We're finally back in Brisbane. You can't imagine how happy I was to finally step into this house again. Don't get me wrong, I love Ipoh but by the end of the eight week 'break' there, I was completely exhausted. Between the sick children and the terribly un-child friendly house, I felt as if I was operating entirely on will power alone.
Aaron had a wonderful time at the kindergarten and ended up making lots of friends and learning many social skills. Unfortunately, along with all the new songs and games that he brought home each day, he also brought back about a cold a week, a fever every couple of weeks and one round of Hand Foot and Mouth disease. All this was of course shared with Adrian. And you already know that the poor baby cut his finger and had three stitches earlier on in the trip. By the end of the trip, he also lost one toenail, from the HFMD, and right now, it looks as though one of his fingernails is also about to crack off.
Did any of that slow the two boys down? Not one bit! Aaron wasn't much of a problem but Adrian decided that he would start crawling and pulling himself to the standing position. Sometimes, he'd pull up onto a low stool and then push off walking while leaning on it. The Ipoh house was incredibly hard to keep him entertained in. The house has a mini open-air courtyard in the middle of it. Thats where we have the tortoises and some plants. It also happens to be where lazy Amanda keeps the mop and bucket. So, lots of interesting things there to attract a baby. The house is also full of low down hazards; power points, sharp and rusty computer table legs, telephone cables, etc. We did our best to child proof the place but there were still so many things that he had to be pulled back from. The hardest thing about looking after Adrian was keeping him entertained with his boring old toys while there was so much of the house to be explored.
So, after nearly two months of looking after sick but adventurous children, day and night, all that's left is this shell of a mom that needs some serious rest and relaxation. I'm getting some of that now that I have Richard to help out with some things. At least I get to sit here, blogging!
More blogging tomorrow...
Showing posts with label ipoh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ipoh. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Did We Ever Leave?
We're back in Ipoh again and even though its been a year since we were last here, it feels like we never left. There are a few changes, including the very first Burger King outlet, but most things are the same. Our lives and routine are the same too and we have slipped into a daily routine as if we never left. In fact, we had breakfast, lunch and dinner at places that we've been eating at for the past twenty years!
The one big difference is that instead of my parents taking us out to these places, I'm now taking my own two kids. I am sure some of those hawkers remember me as a child and I wonder if seeing me with my children makes them think about retiring!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ipoh is definitely one of my favorite places in the world. It is flawed in so many ways but I think I'll always be able to look at this first hometown of mine without seeing those very flaws. Its like a cocoon in time that has remained unchanged in twenty years yet has had development spring up all around it.
I go away, grow up, do all sorts of things and when I come back with my two children, the place is as it was when I was a child. Perhaps it has remained this way for me because I am staying in the house I grew up in. I visit my old grandparents in the same houses that I visited them thirty years ago. We go to the same church and they still have the same set of priests there. Its like a living memory of my childhood.
So, as you might have guessed, I'm having a good time here. I've left my USB cable in Brisbane so it'll be a couple of weeks before I can post any photos.
The one big difference is that instead of my parents taking us out to these places, I'm now taking my own two kids. I am sure some of those hawkers remember me as a child and I wonder if seeing me with my children makes them think about retiring!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ipoh is definitely one of my favorite places in the world. It is flawed in so many ways but I think I'll always be able to look at this first hometown of mine without seeing those very flaws. Its like a cocoon in time that has remained unchanged in twenty years yet has had development spring up all around it.
I go away, grow up, do all sorts of things and when I come back with my two children, the place is as it was when I was a child. Perhaps it has remained this way for me because I am staying in the house I grew up in. I visit my old grandparents in the same houses that I visited them thirty years ago. We go to the same church and they still have the same set of priests there. Its like a living memory of my childhood.
So, as you might have guessed, I'm having a good time here. I've left my USB cable in Brisbane so it'll be a couple of weeks before I can post any photos.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ancestors
I'm running a bit short of time today so I'm sharing a photo.
The lady on the right here is my great-grandmother and the other two are her sisters. The photo was taken around 1910 in Penang, Malaysia. Please click on it for a clearer look.
The women are dressed in the traditional Nyonya sarong and kebaya but the little boy (my grand uncle) has very Western looking clothing on. It appears that he even has a little pocket watch hanging there.
They are all married women and the lady on the left has obviously married a wealthier man than her sisters. Take a look at the gold bracelets, necklaces and anklets that she has on.
Remember my post about people commenting that I don't look like my parents. Well, I think if I did my hair and dressed like these ladies, I'd look like one of them.
The lady on the right here is my great-grandmother and the other two are her sisters. The photo was taken around 1910 in Penang, Malaysia. Please click on it for a clearer look.
The women are dressed in the traditional Nyonya sarong and kebaya but the little boy (my grand uncle) has very Western looking clothing on. It appears that he even has a little pocket watch hanging there.
They are all married women and the lady on the left has obviously married a wealthier man than her sisters. Take a look at the gold bracelets, necklaces and anklets that she has on.
Remember my post about people commenting that I don't look like my parents. Well, I think if I did my hair and dressed like these ladies, I'd look like one of them.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Please Leave, You're Stressing My Supervisor
I never thought it would happen to a goody goody like me but we were kicked out of the Perak State Library. Yes. Aaron, my gray haired mother and I were all asked to leave.
I really didn't have high expectations of the place but we were looking for was the cool air conditioning.
We went to the children's library first in an adjacent building. It was more a store room with only half an air conditioner working there so we didn't stay long. The books were mostly old and in poor condition anyway.
The main building was spacious, neat and nearly cold inside. The books were old and both the Malay and English books were shelved together. I ended up settling down with a Reader's Digest and was very contented. Aaron was kept occupied with his coloring pencils and notebook. My mother browsed the shelves.
I was seated for barely 10mins before I saw one of the staff approaching us, slowly. The whole time, I thought she was going to say something about Aaron. Maybe he was too noisy or maybe kids aren't allowed there...or he wasn't supposed to use the chair as a little table.
Instead, she said "Excuse me. Actually, you aren't allowed to wear sleeveless shirts in here. Also, no shorts are allowed. If you want to wear a skirt, it will have to be below your knees."
And then she added "You're stressing my supervisor."
Whats that last statement supposed to mean??
Anyway, as I walked to look for my mother, I saw that she was being told to leave too. We were both wearing sleeveless t-shirts and shorts that were just above the knees.
On the way out, we saw this huge noticeboard listing all the items you are not allowed to wear or bring in to the library. Its the longest list of prohibited items I've seen at the entry to anywhere! Click on the photo to have a closer look.
Thats one side of Malaysia for you. The side where middle ranking people with a little bit of power impose their unchecked views.
I suggested to my mother that we should go again. This time, we'll carry blankets in our bags to cover up if we're told that our arms and legs are stressing the supervisor. She thought we could try going with long see through sleeves and pant legs.
We'll see if we have time. This was the state library and I want to go check out the municipal library too.
I really didn't have high expectations of the place but we were looking for was the cool air conditioning.
We went to the children's library first in an adjacent building. It was more a store room with only half an air conditioner working there so we didn't stay long. The books were mostly old and in poor condition anyway.
The main building was spacious, neat and nearly cold inside. The books were old and both the Malay and English books were shelved together. I ended up settling down with a Reader's Digest and was very contented. Aaron was kept occupied with his coloring pencils and notebook. My mother browsed the shelves.
I was seated for barely 10mins before I saw one of the staff approaching us, slowly. The whole time, I thought she was going to say something about Aaron. Maybe he was too noisy or maybe kids aren't allowed there...or he wasn't supposed to use the chair as a little table.
Instead, she said "Excuse me. Actually, you aren't allowed to wear sleeveless shirts in here. Also, no shorts are allowed. If you want to wear a skirt, it will have to be below your knees."
And then she added "You're stressing my supervisor."
Whats that last statement supposed to mean??
Anyway, as I walked to look for my mother, I saw that she was being told to leave too. We were both wearing sleeveless t-shirts and shorts that were just above the knees.
On the way out, we saw this huge noticeboard listing all the items you are not allowed to wear or bring in to the library. Its the longest list of prohibited items I've seen at the entry to anywhere! Click on the photo to have a closer look.
Thats one side of Malaysia for you. The side where middle ranking people with a little bit of power impose their unchecked views.
I suggested to my mother that we should go again. This time, we'll carry blankets in our bags to cover up if we're told that our arms and legs are stressing the supervisor. She thought we could try going with long see through sleeves and pant legs.
We'll see if we have time. This was the state library and I want to go check out the municipal library too.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Is She Really Your Mother?
My regular readers may remember me mentioning how straightforward the people of Palembang are. Well, my mother have met quite a few straightforward people over here in Malaysia too.
A family joke we have from when I was a child is that I was picked up from the rubbish bin. (No, this hasn't had any adverse effects on me.) I don't look very much like my parents at all. In fact, many people question if I am even the same race as them. I really don't mind this at all and have had lots of fun with it over the years. (Except for one Ramadan month in primary school when I was questioned for not fasting.)
Over the past week, my mother and I have been asked multiple times if we were related. Here are a couple of examples of what happens.
The first instance was at a hawker center. The lady who delivered our food looked at me and asked if I was my mother's daughter-in-law. When my mother said that I was her daughter, that lady actually spent a few minutes insisting that I couldn't possibly be because I didn't look anything like my mom.
Next was a shop assistant in a bookstore. After spending nearly 15 minutes helping us track down a book, the guy looks at us and says "How are you two related?" Once again, he's not satisfied with the answer and acts like we're pulling his leg.
So you see, people here in Malaysia are just as straightforward as those in Palembang. How could I have forgotten?
Anyway, the conversation that takes the cake for this sort of assumption and straight talk actually happened a few years ago.
My mother and her mother happened to drop me off at a cosmetics counter. I had purchased some product and the lady was giving me a free facial. So, as she worked on exfoliating and cleansing my face, she jumped straight into some sort of soliloquy of how it is a blessing to be adopted. I distinctly remember her telling me that it is because my mother loved me that she wanted to adopt me. She assured me that I shouldn't feel bad about this and told me that I should even appreciate them more.
Er....just because I purchased something from you doesn't make you my new BFF!
I know the lady only meant well and I wasn't offended at all. Just highly amused. She talked non stop so I didn't have a chance to correct her. At least she can feel that she perhaps did some sort of a good deed that day.
A family joke we have from when I was a child is that I was picked up from the rubbish bin. (No, this hasn't had any adverse effects on me.) I don't look very much like my parents at all. In fact, many people question if I am even the same race as them. I really don't mind this at all and have had lots of fun with it over the years. (Except for one Ramadan month in primary school when I was questioned for not fasting.)
Over the past week, my mother and I have been asked multiple times if we were related. Here are a couple of examples of what happens.
The first instance was at a hawker center. The lady who delivered our food looked at me and asked if I was my mother's daughter-in-law. When my mother said that I was her daughter, that lady actually spent a few minutes insisting that I couldn't possibly be because I didn't look anything like my mom.
Next was a shop assistant in a bookstore. After spending nearly 15 minutes helping us track down a book, the guy looks at us and says "How are you two related?" Once again, he's not satisfied with the answer and acts like we're pulling his leg.
So you see, people here in Malaysia are just as straightforward as those in Palembang. How could I have forgotten?
Anyway, the conversation that takes the cake for this sort of assumption and straight talk actually happened a few years ago.
My mother and her mother happened to drop me off at a cosmetics counter. I had purchased some product and the lady was giving me a free facial. So, as she worked on exfoliating and cleansing my face, she jumped straight into some sort of soliloquy of how it is a blessing to be adopted. I distinctly remember her telling me that it is because my mother loved me that she wanted to adopt me. She assured me that I shouldn't feel bad about this and told me that I should even appreciate them more.
Er....just because I purchased something from you doesn't make you my new BFF!
I know the lady only meant well and I wasn't offended at all. Just highly amused. She talked non stop so I didn't have a chance to correct her. At least she can feel that she perhaps did some sort of a good deed that day.
Monday, June 8, 2009
St Michael's Catholic Church, Ipoh - Young Families Beware
This is not a new topic for me but I just have to have a bit of a rant here. The "Cry Room" at St Michael's Church here in Ipoh is still one of my pet peeves of this city even though my last post on the topic was over a year ago.
I have avoided going there as much as possible but I always end up there at least once during each visit to Ipoh. And each time I go, the sight the cry room and attitudes of the wardens and parish priest disgust me so much that I leave Mass feeling angry, frustrated and slightly revengeful.
Since my last post, I have purposely not entered that room whenever I go to Mass at St Michael's. Each time, I have a similar conversation with the wardens:
Warden: We have a cry room.
Me: He's not crying.
Warden: But he might.
Me: But he's not.
Warden: Father says children have to go there.
Me: I'll sit out here.
On Sunday, after a hectic weekend in Kuala Lumpur and a 2 hour car ride back to Ipoh, I felt that I just wasn't up to the stress of joining the general congregation. You can't imagine the pressure I feel each time I sit on the "outside" with Aaron.
So, I walked guiltily into the "Cry Room". I felt that I was betraying myself and all the rants I've had about this horrid room. But I was tired and thought it might be the solution.
I was shocked to find that the already too small room was half its original size. I don't know what the history is there but it was cramped yesterday. And, here is the view from where we sat.
Look at the reflections on the glass obscuring the view of the outside. Also, from this angle, we have no view of the alter at all. We also could not see the projection of the hymns and prayers.
Tell me, how are parents supposed to participate? How will kids learn about the mass?
Also, the parish priest may not know about kids but he must have "people" that can tell him. Children put together in a small, confined space WILL interact. They look at each other, they know they can make some noise in there. They will try to play. Noise levels will rise. Parents will try to control this. Kids will rebel.
Tell me, how will children know that Mass is not a place to seek out playmates when there is a room full of them?
During the homily, a two year old fell down and hit her head on the pew. Of course, she screamed. On the outside, and without any knowledge of what happened, the parish priest gave a look to one of the wardens to evict the girl. He also remarked that during his time, no child would dare to throw a tantrum like that. And that today, the louder he talks, the louder she screams.
Tell me, how would you feel if you were the parents? (Hopefully infuriated)
Children are the future of the church. During Baptism, their parents swore to bring them up to be believers. It is also the responsibility of the church to nurture both parents and children. Not make them feel alienated. The family yesterday ended up spending the remainder of Mass outside.
Tell me, wouldn't the thought cross their minds to just give up on Mass until the child is older?
The "Cry Room" is alienating and ineffective. It is plain stoopid since it isn't even sound proof! Noise levels rise. The priest will look over. Some of the general congregation will look. And, the Cry Room has failed in its No.1 Mission - To avoid distraction of the general congregation.
My suggestion - get rid of it! They didn't have it during Jesus' time. They didn't have it when this Parish Priest was a two year old. We don't need it now!
Aaron is proof that children can be no more distracting that other members of the congregation if given the chance. I was weak yesterday and went in the room but he was a perfect angel in there. I could have stayed out. He knew that it wasn't right to be playing and talking during Mass.
IF the St Michael's parish really have a problem with families with young children during mass, then why not dedicate one of the masses just for that crowd. Everyone can sit outside, participate, learn about the mass and enjoy community prayer.
I have avoided going there as much as possible but I always end up there at least once during each visit to Ipoh. And each time I go, the sight the cry room and attitudes of the wardens and parish priest disgust me so much that I leave Mass feeling angry, frustrated and slightly revengeful.
Since my last post, I have purposely not entered that room whenever I go to Mass at St Michael's. Each time, I have a similar conversation with the wardens:
Warden: We have a cry room.
Me: He's not crying.
Warden: But he might.
Me: But he's not.
Warden: Father says children have to go there.
Me: I'll sit out here.
On Sunday, after a hectic weekend in Kuala Lumpur and a 2 hour car ride back to Ipoh, I felt that I just wasn't up to the stress of joining the general congregation. You can't imagine the pressure I feel each time I sit on the "outside" with Aaron.
So, I walked guiltily into the "Cry Room". I felt that I was betraying myself and all the rants I've had about this horrid room. But I was tired and thought it might be the solution.
I was shocked to find that the already too small room was half its original size. I don't know what the history is there but it was cramped yesterday. And, here is the view from where we sat.
Look at the reflections on the glass obscuring the view of the outside. Also, from this angle, we have no view of the alter at all. We also could not see the projection of the hymns and prayers.
Tell me, how are parents supposed to participate? How will kids learn about the mass?
Also, the parish priest may not know about kids but he must have "people" that can tell him. Children put together in a small, confined space WILL interact. They look at each other, they know they can make some noise in there. They will try to play. Noise levels will rise. Parents will try to control this. Kids will rebel.
Tell me, how will children know that Mass is not a place to seek out playmates when there is a room full of them?
During the homily, a two year old fell down and hit her head on the pew. Of course, she screamed. On the outside, and without any knowledge of what happened, the parish priest gave a look to one of the wardens to evict the girl. He also remarked that during his time, no child would dare to throw a tantrum like that. And that today, the louder he talks, the louder she screams.
Tell me, how would you feel if you were the parents? (Hopefully infuriated)
Children are the future of the church. During Baptism, their parents swore to bring them up to be believers. It is also the responsibility of the church to nurture both parents and children. Not make them feel alienated. The family yesterday ended up spending the remainder of Mass outside.
Tell me, wouldn't the thought cross their minds to just give up on Mass until the child is older?
The "Cry Room" is alienating and ineffective. It is plain stoopid since it isn't even sound proof! Noise levels rise. The priest will look over. Some of the general congregation will look. And, the Cry Room has failed in its No.1 Mission - To avoid distraction of the general congregation.
My suggestion - get rid of it! They didn't have it during Jesus' time. They didn't have it when this Parish Priest was a two year old. We don't need it now!
Aaron is proof that children can be no more distracting that other members of the congregation if given the chance. I was weak yesterday and went in the room but he was a perfect angel in there. I could have stayed out. He knew that it wasn't right to be playing and talking during Mass.
IF the St Michael's parish really have a problem with families with young children during mass, then why not dedicate one of the masses just for that crowd. Everyone can sit outside, participate, learn about the mass and enjoy community prayer.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
My Absolute Favourite Food
For this week's Photostory Friday, I'm featuring my favourite food - Steamed Freshwater Prawns. These are steamed with Chinese cooking wine and a little bit of egg.
I like these so much that I always finish my rice first so that I can concentrate solely on them. I use my fingers to peel the shells off even when they are still hot. And then, after savoring all the prawns, I just let my fingers air dry. Yes, it may sounds gross but I like the smell of the prawns on my fingers for a little while after the meal. Anyway, I don't touch anyone and I usually wash my hands by the time I get home.
The prawns in the above photo are on the small side but its all thats available these days. We used to get them as big as my palm but I guess I'm not the only one who loves them so much.
The bigger restaurants in the cities have large ones but these are all farmed and full of antibiotics. I don't go for those. We had these in a small town, Gopeng, outside Ipoh where the people still go to the rivers to catch the prawns.
The restaurant is part of a bus station. Its an extremely humble establishment but the food there is amazing (of course!). The prices were incredibly reasonable too.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
p.s. I'll be going to Kuala Lumpur for the next three days so my next post will be on Monday. Have a good weekend!
I like these so much that I always finish my rice first so that I can concentrate solely on them. I use my fingers to peel the shells off even when they are still hot. And then, after savoring all the prawns, I just let my fingers air dry. Yes, it may sounds gross but I like the smell of the prawns on my fingers for a little while after the meal. Anyway, I don't touch anyone and I usually wash my hands by the time I get home.
The prawns in the above photo are on the small side but its all thats available these days. We used to get them as big as my palm but I guess I'm not the only one who loves them so much.
The bigger restaurants in the cities have large ones but these are all farmed and full of antibiotics. I don't go for those. We had these in a small town, Gopeng, outside Ipoh where the people still go to the rivers to catch the prawns.
The restaurant is part of a bus station. Its an extremely humble establishment but the food there is amazing (of course!). The prices were incredibly reasonable too.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
p.s. I'll be going to Kuala Lumpur for the next three days so my next post will be on Monday. Have a good weekend!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sand - A Solution To The Te*r*ble Twos
My title has the two asterisks there because Aaron's second year has been pretty good, and, I didn't want to call it "te*r*ble". Of course, I totally understand why two year olds have been given that label and the past year has certainly been challenging but it wasn't all that bad.
Anyway, over the weekend, we went to Penang. This is an island city about 1.5hrs drive from Ipoh. The sole purpose of going there was to let Aaron play on the beach.
As I sat there with him from 8am to 12noon on Sunday, I noticed that I didn't really need to do anything. Mostly, I just sat there, enjoying the view. Occasionally, Aaron would say something to me and I'd answer him. He wasn't all that interested in swimming in the sea so I didn't have to worry about that. It was the easiest 4 hours I've ever spent with him.
If I had known this earlier, I would have planned many more trips to the beach over the past year. Or maybe a sand pit at home!
Anyway, over the weekend, we went to Penang. This is an island city about 1.5hrs drive from Ipoh. The sole purpose of going there was to let Aaron play on the beach.
As I sat there with him from 8am to 12noon on Sunday, I noticed that I didn't really need to do anything. Mostly, I just sat there, enjoying the view. Occasionally, Aaron would say something to me and I'd answer him. He wasn't all that interested in swimming in the sea so I didn't have to worry about that. It was the easiest 4 hours I've ever spent with him.
If I had known this earlier, I would have planned many more trips to the beach over the past year. Or maybe a sand pit at home!
Friday, May 29, 2009
An 87 Year Age Gap
Aaron is one lucky little boy to be able to enjoy time with his great grandparents. Here he is with his great grandfather.
There may be an 87 year age gap between them but they still manage to have evening walks together. One of them is getting hard of hearing and the other still has problems pronouncing some of his words but that doesn't stop the chats they have.
It is the hope for moments like these that I often end up extending my stay in Ipoh for.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
There may be an 87 year age gap between them but they still manage to have evening walks together. One of them is getting hard of hearing and the other still has problems pronouncing some of his words but that doesn't stop the chats they have.
It is the hope for moments like these that I often end up extending my stay in Ipoh for.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Parking in Ipoh
In general, each time we leave Palembang, we think that we're leaving the land of messy traffic.
This proves that Ipoh is not much better. The only "official parks" are to the parallel ones to the right of the photo (like the red car). Yet, every single one of the cars in the photo are parked. They aren't double parked temporarily with a driver inside. People have just driven up, put the car in "park" and then gone about their business. The council definitely needs to plan for more official car parks here.
The above photo was obviously not a main road and taken in one of the suburbs of Ipoh. However, driving in the city area during school drop off and pick off times are no better.
One particular school is on a main road and does not provide any pick up / drop off area. So, some parents just park their cars right in the middle of the traffic lanes, get down and actually lock their cars before walking the kids in. The disruption to the traffic is unbelieavable.
This proves that Ipoh is not much better. The only "official parks" are to the parallel ones to the right of the photo (like the red car). Yet, every single one of the cars in the photo are parked. They aren't double parked temporarily with a driver inside. People have just driven up, put the car in "park" and then gone about their business. The council definitely needs to plan for more official car parks here.
The above photo was obviously not a main road and taken in one of the suburbs of Ipoh. However, driving in the city area during school drop off and pick off times are no better.
One particular school is on a main road and does not provide any pick up / drop off area. So, some parents just park their cars right in the middle of the traffic lanes, get down and actually lock their cars before walking the kids in. The disruption to the traffic is unbelieavable.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Candid Conversation With Aaron
We've all heard of 'fat days'. I had one of those yesterday but instead of going to bed feeling guilty, I went to bed laughing.
As Aaron and I were getting ready for bed, I sighed and said "I'm really getting too fat". Aaron was very quick to respond with "You just need to exercise. Why don't you take me to the park tomorrow?"
I was stunned. He's not even three yet. He must have been over hearing too many of my conversations recently where I have said that I need to get an exercise routine going here in Ipoh.
I answered him with what I thought would be the last statement to the conversation:
"Yes, I'd better do something about all this fat or I won't fit into my pants anymore"
He says, "Thats ok. You can wear your dress. You're not that fat."
I think he was genuinely trying to help me find a solution to a situation he could see I wasn't happy about. And, it was cute that he was trying to re-assure me.
On the other hand, I had the fleeting thought that I might be imparting some unhealthy body image ideas to my young son. Thankfully, he's not a girl. Yet, it has made me more conscious of having conversations about healthy lifestyles and eating habits instead of just exercising to stop becoming fat.
These days, he's always trying to be part of any and every conversation that goes on around him. We don't buy into the "children should be seen but not heard" school of thought so when we remember, we do keep the conversation to topics that he can be included in. Other times, we just have to be quick to change the topic before this tape recorder records everything for playback at a later, and more embarrassing, date.
As Aaron and I were getting ready for bed, I sighed and said "I'm really getting too fat". Aaron was very quick to respond with "You just need to exercise. Why don't you take me to the park tomorrow?"
I was stunned. He's not even three yet. He must have been over hearing too many of my conversations recently where I have said that I need to get an exercise routine going here in Ipoh.
I answered him with what I thought would be the last statement to the conversation:
"Yes, I'd better do something about all this fat or I won't fit into my pants anymore"
He says, "Thats ok. You can wear your dress. You're not that fat."
I think he was genuinely trying to help me find a solution to a situation he could see I wasn't happy about. And, it was cute that he was trying to re-assure me.
On the other hand, I had the fleeting thought that I might be imparting some unhealthy body image ideas to my young son. Thankfully, he's not a girl. Yet, it has made me more conscious of having conversations about healthy lifestyles and eating habits instead of just exercising to stop becoming fat.
These days, he's always trying to be part of any and every conversation that goes on around him. We don't buy into the "children should be seen but not heard" school of thought so when we remember, we do keep the conversation to topics that he can be included in. Other times, we just have to be quick to change the topic before this tape recorder records everything for playback at a later, and more embarrassing, date.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Photos From The Party
It looks like the computer has been cleaned out enough and is running a lot better now. The party is also over so I guess I can get back to my usual blogging routine.
We had a bit of a scare the night before the big party. At dinner, my grandmother went pale and started complaining of chest pains. To cut a long story short, she had decided to stop taking her blood pressure pills 3 weeks ago and for that, she was admitted to the hospital for the night. At least she got a good night's (sleeping pills induced) sleep before the big day. She rested well enough and made it to the party.
My grandfather played the gracious host through the night and really enjoyed the limelight. He has been "planning" this party for nearly two years! I think he also took it to be a bit of a fashion show as he wore three different shirts throughout the evening.
Here they are renewing their 60 year old vows. He's in his first shirt.
They had a cake and some sparkling apple juice. He's now wearing the third shirt of the night. The second one was a red "cowboy style" shirt but I don't have any good photos of it. He matched it with a cowboy hat somebody gave him and a huge belt buckle. I need to hunt down a photo from somebody else's camera.
Check out the huge lipstick mark on his cheek. It definitely didn't come from my grandmother! I think he holds the record for the most number of young girlfriends. Since he took up line dancing at the age of 80, most of his friends are female and twenty to forty years younger than him.
This is my favorite photo from the evening. I felt that throughout the evening, the guests more attention was paid to my grandfather than my grandmother but in the end it was still my grandmother that we all tried to cuddle up with.
That little "scare" we had with my grandmother has prompted me to extend my stay here in Ipoh. We didn't know it at the time but she was so grouchy and lethargic during the days leading up to the party because she wasn't taking her medication. Now that she's back to normal, I really hope to spend some quality time with her.
We had a bit of a scare the night before the big party. At dinner, my grandmother went pale and started complaining of chest pains. To cut a long story short, she had decided to stop taking her blood pressure pills 3 weeks ago and for that, she was admitted to the hospital for the night. At least she got a good night's (sleeping pills induced) sleep before the big day. She rested well enough and made it to the party.
My grandfather played the gracious host through the night and really enjoyed the limelight. He has been "planning" this party for nearly two years! I think he also took it to be a bit of a fashion show as he wore three different shirts throughout the evening.
Here they are renewing their 60 year old vows. He's in his first shirt.
They had a cake and some sparkling apple juice. He's now wearing the third shirt of the night. The second one was a red "cowboy style" shirt but I don't have any good photos of it. He matched it with a cowboy hat somebody gave him and a huge belt buckle. I need to hunt down a photo from somebody else's camera.
Check out the huge lipstick mark on his cheek. It definitely didn't come from my grandmother! I think he holds the record for the most number of young girlfriends. Since he took up line dancing at the age of 80, most of his friends are female and twenty to forty years younger than him.
This is my favorite photo from the evening. I felt that throughout the evening, the guests more attention was paid to my grandfather than my grandmother but in the end it was still my grandmother that we all tried to cuddle up with.
That little "scare" we had with my grandmother has prompted me to extend my stay here in Ipoh. We didn't know it at the time but she was so grouchy and lethargic during the days leading up to the party because she wasn't taking her medication. Now that she's back to normal, I really hope to spend some quality time with her.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Time For Some Blogging!
I usually get to stick to my normal blogging routine when in Ipoh but things aren't working out so well this trip.
Firstly, my mother has been working on the music and the seating arrangements for my grandfather's party. This doesn't sound like a big deal at all except that the guests list has been changing on a daily basis. The party is in 4 days! My grandfather also has the final say and he has lots of input on who should sit with whom and which group of people should get a "better" table.
Secondly, this computer is at deaths door. I have no idea if its just age or maybe daily attacts by all sorts of viruses/worms/snakes or whatever! We have spent so much time trying to scan it, clean out unused programs, defragment it, install/uninstall virus protection and have reached the stage of dumping it. It takes so long to switch from program to program that I can go make myself a drink in between.
So, when we're not being frustrated with the computer, I have been driving my mother around Ipoh. To the restaurant where we're having the party, to the shops to get all the bits and pieces she needs, to the markets to order flowers and to the tailors where we're getting two shirts made for my grandfather. And, there will be more driving to come this week. Thankfully, Aaron still needs a nap sometime in the middle of the day so we all get a break at that time. There aren't many things on the to-do list but they just seem to take so long to get done. Each place we go to requires multiple trips so I'm glad we're all still cheerful about doing all this. Even Aaron has been very patient with all the car trips and waiting around.
On the weekend, we managed to squeeze in some time at a secluded stream. It worked even better than the place we went to last weekend. The water was cleaner and shallower. Perfect for Aaron to setup his "construction site".
The place was actually near a real construction site. So we were going to show Aaron some bulldozers at work but forgot that it was Saturday.
Look at the hills in the background here. Ipoh is surrounded by limestone hills and unfortunately for stream lovers like us, this place is going to become some exclusive residential area for the rich with bungalows nestled amongst the hills. Its not shown in this photo but the first phase of the houses are completed and they are literally in between hills and has some of the water diverted into lakes. It is a pretty place to live. I'd take photos but we couldn't get pass security and I just peered in from the outside.
I miss my regular blogging routine but I doubt I'll get another post in for another few days. See you all when I see you.
Firstly, my mother has been working on the music and the seating arrangements for my grandfather's party. This doesn't sound like a big deal at all except that the guests list has been changing on a daily basis. The party is in 4 days! My grandfather also has the final say and he has lots of input on who should sit with whom and which group of people should get a "better" table.
Secondly, this computer is at deaths door. I have no idea if its just age or maybe daily attacts by all sorts of viruses/worms/snakes or whatever! We have spent so much time trying to scan it, clean out unused programs, defragment it, install/uninstall virus protection and have reached the stage of dumping it. It takes so long to switch from program to program that I can go make myself a drink in between.
So, when we're not being frustrated with the computer, I have been driving my mother around Ipoh. To the restaurant where we're having the party, to the shops to get all the bits and pieces she needs, to the markets to order flowers and to the tailors where we're getting two shirts made for my grandfather. And, there will be more driving to come this week. Thankfully, Aaron still needs a nap sometime in the middle of the day so we all get a break at that time. There aren't many things on the to-do list but they just seem to take so long to get done. Each place we go to requires multiple trips so I'm glad we're all still cheerful about doing all this. Even Aaron has been very patient with all the car trips and waiting around.
On the weekend, we managed to squeeze in some time at a secluded stream. It worked even better than the place we went to last weekend. The water was cleaner and shallower. Perfect for Aaron to setup his "construction site".
The place was actually near a real construction site. So we were going to show Aaron some bulldozers at work but forgot that it was Saturday.
Look at the hills in the background here. Ipoh is surrounded by limestone hills and unfortunately for stream lovers like us, this place is going to become some exclusive residential area for the rich with bungalows nestled amongst the hills. Its not shown in this photo but the first phase of the houses are completed and they are literally in between hills and has some of the water diverted into lakes. It is a pretty place to live. I'd take photos but we couldn't get pass security and I just peered in from the outside.
I miss my regular blogging routine but I doubt I'll get another post in for another few days. See you all when I see you.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Everybody Is Your Uncle
Bilbo's recent post, "Hi Sweatie!", about waitresses in San Antonio reminded me a lot about what I have been encountering here in Ipoh.
The main language used at the coffee shops is Cantonese. Very often, if you're a youngish looking person, the waitress will ask "What would you like handsome guy/pretty girl?" It looks a little strange as I read this in English but it is so common that it sounds quite "normal" to the ears when I hear it in Cantonese. Actually, I don't think I've heard it in any of the other dialects.
In the past, I have heard customers call out to the waitresses in the same way too, either "handsome guy" or "pretty girl". But I suppose fear of sexual harassment accusations has reached even a little town like Ipoh because I haven't heard it in recent years.
Unfortunately, if you're no longer youngish looking, you get called "aunty" or "uncle". And strangely, they don't use the Cantonese words but say it in English.
And, if you're even older looking, they'll call you "grandmother" or "grandfather". They switch back to Cantonese here.
I think the use of aunty, uncle, grandmother and grandfather stems from the way children are taught to address people older than them but not related to them. Unlike in the West where children are taught to address their friend's parents or perhaps their parent's friends as Mr or Mrs So-and-so, children here are told to call them "uncle and aunty". Anybody that looks about the same age as your parents are addressed this way. And, this doesn't end when you're a 'grownup' - I'm not sure when to stop doing this but I'm still told to do this now.
Similarly, people who look like they are roughly the same age as your grandparents, are addressed as "grandfather/grandmother".
As for the real aunts and uncles, there are specific titles depending on the person being on the maternal or paternal side. And also if the person is older and younger than your parent. For example, I call my father's brother "Ah Chek" and my mother's brother "KauFu".
So far, all this business of calling people "aunty" and "uncle" hasn't been a problem for me. And, I guess I won't have a problem with it until the day that somebody comes up to me and says "What would you like, Aunty?"
The main language used at the coffee shops is Cantonese. Very often, if you're a youngish looking person, the waitress will ask "What would you like handsome guy/pretty girl?" It looks a little strange as I read this in English but it is so common that it sounds quite "normal" to the ears when I hear it in Cantonese. Actually, I don't think I've heard it in any of the other dialects.
In the past, I have heard customers call out to the waitresses in the same way too, either "handsome guy" or "pretty girl". But I suppose fear of sexual harassment accusations has reached even a little town like Ipoh because I haven't heard it in recent years.
Unfortunately, if you're no longer youngish looking, you get called "aunty" or "uncle". And strangely, they don't use the Cantonese words but say it in English.
And, if you're even older looking, they'll call you "grandmother" or "grandfather". They switch back to Cantonese here.
I think the use of aunty, uncle, grandmother and grandfather stems from the way children are taught to address people older than them but not related to them. Unlike in the West where children are taught to address their friend's parents or perhaps their parent's friends as Mr or Mrs So-and-so, children here are told to call them "uncle and aunty". Anybody that looks about the same age as your parents are addressed this way. And, this doesn't end when you're a 'grownup' - I'm not sure when to stop doing this but I'm still told to do this now.
Similarly, people who look like they are roughly the same age as your grandparents, are addressed as "grandfather/grandmother".
As for the real aunts and uncles, there are specific titles depending on the person being on the maternal or paternal side. And also if the person is older and younger than your parent. For example, I call my father's brother "Ah Chek" and my mother's brother "KauFu".
So far, all this business of calling people "aunty" and "uncle" hasn't been a problem for me. And, I guess I won't have a problem with it until the day that somebody comes up to me and says "What would you like, Aunty?"
Monday, May 11, 2009
No Repeats At Breakfast Yet
I think I've mentioned it before that we have the same thing for breakfast 7 days a week in Palembang - Oatmeal. We have tried adding all sorts of things to it but its still something that I have trouble swallowing. I think its to do with the type of oatmeal we get there too - extra cardboardy flavour.
Anyway, here in Ipoh, my parents usually have oatmeal 7 days a week too but for the past 7 days since we got back, we have had something different for breakfast every single day. Phew!
Coffee shops here aren't places that specialize in coffee. They have coffee there but the term usually refers to an extremely casual restaurant where you can get reasonably cheap and simple food. Of course, like all restaurants, there are some that are more famous than others. We have been hitting all the famous ones this past week. Well, even if they aren't famous, they are on my family's coffee shop list.
Here is what a typical one looks like. We met my grandparents and aunt there for breakfast this morning. They arrived first thats why they already have food on their half of the table. The black drink you see on the table is iced black coffee.
Most people here would have breakfast at a coffee shop several times a week. I know we can't keep this up but since we arrived last Tuesday, we have had:
Wednesday - Flat noodles in sort of chicken and prawn broth.
Thursday - Roti Chanai
Friday - Dim Sum (sometimes referred to in the west as Yum Cha)
Saturday - Hakka Noodles (different type of flat noodle with minced pork).
Sunday - Dim Sum again at a different place. Ok..maybe this is a sort of repeat but it was for my grandmother on Mother's Day.
Monday - Rice vermicelli in a clear broth with fishballs.
Tuesday (today) - Wonton Noodles
I should have taken photos of all these! I think its all coming to an end soon as I feel too unhealthy indulging like this every day.
Anyway, here in Ipoh, my parents usually have oatmeal 7 days a week too but for the past 7 days since we got back, we have had something different for breakfast every single day. Phew!
Coffee shops here aren't places that specialize in coffee. They have coffee there but the term usually refers to an extremely casual restaurant where you can get reasonably cheap and simple food. Of course, like all restaurants, there are some that are more famous than others. We have been hitting all the famous ones this past week. Well, even if they aren't famous, they are on my family's coffee shop list.
Here is what a typical one looks like. We met my grandparents and aunt there for breakfast this morning. They arrived first thats why they already have food on their half of the table. The black drink you see on the table is iced black coffee.
Most people here would have breakfast at a coffee shop several times a week. I know we can't keep this up but since we arrived last Tuesday, we have had:
Wednesday - Flat noodles in sort of chicken and prawn broth.
Thursday - Roti Chanai
Friday - Dim Sum (sometimes referred to in the west as Yum Cha)
Saturday - Hakka Noodles (different type of flat noodle with minced pork).
Sunday - Dim Sum again at a different place. Ok..maybe this is a sort of repeat but it was for my grandmother on Mother's Day.
Monday - Rice vermicelli in a clear broth with fishballs.
Tuesday (today) - Wonton Noodles
I should have taken photos of all these! I think its all coming to an end soon as I feel too unhealthy indulging like this every day.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Ipoh Is Still The Best Place In The World
"Ipoh is the best place in the world." To me anyway...
This is something that I often say, especially to other friends who have left the city and perhaps don't remember it the same way I do. I know that I am blind to all its faults and perhaps I am able to enjoy this "ignorance" because I don't actually live here. And more importantly, I have the choice not to live here or even in Malaysia. I'll have to dedicate a whole post on that topic another day.
I am grateful that my parents spent the money to send us back to Ipoh for 3 months each year as we were growing up. We moved to Brisbane, Australia when I was eleven but all my summer holidays (November-January) were spent at our house right here in Ipoh. So to me, Ipoh will always be a fun place where all I did was hang out with friends. And, those holidays weren't just about friends. We stayed with my grandparents for a lot of the time too.
Aaron is getting the chance now to enjoy Ipoh too. My father has been taking him to many of the places that we went to as children. And, to be honest, I don't remember it being as peaceful and idyllic as it seemed today. It was just pure fun back then, as it is for Aaron now.
This weekend, we went to some of the streams. The farthest was no more than 30 mins away.
This place was perfect for little bulldozers and dump trucks to do their work.
And so was this place. The area looks small but he doesn't need much room and we had a fantastic time under the cool bamboo shade.
Aaron is always a little cautious with water but the cool stream was just too irrisitible. Each time, he started off only interested in the sand but always ended up in the water. Here is a photo of Aaron and the master of games this weekend, my father.
I wonder what will happen when my grandparents are no longer around and my parents decide to move permanently to Australia. Right now, they're literally fence sitters with a leg on either side. How will Aaron grow to love Ipoh the same way I do? Its easy to think that I don't need to have parents or grandparents here to visit the place but its not going to be the same as spending three months a year here and having the place becoming ingrained in you.
This is something that I often say, especially to other friends who have left the city and perhaps don't remember it the same way I do. I know that I am blind to all its faults and perhaps I am able to enjoy this "ignorance" because I don't actually live here. And more importantly, I have the choice not to live here or even in Malaysia. I'll have to dedicate a whole post on that topic another day.
I am grateful that my parents spent the money to send us back to Ipoh for 3 months each year as we were growing up. We moved to Brisbane, Australia when I was eleven but all my summer holidays (November-January) were spent at our house right here in Ipoh. So to me, Ipoh will always be a fun place where all I did was hang out with friends. And, those holidays weren't just about friends. We stayed with my grandparents for a lot of the time too.
Aaron is getting the chance now to enjoy Ipoh too. My father has been taking him to many of the places that we went to as children. And, to be honest, I don't remember it being as peaceful and idyllic as it seemed today. It was just pure fun back then, as it is for Aaron now.
This weekend, we went to some of the streams. The farthest was no more than 30 mins away.
This place was perfect for little bulldozers and dump trucks to do their work.
And so was this place. The area looks small but he doesn't need much room and we had a fantastic time under the cool bamboo shade.
Aaron is always a little cautious with water but the cool stream was just too irrisitible. Each time, he started off only interested in the sand but always ended up in the water. Here is a photo of Aaron and the master of games this weekend, my father.
I wonder what will happen when my grandparents are no longer around and my parents decide to move permanently to Australia. Right now, they're literally fence sitters with a leg on either side. How will Aaron grow to love Ipoh the same way I do? Its easy to think that I don't need to have parents or grandparents here to visit the place but its not going to be the same as spending three months a year here and having the place becoming ingrained in you.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Lazy Days In Ipoh
Finally, I get some time at the computer. Its not that we have been extremely busy. Instead, this computer seems to be busy doing things that it shouldn't be doing and slowing everything else down. We've tried scanning if of viruses, defragmenting it, getting rid of those *.tmp files and lots of other things but I think we need to call in the professionals here. Its tolerable now but by tomorrow morning, I think it will be back to changing screens at the speed of snails again.
We haven't done all that much since arriving late Tuesday night. We've spent quite a bit of time at my maternal grandmother's house. She's got a swing in her garden and also a cute dog so there is a lot of attraction there for Aaron.
Aaron really loves animals at the moment. At least, he thinks he loves them but it has always been from a distance. So far, he has been watching the cats outside our Palembang gate, or the birds playing in the puddles, or more frequently, the animals from Disney's animation, The Jungle Book. He tries to get close to any stray dogs or cats we see in Palembang but we always stop him.
The dog in my grandmother's house, Sue, is nearly a year old and extremely playful. Aaron was shocked at first and still spends a lot of the time just watching from the safety of a chair with his legs tucked in but little by little, the two of them have been making friends. Sue seems very patient with him too.
This afternoon, I drove my mother to an old part of Ipoh. We were double parked outside so I waited in the car. Here is a photo of the shop she went in. Regular readers, doesn't it look very similar to some of the scenes from Palembang?
One of the first things my mother said on her first trip to Palembang was that it looked like Ipoh 50 years ago. Yet, I'm sure that a person from Palembang might feel that there are plenty of similarities right now.
I like that Ipoh still has many old areas and have always hoped that the city would refurbish the old buildings but it doesn't look like thats a priority at the moment.
Alright, I'm off to take a look at what all of you have been up to.
We haven't done all that much since arriving late Tuesday night. We've spent quite a bit of time at my maternal grandmother's house. She's got a swing in her garden and also a cute dog so there is a lot of attraction there for Aaron.
Aaron really loves animals at the moment. At least, he thinks he loves them but it has always been from a distance. So far, he has been watching the cats outside our Palembang gate, or the birds playing in the puddles, or more frequently, the animals from Disney's animation, The Jungle Book. He tries to get close to any stray dogs or cats we see in Palembang but we always stop him.
The dog in my grandmother's house, Sue, is nearly a year old and extremely playful. Aaron was shocked at first and still spends a lot of the time just watching from the safety of a chair with his legs tucked in but little by little, the two of them have been making friends. Sue seems very patient with him too.
This afternoon, I drove my mother to an old part of Ipoh. We were double parked outside so I waited in the car. Here is a photo of the shop she went in. Regular readers, doesn't it look very similar to some of the scenes from Palembang?
One of the first things my mother said on her first trip to Palembang was that it looked like Ipoh 50 years ago. Yet, I'm sure that a person from Palembang might feel that there are plenty of similarities right now.
I like that Ipoh still has many old areas and have always hoped that the city would refurbish the old buildings but it doesn't look like thats a priority at the moment.
Alright, I'm off to take a look at what all of you have been up to.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Photos from Ipoh
We're 5 days into the 10 day break already. Time really flies when you're doing stuff. Since arriving, we've been getting some of documents in order, doing some banking, and starting the Chinese New Year shopping (foodstuff). (Oh, we also woke up at 1am to watch Obama's inauguration speech.)
Richard and I are only back here once every few months so we're greeted by a huge stack of mail each time. We don't forward the mail to Indonesia because we wouldn't be able to do anything about it there anyway so it just piles up here and when we get back, we need to run all these errands.
In between all that, we've been spending time with my grandparents. I'm glad they are all looking good and seem happy.
Aaron has been having his fill of parks with Richard.
Here are some photos from the trip so far:
These shop houses are very common in the center of the city. Its sad that no restorative works are planned as they add character to an otherwise 'common' looking city.
And here is a strange shop that looks to be recently repainted. I haven't been inside so I don't know if their main product are potties from Chennai.
Remember how I mentioned that traffic will be horrendous during this Chinese New Year Period? Take a look at that blue car in the background. A lady and her two daughters, pulled up, got out, locked it and went inside one of the restaurants. She just left it there in the middle of the corner. Oh yes, take a look at where we're eating. It is very common in Malaysia for restaurants to put tables right on the roads.
Finally, here's a photo of what a daughter would look like if I ever had one. Behind 'her' is the pomelo that our family traditionally gives out to friends and relatives during Chinese New Year.
Thats all for now. I'm going to have some of that pomelo :)
Richard and I are only back here once every few months so we're greeted by a huge stack of mail each time. We don't forward the mail to Indonesia because we wouldn't be able to do anything about it there anyway so it just piles up here and when we get back, we need to run all these errands.
In between all that, we've been spending time with my grandparents. I'm glad they are all looking good and seem happy.
Aaron has been having his fill of parks with Richard.
Here are some photos from the trip so far:
These shop houses are very common in the center of the city. Its sad that no restorative works are planned as they add character to an otherwise 'common' looking city.
And here is a strange shop that looks to be recently repainted. I haven't been inside so I don't know if their main product are potties from Chennai.
Remember how I mentioned that traffic will be horrendous during this Chinese New Year Period? Take a look at that blue car in the background. A lady and her two daughters, pulled up, got out, locked it and went inside one of the restaurants. She just left it there in the middle of the corner. Oh yes, take a look at where we're eating. It is very common in Malaysia for restaurants to put tables right on the roads.
Finally, here's a photo of what a daughter would look like if I ever had one. Behind 'her' is the pomelo that our family traditionally gives out to friends and relatives during Chinese New Year.
Thats all for now. I'm going to have some of that pomelo :)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Aaron's first trip to the barber
It only costs RM 5 (USD 1.50) for Aaron to go to the barber here in Ipoh. This is my father's regular guy and for adults its RM 12. My brother also stopped by here for a haircut last week. The both of them came back looking decent so we all went along to let Aaron have his first haircut by a professional.
He was as still as a statue as he observed everything. Didn't even blink his eyes. That lasted for exactly half the haircut. The second half was all about exploration. Trying to see what the barber was doing, trying out all the other chairs, looking in the mirrors....you can imagine. The end result wasn't too bad, only a little lopsided.
I saw this at the side of the mirrors. What do you think its been brushing?!
He was as still as a statue as he observed everything. Didn't even blink his eyes. That lasted for exactly half the haircut. The second half was all about exploration. Trying to see what the barber was doing, trying out all the other chairs, looking in the mirrors....you can imagine. The end result wasn't too bad, only a little lopsided.
I saw this at the side of the mirrors. What do you think its been brushing?!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Ipoh's Limestone Caves
After the beach and the mountains, Mike left a comment last week that caves would be the next place we visited on the weekends. He was right!
Ipoh is actually situated in a valley and is surrounded by limestone hills and caves. There have been temples built into several of the larger ones and they are always interesting to visit. For those more adventurous, there are hundreds of other non-temple caves that can be explored. Some of these were used as communist hideouts in the early 1950s.
I'll take Aaron on one of the adventurous cave visits in a couple of years but for today, we took the easier route.
This is the first temple we visited:
Here's one of the many depictions of hell that this temple had lining the walls of an inner cave.
This is from the second temple we visited. These caves definitely should organize some guided tours so that! Anyway, I think these are Taoist deities (?). Malaysia's Buddhism is very mixed with Taoism and the people often pray to both sets of deities even though they are distinct religions.
And here's the third and largest cave temple of the day.
This is a view of the beautiful 'backyard' that the temple had. Its an exercise park with jogging track, two ponds and lots of beautiful green grass for Aaron to run about on.
By next Saturday, we'll be back in Palembang so, this is the last of the wonderful weekend escapades.
Ipoh is actually situated in a valley and is surrounded by limestone hills and caves. There have been temples built into several of the larger ones and they are always interesting to visit. For those more adventurous, there are hundreds of other non-temple caves that can be explored. Some of these were used as communist hideouts in the early 1950s.
I'll take Aaron on one of the adventurous cave visits in a couple of years but for today, we took the easier route.
This is the first temple we visited:
Here's one of the many depictions of hell that this temple had lining the walls of an inner cave.
This is from the second temple we visited. These caves definitely should organize some guided tours so that! Anyway, I think these are Taoist deities (?). Malaysia's Buddhism is very mixed with Taoism and the people often pray to both sets of deities even though they are distinct religions.
And here's the third and largest cave temple of the day.
This is a view of the beautiful 'backyard' that the temple had. Its an exercise park with jogging track, two ponds and lots of beautiful green grass for Aaron to run about on.
By next Saturday, we'll be back in Palembang so, this is the last of the wonderful weekend escapades.
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