A SHORT STOP AT AL BUSYRA MOSQUE IN MERBOK, KEDAH

   11th JANUARY 2026    ~ After performing the Zuhur prayer at a mosque in Kepala Batas, Alor Setar [READ HERE], we stopped again for Asar prayer. This time it was at Al Busyra Mosque in Merbuk, on the way back from Tanjung Dawai [READ HERE].

This was another modern mosque with unique architecture. One important thing, the place was well taken care of.

The mosque complex was quite huge actually. There were other facilities like a mini mart and food stalls. There was also a hotel in the mosque compound.

This was my first stop at this mosque. I had been passing by three times before and finally managed to visit the holy building. There is a possibility for me to set foot at this place again if I am invited to another wedding reception in Sungai Petani or Kepala Batas area.

AN AFTERNOON ON THE BRIDGE TO PULAU BUNTING

   11th JANUARY 2026    ~ This was an unplanned destination. The real reason we were here was because there was a road closure from Alor Setar to Sungai Petani, and there was no sign board notifying the road users. Consequently, the driver, Mr. Fakhrul had to divert to Yan and we were suddenly on the bridge of Pulau Bunting.

Pulau Bunting is an uninhabited island and the bridge was an abandoned construction. I had to search for information about this place on the Net but there was no exact answer found.

It was rumoured there was a plan to build a port on the island for Kedah state, hence the bridge was built to connect it to the mainland. However, things did not go according to plan for unknown reasons and the structure was abandoned and closed to public.

People came here and walked as far as to the fenced area on the bridge, to enjoy the scenery by standing on the bridge in the middle of the ocean. We could see a few people who came to fish at this area.

The state government should do something about this place as it has potential to be developed as a tourist attraction. I think people would simply love to walk or jog from one end of the bridge to and fro. Locals could set up stalls nearby and business could generate income for people.

Thanks to Mr. Fakhrul and Puan Suhana, it was a rare opportunity to get to this place. It was unintentional but it was worth the time and effort taking photos and posing under the bright, hot afternoon sun.

STOPPING BY AT AL SHAHAB MOSQUE IN KEPALA BATAS, KEDAH

   11TH DECEMBER 2026    ~ The driver, Mr. Fakhrul, and the navigator, Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal, who took me to the wedding in Jitra [READ HERE], decided to stop by at a mosque along the way via Alor Setar. Masjid Jame' Al Shahab was located by the main road and we got to perform our Zohor prayer there.

I was glad that I managed to be in Kepala Batas in Kedah. It had always been the other Kepala Batas in Pulang Pinang a.k.a Penang.

The mosque looked new and it was well taken care of. Congratulations to the committee members and staff for the great effort.

THE BREAKFAST DATE WITH AN EX-PRIMARY SCHOOLMATE IN SUNGAI PETANI

   11TH JANUARY 2026    ~ I contacted Mr. Akhbar Yahya, a ex-primary schoolmate of Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman [2] Johor Bahru, telling him I would be in Sungai Petani. The last time I  met him was last year in May [READ HERE].

The chosen venue was this place called Roti Canai Kari Kambing. We were at another place initially but the restaurant was full of people eating breakfast and there were no empty seats, so we adjourned to one other spot.

This place seemed popular as there were also many people that morning. [It was Sunday and a working day in Kedah, mind you.] There was a variety of food to choose from for breakfast. However, the attraction should be the Roti Canai [paratha] that went together with Mutton Curry.

It was just a short get together over breakfast, and I had to get ready for the wedding reception later in the afternoon. Thanks to Mr. Akhbar for spending his time with me again, and hopefully we could do this again when I am back in Sungai Petani or he in Johor Bahru.