Today, after our abortive attempt on Tuesday, we had another go at a trip to Bau.

Before the pandemic, we used this bus route several times, heading for the Wind Cave, the Bao Ling Shan cave temple, Siniawan, and Bau itself.

Today our objective was Tasik Biru, the little lake on the outskirts of the town.



We headed straight to Tasik Biru. What we specifically wanted to do was check out the recently renovated Golden Hill Temple. We'd spotted this during our Chap Goh Mei trip in February, so when we arrived this time, we thought all we'd have to do was cross the little suspension bridge and walk up the hill.

Well, no... That whole area is a construction site now... The little food court has gone, and the bridge is temporarily cut off:



For the time being, there are two ways to get to the temple (which you can see on the hill in the picture below). You can walk over via a kind of pontoon bridge, or you can go by boat. We felt walking was the way to go.


It costs MYR 10 per person to cross, but the ticket desk is not open until 1000, so we were well early... I don't understand why things open so late in a place with our climate. By 1000 it's HOT (and it really was a super-hot day today). So much better, surely, to do things early... But these decisions are not up to me.

We filled in the intervening time by having brunch (nice kolo mee and tea for two at Poh Lin, costing a princely total of MYR 10), and taking a closer (and quieter) look at the temple we'd visited during Chap Goh Mei. Then it was awash with worshippers. Today it was tranquil, and incredibly photogenic, as these places usually are:









By now, it was Open Sesame time for the pontoon bridge, so we returned to the lake.



You can get to the hill temple via a lane or via a set of steps. We opted to make a circuit by going up the lane, and down the steps.




And the little temple and its grounds are very picturesque:







Your MYR 10 crossing charge includes two soft drinks (but only certain makes, and swapping them for water is not an option). We claimed ours from the little cafe, and split a couple on the terrace overlooking the lake.

We were aiming to return on the bus scheduled for 1300, which actually left at 1245.

By the time we reached Kuching (the journey again took 1.25 hours), the heat had built into an almighty thunderstorm and torrential rain:


Despite some minor inconveniences (the timing, the heat, and the fact that we stupidly forgot the insect repellent), this was an enjoyable trip, and we're hoping bus rides will be featuring regularly once again on our Kuching agenda.