Chinese New Year Lights at Kek Lok Si

Penang has proven to be an adventure so far. Of falling down in restaurants, receiving second-degree burns from the sun, embarking on the walk of shame down to the hotel's lobby after being locked out of my room barefooted (times three), cinema outings costing a mere £2.65 and numerous (I would call (but I do exaggerate)) near death occasions. (I'm happy to be alive)

Exactly a week ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to see Kek Lok Si in all it's beauty, blazing in it's Chinese New Year lighting. Honestly one of the most breath-taking experiences I will ever have. 

If you didn't know, Kek Lok Si is the most famous attraction in Penang. Its a Buddhist temple, and the largest in South-east Asia. If you overlook how commercialised it is (and if you go when there are less people) its beauty could punch you in the face. So, for a few days during CNY the temple is brilliantly lit up with lanterns and light bulbs (duh). And after seeing it from the hotel I'm staying at, on the newspaper, and from my cousin's house, I REALLY HAD TO GO. 

It normally looks like this: 

But when its basking in all its glory, like this:

The rain was definitely a blessing in disguise, everyone disappeared. 

My four tour-guides. 

A rain drop nicely dropped onto my lens covering the tower. How adorbs. 

I really just stood here for a long time trying to take in every single lantern and bulb's beauty. 

See that lightning looking white line? That was the traffic leading up to Kek Lok Si. (Wait, I think it is. I dunno. I think it is lah)

So bokehlicious. 

Okay, it looks like I'm standing in the same spot taking the same pictures but I'm actually going one level higher each time. 

One level higher. (I'm on the tower that the raindrop covered as I previously mentioned)

This doorway's not straight..

This one is, but my camera isn't.

So cute <3

Iris Chin Tom Yam (not her actual name), me, Yanyan and Amanda!

We didn't go up on the inclined lift to the huge Guan Yin statue. That would've been equally amazing. But you can't have all the good things in life at once! So this was amazing awesome enough. 

Penang, Georgetown Heritage Walk

The next stop of my Asia tour is Penang. My mum's from Penang, so for twelve years of my life, I was here at least three times a year (CNY, June holidays and December holidays). My mum has eight brothers and sisters (and so many cousins), giving me over 30/40 cousins. And this is where I spent the best of my childhood, making up our own games, fighting and then apologising, getting our bags snatched by monkeys. I've had so many experiences here, I could go on and on. 

Despite coming here for twelves years of my life three times a year, this trip was when I really started doing the touristy stuff. It always seemed as if I was going to be coming here every year forever. But when I realised this was not true, I started to get my tourist thang on. 

So a week ago, me and my cousin went on the Penang heritage tour! It involved us walking around Penang, looking for these mural paintings (and other things) done by someone called Ernest Zacharevic (a bit like Banksy but he's known). The paintings were SO good!

“The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler” Mural, Penang Road

Shame about the cloudy weather. (Only a foreigner would complain about this. Locals (my cousin) was rejoicing about the weather and lack of sun).

This mural was really huge, see the black figure below the wheel? That's me. How did he paint such a huge mural?! It blows my mind at how talented people can be. 

Cheong Fatt Tze mansion. Located on Leith Street. You can see a bit of the blue dyed house. The blue dye is made from the flower of the Indigo plant. Its the same dye as the blue Nyonya kueh with Kaya! 

This was just opposite the shop Jimmy Choo started learning about shoe making! So proud that a Malaysian who has advanced into worldwide market comes from Penang! (I wonder if he and my mum ever played together when they were kids...)

My partner in crime, and my beautiful awesome cousin, Iris Chin Tomyam.

Possibly the thing I love most about Penang is the juxtaposition of old and new (especially buildings).

“Little Girl in Blue” Mural, Muntri Street (creepy)

Lap cheongs bathing in the sun in time for Chinese New Year.

“Little Children on a Bicycle” Mural, Armenian Street

(Not by Ernest Zacharevic)

“Boy on a Bike” Mural, Ah Quee Street

“Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur” Mural, Ah Quee Street. 

This one was a bit weathered, but still very awesome. 

“Reaching Up” Mural, Cannon Street

We then made our way to the Chew Jetty. Where I felt like a city bumpkin (as opposed to a country bumpkin). People actually lived there! Like, wah lao, this was a whole new experience for me okay. 

Sitting out on rocking chairs overlooking the sea was part of their everyday lives. My gosh. 

“Children in a Boat” Mural, Chew Jetty. 

This one was VERY weathered, but still awesome.

My other cousin came to join us. 

Mr. Ng Chai Tiam, Armenian Street. 

(Also very weathered)

"Brother and sister on a swing", Step By Step lane. 

This was done by a local artist, Louis Gan.

This is my personal favourite. The use of the rusty swing set and the name of the lane; Priceless, just priceless. We almost gave up finding this one, but I'm so glad we didn't. ^^

"Sister and brother playing basketball", Gat Lebuh Chulia. 

Extremely knackered us. I was so proud of my skin that day, I got sunburnt and then tanned. :}

TROPICAL RAIN THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN FOR 5 YEARS. I was so looking forward to walking home in this rain. But my camera protested. (Thanks uncles who let us stand on your porch while waiting for the rain to stop)

So. Awesome! I loved this day. And my cousin for reading the map and bringing me around and getting dark because I didn't let her bring an umbrella and bringing me to buy Aloe Vera gel for my sunburnt skin. And the hotel staff who found the map for us and then printing it out.

Stay tuned!

This is me doing a shout out to Holly Carney and her housemates! Thanks for the support guys! Miss you fart face holly!