Update @ 25 May 09

Time flies, and May is soon over.

Very apparently, I have been very inactive here. I am postulating that there is a law of proportionality between free time and laziness to blog. The more busy you are, the more you want to update your blog. The more free you are, the less frequent you see your blog. Makes sense huh?

Many things have happened since my last update. Giant Teluk Intan’s finally opening in 28th May.With a working cineplex, a (or two? I’m not sure if TF is considered) working hypermarket, and a working McDonalds’, I think Teluk Intan is finally functioning. I even noticed a significant increase in traffic (means bad) nowadays; so many cars waiting at the traffic lights and even more cars beating them. This probably means more people will stay here instead of visiting Ipoh every now and then. Even PAS had just organised its state convention here at the newly-built Arena Square yesterday.

Good signs that this place is gaining significance? Convincing signs that people here have deep pockets (usually refer to the Langkap population who often has more money than ordinary town people like me) and can’t wait to spend on movies, McD and shopping? Yeah, hopefully, minus the traffic part.

Chitrapurnami in Teluk Intan

Today is the day of Chitrapurnami in Teluk Intan in the chettiar temple in town. The festival is definitely the largest Hindu festival in Teluk Intan. Every year, Teluk Intan Hindus from the entire country will return and pray to respective deities for blessings.

So I was there. Of course, it continues till tonight, but I am most likely not going (too tired). So here are some pics that I captured this morning.

Actually there was a DAP and a Makkal Sakthi booth among the stalls. I even saw Ngeh Koo Ham while I was walking towards the temple. But I did not expect this:

Apparently, the (former) Menteri Besar of Perak is here. (From the MB) Mohd. Nizar, Hj. Anuar (ADUN of my area), emcee, unknown, and Siva the (former) Speaker who was dragged out of the Dewan two days back.

Yes; Siva the (former) Speaker is very popular. I think the main reason I recognised him is his smile. He can easily advertise for Darlie or Colgate for that matter. Haha.

My ADUN speaking, and another close up of Mohd. Nizar.

 

Datuk taking his puff, while sitting on a faithful. It is very easy to identify a Datuk; he likes curut (cigar) a lot, and most of the time he walks with a cane. Sometimes he takes two cigars together. I remembered the last time I went to Chitrapurnami one Datuk puffed three cigars.

Another Datuk giving blessings to a devotee.

The one in the centre, I believe, is Kaliamman.

 

Devotees shaving their head.

The leaning tower in festive atmosphere.

Giant Teluk Intan: It’s coming, finally.

Sorry for the distance at which this pic is taken,but it seems that the Giant signboard has been put up finally. This means one thing: Giant is coming after all. Indeed, I had assumed it didn’t make it here because the building renovation hasn’t been progressing for many months now.

There is one thing good about opening all these ‘new’ things in small towns: the town folks who are very bored already will take turns visiting all these new places (e.g. McDonalds and BIG Cinema). Now let see how many will go to Giant on its first day of opening, which I think, will be soon.

BIG Cinema in Teluk Intan opens

It is official: BIG Cinema, run by Lotus FiveStar Group who operates similar cinemas across the country (including Sitiawan) has opened in Teluk Intan. It is located at the former site of Rex Cinema. The pulling down of Rex Cinema means the oldest surviving cinema in Teluk Intan is officially no more. This new cineplex is said to have 3 halls, sitting maximum 150 people each. Not bad for Teluk Intan…

May do a follow up when I go back.

UPDATE: Cinema showing time available at here. At time of updating (10am 2/5/09) there are only 3 movies available! WTH?