Cloudy Warm Day

The weather in Ipoh is getting warmer and warmer although there was sometimes cloudy or even thunder storm in the evening. Such condition creates high humidity atmosphere which makes people feeling much more uncomfortable. Anyway, this is kind of back to typical weather of Chinese New Year after several years experience of unexpected rainy days during this period.

 

Going Red This Month

It's two more weeks to go to celebrate Chinese New Year. Red has become theme color in the Chinese community and also restaurants, coffee shops & shopping malls. Apart from red lantern, pineapple in red or yellow is also one of the favorite decoration items because it carries the close pronunciation in Cantonese and Hokkien dialect as "prosperity approaching" (旺来). In view of the busy modern life, to me, having 2 weeks to prepare for the new year celebration is consider "last minute". Anyway, while we indulge in the joyful celebration, let's not forget the unfortunates in our society and do share our brilliant moments with them.
 

The Flying Cleaner

Ipoh has limited number of high rise building, yet many of them are not well maintained of its exterior. We often see dirty windows, mottled walls that probably being cleaned or painted after many years. This morning an unusual scene appears at Bougainvillea Building. A worker is cleaning the exterior wall of this building but no suspended platform is used to carry the man. He is just directly tied on steel cable hanging in the air to complete his cleaning job. I am pretty sure he is not feeling good with such setup, not to mention this would last for hours. 



 

An Old Clock for The Public

It was not that affordable for everyone to own a watch in those old days. Therefore people were depend on the public time indicator, such as clock tower. Leech Street which has been busy and congested since long time ago is having no suitable place for a clock tower, And this old watch shop of Wing Kwong was doing publicity by offering the public a big clock in front of their shop. By looking at the style, this clock should have been telling time to the neighbourhood of Leech Street for more than 30 years and still operating accurately. Anyway I believe people nowadays would read time from their watch or even from mobile phone rather than looking to this clock.

 

Long Weekend Congestion

Many people will enjoy a long weekend because Monday is a replacement holiday for Thaipusam which falls on Sunday. As usual, going back hometown or having a short trip to other town is most Malaysian's choice. This always gets Ipoh packed with visitors and cars, especially at the famous eatery area and shopping centres.

 

Old Wooden Plaque

Traditionally, Chinese businessman is very much concern on the wooden plaque with shop name on top of the shop entrance. Tearing down the plaque symbolizing the fall of business and it is always a taboo to disturb the plaque. However, when we walk along five-foot way of old shophouses in downtown, there are many non-operating shops with their plaque left behind, accompanying the mottled wall and rusted gate. The glorious past is no longer remembered, it is just waiting for another chapter to begin.

 

The Replacement

There were many downtown shophouses abandoned since 10-20 years ago due to the rapid development at suburban areas that withdraw some population from city center. However, value of downtown buildings at certain areas are bouncing back in recent years. Somehow the redevelopment does not favor to the heritage buildings because many are reconstructing follow the suburban way. Although some would try to design the new building to be harmony with its neighbourhood but this has killed the root and uniqueness of this city. As I see many old shophouses have deteriorated to no-turning point, which are just waiting to meet its end, replacements as seen in this photo will gradually dominate this city's appearance.
 

How Long Would "Odeon" Survive?

Back in April 2009, I have posted the condition of this old building, which was originally Odeon Cinema, then came in the well known Rainbow City and later many other night clubs that I can't name them all because it had changed too frequent (Its last occupant must be Kargo but I bet there is only a handful of Ipoh people could recall this name). It has been abandoned for 4 years or more and probably no one knows how long would it survive. Are we willing to just leave it deteriorate or awaiting an inferno that eventually bring it down to the ground? (like the cases that happened to many old buildings in Ipoh)

 

Beautiful Mall at Night

Mydin Mall in Meru Raya is the biggest mall of this local chained hypermarket in Malaysia. Despite its size, the exterior architecture of main entrance side which display unique Islamic pattern making it one of the best looking buildings in Ipoh. The mall become even more charming at night when embellished with appropriate lighting.

 

Blue Sky & The Clock Tower

This is simply an irresistible scene of delightful white clock tower with beautiful blue sky backdrop. Since the beautification work finished on Birch Memorial Clock Tower, this is undeniably an eye-catching building in Old Town.

 

Lonely Canvas Camp Bed

Looking at this canvas camp bed, which was also part of my life when I was ten, it makes me to imagine the living environment in Old Town was so congested during those old days. Somehow population in Old Town is now getting lesser when more and more occupants are moving out to housing estates in view of the living quality of these old buildings is indeed not satisfactory despite convenience of having all kind of basic needs supply at the neighbourhood. And I realize that such camp bed is now hardly appear in our daily life. Probably one day it will be completely eliminated.

 

The Moment Before Rain Fall

The view from higher ground is always amazing. On the top floor of De Garden multi-storey car park, I am able to capture this moment where rain starts to fall at southern part of Ipoh. There is always an idea in my mind; if the roof level of this car park convert into a restaurant, that will be probably an attractive place to enjoy nice food & a beautiful 360° scene.

 

A Brighter Central Market

As a result from the setup of UTC, Central Market building finally gets some exterior lighting & making surrounding streets a brighter environment. However, due to no additional commercial value from the establishment of UTC, this part of New Town is still a dead district with very limited people visiting at night. To hope for the local authorities for turning the situation is kind of impossible.

 

"Images of Ipoh" 4th Anniversary

"Images of Ipoh" is 4 years old!! And there are already over 900 photos posted here for sharing. I never expect I could go this far and truly grateful to have you loving to read the posts and photos in this blog. In order to celebrate the birthday of "Images of Ipoh", I choose to return to this same location and capture the scene which was published in the very first post 4 years ago. Thank you very much!!

 

Red Lantern at Hugh Low Street

Lighting decoration in town is seen to have added with new features. While Chinese New year is approaching, the city council has put on numbers of red lantern along Hugh Low Street and Brewster Road to enhance the festive atmosphere. These 2 main streets of Ipoh are always the designated spot for festive season decoration.

 

 

The Majestic Official Launching

Official launching for The Majestic was held at Osborne Street's developer office this morning. The ceremony includes seminar presented by property investment expert Mr. Ho Chin Soon & fengshui master Professor David Koh. Visitors had flooded the launching site & its show unit within the office. I find that most of the apartment units are booked and wondering Ipohites begin to accept high rise apartment living concept. Nevertheless, this is a good sign that could promote property development in Ipoh and regain the population in city center.

 

A Disappointing UTC

Since the project of UTC (Urban Transformation Centre) began, I had been looking forward to return to this building of Super Kinta to recall my memory of this legendary supermarket & departmental store of Ipoh. I am not curious about what is running inside but just wish to refresh my experience in this floor. And this day has come. Upon arrival at the main entrance, the staircase that lead us to the lobby at 2nd floor still remained but dressed with nicer tiles & paint. I still feel good when reaching the reception counter because I can recognize the surrounding and trying to recall how it looked like in the past. However, when proceed further, I feel great disappointment because the previous spacious environment and tall ceiling have been replaced by just an ordinary office-like interior. And I start realize this is simply another building that bring some government service counters under one roof, whereby these departments' office are indeed not too far from here. This idea has been applied before in the Greentown Federal Building, but later many departments moved out to setup their individual building at Meru Raya. Now the similar game is being played right here. I am wondering how much taxpayer money has been spent for this white elephant project. Is this anything to do with "transformation"? Worst still I find most counters are having no visitor, leaving the government officers chit chatting in the comfortable environment.

 

Osborne Homestay & Apartments

We are seeing many budget hotels opened in town but renovating old shophouse become hotel or service apartment is not that popular. The best and well known example that I can easily think of is Sekeping Kong Heng. And this one, The Osborne Homestay & Apartments at Osborne Street (Jalan Dato Tahwil Azhar) is an unexpected case. It is sitting at a strategic location that eases the search for food, convenient store, bank & bars. Old shophouses & buildings in downtown seem rising in potential as a result of increased commercial activities in Ipoh recently.

 

Perak Turf Club Tower

There only 3 turf clubs established in Malaysia. Perak Turf Club is one of those while the other 2 are Penang Turf Club and Selangor Turf Club. I am sure this Grandstand tower must be familiar to Ipoh citizens as it has been standing here since 1971 and its unique design has made it an iconic building in Ipoh.

 

Get Some Sweetie from Yes Yogurt

Yes, it's another place for some sweetie, it's Yes Yogurt. The shop is loacted at Cowan Street and right opposite to St. Patrick Irish Bar. Bright colors in the spacious space is really delighting. You can choose to have juices, yogurt drinks or self-service frozen yogurt at the dispensing machine. Although it is pretty quiet in Yes Yogurt tonight, I do believe it must be fun to stay for the nice cold drinks and enjoy net surfing, especially during the warm days.

 

City Skyline from Coliseum Square

I always like to search for higher ground to capture photo of Ipoh city skyline. Multi-storey car park is my preferred choice, especially those stand alone building with very few obstacle around. This time, the 7-storey tall Coliseum Square become my target this afternoon. I simply drive to the highest car park level and point my lens towards city center to get this scene. The several high rise buildings as seen from right of this photo are MBI (Ipoh City Council), Ipoh Parade & the under-construction Weil Hotel, Syuen Hotel, Excelsior Hotel and Kinta Riverfront Hotel. Apparently, hotels are dominating Ipoh's skyline. And there are few more above 18 storeys hotel & suites projects about to commence; The Majestic, The Octagon and Laman Bougainvillea Convention Centre.

 

Blue Sky in a Sunny Day

Even if we do not pay attention on daily weather, one would start realize the change has begun. The frequency of raining is obviously reduced & it is often sunny day with blue sky. I believe the heat will gradually accumulated & the typical warm days during Chinese New Year will come very soon.

 

The Red Wave is Back

Soon after Christmas & New Year, shopping malls, hotels & shops begin to change its decoration theme color to red, because Chinese New Year is just about a month from now. Red lantern is certainly a must in all CNY decoration & plum blossom would further embellish the environment. Kinta City is ready to welcome the year of snake with a red wave at the center court. Time for festive shopping begins.

 

Ipoh Airport Terminal's New Face



The expansion of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport has been completed recently. Its terminal building had gone through a thorough renovation which change the entire appearance. Modern architecture with spacious & naturally bright interior is making it totally different from previous terminal. When the terminal facilities are being upgraded, the runway is also extended to 2,000m which allows larger aircraft to land in this airport. Hopefully there will be more flight routes being established to connect Ipoh with other major cities and bring in more visitors & investors.
 



Going Into 2013

After a all night long new year countdown celebration, the first day of 2013 is seen to be peaceful & relax with smooth traffic. This is also the end of long vacation for many people who have been off their working position for 4 days or more. In order to avoid from stuck in expressway heavy traffic, many might have left Ipoh to continue their struggle for better life. Wishing all to have a happy & fortune year of 2013!!