at Alor Setar and chatted for almost an hour there.
Later, we did some sight-seeing tour of the city
and the historical places in Alor Setar
Kedah is one of the fastest growing states in the Peninsular with many industrial, commercial, tourism and housing projects at various stages of development. Alor Star, the state capital, is the seat of Government and the business centre of the state. In the town, many old buildings still stand in their original form together with other historical relics.
The best place to start exploring Kedah's cultural heritage is in its capital of Alor Setar, with its many handsome old buildings like the Balai Besar, Balai Seni Negeri, Masjid Zahir, Courthouse and General Post Office, all of which define the atmosphere of colonial rule
Menara Alor Star (Alor Star Tower)
Menara Alor Star is Kedah's most recent landmark and the tallest communication tower in the northern region. Situated prominently in the heart of Alor Star town, it has two viewing decks and a revolving restaurant. From the top of the tower, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the town by day or night.
Masjid Zahir & Clock Tower
Officially opened in 1912, this state Mosque is an architectural landmark as it is one of the largest and grandest mosques in Malaysia.
Built in the tradition of the Moorish architecture, it has numerous arches and columns that are an epitome of grandeur. The state of Kedah's reading competition is held in the premises of the Mosque. The competitors are reading than from the Koran.
Rumah Merdeka
Rumah Merdeka is located in Jalan Tunku Andul Rahman Putra, Alor Star. This double-storey house was Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra’s private retreat whenever he returned to Kedah. It exhibits the original furniture, photographs, personal effects and souvenirs of the first family.
Museum Negeri
As a state museum, it houses a large collection of Kedah's historical, culture, and royal heritages. The collection includes early Chinese porcelain, artefacts from the archaeological excavations in Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley) and a fabulous pokok bunga emas or 'gold tree' produced as a tribute to the Thais.
The museum is also a research centre on Kedah's civilisation. Before the present premise was built in 1936, the museum - officially opened by the then Kedah Mentri Besar Tan Sri Tunku Ismail Tunku Yahya (Tunku indera Setia), on February 3, 1957 - was located in the Balai Besar (Grand Hall).
Birth House of Dr Mahathir Mohamad
This humble house made of attap wood was the birthplace of Malaysia’s fourth and arguably, most outspoken Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir. Memorabilia relating to the life and times of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad are displayed in the interior and the exterior of the house which will, hopefully, give you a deep insight into his persona.
This is the birth place of Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. A tour of the house offers an insight into the Prime Minister's youth-from his school days to his success as a doctor. Photographs, furniture, household items and even his favourite bicycle make for an interesting visit.
The wooden attap house was bought by Mohamad Iskandar when he wanted to marry off his children. It was built in 1900. When he bought the house, the house has only one room with no electricity. It has wooden flooring and the ceiling was made from white cloth.
Mahathir was born here on 20th December 1925. He lives there until he was married and moved to his own house in Titi Gajah. Even then Mahathir will always commute to this house to visit his mother. A visit to Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's birth place will give you a different perspective of the life of this revered leader.
Balai Besar
Located towards the back of the Kota Setar Palace complex is the Balai Besar. Its initial purpose was as a Balai Rong Seri or Balai Penghadapan (audience hall). Built in 1735 by the 19th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah, this was a lovely building with wood pillars, roofs and flooring.
Unfortunately, the building was badly damaged in 1770 when the Bugis armada attacked the place, and ruined even further by the Siamese in 1821.
It was, however, refurbished in 1896 to prepare for the weddings of the reigning Sultan's children. Besides weddings, the Balai Besar was also used for official ceremonies and other royal events.
Royal Museum
The Royal Museum (Muzium Di Raja) is another fine example of local architecture hinting strongly of Thai influence in its majestic design. Built in 1936, it houses a veritable collection of Kedah's royal and cultural heritage.
About 1pm, we left Alor Setar
and drove up to Kangar, Perlis for lunch.
We didn't stay overnight here. Instead, after lunch
we continued our journey to Taiping
Kangar, Perlis
Not much is said about Perlis as it is probably the quietest state in Malaysia in addition to being the smallest.
Perlis was a part of Kedah under the Thai Monarchy until the Kedah Sultan took control of it. It briefly reverted to Siamese rule during the war before being handed over to the British and then finally becoming part of Malaysia on Independence Day.
Today, Perlis still retains much of the old-world charm. Little development goes on here and life is peaceful and quiet. Because of its small size, the sights found in Perlis can be covered in a short time, but are still worth visiting if only to experience the rustic living of its calm and mild people
next....Taiping
