Chinese temple and an orchid garden


What a day yesterday was. We booked a tour to see the orang utans and we get to experience it tomorrow. We are also traveling to a place called Bako National Park. Bako has a few different species of monkeys, including the ones with the really big noses. I can't wait. These places are both within an hour of here. I am still looking for a way to get to the Fairy and Wind caves too, also so close. I will be asking a lot of questions tomorrow.
We walked to the tour place, walked past a Chinese temple on our way to the mall (think: air conditioning), walked across a bridge to an extensive orchid garden, wandered the garden, walked back, then pretty much collapsed.
The Chinese decorations are intense, we have passed these kinds of temples many times, staring at the outside. I finally asked if we could go inside, and they said yes. It was stunning, like the Catholic churches in Europe were stunning with detailed art jumping out from all angles. It wasn't a very big building, but it was packed with things on the walls and ceiling, including a fountain. For twenty five cents we could buy some incense and light it, and put it in some containers. Outside there is a mini oven like a kiln where someone took a piece of folded paper and tossed in and said a prayer. I could imagine how lovely it would be in a quiet courtyard, but this was being done a few feet from the busy sidewalk in Chinatown.
We went for breakfast and ordered local food. I love laksa, and kolo mee. It's like having lunch or dinner for breakfast, but it's very tasty. They should just call it Meal 1, Meal 2, and Meal 3. First food, second food, third food. Beginning hunger, middle hunger, end hunger. I don't know. The food is ulta cheap, for sure. Breakfast was about $3.50, leaving us feeling full.
So we are at the outdoor orchid garden and the sun is not shining, but it's so incredibly hot! I really felt like I was melting. But I couldn't stop, the flowers were so delicate and artistic. They were so wonderfully designed with the most intricate colors.

I have another great shot of Kuching. The orchid gardens are across the river behind the pink mosque with the golden top.
Chinatown is to the right of the mosque.



This is a quick picture of the inside, taken from the doorway.



This is me in the front area, by the sidewalk. This is filled with sand, to put your incense stick in there.














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