Baling Things to Do

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40 years ago, Baling used to be a cowboy town at night. Everybody sleep early, no electricity or water pipe at home.

In my picture, haha..the town looked so empty without much people , cars, all shops closed and so on.
Its the second day of Chinese New Year, so mostly chinese shops are closed for a few days.

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Another temple beside Kuan Yim Temple. Pak Cake Tong Temple. Climb the many staircases and admiring the limestone hill and enjoy the scenery - aah.. just beautiful.

People in Baling believed there's a big white snake hiding in the hill or caves. Once in awhile, the snake will come out and those people who see it will get richer buying snake number 606 in bettings. I wish I could see it one day..:-))

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Everyone from Baling and far will come to Kuan Yim temple for prayers and seek blessing. Thats why I am here every year.

Picture 1 - Statue of Kuan Yim

Picture 5 - Consult the Fortune Teller to see whats good and bad in the year of Dragon for you.
RM 5 for each person.

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The main attraction of Baling, the Kuan Yim Temple. The temple is inside a big cave with bats. Interesting statues of deities here and there which I don't know their names, anyway, just pray for good health and happiness (not a good prayer actually). Quite smokey from the burning joss ticks.

Come here to see the temple and admiring the limestone hill.

Fond memories, my late uncle and late aunt used to sell Satay over here during festivals, where there are singing shows, puppet shows and opera shows, held in front of the temple, but now they are built permanent stage beside the temple. We all at home will walk almost 2 miles to the temple, to see the shows and have a stick of satay to chew slowly while watching the shows.

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I do not know the name of this mosque, I might called it Baling Mosque. Very simple design mosque and situated behind the clock tower.

Baling mosque is quite popular in the daily newspaper when a dates tree bear fruits. Amazing, as sweets as from middle east. Hmm..I couldn't find that dates tree, I dont know how it looks like either. :-))

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Thats the famous Baling Clock Tower, built to commemorate independence of Malaysia in 1957. Hey, the clock is still ticking at the time I took this picture and the word "MERDEKA" means "INDEPENDENCE".

The tower is situated infront of Baling Mosque. There are a few nice gazebos built beside the clock tower, can relax here and drink coconut water before continue your visit to more temples in Baling.

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There is a river by the name of Sungai Ketil that goes thru Baling town. I remembered so much many Buddhist Festivals held at this Temple like Roy Kratung, Water Festival, Wesak, etc..

Anyway, I came here to pray the 4faces Buddha and make vow (Picture 4)

(Picture 5) Here is a tree, in siamese they called it "KiLek", take the leaves and boiled many times, cos its very bitter and we cooked the boiled leaves with coconut milk, spices and prawns. Its a very authentic siamese dish and I liked it so much.. :-))

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Looks like Mr Monk is not feeling well this year. He has to go for dialysis 3 times a week. Oh dear, what has happened to you. He looks thinner and older than before. My sister asked me, usually the dialysis needle poked on the arm but he, poked on his neck?? Strange.. well, to me, he got to work, he still need his arm to pray and bless people with his magic stick (Picture 3). Sorry, I have forgotten to tell you, Mr Monk is blind.

He may be blind but he still can remembered me. Heard my voice and he will say, You are from Sungai Petani. I dont know how he can recognized my voice, may be I talked too much to him. I never failed to ask him, how he is doing, but this time, Im a bit sad to see him in this situation.
May Buddha blessed him, as he has blessed a lot of people including me and my family. Amen

Ask for Blessed yellow string for goodluck. Talisman and Buddha Statues can be bought here. (Picture 4 & 5)