Restored and Move Forward

I have posted several times about this building, back in 2009 and May this year. From the very beginning as a hotel during the years when I wasn't exist in this world, to the fast food restaurant in 1980's (Gandy's, any Ipoh folks still remember?), to electrical appliances shop. The cycle of getting abandoned and occupied had been repeated several times. This building has gone through ups and downs, and recently just being restored again to become a supermarket. Amazingly, the new owner appreciates the building original architecture pretty well, where it is repainted to outline the window frames and the embossed old Chinese characters on its facade. I hope the building will be continuously well-maintained and I am sure this is one of the masterpieces in Ipoh that worth to be preserved for our future generations.

Another Sky Painting

You may think this photo has been edited of its color, but it is not. The color of the sky was truly awesome when I snap this photo. Reflection of sunlight by the clouds during sun set would create all kinds of unexpected amazing painting in the sky.

 

Wall Disappearing

In the heart of busy downtown, some upgrading and beautifying works are carried out by the city council along Osbourne Street to make this one of the most visited spots of Ipoh more charming. Underground drainage system is being rebuilt, where trenches were digged very close to the shophouses. Due to the side wall of trenches were not reinforced, and it was passing by right beside the pillars of shophouses, one of those eventually collapsed and torn down partial of the wall at upper floor. This is where my parents get to know each other and they used to stay in the upper floor decades ago.

 

An Unknown but Unique Small Forest

You may not know or not even notice that there is such a small forest locating right beside the busy Kuala Kangsar Road in this rapid growing area of Klebang. Unlike typical tropical thick forest, here you will find trees with thin and tall trunk lining up, which gives you a unique scene. Anyway, I am not optimistic of its survival in this growing area. Eventually bulldozers and heavy machineries will march in and bring them down for constructing houses or factories.

The Heritage and Modern Towers

A view from Station Road that sees the heritage tower of OCBC Bank (formerly The Straits House) and the modern tower of The Octagon. Fortunately Ipoh is not overwhelmed by modern skyscrapers, which still make heritage building prominent and outstanding.

Wanna Say "Hello" to Kitty?

Well, I just don't need to elaborate much on this photo. Apparently this is the car owned by a fan of Hello Kitty. And there are many more out there showing their loyalty to Hello Kitty with their cars. Anyway, I do like this as it always brings excitement to the public.

Social Bistro, We Are Waiting....

It was quite an exciting news when knowing Social Bistro is going to open in Old Town and contributes to its growth. However, the progress of renovation is extremely slow since 2014. And we yet to see any visible schedule of its completion and opening for business. Let's just wait and see by crossing our fingers that it won't turn halted.

Weather "Switch"

In my recent posts, there are many complaints about hot weather in Ipoh. Although the Malaysian Meteorological Department had announced more than a month ago that the effect of El Nino ended and we would experience long rainy season in the second half of 2016. It wasn't turn true which very much disappointed me, whom very fragile in fighting high temperature environment. However, the weather changed dramatically since last week, just like turning on a switch. Rainfall, or sometimes downpour, would hit the valley almost every afternoon. There were even few full raining days in the week. This has eventually removed all the accumulated heat in the past few months and return a fresh and comfort atmosphere for living.

Poor Old Man

I am not sure others realize that there are many senior citizens are collecting recyclable trash in the city. They normally picking polymer containers, papers, cartons, aluminium or other metal stuffs. Some would carry along by hands, some use trolley or tricycle. It seems they are consistently doing it. All these trashes could only bring them very tiny earning, which tells us they are most probably living in very poor and difficult situation. This reminds me of the scene that I published 2 years ago and the same question shall be asked.

We Are Number 6

This is truly a big surprise news, not just to Ipoh but the whole nation, that Ipoh is listed at sixth among the ten best Asia destinations to be visited in 2016 by Lonely Planet, a well-known international travel guide publisher. Over the years, Ipoh is probably a secondary destination of most travelers or just a pass-by city between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Despite the increased number of tourists are plotting Ipoh in their traveling route, most Ipoh citizen do not realize the focus on this valley city. This could be resulting from the natural growth of many new tourist attraction spots without too much publicity and the effect of social networks that promote Ipoh through personal sharing. 

Ipoh has just reached a new milestone and much more effort needed from the locals to develop the tourism industry. This is a gifted home which surrounded by natural mountains & clean water falls, irreversible history & beautiful heritage, delicious food & hospitality, which would certainly impress our guests. We would go further by appreciating and appropriately utilizing these resources and advantages. Good luck Ipoh!

Looking Out from De Garden

Looking out from De Garden multi-storey car park top floor, the skyline of Ipoh city center changes significantly resulting from the completion of several high rise projects. It seems there are more buildings rose on left part of first photo as compare to the scene captured in 2013. The view continues to change but will not be impressive.

The Moment Before Storm

An afternoon storm is approaching. Thick clouds are covering almost the entire Ipoh city. Even though downpour on certain days in the past few weeks, the rainfall is pretty unpredictable and we still not fully relieved from the heat which accumulated since last few months. It's everyone's wish to chase away the sultriness and I am looking forward to having continuous rainy days soon.

Kinta City New Look

It seems the major renovation of Kinta City is coming to the final stage. The painting work of the facade is almost finished, which seen with very different look from its previous appearance that maintained for 19 years. Probably this is the right time for Kinta City to put on new dress for celebrating its 20th anniversary. By the way, I find the random lines painted on the mall surface also seen on Aeon Klebang. Could this be a designated pattern of Aeon Malls in Ipoh?

New Skyline in Medan Ipoh

Here come one of the modern looking condominium buildings in town. After 2 years of construction, D'Festivo eventually completed and making skyline change of the rapid developing Medan Ipoh. It would be further upgraded when the few under-construction skyscraper projects in the vicinity turn true.

Big Screen Is Coming To The Park

There is a structure installed at Railway Station Park. Obviously this is a frame for an LED screen, if I got it right. Anyway, there is still no sign of screen installation but yet the frame itself is considered the best looking one among all LED screens in the city. Anyone ready to advertise here, or this may be reserved for the local authority only?

Mission Accomplished

I have witnessed the assembly of tower crane of The Octagon 2 years ago, and now I am here watching the dismantling of this crane. It has finally accomplished its mission to construct this 23-storey building in Ipoh downtown. Time flies, as I feel like the commencing of The Octagon construction a yesterday story.

The Young Footballers

Today is a nice cloudy day for outdoor activities. A group of young footballers are having their training at Ipoh Padang this evening. Some of these young boys may become state or national player in the future.

Residences Growing in Vertical

High rise condominium is not Ipoh's mainstream of living style, but such concept is getting more popular in recent years. I believe this mainly comes from people's higher expectation in living environment, especially security, privacy and community facilities. These two luxury condominium projects running side by side are progressing aggressively on the golden land of Polo Ground-Tiger Lane area. Although we won't expect condominiums to mushrooming in Ipoh, demand of such property would, anyway, growing in the city.

Another Building Goes Empty

7 years after my previous post that published at 15-May-2009, this building has lost its last tenant, a home appliances shop. I am not sure this is due to the impact of economic downturn or some other factors, but I do observe there are many properties around the city are pasted with such yellow poster by property agents looking for occupants. It seems situation is getting tougher nowadays.

New Town Children's Playground

How many of us still remember the Children's Playground at Anderson Road? It used to be a popular playground and recreation park in New Town decades ago, which is still a sweet memory of many Ipoh folks. Indeed the park was directly accessible from Anderson Road, Brewster Road and Osborne Street in the past. Somehow its boundaries at Brewster Road and Osborne Street are now occupied by modern building and hawker stalls respectively. The landscape and structures in the park appeared to be poorly maintained, and we do not see children playing in the park.

City View from Aeon Big Falim

This is my second visit to Aeon Big Falim, Midtown Shopping Mall. The mall is currently partially occupied with only Aeon Big and some shoplots at north wing are operating. Aeon Departmental Store on its south wing will probably commence business this coming September. Finding parking is not an issue over here; plenty of parking lots available on the ground. Anyway, I choose to park at the roof top because I yet to experience the panoramic view from here. Its perimeter wall is pretty high, which I believe is to prevent any falling accident. It's not easy to grab a complete Ipoh city skyline but I am able to snap the skyline of New Town and Old Town. The above photo is probably an angle that could see most working tower cranes in one glance. Could you point out all the 9 cranes in this photo?

Close up view of New Town can be split into 2 portions; the city center which seen Ipoh downtown current tallest building, The Octagon and others such as The Majestic, MBI, Tower Regency Hotel, Excelsior Hotel and so on, whereas another snapshot focuses on city outskirt, which seen tower cranes of two new condominium projects (Kampung Paloh & Tin City), Impiana Hotel, Prima Ipoh Condo, Damaipuri Condo, etc.

Old Town skyline remains stagnant since the completion of Cititel Express Hotel. In my opinion, Old Town shall avoid intensive modernization in order to maintain low density of high rise building and minimize construction of new building for preserving its heritage appearance.

Construction of Pullman Hotel in May'16

The works were started pretty slow for the project of Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC) and the Pullman Hotel & Residences. My guess, it may be caused by the change of plan to increase building floors of the hotel & residence blocks. Anyway, the construction pace is recently gear up and one of the blocks is seen reaching 14-15 floors now, almost the same height with its surrounding high rise towers. Once it achieves full height at 24 floors (if the information I obtained is correct), Pullman Hotel will be a standout building in Greentown.

The Heat Wave is Going to End

It is constantly raining during late afternoon everyday. Although not heavy enough to cure the warm atmosphere, it prevents the heat from accumulating day-to-day. Since the begin of rainy days, I believe this heat wave, probably the worst in the history of Malaysia, will be over soon.

Food Truck - New Generation Mobile Hawker

Food trucks are no longer strange to Ipoh citizens. Some local and outstation food trucks often visit tourist hot spots of Ipoh to promote their unique and delicious food and beverages. If we recall the history of street hawking during 1960's, 70's & 80's, there were many mobile hawkers around the city, which appeared in much simpler setup, tricycle or three-wheel motorcycle.

Tough Job

It is really tough to work under direct hot sun. The car mechanic is trying very hard to put the car engine back in operation. Not just the extreme hot weather that he has to bare with, but the pressure to complete his repair job as fast as possible during this afternoon rush hour at one of the busiest trunk roads in the city.

Start of Hazy Days?

The visibility in the city seems reducing a little in recent days. Despite dry and hot weather, many irresponsible people still practicing open burning which worsening the air pollution. We could begin to see sign of hazy atmosphere when mountains and buildings at distant are slightly faded.

Grilled and Barbecued

When I am feeling like being grilled by the sun, I also imagine the pigeons are being barbecued. The effect of heavy rain yesterday has completed vanished after the sun rises for few hours. The Malaysian Meteorological Department has predicted the extreme weather due to El Nino will most probably lasts until April.

Finally Rainfall in the City

It is enough torture by the extremely warm weather that lasts for almost a month. I guess no one in the city is not wishing to receive a downpour to stop us from sweating day and night. Finally we have a half-hour rainfall in Ipoh this afternoon. Watching splashes of rain water become such an exciting moment while enjoying the cooler atmosphere.

Solving Public Parking Problems

The new building of Ipoh general hospital, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) is progressing quite aggressively. It will provide additional parking lots for the public once completed. Currently many visitors of the hospital are taking risk to park their cars illegally at both sides of Hospital Road, as seen in this photo. It is sometimes causing traffic congestion during rush hours, especially the direction towards city center. Hoping that the new hospital building will solve this public parking problem.

Green Belt Turns Brownish

Well, I can't stop talking topics about the hot weather. This is another typical scene when hot and dry season prolonged. Grass at road side or on the divider would normally goes dry out first due to the limited soil, which means limited reservoir of water. When the situation worsen, we may see the "green belt" along the road turn into "brown belt" and eventually "black belt"; too dry to get ignited easily by any source of fire, most often caused by cigarette butts.