Tag: ipoh

Ride the wave to a new high

 

Of  beauty and simplicity.

Story and photos by Foong Pek Yee

foongpekyee@gmail.com.

I saw a dragonfly.

Beneath the shimmering sunlight, the pretty little thing seemed enjoying itself – gliding gracefully along a shrub lining a busy walkway,  oblivious to the surroundings.

But it does speak volumes of the  serenity found in a city -something quite rare these days.
This was a scene at The Haven Resort Hotel in Ipoh, Perak,  on a recent Saturday morning.

A performance to remember… Video courtesy of The Haven.

Guests were having a good time; some at the pool while others enjoying breakfast at the poolside bar and restaurant.
Best of both worlds…a blend of modernity and nature’s many wonders.
Truly fascinating…a  280 million years old limestone hill named Rockhaven is The Haven’s icon.
Located about 15-minutes-drive from the Ipoh city centre, the multiple local and international award winning resort hotel is an ideal live, work and play community.
The nearest North South Highway toll plaza is about 5 minutes- drive from The Haven
It is about a 2.5 hours-drive from Kuala Lumpur to the resort hotel using the highway.
The Haven is a 20-minutes drive to  Ipoh’s  Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and  a 20-minutes drive to Ipoh Railway Station.
There is a direct flight between Ipoh and Singapore, a one hour 10 minutes nonstop flight.
Ipoh today is known for its good food and historical attractions.
A  rich tin mining town since the 19th century, it  lost its fortune overnight following the international tin market collapse in the 1980s.
And a trip to the Ipoh old town (it is part of the Ipoh city centre) will provide a glimpse of the good old days in the town  literally built on tin.
The buildings  are a reflection of the past colonial era and a once prosperous tin mining town.
Beyond the buildings’ rich architectural facade, lies many interesting if not untold stories worth exploring.
Not all is lost though.
Having endured decades of slow development following the world tin crash, Ipoh is poised to ride on the tourism wave.
And  its past glory is also a  selling point.

A gift from Tai Kung

 

Continuing a fine tradition.

Story and photos by Foong Pek Yee.

July 9, 2023.
HE is on his feet all day long – courteous and serving Chinese traditional desserts to customers with a smile.
At 25, Weng Wah believes in the business potential of the desserts.
Upbeat: Weng Wah (left) is proud of his family’s tradition.
He is the fourth generation in his family history selling the desserts;  from sweet soups, herbal tea to kuih or kok kwai in the predominantly Cantonese speaking community in Ipoh.
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Auspicious: Hoong Ku -red glutinous rice dumpling in Cantonese is a very popular  and sometimes a  must have dessert during Chinese festivals.
All time favourite:  Yam cake is among the popular desserts in Trishaw Dessert Stall.
Weng Wah  says his maternal great grandfather ( tai kung ) and maternal grandfather (kung kung) sold desserts for a living.
It is desserts on wheels, he says of his ancestors who peddled food on a bicycle in the old days.
This perhaps had inspired Weng Wah’s parents to name their eatery – Trishaw Dessert Stall- which they opened in 2008.
Trishaw is a three-wheeled vehicle used to carry passengers in the old days.
Pedal power: Tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle used to transport goods in the old days. This  is a deco in Trishaw Dessert Stall.
The eatery, along Jalan Merlin off Jalan Pasir Puteh, Ipoh, has a relaxed ambience and is visibly popular among the young and old alike.
The weather may be hot and humid last Saturday afternoon (July 8, 2023)  but it is no deterrent for customers to enjoy their desserts with just ceiling fans over their heads.
Perhaps this also reminds them of the good old days where fans was a luxury item then.
Like his ancestors, Weng Wah says hard work and long hours remain an integral part of the business.
The eatery opens between 10.30am and 5.00pm daily from Monday to Saturday.
A typical working day sees his mother, Ah B, slogging away in the kitchen by 7.30am and he joins her an hour later.
Each of them easily chalked up at least 10 hours of work daily.