For those who watched the 2010 Julia Roberts memoir film Eat, Pray, Love, you would have a good idea of what I meant by Pray, Eat, Rest, in “Ching San Yen” (Green Hill Temple), also known as “Cheh Sua” in Hokkien dialect, located in Muara Tebas, Kuching, Sarawak. Of course, not the same sequence or scenario, but quite similar, as experienced on a day trip to a Malay fishing village, located at the estuary or mouth of the Sarawak River, and called Kampung Muara Tebas in Kuching, Sarawak.
Prayer is held at Green Hill Temple, Kuching, if you are a Buddhist or like to pray to the temple’s host deity, Shakyamuni Buddha, and other Chinese deities such as the Male Sea Goddess. If not, don’t be discouraged as visiting this 200 year old Chinese temple was itself a special occasion due to its history, layout, panoramic view and the intriguing incongruity of a thriving Chinese temple set in the middle of a malay fishing. town.
Occupying a 2.5-acre ancient hilltop site 120 feet above sea level, Green Hill Kuching Temple stood like a silent but watchful sentinel, overlooking the Malay fishing village and the distant South China Sea. In centuries past, sea travelers paid their respects and gave thanks at the temple for a safe crossing of the South China Sea to and from the then-thriving trading port of Muara Thebes. They would also get blessings for good health and good fortune.
My family and I left for Green Hill Temple Kuching or Cheh Sua at mid-morning, and it was a smooth and peaceful drive to Kampung Muara Tebas, about 35 kilometers away and 30 minutes drive from Kuching City, Sarawak. As we were going on a normal weekend, not when it was the 1st or 15th of the lunar month or during Chinese New Year where hundreds or even thousands of worshipers and devotees would flock to Green Hill Temple. There were enough parking spaces; and no parking or entrance fees were imposed. Otherwise the local boys from the village would charge a nominal fee of RM2-RM3 to help look after your car.
At the foot of Green Hill Kuching Temple, be prepared to climb a long flight and a series of steps to reach the main entrance, guarded by statues of fierce-looking lions and towering figures of heavenly deities. I was pretty out of breath by the time I got to the top, but the view was breathtaking and would take your breath away. Green hills and blue sea surrounded by a calm natural environment. It was great feng shui!
The temple, which underwent extensive renovations and upgrades between 1994 and 2000, gleamed bright and inviting in the sun. It was an impressive sight to see: the white walls, columns and structures contrasted with colorful patterns, images and artifacts of dragons, fish, flowers painted in red, green, blue, yellow and all shades of the rainbow. The Green Hill Temple covered a floor area of almost 10,000 square feet, encompassing the main hall with a middle chamber and two wings, left and right; a vegetarian dining room; two public bathrooms; a decorative fencing wall; beautiful landscaped garden; A fountain; and the pair of huge footprints of the Buddha or Buddhapada, inscribed with 108 golden auspicious marks or symbols on them.
After climbing those steps and walking around the Green Hill temple admiring the temple, I was ready to eat at the foot of the temple. One gets to taste the fresh seafood, for which Muara Tebas is known to this day.
The lunch took place at Lim Yong Seng Seafood Restaurant, one of two seafood restaurants in Kampung Muara Tebas, Kuching. The other is Sin Soon Lee Seafood Restaurant, which I have yet to try. Small gourmet lunch with the catch of the day: steamed drunken prawns, steamed crabs, steamed fish head, steamed oysters, lobster sashimi, stir-fried ferns with belacan (spicy prawn paste), cangkok manis stir-fried vegetables) with eggs , accompanied by steamed white rice, and all washed down with pandan coconut drinks. Fresh seafood should be enjoyed steamed, lightly seasoned, or fried to truly savor its innate sweetness and freshness. Although the lunch was not cheap, considering the seafood dishes we ordered and consumed, it was well worth the money.
A break was needed, after the delicious meal and we continued to sit and relax in the rustic setting, watching the rocking boats anchored just off shore and the jetty area, listening to the lapping of the tides and appreciating the sea breeze blowing in. to cool down the interiors of the restaurant, but the rotating fans around the exit also helped with the cooling effect. We left Green Hill Temple and Kampung Muara Tebas very satisfied, and the rest continued on the way back to the city of Kuching, and for the rest of the afternoon with a nap, at least for me after such a hearty meal.
