God Welcoming Ceremony

This was another long working day for me. While on the way back after dinner, I found some extraordinary crowds in downtown. I realized it immediately that was the people coming to participate a God welcoming ceremony during this Nine Emperor's Celebration. Although I am born & grown in this city, I have never witness the God welcoming ceremony for the past decades. And that moment, I decided to park my car and join the crowd. As I know the ceremony begins at the Kinta River bank near Hugh Low Bridge. On my arrival, I could see the pathway to the river was lighted up by candles & joss sticks. And when the parade started march back to the temple of Tow Boh Keong, there are scenes that had been disappearing from my life for many years resumed & recall so much of my childhood memory. This is certainly a special night of mine.

Another New Tenant at Lau Ek Ching Street

Busy workers are transforming these shops into a bistro. It's great to see a new tenant coming into Lau Ek Ching Street. I am sure this will make the street a more attractive place to visit. I am quite looking forward to see the outcome of restoration. Let's see what will it be several weeks later.

Stories of My Home Town

We probably have heard a lot of stories about the rich & famous in Ipoh since its establishment over a century ago. Stories of tycoons in the industry of tin mining, plantation, properties & so on. Those big names also marked on our road map to commemorate their contribution to the city's development. Somehow we have a chance to hear the story of the ordinary people of Ipoh, those whom might be the girl or boy next door in our life. And the stories are just like many of our experience in the early years. Thanks to a dedicated team lead by Commander Ian Anderson, a book named "Ipoh, My Home Town" is launched today. The team, which is running the website Ipoh World, has spent years to collect information & photographs of local residents and finally edited into this book, probably the first volume of it which possibly more to come in near future. I feel so grateful to have such dedicative people who put so much effort in preserving the history of life in Ipoh. I am sure this book will touch the heart of Ipohites & people from the towns at its surrounding. The launching ceremony was held in Royal Ipoh Club. It was simple but meaningful with the speech presented by Commander Ian Anderson & Tun Lim Keng Yaik. I have got my copy right here. If you like to order the book, you can visit the website of Ipoh World.

Congratulations to the team!!

Morning With The White Coffee

When first time heard about "white coffee", I believe many would have the same thought as mine in the past; is there really coffee in white color? Well, later when get to know about the real reason of calling it "white" coffee is just because the coffee bean is fried to be lighter color compare to normal bean. From knowing nothing about it until almost addicted to it, white coffee is now a must for many people in the morning, just like me :-)

Traditional Biscuit Shop, Ching Han Guan

Ching Han Guan, in Cantonese "Zhong Hon Yuin" (鍾漢元) is a well known name in Ipoh as a popular traditional biscuit shop. Founded in 1949, it has been based at Hugh Low Street for more than half a century & almost every elderly Ipoh citizen knows about it. There varieties of biscuits sold here, which attract many migrated Ipoh people come back to find their familiar tasty biscuits. Despite running traditional business, Ching Han Guan is now also found in cyber world at http://www.chg.my. And a new signboard with modern design coexists with it's original main board is telling us the traditional biscuit shop is ready to enter the new era.

The Beautiful Sunset After Work

It's a warm day with only little cloud in the sky. When driving to dinner after work, the colorful scenery at western mountain range chased away my tire. It has been quite some time I did not capture beautiful sunset like this.

Who Will Fix Me Back?

The road sign at traffic light junction in front of Kinta City Shopping Center is being knocked down by someone. It has been laying on the road divider for some time & I don't see the relevant department come to fix it back or replace a new one. This happen everywhere in the city. Apart from road signs, street lamp is also a usual victim of road accidents.

A Hope for SPH de Silva Building

As compare to the photo posted in June 2009, SPH de Silva Building has been further deteriorated today. Anyway, I find the building is recently covered at one side. Could it be some restoration work is going on? I really hope there is a new owner giving it new life & return the beauty of the building

Value of An Old Building

Metal frames are installed onto the exterior of this old shophouse at Hugh Low Street. This building used to house one of the best curry noodles in town many years ago, so called Chuan Fong (泉芳). The front side of this shop was once bang by a car & collapsed its front portion. The curry noodle stall then moved to another shop at the opposite row & this building is left vacant until today. I believe the metal frame will be carrying billboard but I have no idea the shophouse will be occupied or it just used for hanging advertisement on the exterior. If the latter is true, I feel so sad where old shophouses in town become such lack of value nowadays.

Crowd At "Dim Sum" Street Again

Leong Sin Nam Street, some also call it "dim sum" street, is getting crowded again. Visitor from outstation come to have Ipoh's famous Hong Kong dim sum. Three restaurants, Foh San, Yoke Fook Moon & Ming Court are making this street hub of dim sum & usually seen with traffic congestion around this area.