Wollongong the Gong

It was a long Anzac Day weekend, so we decided to take the car to Wollongong for a spin. People here usually go farther than that, but 100kms to anywhere is far enough for me.

Going to Wollongong is no problem. Just take Princes Highway all the way south and that's it. Speed limits range from 70kph to 110 kph. We took a detour at Lawrence Hargrave Drive and headed for Stanwell Park. There's a nice park and beach, but that's just about it. Next, we went to the Bald Hill lookout, a known haven for hangliders. A few hangliders are set up and lying on the grass, but I didn't see anyone hangliding.

On our way back to Princes Highway, we stopped by the Sri Venkateswara Hindu Temple. I understand it's Australia's first Hindu temple. I took off my shoes and was able to take a look inside the temple. Unfortunately, picture-taking is prohibited inside.

Upon getting to Wollongong, we didn't explore the city centre anymore. We headed straight for Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley. It is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. First thing you see is the temple main gate which looks similar to the archways you see in Chinatowns around the world, except that this one is bigger. Further on is the 8-storey pagoda, which is actually a resting place for the cremated ashes of devotees and their relatives. In the Pagoda's atrium are some Buddha statues and a wishing bell. Beside is the Pagoda is the main temple. The Front Shrine (a.k.a. the Great Compassion Shrine) looks imposing enough. Inside in a prominent statue of Guan Yin. Here, she is portrayed as having a third eye and multiple hands holding various instruments. Behind the Front Shrine is a vast courtyard, then the Main Shrine (a.k.a. the Great Hero Hall). On either side, you'll find the Drum and the Gong. Inside is a giant altar with the Buddhas of the Five Directions.

There's also a 190-seat auditorium, a museum cum tourist shop, a reception room, a dining hall serving vegetarian meals, a meditation hall, a lotus pond, and the 3-storey Pilgrim Lodge with 100 suites.