Honey4Boyz

We're privileged to join the researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia in their last public heritage walk at Gua Tambun for the year. The site  is located just over 7 km from Ipoh Old Town. It seems like an odd place, situated in the midst of some residential houses and a polo club with horses grazing in the field.    The hill looks like just any other limestone hills in Ipoh. What made this place special was the discovery of hundreds of ancient paintings and drawings dated 4,000 - 2,500 years ago, known as Tambun Rock Art. The rock art was first reported in 1959 and later in 1984.   A steep, almost upright steps leading to the Tambun rock art site. The view from Gua Tambun, situated in Gunung Panjang limestone hill.  The rock art site survives the modern times in Ipoh, and seems oblivious to the fact that it was once a sacred site for local spiritual ceremonies. The hill also survives blasting by the quarry operators. The researchers were quick to p...

We revisited Concubine Lane and my oh my, what a change! If the change can preserve some of these buildings, then perhaps it's not bad. Hopefully, it will not commercialise the living & working town until it becomes a mere tourist attraction.  Inside one of the shops, which has been converted to a souvenir shop with a display gallery. Others  are turned to cafes, snack shops and homestays. But they're not the same. Unlike the nearby Kong Heng and Thean Chun coffee shops which have survived the war and changing times. Remains of an old 1902 newspapers on the wall, now framed up and part of the wall decor. We're fortunate to visit the Hakka Miners' Club at Jalan Bijeh Timah, which is just across the road after Concubine Lane.  It's one of the prominent heritage buildings in the old Ipoh town, and was so exclusive it used to be only opened to its club members, which were mainly the rich Hakka miners and towkays (men only).  Built in ...

Xiaozhou Arts Village, a small village in Haizhu district of Guangzhou. Branches of Pearl River wander through the village with houses lining the banks, canals, bridges and 'mashi' roads. This is not a very accurate picture of Xiaozhou now. The village attracted a community of young and creative artists who were forced out of the city centre due to rapid urban developments and high rentals. "Forget Our Memories" - an irony of what becomes of the village houses after the artists turn them into their studios and lifestyle cafes. There're exhibitions all year round. The villagers living side-by-side with the young artists, .... ... and streams of noisy and curious visitors. A blend of old and new. But the uniqueness about Xiaozhou is the village life is still vibrant. This auntie has been selling her sesame paste dessert since she was young. She grew up in the village, which used to be picturesque, and she used to ...