From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
From George Town to Butterworth on board the ferry at sunset
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
Kek Lok Si Temple Display of Lights 2018 Year of the Dog
Date: Sunday, 11 February (Lighting Ceremony)
Penang’s iconic temple, ‘Kek Lok Si’ or the Temple of Supreme Bliss is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, and arguably one of the most famous in Penang. Kek Lok Si has started preparing for its annual lighting ceremony.
This year, the lighting ceremony will be commenced on 11 February, 2018.
The over 125 years old Kek Lok Si Temple itself has always been a tourist attraction in Penang but the annual display of lights is even a bigger crowd puller, attracting many tourists from all around the world and locals as well.
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
The risks of the photographers
Photo-shooting at this annual event is interesting and at times can be risky for more senior citizen like me. This year was also basically the same as we waited for Marilyn to fetch Bertrand and myself from the house, after her dogs-feeding routine. It was getting late at 6.45 pm and have to go to the Maybank ATM machine. Traffic was quite smooth. We took a strenuous uphill hike towards the destined place on the hill-side of a fruit farm. We had sought permission from the man for the past few years to photo-shoot the event. We thanked him for his generosity. Reaching the terrace where fruit trees were growing, we then slowly climb upwards the earth and sandy terraces. It was indeed very “slippery” due to the dry sand. One misstep one can fall several metres downwards due to the steep slope. Many thanks to Bertrand,Michael Chuan, Marcel Tan and Max Teoh for carrying my bag and tripods plus aiding me upwards with torchlights. There were already over 10 photographers on the hillside with the tripods and cameras ready for the action. Some of them came down from the upper terraces.
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
Ethics of photographers
Usually we had a list of 10 photographers which we had earlier asked for approval from the land owner. As the space is limited, we did not request for more photographers to be on the terraces unless prior permission was granted. There were photographers coming on their own and lying to the land owner that they had permission which was definitely false. I place my tripod in my usual terrace lower than the rest of the photographers as I did not want to climb up further owing to my weak legs. Quickly, I set up my camera and tripod and just in time for the photo-shoot which started at 8.00 pm. However, special thanks and appreciation to Michael Chuan for the credit of finding this alternative site that saved hiking time of 30 minutes up the stone steps to the hilltop, behind the vegetable farm. However, we had to hike a steep tarred road to get to hill terraces. Many thanks to the kind and generous land-owner. The photographs taken here were quite similar in composition and framing as the ones on top of my positioning.
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
The Lighting Ceremony
The colourful lightings were instantly suddenly lighted up with all parts of the Temple.The lighting ceremony had began and next shall be the fireworks display.
Fireworks
As expected like clockwork, the fireworks started after the instantaneous lighting up ceremony.
The Light Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang 2018 ~ 檳城鶴山極樂寺戊戌年新春燈會亮燈儀式
So this ended the 2018 Kek Lok Si Temple Lighting Ceremony and the Display of Lights on the Sunday of 11th February, 2018.
SP Lim
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
These prayers shall be conducted on the night of the 15th of the 8th moon – the actual day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It ends with the burning of Joss Paper as their voluntary rewards to the Diety for the wishes fulfilled successfully.
SP Lim
The festival was a time to enjoy the successful reaping of rice and wheat with food offerings made in honor of the moon. Today, it is still an occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and relatives to eat mooncakes and watch the moon, a symbol of harmony and unity. During a year of a solar eclipse it is typical for governmental offices, banks and schools will close of extra days to enjoy the extra celestial celebration an eclipse brings. The festival is celebrated with many cultural or regional customs, among them:
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
Wayang Performers offer prayers to the Moon Goddess 2017
The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Han calendar—essentially the night of a full moon—which falls near the Autumnal Equinox (on a day between September 8 and October 7 in the Gregorian calendar). In 2015, the Mid-Autumn Festival fell on September 27. It will occur on these days in coming years:[43]
Inserted by SP Lim from Wikipedia.
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
Day 4.6 – Our Burma Tour ~ Water Tour of Inle Lake
A lovely evening at Inle Lake of Myanmar
A lovely evening at Inle Lake of Myanmar
A Hot Day in the Shan Plateau, Myanmar
A Hot Day in the Shan Plateau, Myanmar near the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp of Burma.
Drying the shrimps
Starting off the New Year 2017, I was having problem with my right leg, unstable internet with outstanding emails reaching 10,657 just on Hotmail, and my memory of the handphone with video on Whatsapp cannot be played due to memory. Until I get my hands on fresh cash then I get a better handphone with bigger memory. Happy New Year?
SP Lim
Drying the shrimps at the fishing village of Kuala Sepetang or Port Weld
Sailing away
Saying goodbye to an eventful year of 2016 and looking forewards for a more unpredicatble 2017. Any how, wishing everyone a more Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2017.
SP Lim
Sailing away – saying goodbye to 2016
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) – The Final Chapter
(13.11.2016) Day 2:/ Yangon>> Heho- Pindaya – Kalaw
After Breakfast at Taw Win Hotel, Move to Yangon Domestic Airport to catch flight to Heho. Upon arrival in Heho, you will proceed by road directly to Pindaya (59 km – 2 hour), a quiet town on the banks of the serene Botoloke Lake. Home to the local Danu people, Pindaya can only be reached by small and windy roads which snake their way through mountain ranges from Mandalay, Inle Lake, or Bagan. Visit the renowned Pindaya Caves, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images, the caves are estimated to have been formed more than 200 million years ago. The opening of the cave involves a walk past the Shwe U Min Pagodas – giant white stupas which climb out of the ground. Continue on a narrow, winding and historic road (50km – 1 ½ hour) through the Shan Hills to Kalaw, a unique settlement that is situated on the perimeter of the Shan Plateau, which serves as a bazaar for many ethnic groups from the surrounding regions. Overnight in Amara Mountain Resort.
Lunch and Dinner by Own Account.
Extracted from the Official Itinerary.
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) – Leaving by the main entrance of Pindaya Caves.
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) – Aerial view of the Pindaya Caves Temple from the lift.
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) – Group photo of the Travellers – Mother, Sister, Brother-in-law and the Assistants – Tini and Han, Blogger was taking the photograph.
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) – Group photo of the Travellers – Mother, Sister, Brother-in-law and the Assistants – Tini and Han,
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) -Even as we were leaving, more Burmese visitors were arriving as today is a significant day of the super full moon of November 2016.
Day 2.18 – Pindaya Caves of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar)
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang
The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally: “the arrival of winter”) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time).
The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, “Returning”).
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get-togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers), called jiuniang.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.
