I could smell incense. I thought I could see a hidden temple. So I parked my motorbike on the side of the road. And carefully threaded my way down the treacherous slope.
I crossed the dodgy bridge to where I glimpsed some buildings in the jungle.
It’s a Hindu hidden temple
Aah I thought so. A Hindu temple. Run down. With empty Tiger beer cans, crushed cigarette packs and other rubbish lying around. I like the lack of reverence. Opposite to my strict Catholic upbringing.
“Sshhh don’t talk during mass or you won’t get an ice cream after”.
In Hindu tradition, there is no dividing line between the secular and the sacred.
Ganesh on my radar
As I wandered around the hidden temple I recognised Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. He is the god of wisdom and learning.
I keep a small statue of him on top of our radar on Yana de Lys. His job description is “remover of obstacles”. I’m not sure if I have our relationship right though because I can’t get my radar to work.
This week I had a local Moslem guy helping me with the trouble shooting. When he saw Ganesh there he said “That’s why it cannot on”. (“Cannot on” is the technical term in SE Asia for anything that won’t work).
I have an email pen friend at the Furuno office in Singapore. He’s been giving me troubleshooting ideas. His latest advice is to bring the unit in for his people to check out. Looks like another trip to Singapore coming up. Any suggestions for art galleries to visit?
Going green
I drive past the temple entrance on my way home from Permas Jaya town to Senibong Cove Marina nearly every day.
Recently I was intrigued to see a frenzy of motorbikes and cars parked there as I rode past. This went on for some weeks. A work party. They’ve chopped down the jungle which gave it atmosphere. It’s not a hidden temple anymore. Everything is in plain view. And painted a nauseous shade of green! Oh dear.
Hidden temple in the jungle before…
…and after
Moving right along…or not
While I was meditating at the no longer hidden temple in the jungle, I started thinking about my blog. (I have to admit I didn’t meditate long. I was attacked by a swarm of non vegetarian mosquitoes.)
Are my readers disappointed that my adventures are all “Land trips on the side” lately? Rather than sailing on Yana de Lys? I’m still living on Yana de Lys. Still living the dream, still loving living in Malaysia. Just waiting to get my ducks in a row before crossing the South China Sea to Borneo…
I'm a sailing traveller floating around South East Asia on my boat Yana de Lys. I spend as much time as I can exploring the back streets and pretending to act like a local.
Everything I talk about is simply based on my own experiences. (But hey - I'm open to sponsorship offers from five star hotels and stuff. Bring it on!)
Get in touch with me on:
+61 411 220 592 and +61 8 6255 5074
penny@sailingtravelblog.com
View all posts by Penny
9 thoughts on “Revealing a Hidden Temple in the Jungle”
Is it possible for you share the google maps link with the location of the temple? I am unable to find it.
Hi Pala. Thanks for your interest. The temple isn’t named on Google maps but it looks like it’s about here: 1°29’44.7″N 103°49’37.5″E
1.495740, 103.827080. Let me know if that helps. If not I’ll take my handheld GPS and get an accurate fix for you.
Hi again. The temple is near the corner of JB East Coast Highway and Jalan Permas Barat, on the jungle side, not the industrial area side. Thanks for the noonsite and Yindee Plus links. I met the family from Yindee Plus when they were here. They are absolutely lovely people!
Is it possible for you share the google maps link with the location of the temple? I am unable to find it.
Thank you.
Hi Pala. Thanks for your interest. The temple isn’t named on Google maps but it looks like it’s about here: 1°29’44.7″N 103°49’37.5″E
1.495740, 103.827080. Let me know if that helps. If not I’ll take my handheld GPS and get an accurate fix for you.
Can I get the address
Hi sorry for the slow response. The temple is located Jalan Permas Barat, near the corner of JB East Coast Highway
You should read this site
http://www.noonsite.com/
Can you please tell me the exact location at Permas Jaya, JB?
Where is it?
Thanks
Hi Choi KK. Permas Jaya is about 15 minutes drive east of Johor Bahru city. There’s a Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permas_Jaya
Thanks for the reply.What I meant was the exact location of this green temple at Permas Jaya.”I drive past the temple entrance on my way home from Permas Jaya town to Senibong Cove Marina nearly every day”.
Is it located at Senibong Cove Marina?
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Malaysia/johor-bahru-the-new-feffsenibong-cove-marina
http://www.yindeeplus.net/Yindee_Plus/Welcome.html
Thank you
Hi again. The temple is near the corner of JB East Coast Highway and Jalan Permas Barat, on the jungle side, not the industrial area side. Thanks for the noonsite and Yindee Plus links. I met the family from Yindee Plus when they were here. They are absolutely lovely people!