Kek Lok Si - Extra Happy Temples of Penang highlands - Island of thousands of temples

Penang Hill hosts an Indian Temple. The other side of the hill is the more well-known Buddhist Chinese temples. Kek Lok Si has expanded from its humble beginnings to upmarket designed fittings with huge awe inspiring golden Buddha statues.

                                                     Thousand hands Bodisattva

Many shrine halls provide devotees serene environment to pray, make offerings or meditate.

Yet another temple, and to get in, you need to climb, symbolic of reaching for the heavens.

Smooth, shiny and cool granite flooring

Beautifully painted murals of divine beings, patterns and a chandelier centrepiece.

The tortoise pond with hundreds of long-life creatures. Though not overcrowded, the environment is not exactly comfortable and natural.

Most tourists would be encouraged to pass through thousands of stalls have been set up on the steps leading to the peak. Otherwise, you need to take a family car, a four wheel drive, van or mini-bus to bypass the crowded market. Coaches, however, have trouble negotiating the steep and narrow roads uphill.

There's really nothing much to excite an avid shopper. Except for religious gifts and charms, most of these goods can be bought from shops in town or night markets that line the streets in Penang. You do need to bargain hard.

Besides Buddhist and Taoist influenced temples, there are many Hindu temples on Penang Island which is steeped in religious rituals, culture, history and arts.

Penang Hill - on a warm and cloudy day

Navigating the maze of narrow lanes and small shops up the slope, we reached the foot of Penang Hill station. Expect crowds and long queues. 

On the tram which has been refurbished and modernised. It can run at higher speed and less creaky than the previous generation models. 

The roast nuts stall is doing a brisk business. They are traditionally typically Indian managed - micro sole proprietorship or family business.

As good as it gets ... this is quite a nice view despite being a cloudy day. Nothing spectacular.
It was warm up here despite at 735 m (2,450 ft) above sea level.

Time to leave Flagstaff Hill (the lesser known British name) and move to the next sight-seeing destination.

State Museum of Penang : Diverse Cultural Heritage and Mixed Cultures - Malay, Indian, Chinese, Eurasian, Peranakan, Thai, Burmese, etc.

In an ideal world, all men must be treated equal. Under British colonial rule, different ethnic/racial/cultural/religious groups have been divided to ward off potential conflicts. Ignorance is bliss, if you may like to call it. Post-war, Penang managed to maintain some semblance of harmony among different races. Regardless of race politics in most Malaysian city states, Penang has so far escaped the ravages of injustice, inefficiency and violence.

CHINESE / PERANAKAN

Love these pretty floral painted tiles. Commonly seen on exterior walls of the houses

An elaborate and delicately decorated bedroom of newly weds. Normally, only the wealthy can afford such furnishing. There are no ensuite in the old days. Hence, notice the well equipped dresser, wash basin and bathroom accessories included in the bedroom.

Some daily utensils and display were ordered from China. Painted procelain platter, bowl and urn with lid are very precious and highly valued today.

 INDIAN

Brass pots for cooking curry, granite mortar & pestle for preparing chilli paste and spice mix, grinder, hot plate, etc.

Colourful beaded trinket containers.