VISITING THE ROYAL MUSEUM OF KEDAH IN ALOR SETAR

   23RD APRIL 2025   ~ The only tourist attraction I visited when I was in Alor Setar this time was the Royal Museum. The place was near to my hotel, and I made it a point to go as early as possible because I had to check out from the hotel and catch a bus to Penang before noon.

I was the first visitor to arrive and also the only one. Good news: entrance was free of charge. Bad news: No camera was allowed inside the museum.

The museum housed the collectibles that belonged to the royal family of Kedah. It was a small museum but the exhibits were excellently displayed for viewing.

As I was the only visitor. the lady staff at the counter was kind enough to take my photos. She was actually the one giving me instructions of where to pose.

I spent some time taking photos of the museum [which I think was a palace building complex once]. The old buildings were well preserved and taken care of.

I was happy that I still managed to get to the museum despite the tight schedule. I had to rush to Pekan Rabu to do some shopping, went back to the hotel and packed my bags.

I wonder if there are other attractions in Alor Setar that I have not yet visited but there is always a next time.

 

THE REUNION THAT HAPPENED IN ALOR SETAR

   22ND APRIL 2025    ~ I was in Alor Setar Kedah as I was attending a symposium there [READ HERE]. Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar, who is residing in Changlun, was in town because she had to attend a briefing. Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar and her husband were on their way home from Hatyai, Thailand, but decided to see me to pass to the food items I asked her to buy. While Puan Fauziah Abdul Rahim, went home from work in UUM to Jitra, and asked her husband to drive her to the city right after. Then, the reunion of four friends of UPM TESL Class of 1993 [and someone's husband] happened in Simpol, Alor Setar, Kedah.

It was just a short gathering over coffee and pastries but to get four friends from different places at one time in Alor Setar was something unexpected.

Puan Sharon Taty, Puan Hanna and I initially met up at Albukhari Mosque earlier, but I did not the the time to explore the place. I now have a reason to get back to Alor Setar again.

Thanks to everyone for the short meeting. I am indeed blessed to have friends who are always excited to meet up for coffee, other and kinds of food wherever I go.

ARRIVING AND HAVING BREAKFAST IN SUNGAI PETANI FOR THE FIRST TIME

   21ST APRIL 2025    ~ I was back in Kedah as I had to attend a national level symposium held by Jabatan Kebajiikan Masyatakat (JKM) [TRANSLATE: Welfare Department]

I took the flight to Penang Internationa Airport and I was lucky to meet Puan Mawar, an officer of the department who was on the same flight. Because of that, I was given a lift to Alor Setar in the department's car. Since we arrived early in the morning, we decided to get breakfast and the driver diverted to Sungai Petani just for that.

The destination for breakfast was Warung Pokok Sawa and the main reason was to get Peknga, known as lempeng in other places [TRANSLATE: pancake] eaten with curry.

This was officially my first time setting foot in Sungai Petani and it was started with a gastronomic adventure. This should be a kind of introduction as I would be going back to the same place again in May to attend a wedding reception.