Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

And now …. ladies & gentlemen, put your hands up for the FINALE of the series … the last “Tong” (Cave Temple) in Ipoh that I’d like to entice you with;

“KEK LOOK TONG”

Kek Look Tong (official website) is a winner of many local best landscape awards; accolades from the local government for non-Muslim houses of worship; rewarding that extra mile the temple committee went through to build and maintain a world-class facility with breath-taking scenery.

No doubt locating this gem in Ipoh takes a few daring turns, and the driver’s instincts come into play more often than not. Hands down the most secluded of all the other cave temples in Ipoh (aside from one Tibetian temple, that’s even more remote, but let’s leave that for another day), Kek Look Tong is hidden deep within the residential area of Gunung Rapat (of the well-reviewed Heong Peng fame).

Ready for the onslaught of pictures? Here goes ….. Read the rest of this entry »

I guess among all of the cave temples in Ipoh; Perak Cave (also named “Perak Tong”) has always been a stranger to me.

And I mean that in a non-biased way. I remember the vague details of our tortoises-feeding frenzy at Sam Poh Tong back when I was still a toddler. The squeal of delight when me and my brother tried to outdo each other when posing for shots with the colourful statues at Ling Sen Tong. Not forgetting the etched in memories picturesque scenery of Kek Look Tong and its many sublime rock formations; resembling real deities and animals.

But mention Perak Tong, and this black spot on my memory will block out any familiarity with the structure, location or the charm that lies beyond the cave temple. (There is a reasonably vast area behind of the cave; dotted with concrete stairs and lush natural flora where you can climb uphill, to podiums/pavilions where you can see the Ipoh city from way up there).

Thus, I mustered up the courage and ventured out to this mystifying place situated around Tasek industrial area. And here are the results ….. Read the rest of this entry »

This old lady was a vagrant. Or beggar, if you insist to name her that. But that did not stop her from praying for a better life. And probably for a better Malaysia?

I still remember vividly the sheer excitement and a perpetual smile pasted on this chubby face back in my pre-schooling days; whenever my parents suggested for a visit to one of the most famous landmarks of Ipoh; the Sam Poh Tong cave temple on Gopeng Road.

My brother and I would be dressed in our smartest Kiki-Lala or Kiko outfits, and strap on the sneakers while Mum would be hastily combing our hair (with extra hard hair gel, I remember … before Brylcreem took over our lives once we started schooling, since hair gel’s forbidden in school) and Dad would get his gear in check; not an SLR or any fancy camera, but one that worked as well. Loaded with a roll of 24 or 36 Kodak film (ISO 100, since we have never visited the cave temples at night, and films with higher ISO cost a bomb back then).

More insight of this Motormouth’s childhood passion and pet peeves after the jump. Be warned that once again, LOADS of photos ahead …. Read the rest of this entry »