The delectable
fare on offer memorably mingles Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and European
flavors. Foodies in search of supreme bliss should head to the marketplace Ayer
Itam - adjacent to Kek Lok Si (the Temple of Supreme Bliss) - to dine on a
variety of dishes based on rice, noodles, fish, shellfish, chicken, pork,
vegetables, eggs, and coconut. Look for lor bak (deep-fried marinated minced
pork served with a chili sauce); lok-lok (skewered seafood, meats, and
vegetables); and ikan bakar (grilled or barbecued fish marinated in spices and
coconut milk, wrapped inside banana leaves, and grilled over hot coals).
The same fusion
of cultures is evident in the local architecture, which ranges from modern
high-rises to buildings built by 19th-century British colonialists. Add to the
mix beach resorts, preserved mangroves, small fishing villages, and a share of
temples, mosques, and churches.
Kek Lok Si best
exemplifies this coexistence. At seven stories, it's the largest Buddhist
temple in Southeast Asia, and it reflects the shared values of Mahayana and
Theravada Buddhism-designed with a Chinese octagonal base, a Thai-accented
middle tier, and a Burmese-style peak.
February 22,
2011 (Source : Yahoo Travel, by Gary
McKechnie)
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