Kek Lok Si

Kuan Yin Pavillion

The breath-taking Kek Lok Si Temple...I bet everyone will be in awe when approaching Crane Hill. I was! Even though I have seen it a couple of time when I was a young girl, I still went...."WOW"!

Kek Lok Si @ Temple of Supreme Bliss is a Buddhist Temple located in Air Itam, Penang.  Construction started in 1890, opened to the public in 1905 but they are still improving on the temple until today. The Kuan Yin Pavillion (picture above) started its construction since 2009.

The best part about visiting this temple is that there is no fuss about the attire. Although, when you enter the prayer halls, visitors are requested to take off their shoes.

No entrance fees too, only a small fee of RM2 to visit the Kuan Yin statue and Pagoda.

The grounds on the top level

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship (Buddha)

This statue reminded me of Aladdin's genie!

View is amazing.

Yupp, it is a wooden duck in the pond!

What we think, we become. (Buddha)

Beautiful designs. The public can actually donate money to have their wishes written on the tiles for the roof.

(LOL) Okay Okay I was naughty to take this picture in the toilet! Well, I thought it is a good idea to tie a bundle of pandan leaves (screwpine) in each stall. Toilet smelt lovely... hehe!!!

Window carvings

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. (Buddha)

We started walking towards the Pagoda from here. Totally drenched because it was way too hot. There was not too many people at that time so it was okay. I was amazed to see the variety of flowers they have around the temple and they are all so well-taken care of.

I never see what has been done. I only see what remains to be done. (Buddha)

We are not given a good or bad life. We are given a life. It is up to us to make it good or bad. (Buddha)

Success hugs you in private. Failure slaps you in public. That's life! (Buddha)

Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. (Buddha)

The Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas

True love is born from understanding. (Buddha)

If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart. (Buddha)

Do not learn how to react. Learn how to respond. (Buddha)

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again. (Buddha)

In the end there are only 3 things that matters: How much you loved. How gently you lived. How gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. (Buddha)

Love this Father-Daughter shot. Both are cat lovers. Couldn't resist playing with the chubby cats in the temple.

Oh by the way, the famous Air Itam Assam Laksa and Sister Curry Mee stalls are situated at the foot of the temple. Together, they have served bowls of their goodness for about a 100 years. Amazing that people are still willing to stand and eat as tables and space are limited.

Armenian Street, George Town

The famous Armenian Street is one street every visitor should take a look  - George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. It started from the 19th century where an Armenian family resided. The picture above is one of the iron wall caricatures which can be found all over the streets. I personally prefer good ole street painting so a huge thanks to Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic who contributed his talent, passion and time to beautify George Town in his own artistic way.

Armenian street is filled with little charming shops that sells antiques and souvenirs. Small cafes can be found here and there too.

Ernest Zacharevic's designs all over George Town. Love them. Most of them have started to fade but visitors are still pretty enthusiastic about them. I am!

Nicole, my daughter, was rather tickled to drink fresh coconut juice out of a plastic bag!

I thoroughly enjoyed my walk although the sun was unkind. Thank goodness for fresh juices at every corner. Armenian Street is one unique place which I will love to visit again. This time, I will spend a whole day there so that I can visit each little quaint store and browse its goodies. There are also little museums and temples and cafes....okay I need to go back soon!

For those who love street art and have yet to visit Penang, here is the link for the street art map. Make it easier for you to hunt for the art. I have missed out on some as I had to fight for time, nevertheless, this is a really helpful map.

http://www.tourismpenang.net.my/pdf/street-art-brochure.pdf

Komtar Penang

Shot this in the cab. Pretty happy with myself!

KOMTAR - Kompleks Tun Abdul Rahman, 6th tallest building in Malaysia, looks impressive with its cylindrical design, and today it's highest level is at 68th floor - The Rainbow Skywalk. With Malaysia's humidity and kinda heat, it is not nice being out there under the sun. Still I was curious.

When we were there, they had a 1+1 promotion, RM88 for local adults. Guess we were a little lucky.

The entrance into Komtar. I was totally surprised. It was nicely maintained and decorated, kinda like a mini Universal Studios, with figurines of Captain America, Spidey, and other Hollywood characters. There are also small rides and exhibitions for children.

Stopped at the 65th floor Observatory Deck first. I liked the short video clip that everyone has to watch before it opens up like a theater to the spectacular view. Impressive starter.

There's a spot for you to test how it feels looking down from a glass panel on the floor.

This is the 68th floor lounge. Supposedly, they serve food and drinks. To my disappointment, waiters were not friendly nor efficient. Nothing seemed to be available so we had good ole Coke.

The lounge on the 68th floor deck. Very nice if it is not this humid. I dislike that they had such high glass panels. Made it difficult to take any pics unless you are standing on the Skywalk.

Lucky horseshoe chair. Don't look like one to me!

Skywalk - a glass observatory walkway. Not as scary as you think as it is just a short walkway. The photographers are very eager to take your photos though but the photos are sold dearly, at RM50 each or RM90 for 2. Just take your own pics!