Hock Soon Temple (福顺宫) Part 4 - Beyond the Temple

Location: Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia

What lies beyond the temple proper of Hock Soon Temple? An impressive expanse of nature that is the riverbanks of Perak River. My tour guide who lived here for the early half of her life commented sadly that the riverbanks had been eroding constantly since her time. What was once a large distance between the river and the temple, is now closing in fast. Within the next few decades the erosion will come dangerously close to the temple, and the future of the temple will be uncertain.

This expanse of wilderness was much larger than it is now. If the reader were to zoom out on Google Map, this particular location lies on a bend of the Perak River, in which erosion happens quite readily. The river could be seen in this photo just beyond the patch of greenery.

Hock Soon Temple (福顺宫) Part 3 - Of Gods and Ancestors

Location: Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia

Truth is, these items drawn my attention the most when I saw them in Hock Soon Temple: a few props more suited to Chinese medieval courts than a temple. Still, it was quite a memorable sight to see a few stylized weapons standing along with some announcement boards which were employed in those courts to warn the crowd that court is in order.

Does these not remind you of all those Chinese or Hong Kong movies featuring medieval courts?

Malaysia Food Blog - International Buffet Dinner @ Café Laurel, Evergreen Laurel Hotel Part 2

Location: Gurney Drive, Georgetown, Penang Isle

Truth is, I was slightly disappointed with the food there. Not to say that the food was not nice, but the selection of food could do with some improvement. Since this was supposed to be an international buffet, with Italian as a the main choice of theme, the choices were the usual you would expect from any locally planned 'international buffet'.

A dish of yummies, all deep fried to golden crispiness! Maybe I should take back my word on nothing special here... deep fried vegetables were indeed different (it was labeled as 'tempura vegetable').

And what were these...?

Malaysia Food Blog - International Buffet Dinner @ Café Laurel, Evergreen Laurel Hotel Part 1

Location: Gurney Drive, Georgetown, Penang Isle

When I was in Evergreen Laurel Hotel a few months ago (read here for my previous article), I noticed the nicely decorated Café Laurel, but never paid it any thoughts. Now after a few months later, I got my paws on some discounted vouchers and here I am, visiting the hotel in Gurney Drive for a second time.

A dazzling central area of the café where a variety of seafood awaits.

Hock Soon Temple (福顺宫) Part 2 - Incense Filled Hall

Location: Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia

According to various online sources, the temple's origin is unknown, but what is known is that it was the gathering place for local Hokkiens during the colonial era. Three Hokkiens, usually businessmen and famous men, would be selected by the locals to act as judge to settle fights and problems.

Coils of burning incense praying for the welfare of the mass.

Hock Soon Temple (福顺宫) Part 1 - The Century Old Temple

Location: Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia

I never would have thought of visiting anything else apart from the Leaning Tower when I was in the idyllic little town that is Teluk Intan. As fate had it, I was accompanied by those who grew up there and was introduced to this place of worship which had stood for more than a century.

福顺宫

Mandarin:  fú shùn gōng

Hokkien:    Hock Soon Keong

The main entrance welcomes all to the embrace of the temple proper.

Singapore Food Blog - Sticky - Traditional Handmade Candy

Location: Clarke Quay, Central Business District (CBD), Singapore.

During my recent trip to Singapore, I chanced upon this shop located in The Central, Clarke Quay. It is quite unusual for a shop selling candies to be in the limelight, but the fact that my friend brought me here and a bunch of people crowding the place intrigued me.

You are right - Sticky is a shop selling candies and lollipops in The Central, with another branch located in Cineleisure Orchard. What makes this business so special is not just the candies themselves, but what's within it.