1st stop: Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong

Our very first stop of the day was here...Surprisingly, all the places of interests was clearly directed and near to each other, everything was conveniently signed along a main road. It just takes an urge of that adventurous feeling to go off the main road and immerse yourself in the smaller paths that will lead you to some things that is worth having the time to indulge in....

the original copy - description

huda :)

xingyu :)

Exterior:

Interior shots:

At the courtyard towards the right:

a place where devotees burn paper incense

somewhat similar to a large kiln for paper...

towards the left: Wayang puppetry house!

I almost hit this very historic building while trying so very very hard to reverse out of the place, limited parking, whatever you do, do not park head in! hehe

Spending some time here was very interesting, i think the fact that it was around 9 in the morning, the air was cool, and seeing people praying at such an early hour on a Sunday, speaks a lot about the faith that each of us carries within. People were friendly, i was actually expecting people to look at me and wonder why a Muslim girl, clad in her head-scarf doing at the place of worship of another, but they were all welcoming, giving warm smiles and some even gladly pose and smile while i snap some images of them. I guess this is one of the many things that is different about us Singaporean, the fact that we grow and thrive in a multi-racial community, something like this visit becomes nothing strange, i mean, i am sure they must have been thinking that we were on a school project, well, at least the owner did.

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Did You Know...

1) This single story temple was established in 1847 by Chinese Hokkien labourers working on Joseph Balestier's sugar plantation.

2) Balestier at that time was a swampy area infested with malarial mosquitos and tigers.

3) Problems of workers killed by the tigers was at its peak in 1843, and thus the temple was established by the workers, dedicated to the deity Tua Pek Kong (Grand Old Man) who is believed to be the guardian saint of overseas Chinese in SEA.

4) Even until today, devotees still come to pray for peace and tranquillity.

5) The current trustees of the temple are the direct descendents of the original keepers who used to stay in a kampung behind the temple.