Qing Ming At Bukit Cina

We left home at about 5.30 am, and arrived at Bukit Cina Cemetery site at about 6. 10 am. It was still dark, but there are quite a lot of cars already there, and moment later more and more people arrived trying to complete the job before noon, when the sun gets to the top right above the head. Last Friday was an easier one as we did the Qing Ming at the Sleeping Buddha site, Tumpat where my sis's ashes was kept. It was a fully sheltered / covered area.
Doing Qing Ming at the grave cemetery especially on top of the hill is really hot by 8 am. We start of by obtaining approval from the care taker God on top of the hill, before cleaning the graves. After cleaning the grave and the surrounding, food and prayers will be offered to the death. Usually the cleaning and prayers will be done to more than two or more graves. Some people may do more than eight graves in a day, depending on their own convenience or time available, or they may also choose to continue on some other day. As for us, we did for three graves i.e. my dad, mum and mother-in-law, all at the Bukit Cina Cemetery. Luckily both my grandfather is from China. Or else, we'll have more graves cleaning job to be done.
Qing Ming is not just about cleaning and offer prayers to the death. It is also a day where living relatives from far and near get along to meet and have meals by the grave of their ancestors. During the earlier times, Qing Ming was done on the 5th April every year. But as time goes on, more and more people work further away from their home land, and as such Qing Ming day become more flexible, something like 10 days before the actual date in order for relatives from far distant to come back and gather. Come this Friday, I will be doing Qing Ming at Pauh Lima Cemetery. This time it will be a bigger group as our cousins from Bangkok and other parts of Thailand will be back. I will be busy chauffeuring 7 of them to visit our ancestors on that day, and at the same time having party among ourselves with the rest of the cousins !

Wat Maisuwankiri, Tumpat, Kelantan

Wat Maisuwankiri is located at Kampung Bukit Tanah, Tumpat, Kelantan. The original temple is said to be constructed around 400 years ago by expect craftsmen from Thailand. The present building was built at a cost of around Rm300,000.00 with funds coming from the public donations and Buddhist Association of Malaysia and Thailand.

The temple covers four hectares.

The new building.

The old building.

The object shaped like a dragon boat decorates the inside of the temple, thus earning it its name Dragon Boat Temple. The design is Thai.

Wat Phothivihan, Tumpat, Kelantan

Wat Phothivihan at Kampung Jambu in Tumpat, Kelantan is the most famous Buddhist temple in Kelantan. It contain the biggest reclining Buddha statue in South East Asia. The statue which measures 40 metres long, 11 metres high and 9 metres wide was completed in 1979, after 6 years of construction work at a cost of RM350,000.00 . The fund came from public donations and The Buddhist Association of Malaysia and Thailand. It was the brain child of Tok Phra Kru Prasas Prachacorn.

WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming. You can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard. Read more at http://earthhour.org.my/
So comes 28Th March 2009, I shall off the non essential lights at my home for 1 hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm and use candles instead. I vote for Earth !

Take A Walk, Stay Healthy !

When I am stress, pressured from work and depress I will normally take a walk after the day's work. I enjoy my work, but most of the time it's the people above us who spoilt our day. I am sure most of you do experience that too. So in order not to carry those problem back to home, I usually get on with my shorts, t-shirt and jogging shoe as soon as I reached home, ready with my hand phone in case there is a call for duty and my buddy compact camera and off for a mild jog around the village.
I think it does help a lot with my stress. And it's nice meeting those friendly villagers giving us a friendly smile as if they know us as they walk pass, cycling along or even on motor bike. I feel much better too as if I know the whole people in the village. In return I reply with a smile too.

As I walk along, I toy around with my camera, snap snap here and there.

At the end of the day, I not only relax my mind, I enjoy the companion of the people around me as I walk past their houses, I also get to play with my camera, exercise and stay healthy.

When I'm home after my shower, I'm fresh and shine !

Flower Tea For You ?

I have been carrying a water container most of the time when going out to work. Normally I put them in my car and drink when necessary. Previously it used to be plain water. But nowadays, I have changed to green tea because it has the anti oxidant properties. But lately, since the weather is so hot, bright and sunny I have change my drinks to Flower tea. Just want to share with my readers, the flower tea has a cooling effect especially during hot weather, and when feeling heaty. Moreover it helps to relax our mind and to de-stress. Can take it hot or cold. But I prefer to put in a hot container so that it will stay warm. For those who like it sweet, can add some sugar onto it. And it's easy to prepare, as all you need is just to pour boiling water onto it. The tea can be bought at any Chinese medicinal shop. Flower tea for you ?

So Much To Say About My KL Trip..

I was in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday until Friday night. To be more exact, its Thursday morning because my flight by airasia which supposed to be at 10.50 pm was delayed to 11.50 am on Wednesday. Somehow or other, the plane took off at 12.30 am on Thursday and we arrived at our hotel almost 2 am.
Since it was so late, I hired a taxi to go to our hotel at Serdang. Something to share about this budget hotel we are staying, Hotel Sun Inn. I am not posting any photos as their websites are available. It's ideally located as it's opposite the KTM railway station, and with taxi and bus stop in front. My friends says "eeii.." when heard that I am staying in a budget hotel. But believe me, this hotel is really clean and so far I don't see any hanky panky activities going on. At least if they do have it, where most hotel does, they don't do it so obvious right in front of our very own eye. And the price is reasonable at RM85.00 per night for double or single queen size bed. The room is small thought but at least the toilet is clean too. And it's walking distance from the Mine Wonderland and The Mine shopping mall.
One thing about Kuala Lumpur - you like it or not, you still have to visit this capital city once a while. Well, its the only city where us Kelantanese have a direct flight to. Be it airasia, Firefly or even Malaysia Airline, all of them only fly to Kuala Lumpur. I don't like to carry my camera around when I visit the city as it is so hot most of the time, and visiting one place to another is quite a distance. Even the shopping mall is so huge and I hate walking around until my leg ache !
And I hate to take the train service, monorail or the subway train as they are mostly packed ! moreover we have to be careful as there are always a lot of pick pockets.
During my visit to Bukit Bintang area, I was surprised to see so many foreigners working as sales personnel along the streets. To my surprise, they are not under those category qualify for work permit unless I am wrong. Since when do we allow the Arabs and China citizens to work here ?? And they are standing along the street calling for customers ! My worst experienced was that I was shouted / scolded by a foreign Bangladeshi along Petaling Street for refusing to say my price when I touch the copied watches they were displaying.

Today's Flowers

Flowers from my house, begin to bloom after the monsoon season is over, and the sun begin to shine most of the time. The weather now is very hot most of the afternoon and even at night. This plant is thorny but have medicinal properties..

kbguy On Youtube..

For the first time, this shy and simple guy from Kelantan decides to surface out from the cocoon called modern technology to share with his friends from the other part of the world his personal photos and travel. Accompanied by his all time favorite song. Kindly go to this link to watch this video now @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na5bwJ431js&feature=channel_page
or click here.
Please leave me a comment at my youtube site to let me know you have visited. I'll be glad if you do.

HTC Touch Viva - A PDA Phone

I was so crazy after a PDA phone. I used to have Dell PDA before, and that was some sort of outdated because it doesn't have a phone gadget. More over it was too small to be use as a computer, and too big as a mobile pda to fit into my pocket. I started using them about 6 or more years ago, and after I loss it, I re-order one again on-line because I am so used to depend on it's as a note pad.
About 3 weeks ago, I finally got myself another cheaper version of HTC pda phone. The guy who was selling me at the Mall doesn't seems to know much about the unit, but they do offer a variety of choices, with different brands and models. To be safe, I bought the cheapest version for about RM1,100.00 which is HTC Touch Viva.
At night after toying with the new set, I discover that it wasn't something that suits me. I regretted for buying it because it doesn't fit my requirement, even though it has other benefist. And after 3 weeks, I still can't adjust myself to like it, and I make my decision not to use it as my primary hand phone. Firstly is because, its too sensitive and I accidentally touch the call pad a few times, and got it connected to my contact list.
Secondly, it doesn't read Chinese character. Thirdly, it doesn't come with a casing, which makes it more sensitive and fragile.
However, this morning as I discover that Tesco KB also have some variety of HTC pda phones, I stop by to chat with the seller. Surprisingly, the guy does know quite a lot on this product to advice me on my HTC Viva. Just a moment ago, I finally got my pda installed with Chinese character and that improves a lot on other programme. Thanks to the guy a lot, and I will be going to his shop again to buy from him a bluetooth earpiece from him for RM180.00, maybe tonight or tomorrow for his kind sharing. My advice to those who want to buy a high tech product, do buy from shops who have the expertise instead of getting cheaper price ! The price comes with after sale service. Not just the product itself !

For Your Eyes Only !

Introducing kbguy, the blogger who has been posting photos about Shanghai and Hang Zhou since the beginning of this year after his China Tour. A photo shy person who prefer to take photos of others and the surrounding scenery, finally have to surface just for the eyes of his readers. Haha.. You can also view his other photos at Sri Kebakat
Have a wonderful weekend and happy blogging fellas !

Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou

This is the final part of my posting on Hangzhou - Shanghai series. And here are the photos taken at Hang Zhou's famous Lingyin Temple. I will leave the photos telling stories by it selves. For more detail about Lngyin temple, you may also click on this website http://www.lingyinsi.com

Last but not least, I hope you have enjoy reading this travelogue as mush as I posting them. I am now back to my homeland, back to work and hoping to safe enough money for my next trip again, if everything goes on well..