Sungai Petani + Alor Star

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The World Water Monitoring Day Nation Tour continues and I hopped into the travel wagon to be part of the Leg 2 of the programme in Sungai Petani Kedah.

Sungai Petani (abbreviated “Sg. Petani” or “SP”) is a town in the state of Kedah, in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Sungai Petani is the second largest town in Kedah after Alor Star. The name Sungai Petani has its roots from sungai meaning river and petani meaning farmer in the Malay language. Sungai Petani in full means “Farmer’s River”, due to the huge concentration of paddy fields and farmers in the state (Wikipedia)

It makes every sense for a programme about water quality and river rehabilitation to be held in places like Sungai Petani and Sungai Lembing. I was under the impression that Sungai Petani, being a major town will have a nicely maintained and clean river that gives the town its name. I was wrong. The river is just like any other river, not clean and not attractive.

I do not blame the Government, I do not blame the authority, I do not blame the system. I blame us, Malaysians.

No people, no rubbish right?

Coming from Leg 1 of the programme in Sungai Lembing, where the program was held in a beautiful picnic spot, it’s only normal to make comparison. Nevertheless, the team was excited to carry out the programme. And SK Khir Johari school is one amazing school. Amazing headmaster, amazing teachers and most important amazing students.

The kids with the experiment testing the river water quality.

The school shares the same compound with a ‘special school’ for special kids and we have the honour of having 5 of these special kids with us for the program. I always have a soft spot for special kids, after all they are special

The best part happened after the programme has ended. The facilitators including myself were mobbed by the kids asking to sign on their notebook as a memorabilia. For a few seconds, we enjoy the light of stardom.

This kid was not so happy with my terrible handwriting and drawing skills

The trip to Sungai Petani and Alor Star was a fun one. As always, new place means new food. I got to try this superb-licious “Roti Arab� in one of the road-side stalls in Sungai Petani.

And of course, everytime I’m in Alor Star, I never missed out “Nasi Ali� or “Nasi Lemak Royale�. This nasi kandar style meal is one of the food that tops my favourite list. People might say Line Clear Nasi Kandar in Penang is the best, I would disagree. This one to me is the best of the best.

A simple road-side stall

You have to queue almost all the time; you can see Indians, Malays, Chinese all eating here.

My favourite, Nasi with Ayam Peha, Limpa, Bendi and kuah campur. (yes, this is once in a while extremely unhealthy diet!)

Is this healthier than Burgers? hehe

The food is so good that I feel like taking a flight to Alor Star just to have this.