Ayiravaisyar Sri Meenakshi Sundaraeswarar Temple

This Indian Temple is located on the road to the Penang Botanical Gardens and is not frequented by tourist. It is interesting to take a look at this place, unfortunately the gates were lock. I could not find any information on the net about this place. I am sure it has it's story to tell. :-)

Opposite this temple there is also another one Indian Temple. also lock up unfortunately.

Can anyone tell us the history of this two place?

Penang Botanic Gardens

Penangites know The Penang Botanic Gardens, as the Monkey Gardens or Waterfall Gardens Its was established by the British from an old granite quarry site in 1884. It is located in a deep valley, at the foot of 366 feet jungle clad hills, offer peace and tranquality amidst lush green surroundings, tropical plants and the vibrant colours of Penang's flora. It is, divided by a cascading stream that meanders through a sprawling 29 hectares of prime and undulating grounds.

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It’s one of its kind in Malaysia, greenery and tranquil setting makes it a favourite park. Besides, being a repository of flora & unique to the country and to the region, it serves as a "green lung" for Metropolitan Penang as it is only 8km form George Town.

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Scenes & Activities in the Gardens

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Various floras unknown to many are found in these gardens, Including the Unique Cannon Ball tree.

The gardens are also well-known for their bold Rhesus monkey.

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I would recommend that you visit this site

before you come here to get all the information on what is available to visit. http://jkb.penang.gov.my/

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Visiting Hour & Admission

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Open from 5.00 am to 8.00 pm every day of the year.

Admission is Free at the Main Entrance.

Research & Information ; Internet at

http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Penang/guide_botanical.htm

http://www.malaysiasite.nl/botanical.htm

I will let my photos do the talking.

At the Entrance, Stalls

Fruits stall

Hawker

Flora

Cannon Ball Tree Flower
A close up Photo

The Stream

New Monkey's of Monkey Garden



Feeding Monkeys at the Garden

Buppharam Buddist Temple

Buppharam Buddist Temple

The Entrance

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Information

Note: information from various websites and personal visit, but mainly from

http://www.mir.com.my/leofoo/Thai-amulets/Penang/Wat_Buppharam/index.htm

Photo are taken by Snapshot with a Fuji S700 compact zoom. During Wesak Day.

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The Entrance

Location

Located at No 8, Jalan Perak, George Town, Penang Island – the longest road in Penang. Actually to me it is located at Pulau Tikus.

What Here

It is Build in 1942 by a Thai Buddhist monk named Phothan Srikheaw, who was regarded as the first Chief Abbot of this temple. This relatively small but old Thai Buddhist temple complex was built in 1942 by a The founding father of the temple is honored by a gold leaf covered image, together with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Chief Abbot of this temple, located at the front portion, near to the main building of this temple. This Temple is also know as SAKAK CHAN WA and The Temple of the Lifting Buddha

The temple grounds are decorated with various mythical religious creatures, such as the traditional Thai Nagas, and deities that popular Thai religion "borrowed" from other cultures, a mixture of Hinduism and Taoism. The statue of Ganesha, the elephant headed Hindu deity is placed at the main entrance. On the left, there is a beautiful shrine consecrated to the goddess Kuan Yin, a Mahayana Bodhisattva, and on the far side leading to the burial grounds, there is a small shrine to the Land God, a Taoist deity. In spite of its modest size, Wat Buppharam has arguably one of the largest temple arches in Penang.

There is a mini Buddha statue which was placed at one of the room to let visitors/worshippers seeking for spiritual guidance for personal and/or business matters. This has lead to the name The Temple of The Lifting Buddha. Here you can check if your wish will succeed by Praying and then attempting to Lift the Buddha.

Personal Comments.

As I was visiting on Wesak Day, due to the crowd and baby sitting duties I did not attempt to go into the temple. I will need to visit the temple another time. The Photos taken are of the exterior of the Temple.

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What Else in the Area.

At the nearby Pulau Tikus near the Police Station there are coffee shop that offer the Unique Penang Street Food. There are 2 nearby Temples at Lorong Burma.

I actually find this temple more interesting then the near by and more popular Temples.

Prayer items on sales

Penang Tourist Attraction

A friend ask me to group Penang Tourist attraction in to enclaves or section in order for more efficient site seeing.

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Well, here it goes, the listing is a work in progress and I may have left out items, so readers out there if you do find any thing missing, or wish to promote a site by all means send me a comment.

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Information: http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my

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George Town

- Fort Corvallis - Good Mamak Mee can be found here (Blog Post)
- Clock Tower, Persiran King Edward
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Lebuh Leith
- Goddess of Mercy Temple Pitt Street
- Majid Kapitan Keling
- Clan Floating Villages (House on stilts at the Harbour
- Buildings at Bishop Street
- India Quarter – (Nasi Kandar)
- China Town, Various Temples in area
- Nagore Shrine, Lebuh King
- Penang Islamic Museum, Lebuh Armenian
- P. Ramlee's Birthplace & Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee
- Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Church Street
- Segara Ninda – former home of Ku Din Ku Meh, Jalan Penang
- State Art Gallery, Dewan Sri Pinang
- Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base, 120 Armenian Street
- Proposed Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum, Lorong Susu
- Acheen Street Mosque, Lebuh Acheen
- The Church of the Assumption
- Han Jiang Ancestrial Temple of the Penang Teochew Association, Lebuh Chulia
- Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon
- Sri Mariamman Temple, Lebuh Queen
- St. George’s Church, Lebuh Farquhar
Food (Stand alone)
- Nasi Kandar Line Clear at Alley Way
- Char Koey Teow at Lorong Selamat
- Open air food court & kopi tiam at New Lane
- New World Park Food Court
- Chicken Rice at Chulia Street

Pulau Tikus Area
- Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, Lorong Burma
- Nattukotai Temple, Jalan Air Terjun
- Wat Chayamankalaram, Lorong Burma
- Botanical Gardens, Jalan Air Terjun
- Youth Park

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Ayer Itam
- Penang State Mosque, Jalan Masjid Negeri
- Kek Lok Si Temple, Ayer Itam
- Penang Hill


South Island inc Balik Pulau Area
- Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Balik Pulau (older then St Anne)
- Oeding-Erdel factory tour, Bayan Lepas
- War Museum, Batu Maung
- Snake Temple, Sungai Kluang
- The Aquarium of the Fisheries Research Institute, Batu Maung
- Admiral Cheng Ho Temple (Blog Post)
- Bukit Jambul Orchid and Hibiscus Garden, Bukit Jambul
- Kampung Seronok, Batu Maung
- Pulau Jerejak
- Penang Bridge
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Beach / North (Tg Bungah – Batu Ferringhi)
- Toy Museum, Tanjung Bungah
- Butterfly Farm, Teluk Bahang
- Teluk Bahang Recreational Forest, Jalan Teluk Bahang
- Tropical Fruit Farm, Jalan Teluk Bahang
- National State Park
- Tropical Spice Garden, Jalan Teluk Bahang
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Mainland (SPS, SPT)
- St. Anne’s Church, Bukit Mertajam
- Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest
- Bukit Panchor Recreational Forest (blog Post, Bukit Panchor State Park)
- Penang National Park - our little green pocket
- Pulau Jerejak
- Pulau Aman
- Mengkuang Dam, Bukit Mertajam
- Penang Bird Park, Jalan Todak
- St. Anne’s Church, Jalan Kulim, Bukit Mertajam

Admiral Cheng Ho Temple or Shrine / Sam Po Temple (Footprint)

A off the beaten trek tourist spot but a well known one is the Sam Po (Footprint) temple at Batu Maung, Penang Island.

Entrance to the Temple

It is located near the Penang Airport, next to the LKIM complex (fishery management) and just beside a Chinese Seafood Restaurant at the Tiny Fishing Village of Batu Maung.

A close up of the Statue

What is located Here?

There is a footprint (in rock) that is surpose to be 33inches long, which some say is surpose to be the foot print of Admiral Cheng Ho. Others say its belongs to the Legendary Hanuman or Monkey God. There is now a nice shrine or temple built here.

The Foot Print, coins thrown in for luck.

Who is Admiral Cheng Ho?

Cheng Ho is a legendary Chinese mariner who has lead a fleet of ships exploring the seven seas during the 1400+, he is also know as Zheng He, Sam Poh, Ma Po, Temples in his name can as it is known can be found in Perak, Cameron Highlands and Malacca.

Painting at Entrace showing Cheng Ho and His Fleet

Years ago!

Years ago, my father use to bring me here to a restaurant, that have concrete figures of animals cartoon caracters, now this restaurant have close down. My memories of this place is playing next to the animal and cartoon caracters, and even putting my feet to compare it size. at that time the foot print was right at the sea side.

A Bell in the Temple

The current temple

Is upgraded in 2003 to 2005, with a beautiful gate way entrance, the temple it self and the foot print is turn in to a well within the temple, beautiful manicure garden and a delighful pool full of carps.

View of the Temple

Other Activities

There are also two other tourist spots, the Penang War Museum and the Aquarium. In the are. There is a (Chinese) seafood restaurant here which is open of lunch and dinner.

Just in front of the Temple

For more information on Cheng Ho visit here.

Where to go for Good Char Koey Teow in Penang?

Up Market Char Koey Teow at a Resort in Penang
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In a earlier post Penang Street Food, I have introduce to you one of Penang Premier Culinary Attractions, Char Koey Teow, or Fried Flat Rice Noodles. Penangite in general are addicted to this dish and I am one of them ;-)

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To a Penangite, Char Koey Teow prepared outside of the Penang Island just does not taste the same, though many Penangite have migrated and made their living selling this humble and easy to prepare dish in other towns and cities in Malaysia as well as overseas.

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On the Medical note, there are those who avoided this dish, as it is said to be greasy, oily high in “Bad” fat, and sodium especially those prepared using lard. So Medical Warning. Eat at your own risk! For me a plate or two should do no harm right?

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The Ingredients and Recipe of Char Koey Teow

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So what is it that you need to prepare a plate of Char Koey Teow? The Basic are these though there are many variations. How much of each to put, well that up to you.

Flat Rice Noodles / Koey Teow

Soya Sauce

Pepper

Seasoning

Taugeh, or Beansprouts

Chives or Green Leave Vegetables

Garlic

Oil

Chili Paste

Shrimps

Cockles

Egg – (duck is the best {extra fragrant}, but chicken will do)

Pork Sausage – Slice (though many prepare it with out this ingredients)

Fried Pork Fat Cubes (though many prepare it with out this ingredients)

Some of the Ingreadients Required, (Not All)

The Key to make this taste dish?

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Some swear by charcoal fire, using a banana leaf to line the plate, use of Fried Pork Fat Cubes and many more. For me the key is preparing this dish a plate at a time, or at the most 2 portions at a time which ensure the “Heat” of the wok is most effective, which unfortunately slow down the speed this dish is prepared. There are stalls where patrons wait for 1 hour or more for their fix of Char Koey Teow, as the dish is prepared one by one.

Key to Good Char Koey Teow, the Heat.

Where to enjoy this dish in Penang?

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Listed here are a 10 location where my family enjoy Char Koey Teow, All of this are old timers having stated their business 20 or more years ago, and my family have been patronizing them. I am not saying they are the best, but they are in our opinion good. Also when we have char koey teow, we just have char koey teow, nothing else. So some of this stalls are standalone stalls. Note: the 10 listed here is where our family patronise, there are many out there that may be better, but not know to us.

Location Map, Please note the number do not indicate their rank, it’s just for convenience.

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Tanjung Bunga

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(9) Stall at Jalan Loh Poh Heng, Hillside, Tanjung Bungah, Opposite the Toy Museum.
Located midway along this road is a Stall that sell Char Koey Teow, you can enjoy alfresco dinning next to the street, but you can have it in a nearby coffeeshop. Lunch and Tea Time only. See this link, Been in business for 20 years plus

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(10) Stall at Hawker Center, Tanjung Bungah Market,
Located at the nearest cubicle to the Market, Breakfast only, See this link, Been in Business for 20 year plus. Try out the Chee Chong Fun here, Hongkong and Normal types but separate stalls. See this Link
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Bagan Jamal

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(8) Gurney Drive Hawker Center, alfresco dinning next to the sea, with 100’s of food stalls, in particular the Halal Chinese Char Koey Teow is good here. .

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Pulau Tikus

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(6) Coffee Shop in front of Police Station, Lunch, Tea Time only, in a small typical coffee shop 30 years plus.

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(7) Pulau Tikus Market, Street Hawker Center, Night Only, around 20 years, alfresco dinning, with many other verities.

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George Town

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(4) New World Park Hawker Center, Whole day, If you want to eat in comfort, with large verity of other decent quality food, this the place for you. OK Char Koey Teow here. See Link. 30 years plus. See this link.

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(5) New Lane Food Street, Night Only, Normal Char Koey Teow , choice of seating in coffee shop or alfresco style.

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(1) Lorong Selamat, mark in red due to its price, (2007) RM5.00, normal plate, Extra at RM8++, with large prawns, this price is around 50% higher then normal. There are 2 stalls here that are comparable with each other and both use charcoal fire. Reputed to be the best in town. Lunch, Tea Time only, Please be prepared to wait up to one hour. See Link, here and here for both place 30 years plus. See this Link

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(2) Federal Place, In a Coffee shop located opposite “federal place” (former theater), see link, again mark in red due to its price, with large prawns. (2007) RM5.00, normal plate, Extra at RM8++, with Duck egg, 30 year plus See this link.

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Ayer Itam

(1) Round About Char Koey Teow, 30 plus years, located just before round about to Ayer Itam, in a corner coffee shop, slightly above normal price. Ideal place for breakfast if you are heading for Kek Lok Si Temple or Penang Hill. See this Link

Key - Good Wok Skills

Making it at Home

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You can use substitute like yellow noodles, or even pasta if you cannot find the flat rice noodles, but there is no replacement for the “heat” , Char Koey Teow prepared at home just have no kick, but those penangite away from home will sure try.

Po Tay Buddist Temple

Category : Off the Beaten Path, Buddhist Temple.

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What to Expect, & Key Attractions

Antiques on Display!, Note the Bell.

Po Tay Buddhist Temple is a temple where the ancestor tablets of a chinese family is place. The main hall have is a large room with many of this tablets, and prayers are held, on a daily, monthly and yearly basis by the nuns them self. One May visit this temple daily. But what special here is the actual temple it self which is on the side of the Main Hall.

Antiques on Display!, Note the Drum.

What you can find here are some Antiques on display such as the Bell and Drum above, and the Altar it self. Photo displayed. Very Different from the Taoist Temples, and the other Buddhist temples that are heavily promoted in Penang.

Lady Praying at the Altar.

It is very quite here, if fact the door may even not be open, and if offer a very different prospective on life in Penang, one that is rarely seen.

Close up of the Lord Buddha

If you are in the area, and have the time, Drop by.

Location : At Gollib Road, Penang Island.

Hotel near here are G Hotel, & Berjaya Hotel.