Firefly Review–Episode 23: Exploring Alor Setar‘s Backyard

Posted by azuan on Mar 28, 2010 in :: All Posts ::, AVIATION, Featured Articles, Firefly Airlines, REVIEWS, TRAVEL | 4 comments

After getting positive feedback on my Johor Bahru (JHB) episode of “Azuan Explores the Backyard of Malaysia” series, I decided to do another review, exploring yet another city in Malaysia.

Welcome to Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah Darul Aman!

Located in the northern part of Malaysia, Alor Setar is accessible from all parts of Peninsular Malaysia either by road, by sea or by air. Of course my favourite way of travel is none other than via Firefly!

Landing into RWY04 at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (IATA: AOR, ICAO: WMKA) is an experience by itself. I love to call it the “Paddy Approach” with green paddy fields on both sides of the aircraft as the aircraft descent to the airport.

Known as the “Rice Bowl of Malaysia”, Kedah including Alor Star is a distribution center for agricultural products mainly paddy. So from the airport I went straight to the Paddy Museum located 15 minutes from the airport.

According to Wikipedia, this unique Paddy Museum is the first in Malaysia and fourth to be opened in the world after Japan, Germany and the Philippines. The museum showcases the paddy cultivation process in Malaysia and displays all kinds of tools and equipment which have been used in the trade over the years. My personal favourite is of course the beautiful murals drawn by 60 Korean artists. Click here for more info on the Paddy Museum.

Next to the Paddy Museum is Gunung Keriang.

I was feeling adventurous and decided to do some jungle trekking all the way up. It’s interesting that Gunung Keriang seems like came from out of nowhere it is the only hill in a middle of flatland of paddy fields.

It provides a nice green view. Good for de-stressing!

Gunung Keriang is also a place where tourist can buy crystal-like stone, sold by local people. It is a very popular souvenir/gift among tourists who visited the recreation park although authenticity is something I cannot guarantee.

From the green paddy fields, I moved into the city. First stop, Alor Setar’s 165.m tall landmark, the Menara Alor Setar.

The tower is the 2nd tallest communication tower in Malaysia and serves as a state-of-the-art telecommunications tower. It also provides panoramic view of the landscape that stretches from Kedah Peak to the Straits of Malacca.

If you always want to eat on top of a revolving tower but could not afford it, try Menara Alor Setar as last time I was there Restoran Seri Melayu has this great offer at a fraction of the price in Seri Melayu Menara KL.

Of course I skipped the luxury dinning as I’ve set my target for my favourite Nasi Lemak Royale at Kedai Kopi Kim Bee Chew.

Delicious! A Chinese Coffee Shop with Indian Muslim Food and Multi-Racial customers. One Malaysia.

Despite wanting to take an afternoon nap after a ‘royale’ meal, I continued my tour of Alor Setar. My next destination, Balai Nobat is a ceremonial tower in Alor Setar used to house instruments for playing nobat, the dirge for royal ceremonies. Originally built in 1854 and renovated in 1906, the now three-storey tower is one of the interesting landmarks of the city.

Just next to the Balai Nobat is the Balai Besar. Balai Besar’s 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. 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. The building design make a nice background for photo shoots, so soon-to-be-bride-and-groom, give Alor Setar a visit!

Conveniently located across Balai Besar is what in my opinion the most beautiful building in Alor Setar. The Masjid Zahir or Zahir Mosque.

Officially opened in 1912, Masjid Zahir is the state mosque of Kedah and no doubt, it is one of the largest and grandest mosques here in Malaysia. This mosque is one of the results of magnificent architecture as this mosque is built based on the Moorish architecture where it has countless arches and columns that definitely defines the grandeur of the mosque.

From Masjid Zahir, I walked across the walking path and discovered some other tourist landmarks. Old buildings, police stations and Pekan Cina or Chinatown and Pekan Melayu are great places for photography.

Battling the hot Alor Setar weather, I then made my way by car to a kilang ais or an ice factory.

This is not an ordinary ice-factory. Next to this old factory (that has been turned into a museum) is Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad birthplace.

The birthplace and childhood home of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, this traditional attap and wooden house also displays historical memoirs and memorabilia.

It is usually a ‘no-photography’ zone but I was invited by the person-in-charge to take photos. I guess being polite does has its rewards

I’m a huge fan of Tun Mahathir and being in his ‘once-upon-a-time-house’ is something that I got excited about.

Classic. I love the “Mangkuk Tingkat”.

Old-bicycle.

Bilik Pekerja.

One for the album!

Although Alor Setar has many modern architectures, offices and shopping complexes, there are still some interesting heritage and historical sites visible around the city. As I ended my adventure in Alor Setar on board a Firefly’s ATR72-500, I cannot help but to plan when I will come back as there are so many other interesting sites that I still want to explore especially the Lembah Bujang and Gunung Jerai!

Kedah, I akan mai balik one day!

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Firefly Airlines fly 2 daily flights between Subang and Alor Setar with attractive prices all year long. Head over to www.fireflyz.com.my for the latest promotion!
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