung Tokong, somewhere after Straits Quay, by the sea. Some call this place Sea Pearl, some call this place Pearl Lagoon. It’s a low-cost housing area at there.

At Sea Pearl, you can find more than a century 0ld Tua Pek Kong temple, as well as a Chinese seafood restaurant. I went there to explore for a while and found a bunker-like watch point which I believe the British used it long ago. It has a good video Tanjung Bunga shoreline. Pretty cool.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=5.464156,100.307697&spn=0.005126,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b9ac99f879c7bec49&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

February 24, 2012
A Visit To Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas

A Visit To Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas – Snake Temple is a famous Taoist temple in Penang that has the presence of snake in it. This visit to the temple is my first time and no one has actually brought me there but myself, not long ago. The temple is located at Bayan Lepas, about 2km away from the Penang International Airport.

It’s a spontaneous trip as I was near to that area, so I pay a visit to the temple with Hueisean. It’s not really up to my expectation because I expect the temple to be more gross because of many snakes. Though the snakes were not many at the temple, 10-20 maybe? Some at the altar table, a few at the tree. I’ve heard my teacher in high school telling me that during the 70s, before the built of Free Trade Zone, the temple did indeed filled with many snakes.

Those snakes are actually poisonous with venom. But with the smoke of joss stick, it calms the snake down and they lie there like a boss all day long waiting for chicken meat. The best of all, entrance is free. Did some praying and off we go.

Entrance of snake temple.

Lanterns at the snake temple.

Snakes and chicken eggs.

More snakes.

Pit viper snakes!

Hidden in the tree, camouflage.

The ornamented roof.

Lazy dog doing sun bathing early in the morning.

Exterior of the snake temple.

Actually, I’m kinda afraid of snakes, but then I like to see snakes show on National Geographic & Animal Planet channel. Hahaha.

February 24, 2012
Bangkok: Wat Pho

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Bangkok Trip: Wat Pho (Day 4) – After getting back from Wat Arun, we went to the famous reclining Buddha temple – Wat Pho right away. Mom and dad were not interest in it too because they had went in before, so it’s me and Hueisean who went in to check out the reclining Buddha.

The Wat Pho was under-renovation at that time, but luckily it’s still open to visitors. Entrance to the Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Hall is charged at 100 Baht per person, with a free bottle of mineral water. That’s sounded cool. It was just a small bottle of mineral water, better than nothing.

The Wat Pho was pretty crowded with tourists. The hall that lies the huge golden Reclining Buddha is hot, and narrow. Although the hall is not very big, yet exploring the hall takes time because of the narrow passage and the presence of huge crowds.

After exploring the reclining Buddha (sleeping Buddha), I went to tour around the Wat Pho compound for a little while. Wat Pho is not actually about the Reclining Buddha only, but there’s also a proper shrine hall that house the Buddha statue for people to worship with joss stick. There’s also presence of Thai-style holy tower-liked structure in the Wat Pho compound.

I am pretty amaze with the huge Reclining Buddha in the hall, it’s really huge and the whole statue is painted in golden paint and mother of pearl are inlaid at the Buddha’s feet. However, the 100 Baht entrance is expensive though, 50 Baht would be better. Haha. Nevertheless, it’s a must visit if you are in Bangkok since it’s so near to other attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.747524,100.493231&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b80a8f9cd1ef3de67&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 20, 2012
Bangkok: Wat Arun Temple

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Bangkok Trip: Wat Arun Temple – It’s time to share back about my Bangkok Trip that I’ve been to a week ago. After getting onto the water taxi at Tha Tien Pier, we reached the other side of Bangkok, where the famous Wat Arun Temple is located. Wat Arun is also known as 郑王庙 Zheng4 Wang2 Miao4 to the Chinese is famous for it’s pyramid-like Prang-style tower which symbolic holistic goddess and it’s away for the Thai’s buddhist to worship to god.

It’s very special and only available in Thailand, and I heard Cambodia too. It’s something that you couldn’t be found in China or Malaysia.

The weather was really really hot, 2 set of umbrellas were really not enough for four of us. It’s best to have one for each. Hueisean and I went in to the Wat Arun to check out and climbed up to the top. Entrance fee at 50 Baht per person and you will have to wear a proper clothing in there. Hueisean dear wore a pair of shorts so she had to rent a piece of Sarung-liked cloth to cover up the leg. Deposit 100Baht and pay a rental of 20Baht for it, it’s pretty cheap. There’s no dress code for man though.

We took photos at the bottom of the tower later then we climbed up the stairs. The stairs are pretty steep and I need to hold tight on the handle to guide me up and there. There’s two landing point up there and from there I can get a good view of two sides of Bangkok.

It’s better at the top because it’s windy and we enjoyed the view of Bangkok. The Prang-styled tower is a really special architecture element of Thai. Every part of it are decorated with tiles and ornaments, I feel it’s very, unique and amazing. Spend 10 minutes up there and we went back down. Mom and dad were waiting for us down there because they had no interest in climbing it. After that, we went back to the pier to catch the water taxi back to the other side of the river. We then we to tour the famous reclining sleeping Buddha – Wat Pho and Grand Palace.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.743491,100.489068&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b80a911980db04949&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 19, 2012
Bangkok: Famous Erawan Shrine / 4 Faced Buddha

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Bangkok Trip: Famous Erawan Shrine (Day 3) – Erawan Shrine, also known as Thao Maha Brahma, or simply known as the Erawan 4 Faced Buddha is a famous little shrine that is located in the city centre. Many people know about this, especially Malaysian tourist. Every Buddhist who visits Bangkok will definitely go there to do a little prayers. I’ve went there before, 4 years ago and I just went again, last week. Haha.

Very simple, every visit to Bangkok will bring us to this 4 Faced Buddha. Even artists from Hong Kong will visit it too.

It’s very cool is that this Four Faced Buddha is located in the city center, at Pratunam area and near to Central World shopping mall. Cab dropped us here, did some prayers, only then we head to shopping along this road as there’s many shopping malls here. It’s easy to reach here by BTS, and stop on Chitlom Station. The shrine is located by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, at the intersection of Ratchaprasong.

Buddha’s Face #1.

Buddha Face #2.

Buddha Face #3.

Buddha Face #4.

According to the history, this Erawn Shrine was built in 1956 as part of the government-owned Erawan Hotel to eliminate the bad karma believed caused by laying the foundations on the wrong date. A very funny fact is that you can find a replica if this shrine in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. =D

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.745065,100.54062&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b8bf79e37b13e3ba1&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 12, 2012
Visit To Kek Lok Si Temple & Pagoda

Visit To Kek Lok Si Temple & Pagoda – Last night I went to the super famous temple in Penang – Kek Lok Si Temple at Air Itam with a some friends. It’d been quite some times I didn’t go to Kek Lok Si Temple. During the Chinese New Year, Kek Lok Si Temple will turn on all the decoration lighting decoration. It’s very beautiful during this festival.

My visit was not perfect because the Kuan Yin Pagoda Temple was not on, as the lighting decoration at that part of the temple is turned off after the 15th day of Chinese New Year. However, the Kek Lok Si Temple is still pretty afterall. It’s not really a photography trip to the temple for me because I’ve already did a serious photography session at Kek Lok Si two years back.

Nevertheless, I still brought my camera along, Canon 60D mounted with Sigma 30mm f1.4 to shoot, it’s never be bored shooting around at Kek Lok Si. Photography is fun! This time, I take photos of lanterns hanging on the ceiling more. And with a fixed prime lens, it challenged me a bit but luckily 30mm was wide enough to do most of the photography.

For the first time, I went to the pagoda area of Kek Lok Si Temple, I have not been there before on my previous visits. One need to pay an entrance of RM2/person to get there and it’s another beautifully decorated garden at Kek Lok Si Temple. You can also climb to the top of the pagoda to get a magnificent view of Penang too! Super awesome!

Yeah, Penang is pretty right? So do Kek Lok Si Temple too. =) Happy Friday everyone!

February 10, 2012
Visit Tow Boo Kong Before Chinese New Year

Visit Tow Boo Kong Before Chinese New Year – Tow Boo Kong, the very famous temple in Raja Uda which also known as Nine Emperor Gods Temple is now decorated with Chinese New Year lighting and become very beautiful and magnificent at night. Besides that, the whole open compound of the temple is converted into a night market site that runs until Chinese New Year where people can shop, pray, see and eat.

It becomes very happenings at night. I was lucky to be around Raja Uda, Butterworth area last night so I went there to check out as I heard it’s very beautiful at night. Indeed it look very grand. The temple only lights up during festival like Chinese New Year and Nine Emperor Gods festival so you must not miss out right now.

Yeah! Gong Xi Fa Chai!

January 18, 2012
Chinese Opera At Penang Kuan Yin Temple

It’s the Chinese Hungry Ghost Month now and you will see some ~~ghost~~ set-up stages around town. These stages are used for performing Chinese street concert (kotai) and performance like Chinese opera which is said as an entertainment for the “people” of afterlife.

Sounds eerie ya? No worry, it’s just another happenings celebration by the Chinese. Last month, there’s a 30 days-long Chinese opera show at the Penang’s famous Kuan Yin Temple on Pitt Street. It’s not for the hungry ghost festival but it’s for the birthday celebration of Kuan Yin Goddess – the Goddess Of Mercy.

The Chinese opera show was performs by a group of Chinese performers came directly from China. I wanted to check it out earlier already but it’s was not showing or finished every time I went to check it out. Last week, it was the last show of the Chinese opera and I was lucky to be there to catch the show.

Spent some times checking out the show. I think they are really cool, especially the make up and the setting. Even though I don’t know what they are talking about on the stage, it some sort of Chinese dialect, but I think it’s really nice to see. Unfortunately there wasn’t any LED display showing subtitles, some Chinese opera shows are quite high tech with LED display showing subtitle in Chinese which makes the show more understandable.

Combination of acting, cool make up, Chinese music instrument and setting give a sense of, CHINA.

The show was actually meant for the Goddess Of Mercy so there’s no chairs prepared. So you can see people brought their own chair to see the show.

What do you think about Chinese Opera?

August 3, 2011

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