Our island adventure continues! Visit Kusu Island Part 2 below.
Kusu Island Adventure Part 1 — Finally, We're Sailing!
One Strike, Four Wishes
Aunty: Yes! One strike!
Wishing Well: One strike means one wish, Aunty.
Aunty: Too late—I already submitted the full package!
I threw a handful of coins towards the little hanging bells, but only one managed to strike its target.
Never mind—one successful strike should be powerful enough to carry four wishes: good fortune, happy travels, beautiful photographs and plenty of good food!
A Little Garden Detour 🌸
Ah Girl: Ma, the temple is that way.
Aunty: Wait ah—I inspect this beautiful little plot first!
The temple wasn’t going anywhere, but this charming little garden had already caught Aunty’s wandering eyes.
Flowerpots were tucked beside the narrow steps, balanced among the rocks and squeezed into almost every available corner. It wasn’t a perfectly arranged garden, but that was precisely what made it so lovely and full of character.
And once Aunty moved closer, these two beauties were waiting—one dressed in layers of brilliant pink, the other opening its soft peach petals around a cheerful yellow crown.
Making Beauty From Whatever Was Around 🌈
Aunty: Wah, even plastic bowls, baskets and bottles can become decorations!
Little Garden: Nothing is useless when someone gives it a little imagination.
This little garden was full of clever surprises. Plastic bowls, baskets, bottles, caps and other everyday containers had been transformed into hanging ornaments, flowerpots and cheerful decorations.
What made it beautiful wasn’t expensive materials or perfect landscaping. It was the thought and effort behind every handmade piece. Instead of throwing these things away, the temple gave them another purpose, adding splashes of colour among the orchids and greenery.
The closer I looked, the more tiny details I discovered.
Our First Stop: Da Bogong Temple 🛕
Ah Girl: Ma, first stop—Da Bogong Temple.
Aunty: Wah, its story goes back to 1923! Later I must take a good look around.
According to the information board, belief in Da Bo Gong on Kusu Island took root in 1923, when wealthy businessman Chia Cheng Ho donated money to build a temple in honour of the deity.
The temple houses several deities, with Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin as its two main deities.
With its aged wooden beams, red couplets and old calligraphy plaques, this was definitely not a place for Aunty to rush through. Inspection mode: switched on!
Treasures Above Our Heads 🏯
Ah Girl: Ma, we’ll prepare the prayer offerings first.
Aunty: Okay, you all carry on. I’ll start my inspection—from the ceiling!
While Ah Girl and the gang prepared the prayer offerings, Aunty took the opportunity to look around.
My first direction was naturally upwards.
Above me were cranes gliding through curling clouds, old calligraphy plaques, dark timber rafters and rows of painted decorative panels tucked beneath the roof.
Time had faded some of the colours and left its marks upon the wood, but the beautiful details were still there—quietly waiting for anyone who remembered to look up.
A Thousand Years of Emerald Green 🎋
Aunty: The colours may have faded, but these words are still standing strong.
Pillar: Some blessings are meant to outlive the passing years.
Along the side of the pillar was this poetic inscription:
“The bamboo leaves of the Western Pure Land retain their emerald green for a thousand years.”
Its weathered surface did not lessen its beauty. If anything, the marks of age made the words feel even more enduring—a quiet reminder of strength, life and the passage of time.
Offerings Ready, Hearts Prepared 🙏
Ah Girl: Ma, everything is ready.
Aunty: Okay, let us begin our prayers.
With our offerings placed upon the table, we were ready to pray.
Red trays filled the space alongside fruits, prayer items and carefully folded paper offerings. Up close, the layers of gold and red paper opened like the petals of a lotus.
After the chatter and exploring outside, it was time to quieten our hearts and offer our prayers.
Colour and Calm Beyond the Temple 🎏
Aunty: The sky is so hazy, but you still refuse to blend in!
Temple Flag: Of course—someone has to brighten the view!
The brightly patterned temple flag rose above the red flowers, its vivid colours standing proudly against the pale, hazy sky.
Beyond it, a white bridge stretched across the water towards a small pavilion with a green-tiled roof. Surrounded by trees and still water, it offered a peaceful view just outside the temple.
Our temple visit isn't over yet! Continue to Part 3 as we explore a little more before tackling the climb to Datuk Nenek Shrine!
No comments:
Post a Comment