Happy Wesak Day 2014

Wishing ALL Buddhists readers round the world "A Happy Wesak Day" celebration.

One of the most important festivals of the Buddhist calender celebrated annually near the month of May's  full moon.

The three most important events in the life of Siddiharta Gautama Buddha,who was born in northern India during the early sixth century B.C. were his birth,death(Nibbana) day and most important of all is the moment when he learnt the truth about life and how to avoid sufferings.
This very anniversary day is where all Buddhist devotees commemorates the three noble path of the "Enlightened One"

The local rendition of the word Wesak varies in different countries.

Thailand is called  Visakha Bucha(วิสาขบูชา),Bucha means to pay homage.Asahara Bucha means his first sermon while Makha Bucha is the day where his disciples listened to his most important teachings in a sermon.
Where to visit while in Thailand:
Phuket: Wichit Sangkaram Temple (วัดวิชิตสังฆาราม) 
Chiangmai: Wat  Umong( วัดอุโมงค์  )
Bangkok:All over
Pattaya: Wat Chaimongkron(วัดชัยมงคล)

Wichit Sangkaram Temple on Thepkrasattri RoadWichit

Wichit Sangkaram Temple on Thepkrasattri Road

Buddha Statue in Sri Jayanti Buddhist Temple,Sentul,Kuala Lumpur,

Kuala Lumpur Rapid city bus that pass this route.

Saint John Cathedral Church

Saint John Cathedral church with its twin spires, located at the center of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

This area is called Bukit Nanas. If you walk through the road here,you'll pass by the famous Christian Brothers school called St John Instituition thereafter is the forest reserve entrance nearby.
 In Thailand you have the St John International School at Ladprao near Bangkok.

This is a Roman Catholic church and is aligned to the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. It was originally opened in 1883, making it one of KL's oldest buildings.

 January 8th is the anniversary of its dedication.
Usually in Christian Brothers Schools,they have a large chapel inside the school as well where every Friday there will be mass prayers.

 The altar with Lord Jesus Christ. This section is the holiest section of the church.

Blessed by this Grace, The Archbishop of Malacca, M Olcomendy on 27.3.1955
Parish Priest:Fr N Maury
Architect:RB Pereira
Contractor:Knock Teck & Company
 (28.3.1954)the church was built.

Statue of the blessed Mother Mary.

Church Mass Schedule:

Saturday:6:30pm

 Sundays:8:00am,10:30am & 6:30pm.

Filipinos community started a small flea market beside the road entrance to the church.

Sundays is the only day off for our Filipino colleagues and the ususal place for their meeting and focal point is the St John Cathedral Church,Kotaraya Sopping Arcade,the Sungai Wang Plaza.


 Cintamani Travellers Lodge is just a stone throw away from the holy church. 37,Jalan Hang Lekiu,Tel:+603-20704071

Fax:+603-20266640

mayview1@streamyx.com

http://www.mayviewglory.com/

Shared Bath room:

Single fan:RM35 Single a/c:RM45

Super Single:(1-2pax):RM45

Double a/c with window:RM60 no window:RM50

Double deck 2 pas:RM50

Attached Bath:

Queen bed with TV:RM80

Superior Family with TV (3-4 pax):RM90

Serai Inn,2nd Floor,Jalan Hang Lekiu.

Tel/Fax:+603-20704728

enquiry@seraiinn.com

entrance via side lane beside Segi College Nursing School.

All a/c rooms:RM45-RM74

Drop In Lodge,

Near the corner of Jalan Tun HS Lee junction with Lebuh Ampang. Tel:+603-207486314

Room Rates:RM30-RM45




 Formerly the Standard Chartered Bank main office was in this blue building,a stone throw from the St John Cathedral but have shifted to Lot 10 shopping complex near Bukit Bintang Road.








A leisurely walk less than 2km from the heart of the city near the old Standard Chartered Building will lead to the Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower KLCC.

Kuala Lumpur southern buses

So far Southeast Asian countries with southern bus terminal includes Bangkok Sai Tai Mai in Thailand,Vientiane Dong Dok in Laos,most of the cities in Vietnam and the latest to catch up with this trend Bandar Tasik Selatan near Kuala Lumpur.

The distance is about 5km from city center.
Apart from the LRT link from Masjid Jamek,one can easily hop into an airconditioned local Rapid KL bus which has a cream body with lower blue and upper red stripes.

If you would like to explore some of the housing estates in the bus route,this is also a unique chance.
Where to take RapidKL buses?
Make sure you have small RM1.00 notes and some coins as you need to put in the slot machine beside the driver.
 The buses were at the far end of Jalan Sultan which is also across the road from Central Market.

This location is beside the Middle Ring Road(MRR II expressway) and can be quite confusing even to the locals to find the entry point access road.

Way back in the 80's,I did my jungle tracking around here which at that time was a jungle with many streams and ponds great for fishing.

Unfortunately development has overtaken the rule of law of the jungle. Bandar Tasik Selatan is just beside Bandar Tun Razak which was formerly known as Kampung(village) Congo(state in Africa). The village was named after a contingent of soldiers who were sent to the Congo in Africa in the 1960s as part of a peacekeeping force under the United Nations.

Avoid the big crowds during festive holidays so as not to feel disappointed.

The skybridge that connects to the Bandar Tasik Selatan southern terminal from the bus stop and vehicle parking bays.

Terminal Bersepadu(integrated) Selatan(south).(TBS)
This was a privatised project by the government of the day to Maju Holdings Berhad,a public listed company.

The terminal has a concept similar to the airport.
Inside there are :

Auto Teller Machines (ATM)
Facilities for the Disabled
Food Court
Foreign Money Exchange
Luggage Centre & Lockers
Payphones Pharmacy & Clinic
Primary Departure Lounge Restrooms Secondary Departure Lounge Smoking Area Surau (Prayer Room for Muslims) Trolleys VIP Lounges



 

An access road for the buses.

Below it are the electrified railway lines that also link to KL International Airport.





 Ticketing counters.

Passengers waiting and viewing hall section.  

 Arrival and departure lounge.

Escalators leading down to the buses lanes.

 

A government-link interstate bus.

#Map of location

Kuala Lumpur on foot.

Kuala Lumpur,the capital city of West & East(Sabah & Sarawak) Malaysia.
There are a total of 13 states plus an additional state called Wilayah Persekutuan(Federal Territory) which consists of Kuala Lumpur,Putrajaya and Labuan(an island off Sarawak)
Kuala Lumpur was made the territory on the 1st Febrauary 1974,Labuan on 16th April 1984 while Putrajaya was on 27th March 2004.
Putrajaya is the new administrative capital of Malaysia.



Tourists coming in by flight will definitely take a bus to K.L.Sentral.At K.L.Sentral,use the side escalator to reach the 1st floor and towards your immediate left is the LRT terminal.

Find the word "Masjid Jamek",price RM1.80 and this is the city centre.

As you come out from the Masjid Jamek terminal,keep to your right and that's where the main activities are located.
Guesthouses,hotels,shopping arcades,central bus station,Chinatown,schools etc.

If you choose left straight onwards,3km from here is the Orchid Garden,Butterfly Garden and the Parliament house.



Just beside the LRT terminal is Masjid Jamek which is included in almost all tour packages.
Tourists are allowed in provided your put on the muslim prayer dress,male and female.

This is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River and was designed by Brig.Gen. Arthur Benison Hubback who was an architect during colonial times.

Across the street where you arrived is the Masjid Jamek LRT interchange station,Kelana Jaya Line,Sri Petaling Line and Ampang Line.

Kelana Line link to Bangsar,Kelana Jaya & Subang Jaya outskirt while inward to KLCC,Ampang,Wangsa Maju.

Ampang Line link to PWTC(World Trade Centre),Sentul and outward to Pudu,Cheras,

Bandar Tun Razak(new southern bus terminal),Sg Besi,Bukit Jalil(near sports complex) will be the,Sri Petaling Line.

Just a kilometeron your LRT right exit  is the Puduraya Bus Terminal.(Pasar Rakyat as noted by Lonely Planet).

Straight ahead beyond the Pasar Rakyat about 2km are the many shopping malls like Sg Wang Plaza,Lot 10,Low Yat Plaza,Berjaya Times Square and many 5 stars hotel.The nightlife of Kuala Lumpur is found here.

Many backpackers have a problem of locating Anjung Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang Road.
Right across Nikko Hotel is a small side road.Walk in and turn right and straight ahead is Tengkat Tong Shin.
Other guesthouses here include Sky Palms ,Bintang,i2inn,Forever Young,Number Eight,Tropical,Diaman Fantasia,KL Heaven to name a few.

These two buildings right in the heart of the city can be used as your main point of navigation.
View is from Chinatown area.

That tall building behind is the Malayan Banking Towers while the front is Cahaya Suria.

KL Tower is behind both the buildings and this will be your grid North where all the offices are located,nothing much to offer except that you arrive at the shopping mall and Bukit Bintang nightlife area.

Grid East is southbound and the Bukit Bintang nightlife area,a much shorter route.

Towards the west,Central Market,Dataran Merdeka,Chinatown,Parliament House,City Hall.





Malayan Banking Berhad or Maybank was incorporated in Malaysia on 31 May 1960  having an extensive global network of 1,750 offices in 14 countries namely Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Bahrain, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and Uzbekistan






Mydin Hypermarket is owned by an Indian-muslim just beside Cahaya Suria Building in the city centre.
Inside Cahaya Suria is the Stamford College.

In front of this hypermarket were many local buses that goes to housing estates near the southern edge of the city.

To get to Mines Wonderland,the bus fare aircond  is RM2.50.



These pastel blue buses at the hypermarket sideroad goes to the Kajang Town which is in the southern edge of Selangor State.
About 20km from city.
Beyond Kajang town is the old road to neighbouring state Negri Sembilan,Malacca and finally Johore.

Kajang Town is famous for its signature food,"SATAY"--a dish of marinated, skewered and grilled meats, served with a sauce normally chicken and beef meat being used.

It is also popular in many other Southeast Asian countries, such as:Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the southern Philippines and  Indonesia .

Kota Raya is a shopping arcade just across Chinatown.

KotaRaya is owned by the Berjaya Group(public listed) which in turn is the owner of Berjaya Times Square and also the major shareholders of the Starbuck Coffee outlets.

Also in their list of operations includes gaming like Sports Toto(locally) and Lotto(Philippines)
Buses opposite Kotaraya  have Metro buses that travels via Jalan Tun Sambanthan(Little India),pass Kuen Cheng Girls School(Thean Hou Temple),Mid-Valley shopping mall(near Mobil Station & 2km from Thean Hou Temple),SS2, and ends at Bandar Utama.(lots of megamall group together here,one shop centre).

An old colonial days design building just opposite Chinatown.Built in 1953 and owned by the Rubber Trade Association of Selangor and Pahang.

During those days Malaysia was called Britiah Malaya(1874-1946).

On weekends,the city centre has a complete change of activities.
It becomes the meeting points of foreign migrant workers especially those from Myanmar,Bangladesh and Nepal.







Areas opposite Chinatown right till Bangkok Bank Building near Central Markets are jam packed with these foreign revellers.
It will be so crowded like you're in Yangon,Myanmar.

Surprisngly most of the old shoplots around here have been sublet to Myamarese and Bangaldeshis businesses.

Most of the Myanmar nationals managed to seep through the porous Thai-Malaysian border paying a certain kind of commitment to syndicates.
Their target is the United Nations headquarters to obtain the refugee card id hoping to be relocated to another country.
In this instances they can still be employed without any harassment from the authorities afterall the city is their new found approved santuary.


 Even the Western Union Bank is opened on Sunday.

In this 4 storey building,there is a food court operated by Myanmar people and even there were live entertainment shows.

 The Malaysian flag at the Dataran Merdeka(Independence Square) near the Moorish style architecture building and clock tower.

Loke Yew Building at the corner of Dataran Merdeka.

Wong Loke Yew (1845–1917) was a famous businessman and philanthropist during the British Malaya era.
He played a significant role in the growth of Kuala Lumpur and was one of the founding fathers of Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur.







Bangkok Bank of Thailand branch officefaces a small fountain square and  has become a popular meeting place for locals and outsiders far and near.



 Money changers available along these row of shop lots.

Chill Inn,

5 Jalan Yap Ah Loy 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur - 03-2026-1161

This is a newly open hotel (21st May 2010) within walking distance to many major tourist attractions.
 - Petaling Street (5 mins walk) - Masjid India (5 mins walk) - Central Market (10 mins walk) - KL Tower (10 mins walk) - Dataran Merdeka / Merdeka Square (5 mins walk).

Rates:DormRM17.00 ==1 single bed (double decker) Air conditioned Shared Bathroom.

Standard:RM43.00===1 double bed or 2 single beds Air conditioned Shared Bathroom.

Deluxe:RM56.000===1 double bed or 2 single beds Bathroom Ensuite Air conditioned.

Family:RM64.00===Double bed + 1 Single bed Ensuite Bathroom.

Thean Hou Temple,Kuala Lumpur.

Thean Hou Temple(Queen of heaven) ,built in 1981 is about 4km from Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.

The temple is off the Klang expressway on top of Robson Hill and impossible to walk there.

 Get Metro bus 27 or 52 opposite Central Market or at the main road across Kotaraya Shopping complex beside Chinatown.Bus fare:RM2.00

After passing Kuen Cheng Girls School you need to get down in front of YWCA next to MCOBA building bus stop and then walk a short distance uphill.



The front entrance of the temple features a multi-arched gateway with red pillars, the colour symbolic of prosperity and good fortune. Entrance is free except for car park.   
 The temple's architecture is reflective of ancient China.The building has four levels, including a marriage registration office on the basement.

The basics of Chinese temples are aimed to bring about integration between heaven and humanity. This can also be cited to be the reason why a majority of Chinese temples are located in the mountains or amidst green forests.

The Hainan Association is the trustee and caretaker of this largest Chinese temple in Southeast Asia.

Hainanese people  migrated from Hainan Island,south China bringing with them their traditional business skills the Hailam Kopitiam (coffeshop) and  their famous signature food is the Hainanese chicken rice.




Various forms and styles of pillars are used to create an interesting architectural style.

 There were pagoda pavillion on both sides of the temple with a commanding panoramic view of the city.

 The main temple shrine is located on the third floor and visitors will be amazed by the dragon-inspired columns and pagoda rooftops.


  

 The dragon,a mythical animal sculptured beside the stairs.

This place of worship with elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism is a marvelous structure and represents a successful combination of modern architectural techniques and authentic traditional design featuring decorative beams, spectacular roofs, domed ceiling, calligraphic couplets, murals and elaborate embellishments.



 The dragon near the roof apex. It is considered bad luck to depict a dragon facing downwards, as it is seen as disrespectful to place a dragon in such manner that it cannot ascend to the sky.

 Chinese phoenix(fenghuang). They are mythological birds of East Asia that reign over all other birds.

 The males are called Feng and the females Huang. The Fenghuang is also called the "August Rooster" since it sometimes takes the place of the Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac.
 
 



Chinese Pagodas (Chinese pinyin: Ta) are a traditional part of Chinese architecture.

In addition to religious use, since ancient times Chinese pagodas have been praised for the spectacular views which they offer, and many famous poems in Chinese history attest to the joy of scaling pagodas.





Woman devotee carrying crafted decoratives with images of Buddha.















The shrine of the Thean Hou Goddess(The Heavenly Mother)











 

 Goddess of the Waterfront (or known as Shui Wei Sheng Niang Goddess)

God of Good Fortune.