Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

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Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

For more skywatch, click here.

My trip to Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Island

It was the first day of our family vacation in this beautiful, island. We traveled from our hotel by car to visit one of Penang Island's largest and best known Buddhist temples located in hills of Ayer Itam. Kek Lok Si Temple that is derived from the Chinese word which carries the meaning of the  "Temple of Supreme Bliss". During the olden days, the hills of Air Itam was a place for retreat of Taoist practitioners striving to achieve immortality. 

Back during the days of my parents, they used to climb their way up all the way from the base of the hill to the temple. Today, roads were widen enabling visitors to drove all the way up, either to the top of the hill or halfway. We drove halfway up the hill. Upon entry, we were greeted by the majestic temple gate. 

One of the prominent structures in the temple grounds, is the pagoda. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. 

We walked around and found this mini pagoda at the temple grounds. 

We took a mini tram to the top of the hill. Later in the evening, it started to slowly become cloudy, slightly drizzling. Luckily for us, we are almost at the end of our journey, the top of the hill. 

Hmmmm.... Wondering what are the scarecrows doing here? 

A really cute mini Buddha we found at the souvenirs shops.

According to many Penang locals, the temple is beautifully decorated during Chinese New Year with colourful lights. I sure hope to have to the chance to be here again especially during Chinese festive season. 

Before we left we dropped by for the famous Penang Cuisine and Malaysian local delight Asam Laksa. This is one of the best Asam Laksa that you can find. They had been here for many generations. 

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 We spoke to the boss, and he is very friendly. I am very happy that he is smiling in the camera as well. 

A little sweet, a little sour and add together spicy, combines to make just the right ingredients for a perfect soup base and delicious laksa noodles. It does wonders to your taste buds. 

In the count of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....

... and they were all gone... into our stomachs of course! It has been a long time since my last Penang Laksa! We couldn't help to resist ordering a few more extra bowls. We really missed the laksa... left us really satisfied with our lunch. 

Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

It was early in the morning. I took a stroll along the beach before everyone is awake. Enjoyed the calm and cooling breeze. What a wonderful feeling to listen to soothing sound of waves that came gently crashing onto the rocks. Chilly, tinkling sensation of the cold water touching my feet.  


I found some interesting quotes about beaches. 

“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.”

~ Robert Henri ~

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”

~ Anonymous ~

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

~ Jacques Cousteau ~

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Rainbow Spotted!

It was a long time since I see such beautiful skies near the place I live. It was in shades of blue, slightly purplish all over the housing area. A glimpse of a rainbow was spotted on the right. Hiding among the thick clouds. 

Seeing the fascinating colours forget all my worries and feel so good.  It reminds me of the song and the quote said by Lyman Frank Baum, " Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true". There's a saying that goes, "There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" and all the lovely stories and wonderful adventures about a journey to find a rainbow. 

It disappeared very soon in a few minutes. I hope you find the rainbow within you too. To live your dreams, to have faith and believe that there's always hope. May you be blessed with a wonderful, beautiful life. 

It certainly had made my day. 


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