2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 4

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

To me, the real treasures of Wong Tai Sin temple are what lies behind the temple cloister, an area which rarely gets the attention of most travel guides and websites. The temple cloister may lent a visitor his chance to pray to the deity, but it was the yard at the back which grant one a peaceful mind.

While circling around the temple cloister to reach the backyard, this was the first peaceful area which I encountered - the Nine Dragons Wall. Any koi presence, be it in a statue sprouting water or living swimming entities, holds an important place in East Asian culture.

Changi Budget Terminal - Before the End of Days

Location: Changi, Singapore

The news of Changi's budget terminal closure on 25th September 2012 should have been known to all frequent travelers of budget airlines, which incidentally does not include Air Asia in its ranks. I traveled through Air Asia more often than other airlines, but I did peruse the service of Tiger Airways once in a while, so I was still well acquainted with this wayward terminal situated at the fringe of its 3 larger cousins.

The announcement of the end of Changi's budget terminal service on 25th Sept 2012.

2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 3

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

Sometimes it is worth a visit to popular areas just to get to know the people there. Wong Tai Sin temple's fame for granting wishes drew huge crowds from all over Hong Kong and China, and tourists like me also like to join into the crowd to enjoy the experience.

In the fenced off area in the cloister facing the main altar were a small score of believers who prayed hard for answers in the form of kau cim, where they shook a cylindrical container filled with fortune telling sticks until one fell out. The stick contained a numeral which need to be decoded by a fortune telling master to know the answer to your question.

Singapore Food Blog - McCafe's Hot Choco Banana

Location: Singapore

I was introduced to the concept of a McDonald's operated cafe in Changi International Airport a year ago when I first stepped onto the island republic's famous airport. The naive me back then thought that it was a concept store operating only in the airport to cater for international customers, but I realized later that McCafe was everywhere in Singapore, with one in almost every branch of the fast food restaurant chain.

A cup of Hot Choco Banana is an alternative to caffeine for a rainy evening.

2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 2

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

Images of the main altar were what I saw the most as I researched materials on Wong Tai Sin temple, although I had not an inkling of that. The upturned curve of a majestic roof which is familiar with most Buddhist temples of South-East Asia emulated that of the Imperial Palace, and I felt a kinship to this unfamiliar land with a recognizable slice that was parallel to the place where I originated from.

Wong Tai Sin temple is one of the major tourist attraction of Hong Kong, drawing multitudes of people from various walks of life as well as different part of the world to visit, asking for wishes to be granted.

2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 1

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

The temple of Wong Tai Sin is synonymous to Hong Kong, much more so than the Big Buddha despite the fame and sheer size of the latter. All Hong Kongers know about the temple, famed for being able to grant any wish that is requested (有求必應), and no trip to Hong Kong should skip it, if only to just experience the crowd it draws.

Traditional Chinese: 黃大仙祠

Simplified Chinese: 黄大仙祠

Cantonese Jyutping: wong⁴ daai⁶ sin¹ ci⁴

Pin Yin: Huáng Dà Xiān Cì

Pronounced as: wong dai sin cee

Standing in front of the main gates to the temple, it was obvious that that was another crowded day despite it being a weekday. The gate itself is a preview of the Chinese temple architecture expected from my visit. This can be referred to the marking #1 in the map at the end of this article.

Jurong Point's Red Hot Deal Chocolate Sales

Are you aware of a Red Hot Deal Chocolate Sales in Jurong Point? No? Then what are you waiting for?Head on now to that shopping mall on the western frontier and indulge yourself in getting as much of those imported branded chocolates at bargain price.

I wasn't aware of it, seeing that there wasn't any announcement anywhere about it, until I passed the shop front, a temporary setup with lots and lots of chocolate on offer. I had selected a large range of different chocolates which I seldom see in the usual outlets, and now I have myself to blame when I get fatter.

The shop is located on the third floor of the mall, located 2 shops away from Lai Lai Kitchen. To get to the shop, just exit from Boon Lay MRT and turn right once you entered Jurong Point. Go all the way to the end where OCBC rests, then travel upward by 2 floors. 

The sales, as I understood from the salesperson there, will run throughout the month of September.With only another week left before the month comes to a closure, it would be best to head over A.S.A.P. to get whatever chocolates are still available for offer. The chocolates there ranges from a little under $10 to $30 per box, with most of them offered in bundles.

Date:           throughout September 2012

Entry fee:    Free

Location:     Level 3, Jurong Point, Jurong West.