Ipoh Downtown Hotel

Before we get the answer of why hotel industry suddenly boosting in Ipoh, another hotel, namely Ipoh Downtown Hotel, is about to open at Brewster Road. It is standing on the site of 3 prewar shop houses which were torn down several years ago. The 7-storey building displays a pretty unique appearance that looked like a Chinese character or QR code.

 

I Remember It As Beauty Supermarket

Different generation of Ipoh citizen would give you different answer when being asked about this building. To me, this is the first supermarket I know, namely Beauty Supermarket. It was once the most popular spot of shopping in Ipoh back in 1970's-80's. But I can't remember in which year Beauty ceased operation & later turned into Popular Book Store, then Hai-O Store until today. The interior scene of the 4-storey Beauty Supermarket is still in my memory, but it will never come back to the real world.

End of The Journey

Coffee shop is probably the most common business in Ipoh. During the very early era of Ipoh town establishment, there were many coffee shops opened around Old Town & New Town. In present days, it has spread throughout almost every corner of the city not only serving affordable & tasty food to the people, but also providing an opportunity of running own business for the grass root level. However, since the city's population gradually migrating to the suburban areas, many downtown coffee shops also come to the end of their journey.

 

The Stray Cat

Staying homeless is not fun at all, even it's just a cat. This stray cat found a comfortable place for a nap this afternoon, the motorcycle basket with a jacket. Although this is just a temporary occupation, but this could be best moment of the day.

 

Empty Playground

Going out without an umbrella during recent days is definitely not a wise choice. There is almost consistently downpour or thunder storm in the afternoon. Sometimes it even drizzles till late night. The playground that usually full of children in the evening is empty in the rainy day.



Hotel Hotel

If you ask an Ipoh citizen of what is the fastest growing industry in this city, I believe the answer should not differ much from this word, hotel. Probably this is not the only angle in Ipoh city that I could capture multiple hotels at one shot. The phenomena of hotel mushrooming in this city still making people wondering how Ipoh that is not a tourism city and not an industrial or commercial hub can feed these hotels for their survival. Moreover, there are several new major hotel projects launched in the city.

 

Beautiful Transformation of Lau Ek Ching Street

Although the process took almost 3 years, but the final result is cheerful when I see the final vacant unit of this row of shop house in Lau Ek Ching Street under restoration. The new tenant is putting effort in highlighting the beautiful reliefs making it like a bronze sculpture. Although the renovation work is still underway and I have no idea what would it be, but I am sure the transformation of Lau Ek Ching Street is just a perfect example of restoring the entire block of heritage building which successfully boosting the commercial value of this particular area. This is such a beautiful transformation from how it looked like in July 2010 to become what it is today.

 

Stars in The Rainy Night

It is reasonable to have a blank and dark sky in a rainy night . However, I find myself in the night that full of star, although it is raining out there.... (",)

 

Shower on Kledang Hill

It is always raining in the afternoon recently. When dark clouds start growing above the mountain range, shower usually begin to wet the forest on hill before coming down to the valley. And the beautiful scene is seen when the hills are drawn into different layers, just as displayed in this photo of Kledang Hill.



Last Shine of The Day

It was a rainy afternoon. Traffic was so congested in the city during the evening rush hour. However, it stopped when I was on my way to dinner & able to witness this last sunshine of the day lighting up the whirlpool-like clouds.
 

An Airport Parking Apron?

I was shopping at Giant Hypermarket during this weekend. When I ready to leave, this very ordinary glass window had triggered my imagination; looking out through the airport glass window on the parking apron, the tall lamp posts & runway (the expressway). Well, I can't explain it and you may not agree with me, but this scene simply made me stop & capture the photo :)
 

Begin of Good Days

Sun rise from the east mountain range where sunlight shines through the thick cloud; brightness eventually befall and chase away darkness. Today is the beginning of a new chapter. The nice scene this morning symbolizes a brilliant start of good days.
 

The Little Artists

It's just one week to the Mid Autumn Festival of lunar calender. Aeon Ipoh Station 18 Shopping Centre has organized a children coloring competition for the festival. These little artists were sitting at the center court & paying full attention in creating their masterpiece. Indeed it also draw attention of potential little artist :-)

City Skyline in A Bright Day

Today Ipoh enjoys very clear atmosphere & bright day. Sunlight shines onto the mountains & buildings which give a very nice visibility of the city skyline when view from the Silibin section of Ipoh-Lumut highway. Only in this super clear day we are able to see the clear mountain outline of Titiwangsa Range at far background.& the high rise buildings become outstanding under the strong sunlight.