Cheras Hokkien Association Visiting Fellow Folks

Persatuan Hokkien Cheras (雪兰莪州蕉赖区福建公会) organized a 2D1N “interaction trip of folk fellowship (乡亲交流之旅)” to Pahang and Negeri Sembilan from Saturday to Sunday on April 15 to 16, 2017, paying visit to Persatuan Hokkien Daerah Bera (彭亨州百乐县福建会馆), Persatuan Keturunan Ann Khoe Negeri Pahang (彭亨州安溪同乡会) and Persatuan Hokkien Bahau, Negeri Sembilan (森美兰州马口福建会馆).

As there was a vacancy after a participant pulled out at the last minute, I being a Cantonese was persuaded by my wife Soh Ai (who is a Committee Member of the Cheras Hokkien Association) to join by paying a non-member fare of RM 100.  Members of the Association are to pay RM 50 while Committee Members are exempted from payment.

Group photo of the delegation of Cheras Hokkien Association

A total of 43 of us left Batu 11 Cheras at 8.00am on April 15, 2017 in a bus.  This delegation was led the Chairman of the Cheras Hokkien Association 陈思添 and the tour leader was Kenny Thong (唐金华). 

The original itinerary

Our bus

We reached Triang (直凉) at 11.00am and were warmly received by Committee Members of the Bera Hokkien Association who were dressed in beautiful light blue batik uniform. 

It is really respectable that the Chairman of the Bera Hokkien Association is currently 90 years old and still active in society work.  Leaders of the two Associations took turn to introduce the respective background and activities and the atmosphere was very amicable.  Later, mementos were exchanged between the two Associations followed by group photo-taking session.

1st stop: Bera Hokkien Association

Soh Ai and I attending the proceeding of interaction between two Hokkien Associations

Chairman of Bera Hokkien Association delivering his welcoming address

Chairman of Cheras Hokkien Association speaking

Exchanging mementos

Memento from Cheras Hokkien Association 

Bera Hokkien Association returning memento

Group photo-taking session

We visited the new premises of the Bera Hokkien Association some distance away before adjourning for a very sumptuous lunch hosted by the very Bera Hokkien Association at Resthouse Triang Restaurant. 

The new premises of Bera Hokkien Association

Interaction during lunch-time

Leaders of the two Hokkien Associations

After lunch at about 2.15pm, we visited Rinchen Jangsem Ling (,珍宝觉心林) which was not in the original itinerary, many thanks to the guidance of members of the Bera Hokkien Association,  It is understood that this is a Tibetan Buddhist Centre established in 2005 and affiliated to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a network of more than 150 centres around the world under the spiritual guidance of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.  Rinchen Jangsem Ling (RJL) in Tibetan language means “Land of Precious Bodhicitta (the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of sentient beings)”.  Hidden itself at the highest hilltop in Triang and overlooking an expansive rubber and palm plantations, RJL serves as a very conducive environment for retreaters and practitioners. 

Entrance to the Tibetan Buddhist Centre RJL

Panoramic view of Triang

We next visited Triang Palm Grove (金河山庄) where lies the so-called “Little Jiuzhaigou of Triang (直凉小九寨沟)”.  Of course, this lake view has been exaggerated to be comparable with the famous national park of the “Nine Village Valley” in Sichuan province of China.  Anyway, it sufficed for us to snap some photos for remembrance.

Triang's "Little Jiuzhaigou"at Palm Grove

A pose with 银珍姐 who is a regular morning trekker at BSL hill and whom I often meet during my Sat. trekking

A pose with Mr. & Mrs. SK Tan

At 3.30pm, we checked into Hotel Sri Bera where most of us shared triple rooms.  I had the privilege of sharing a room with the Cheras Hokkien Association’s Treasurer Tan KH (陈振发) and Executive Secretary Tan SK (陈绍金), an important organizer of this trip.  Meanwhile, Soh Ai shared her room with the wife of Association Chairman 钱小红 and the wife of Executive Secretary Lee Siew Bee (李秀美).

Putting up a night at the above hotel 

Checking in 

A glimpse of our triple room

After a short break at 5.00pm, we proceeded to visit the Pahang Ann Khoe Clan Association at Jalan Triang-Temerloh, Triang.  The same ceremony like the earlier courtesy call took place with the speeches delivered by Chairmen of the two Associations, mutual introduction of background and activities, exchanges of mementos and group photo-taking. 

Pahang Ann Khoe Clan Association

An'xi Association emblem

Cheras Hokkien Association Chairman giving speech

Exchange of mementos

Group photo of the two Association members

At 7.00pm, we adjourned for dinner at Golden Bera Restaurant (黄金海鲜餐馆) where we were treated to sumptuous meals by the Ann Khoe Clan Association.  During the dinner, members of both Associations took to the stage and performed karaoke singing.

Venue for dinner

Mr. & Mrs. SK Tan, two most hard-working important members of the Cheras Hokkien Association 

Returning to the premises of Pahang Ann Khoe Clan Association after dinner for further social interaction 

After dinner, we returned to the premises of the Ann Khoe Clan Association and were served with beers, peanuts and potato chips.  Members of both Associations enjoyed karaoke singing and dancing together until about 10.30pm.
It is understood that hand-made noodle (raw mee) is a popular local specialty in Triang and large quantity needs to be pre-ordered.  Our tour leader Kenny Thong rang up Ann Khoe Clan Association during the journey to help order 50 x 1kg of mee.  Subsequently, Ann Khoe Clan Association purchased and generously gave us as gifts.  Each one of our delegation took home 1kg of the raw mee for free. 

On Sunday April 16, 2017, we took our individual breakfast at the market place of Triang.  I tried the local Hokkien fried mee and found that fairly tasty.  Many co-travelers took the opportunity to buy some fruits and vegetables from the market.  Three considerably big papayas cost only RM5.  I also bought a packet of 10 passion fruits for only RM5.

Breakfast at Triang hawkers centre

Street view of Triang on a Sunday mroning

Public market of Triang

Pork-selling market

An internal view of our bus

After breakfast, we proceeded to visit Tasik Bera (百乐淡水湖), a large natural water marshy lake.  What a pity to find this former tourist resort with some chalets and a still new jetty deserted!

Entrance to Bera Lake 

Herbal leaves of "黑面将军"

Jetty

Marshy water lake

Group photo 

We returned to Hotel Sri Bela at 12.00pm noon and checked out at 12.45pm.  Our lunch at Restoran Lai Heong was again treated by the local Hokkien Association. 

Triang Hokkien mee

After lunch, we were guided to visit another scenic spot not in the original itinerary, i.e. the Temple of Goddess of Heaven in Mengkuang, Pahang (明光圣法殿天后圣母).  The many statues of Chinese mythological figures are unique and spectacular.  The weather was very hot and I had profusely sweated due to walking around and taking photos so much so I had to change my thoroughly wet shirt into T-shirt inside the bus.

明光圣法殿天后圣母

Mazu (Goddess of the Sea)

Stop-over for washroom and refreshment enroute to Bahau

Pic from left: Soh Ai, SK and Siew Bee

We arrived at Bahau, Negeri Sembilan at about 5.00pm and visited Bahau Hokkien Association.  Their premises were at the first floor and after all the ceremonies were over, each of us was given a souvenir cup.  

Visiting Bahau Hokkien Association 

We were treated by the Bahau Hokkien Association to a sumptuous dinner at Restoran Wah Ming (华明海鲜饭店) at Jalan Meranti 8, Bahau before returning to Batu 11 Cheras, Selangor.  We finally reached home at 10.30pm.

Restaurant for dinner

Going home sweet home

It is really an eye-opener to me as this is the first time I took part in such an activity organized by a clan society (Hokkien) in spite of my belonging to another clan (Cantonese). 

I am truly touched by the warmth of hospitality exhibited by their fellow clans in Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.  In conclusion, I totally enjoyed this extraordinary excursion!