Friday, February 23, 2018

JADE EMPEROR GOD PRAYERS 2018

Jade Emperor God's Birthday [天公誕] falls on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year.  Most Chinese Hokkiens of Taoism faith will offer prayers to the Jade Emperor [玉皇太帝] on the night of the 8th day [after 11 pm of Chinese New Year].  
During my younger days, my family will pray and make food offerings such as fruits, kuihs, cakes and various meats [like chicken, duck and piglets] to Jade Emperor.  Over the years, some of the items various but some basic ones remain a must.  

In the morning of this birthday, Chinese especially the Hokkiens of the Taoist faith set up an altar table with 3  layers one top [containing offertories of six vegetables [六齋], Mi Suah noodles, fruits [5 varieties], cakes, glutinous rice balls, vegetable bowls all decorated with red paper cuttings of auspicious designs] and two lower levels [containing the five sacrifices and wines] to honor the deities below the Jade Emperor.
The household then kneels three times and kowtow nine times to pay homage and wish him a long life.  My late grandma used to do this without fail and would be very happy if her children and grandchildren followed after her.  Thinking of it, it is rather fun.

My in-laws' family practices these rites quite similar to my parents but over time, the practices have changed and offerings are more simplified especially after my father in-law passed on.  
I will follow the basic offertories like six vegetables [六齋] such as dried mushrooms, black fungus [bok nee], sweet bean curd sticks, peanuts, glass noodles, dried lily buds and 5 kinds of fruits [oranges, apples, sugar cane, pamelo,pineapple etc].  Some must have kuihs like Angku Kuih, Mi Koo, Bee Koh, Huat Kuih, Thni Kuih etc are also included.  Usually, I would made some of these kuihs during the day itself. We have omitted the offertories like boiled chicken, duck and roasted pig but we still offered red [hard boiled] eggs as can be seen in the pictures.
Apart from the above, a must have item is the paper money which are folded into golden ingot type.

Part of the paper money are folded into triangles and stacked up alternately [see above picture] and each of these have to be opened up which looks like a pyramid shape before burning them.  These days, families seldom do that but I still prepared this days in advance before Jade Emperor's Birthday.

PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMBUN PAMELO FARM [柚子果園]

This is my first visit to the Pamelo Farm after umpteen years.  I think my last visit was decades ago and I cannot remember much.  Maybe now, it is more commercialised with briefings conducted to share knowledge about pamelo fruit farming, the uses and benefits of pamelo etc.
Picture taking is allowed but no touching, guess it may fall when touched, just joking!

Was told these are Sour Plum fruits

Garlic, Lemon, Ginger etc Powder available here
Some uses of the Pamelo Fruit


Wednesday, February 21, 2018

PERAK TRIP 2018 - GAHARU PARK, GOPENG [務邊沉香園]

Gaharu Tea Valley is an agarwood plantation just outside Gopeng, Perak and has become an agro-tourism destination. It is Malaysia's first organic mono crop Gaharu (Aquilaria) plantation.   You can tour the estate and sample their health-giving products.
There is mini van guided tour which brings you to interesting points such as the viewing stage, hugging park and lover park.  The charge is RM10 per person.
Gaharu Tea is only available for free sampling at the store where you can purchase products made from Gaharu.


Monday, February 19, 2018

PERAK TRIP 2018 - CONCUBINE LANE, IPOH

The visit to this popular spot of Ipoh [Concubine Lane] was my second visit.  No idea why, both times of visit, it was during the late afternoon, it was drizzling and most shops and vendors were about to close business.  If you wish to buy anything, all is in a rush. Perhaps, next time my visit must be in the morning, then a slow walk along the narrow lanes would be more enjoyable.
There are numerous souvenir shops here but this one is the popular Taufoo Fai stall.  Per bowl is RM3.00
Love this stall, very creative drawings at reasonable price.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

PERAK TRIP 2018 - TAMAN REKREASI GUNUNG LANG [崑崙浪休閒公園]

A visit to this recreation park also known as 'Mini Guilin China' [Taman Rekreasi Gunung Lang] to many Chinese visitors was included in my recent sightseeing and gourmet trip to Ipoh.  Visits to such places are always a preference to me whenever I travel to places.  

Just love the natural environment which is serene, quite and seems peaceful.  Always love to enjoy the sights and beauty of nature, greenery, clear water and fresh air.  Best when the weather is good.

Isn't it lovely, one gets to enjoy the limestone hills, beautiful lake and a man-made cascading waterfall.  A short boat ride  is available for one to enjoy the flora and fauna of this park.
There is a mini zoo, watch towers, a Malay style house which looks hexagonal in shape, a walking path where you can enjoy a slow walk around the park.  For nature lover like me, it's an enjoyable trip and experience.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Jalan Damai, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 
30100 Ipoh, Perak