Balik Kampung Alor Setar

Back to Alor Setar has always been our fun and anticipated weekend activity. Every one of us have our own agenda! For me, of course I'll be glad to see my Abah, sister, nephews and niece, as well as my other relatives. For my kiddos, they can meet up with their cousins and play all day long. Well, for my hubby... he can enjoy fabulous food in my hometown. We would normally go back on Saturday because that is the only day when my sister and her kids are on weekend leave, so we can have a short but meaningfull gathering. If we stay until Sunday, then we would go for outing.   

Since my mom passed away in Oct 2010, my sister and her family moved to my parent's house @ Taman Nuri, Jalan Dato' Kumbar and stay with my Abah. So, we always have a day-trip back. It was only last year during Hari Raya Puasa when we stayed longer at a nearby homestay...we stayed there for about 3-4 days starting from the third Syawal. Since then, we started to engage with the homestay owner if we decide to stay longer in Alor Setar for our weekend balik kampung. 

When I got married in 1999, I introduced my favourite dinner meal to my hubby...it was Iman Koayteow Kerang @ Taman Pandan, near Hentian Shahab Perdana! Since then, this is a must-eat for him every time we go back to Alor Setar. I still remember that we used to enjoy koayteow kerang with my mom...it was her favourite too! If Penang is well-known for char koay teow, Kedah is known for koay teow kerang. We would have a chit-chat with Abang Iman, the chef cum owner. It is good to see that his business is expanding from just a stall to a shop lot with few other stalls selling different menus. In my opinion, what makes this koayteow kerang is so special is that it is koayteow goreng basah with loads of kerang and served with telur mata kerbau lembik and cili jeruk. Abang Iman has his own 'sous' chef, specializing in making telur mata kerbau lembik.  

Then, recently, I introduced the famous Nasi Lemak Royale to my hubby...and he got 'addicted' to it. It all started during our school holiday balik kampung last month when we stayed overnite at Grand Crystal Hotel (the room rate via Booking.com was cheaper than our favourite homestay). I suggested to my hubby that we had a breakfast @ the original Nasi Lemak Royale near Pekan Rabu and he agreed. So I arranged the breakfast gathering with my sister and her family, and my Abah as well. It really recalled my childhood memories of having food at the restaurant...with classic furniture and dishes. And it was still the same old damn good taste! Then, on Saturday, couple of days before puasa, we went back again to have our brunch @ the original Nasi Lemak Royale. My 'basic' combination was 1/2 serving of nasi + fried chicken + daging masak hitam + hard boiled egg and kuah campur. 

As a fan of laksa, most of the times, we would go to Laksa Mama @ Bangunan Ukir for our lunch. I would order laksa for me and my hubby and bihun sup Utara for my kiddos. This is also my childhood favourite stall for laksa. It used to be my must-go place every time I went to town with my mom...my favourite combination would be laksa + air jagung. Laksa Kedah is a bit different from Penang Laksa...the laksa itself is made of rice flour which makes the texture a bit different from Penang Laksa which is smoother and softer. One special thing about this place is that it has a limited seatings so don't be surprise if you find that someone is waiting at your back to reserve your seat while you are enjoying your meal! 

 

For tea time, I love one roadside stall in front of Masjid Al-Bukhari @ Jalan Langgar. This stall sells varieties of hot-from-oven kuih-muih, bubur, cekodok, goreng pisang etc. Just name any traditional kuih-muih, and you can find it over here....it is like a one-stop centre.  

  

 

To name a few are seri muka bakar, tepung talam, seri muka, talam keladi, talam suji, talam ubi kayu, bengkang gandum, bengkang pandan, bengkang kacang, kuih lapis, sagu, kuih cara manis, kuih cara berlauk, apom seri ayu, buah melaka, kuih pelita, lompang, kuih keria, donat, cucur badak, pau goreng berinti, cucur udang, bubur kacang, bubur pulut hitam, bubur jagung, bubur gandum and bubur chacha.  

 

 

Though my sister considered that kuih-muih here is a bit expensive compared to others, I don't mind at all as the kuih-muih tastes so 'old-school', classic, original and damn delicious.   

 

 

 

 

My favourites are talam and seri muka bakar. Each talam is wrapped individually, making it easy to eat as well as hygiene. I love the cekodok as well...although the shape is not perfectly round and it is crispy outside, the inside is so soft...it is an indicator that the cekodok is made from lots of mashed banana with less flour and no baking soda! 

 

 

Alor Setar offers quite a number of popular landmarks for outing and sightseeing including Pekan Rabu, Menara Alor Setar, Tasik Darul Aman, Dataran Tanjung Chali and Muzium Padi. 
 

 

Pekan Rabu is synonim to Alor Setar, Kedah and well known among the locals and tourists from outside Kedah. It is a business complex and trading place for Malay entrepreneurs. Most tourists visiting Alor Setar make it a point to shop around here as Pekan Rabu offers 'rare stuff' like traditional cookies, handicrafts, crockery and songkok tailor.

 

Interesting fact about Pekan Rabu is that ex-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad was once a trader at Pekan Rabu. He will not fail to visit Pekan Rabu whenever he is in Kedah. The auction of the raya cakes and cookies held on the eve of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Aidil Adha, also adds up to the interesting facts about Pekan Rabu. I still remember when my Abah brought me here once to feel the vibe of the  auction. Jalan Tunku Ibrahim was closed for this activity. Raya cakes and cookies were sold at RM10 for 3 packets...even baju raya was sold at cheap and bargain price.

 

 

 

With such a distinct features, it is not surprising that Pekan Rabu is a must-go place for my hubby...he would stock-up his 'inventory' of kerepek, especially kerepek udang geragau from Melaka. Sometimes he would buy beras pulut, dodol and serunding, pre-orderd by my parents-in-law.

 

 

 

 

  

Another landmark in Alor Setar that we love to visit is Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower). The 165.5 m telecommunication tower is basically a replicate of KL Tower. It is the 2nd tallest tower in Malaysia and 19th tallest tower in the world. From the tower, you can absorb and enjoy the spectacular view of Alor Setar. The bird' eye view of the city can also be enjoyed from the revolving Seri Angkasa restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way back from a visit to my mom's grave at Tanah Perkuburan Masjid Akar Peluru, Jalan Pegawai, we would stop at  the next landmark. It is Dataran Tanjung Chali (Tanjung Chali Square), located at Jalan Pengkalan Kapal in Alor Setar's waterfront of  Kedah River and adjacent to Taman Persisiran Tanjung Chali. You  

You may catch a glimpse of Tanjung Chali Tower when crossing the bridge over Kedah River along Persiaran Sultan Abdul Halim to Pekan Cina (China Town).





The Dataran features the tower and beautiful riverside park along the Wan Muhammad Saman Canal, the longest man-made canal in Malaysia.






 

My kiddos play 'combat battle' at the tower while me and my hubby enjoy the riverview from atop the tower.

Tasik Darul Aman (Darulaman Lake Park) is also our favourite outing spot. Situated in Bandar Darulaman, Jitra, along the North-South Expressway, the park covers the land area of about 92 acre including a 26 acre lake. The park offers a remarkable water plays amusement, providing services for activities such as kayaking , footpaddle boating, boat cruising around the lake, fishing and  buggy ride along the perimeter of the lake. The park also has a pedestrian walk passageway of 2.4 km long which is suitable for jogging activity. There is an island in the centre of the lake which can only be accessed by boat. For every visit, we would ride the buggy and footpaddle the boat. Syameer would nag us to 'drive' the buggy...so with our paddle control, he would be 'controlling and in-charge' of the buggy steering. Along the ride, we would enjoy the serene view of the lake and rubber trees. During the windy season, we would play kites as well.     

 

 

Muzium Padi (Paddy Museum) is another attraction in Alor Setar, the capital of the '"Rice Bowl State". My kids love to visit museum, so this museum adds up to their 'conquered-museum-list'. It is the first paddy museum in Malaysia, and the fourth to be opened in the world after Japan, German and Philipine. It is located at the foot of Gunung Keriang, which is about 8 km from the city centre. The museum serves as an honour to the history, culture and significance of paddy farming in Kedah. The museum has a unique roof design that potrays bushels (gantang) of harvested rice stalks. And not only that, the rice motifs are repeated almost everywhere in the museum. The museum exhibits materials and items related to paddy farming including the culture, R&D and technology.

We were fascinated when we arrived at the top floor that offers a spectacular bird's eye view of a revolving wall galleries. The mural displays the stages of rice cultivation from ploughing, planting, threshing and winnowing. We were mesmerized by the reverse effect of the revolving platform that we were standing on while enjoying the view of the mural without realising that in actual fact the scenery is not rotating around us. We were informed that this massive circular mural has an overall length of 103 metres in circumference and with a height of 8 metres tall, was a masterpiece artwork of 60 artists from North Korea. 

Well...that is just a glance of popular landmarks and sightseeing spots in Alor Setar. As my growing kids are so keen to explore and discover new places and learn and taste from the new experience, my hubby and I made a promise to our kiddos to discover more of Alor Setar including Balai Besar, Balai Nobat, Menara Jam Besar and Alor Setar Railway Station. We will be back for more! I wanna go down to my memory lane. One day, I'll be cruising with my hubby and kiddos along those streets where I grew up...and have a snap shot! 

 

 Thanks and have a nice day!

          

          

  

Weekend Outing

I have stayed in Penang island since 1995 when I was a USM student. The island really captured my heart that in 1999, just after my graduation, I decided with my boyfriend a.k.a my hubby now, that we will settle down in Penang. Another crucial reason is that Penang is like a central location between our hometowns...I'm from Alor Setar while my hubby is from Ipoh, which makes it easy for us to go back to our hometown during weekends...it's just about 1 to 1 1/2  hours from Penang.

 

View from Penang Hill

Now, almost 18 years in Penang, I never feel bored staying here. In fact, the journey never ends and the excitement never stops. There is so much fun to do here...and with my growing kids, me and my hubby are challenging ourselves to become 'explorer' and more creative and adventurous to create fun and excitements for our kids, and make them cherish every moments with us. Penang offers loads of “must-dos” and family-oriented weekend outing activities. 

Penang Bird Park

Situated at Seberang Jaya in the mainland of Penang, a visit to the park during the recent mid-semester school break was an unforgetable moment especially for Alyssa who is a big fan of parrot. Hrrmm...thanks to the movie Rio! Alyssa's passion for parrots was developed after she watched this movie. As the first and largest bird park of its kind in Malaysia, it is a home to loads of bird species including parrot, cockatoo, emu, ostrich, flamingo, pelican, eagle, owl, ducks and etc. We were fascinated with the concept of this park...the birds were kept in a garden with beautiful landscape, cascading waterfalls and natural ponds, and as well as walk-in aviary.

The most exciting moment was to watch the animal show, presented by the parrots and eagle. We were so fascinated and amused by the well-trained parrots and eagle. All visitors really enjoyed the show. And peak of the visit was...the photo session with the birds! It was a dream come true for Alyssa when she can held the parrots and this moment was captured in a photo. However she was quite 'scared' to hold the big and heavy parrot but Syameer was quite cool as his parrot was quite small and light. It was quite surprising for us when we were informed by the crew that the blue-and-yellow parrot costs about RM12,000. Hahaha.....looks like Alyssa need to 'work' hard enough to own a parrot!




Passing through the souvenir shop on our way out, as usual, we grab the 'must-buy' item...signature fridge magnet. I noted that the shop not only sells colourful fridge magnet but also funny yet educational toys and figures, and unique handcrafts.

 

 Penang Toy Museum

When we first visited the museum in 2009, it was located at Tanjung Bungah. When we revisited the museum in March 2013, it has been relocated to Teluk Bahang with bigger showroom. It was the ultimate fun for our kids as children who love toys, dolls, figurines and collectables.

 

 

 

 

We could spent hours here to really look at the displays at 'microscopical level'...hahaha! Then, my kids would describe what they saw and relate to their favourite animation characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are loads of huge and tall figurines including the ones from movies and famous superheros. To name a few are Monsters Inc., Astro Boy, Rango, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age, Wall-E, Toy Story, Superman, Ironman, Batman, Spiderman, Silver Surfer from the Fantastic Four, Captain America, Transformers, Pirates of the Carribean, Starwars, Green Lantern, Lara Croft from the Tomb Riders, Alien vs Predator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and loads more.

 

Besides the huge and tall figurines, we were also fascinated by the limited edition toys, dolls and collectables, also from the movies and animation series. Amongsts those are the Dragon Balls, Matrix, Corpse Bride, Madagascar, Simpsons, Barbie and loads more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In every visit, we were pretty occupied with photo session with the displays.....hahaha, photography is in our blood!

 

 

 

Penang Hill

Whenever we feel like enjoying the cool, refreshing air and panoramic views of the island, we will take a short 30-minute cable car ride up Penang Hill from the Air Itam station. Our kids really enjoyed the cable car ride! Up on the hill, we checked out the Bellevue Aviary Garden, which housed peacock, cockatoo, hornbill etc. We also took a buggy ride around the hill to see the colonial mansions.

 

 

 

Penang Butterfly Farm

 
Situated at Teluk Bahang just before the Teluk Bahang dam, it is a live museum with butterflies fluttering all around. The farm would be the best eco-tourism experience for my kids as they can touch and play with the butterflies and learn the insect species from the display.

Cameron Highlands - Unlimited Visit

2012 Visit @ Simpang Pulai

Cameron Highlands...one chillax spot that we always love to go to. Our first 'discovery' of Cameron Highlands was way back in 1999, after we get married. At that time, we had to travel through Tapah using the narrow and winding road. I still remember that we stayed at Heritage Hotel, Tanah Rata and with the tourism map, we tried to discover as much attractions as possible including the famous Kea Farm, Ye Old Smoke House, strawberry farm, rose garden, cactus valley, bee farm and etc. On the way back, we stopped by at Lata Kinjang waterfalls. 

Bharat Tea Plantation

 

Then, we payed a second visit for my in-laws family gathering...I couldn't remember when, but one thing for sure, it was so damned cold at nite as we stayed at one homestay at Kampung Taman Sedia, arranged by my mom-in-law. We bought fresh vegetables and I cooked together with my in-laws at the homestay. We spent most of the time with get-together, chit-chating, cooking and eating.

After a few years, I brought my mom to Cameron Highlands. I couldn't exactly remember when, but Alyssa was about 1-2 years old, so that would be around 2005 or 2006. We stayed at Merlin Hotel, opposite the golf course, near Brinchang. The room was so spacious with balcony facing the golf course.

2008 @ Heritage Hotel

In June 2008, just after the new Simpang Pulai wide road was completed and yet to be officially launched, we 'climbed up' again...this time with our lil' kids and my parents-in-law as well as my brother-in-law and his family. Arrangement was made by my mom-in-law for us to stay at one of the homestay at Brinchang with vegetables farm at the backyard. As usual, staying at 'rumah kampung' was so damned cold at nite. This time, we were introduced by my brother in-law to one new attraction i.e. Big Red Strawberry Farm. Since we brought along our kids, we spent most of the time cruising along the roads from Bharat Tea Plantation and Heritage Hotel at Tanah Rata, to Ye Old Smoke House and Brinchang.



2010 @ Rose Valley

In 2010, we revisited Cameron Highlands twice...first in January, then in April with my parents-in-law. As always, we filled our kids getaway moment with 'discovery'...this time at the Rose Valley.

 

2010 @ Country Lodge Resort Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the April revisit, I made the arrangement myself where we stayed at Country Lodge Resort Hotel at Brinchang. Since my parents-in-law joined us, I booked family studio room with 4 beds and huge balcony with Brinchang town view. This time, we chilled-out at one stop centre with a garden concept, selling loads of potted plants and souvenirs.  

 

December 2012...after 2 years, my hubby and I decided to renew our Cameron Highlands getaway! We booked premier room with 1 queen bed, 1 single bed and balcony at Iris Hotel, Brinchang for our 3D2N stay. I personally felt that this was the best visit amongst the multiple visits to Cameron Highlands. I had my own reasons for this statement. 

 

  

#1, my kids had abundance of choco-dipped strawberries coupled with marshmellows at Kea Farm and Brinchang Nite Market.

 

#2, I could enjoy the fresh sweet corn at Kea Farm and Brinchang Nite Market.

 

#3, I could fulfill my cravings for fresh strawberries with whipped cream, fresh salads with strawberries and strawberry youghurt at Big Red Strawberry Farm.....hahaha, it was all about strawberry! Big Red Strawberry Farm is our must-go place at Cameron Highlands.

 

#4, I discovered fabulous strawberry-choco drink at Big Red Strawberry Farm and passion fruit juice at Brinchang Nite Market.

 

#5, we 'testified' against the recommended steam-boat meal at Rossa Passadena Hotel. With RM25/pax, it was so satisfying  with large serving size of chicken, seafood, fried fishballs, dim sums, wanton, tofu etc, noodles and fresh vegetables. We ordered steam boat for 2 and Chinese fried rice for Syameer, which was also marvellous. It was a total complementary treat in the chilled weather with steaming hot soup!

 

Steam boat is Syameer's favourite meal as he could 'cook' the food by himself. All this while, we will go to Johnny's Restaurant if we feel like having a steam boat meal. Rossa Passadena steam boat will be our must-eat meal at Cameron Highland! 

 

Besides enjoying our favourite food, we spent our time at Butterfly Farm...and my kids enjoyed watching and touching not only the butterfly but also the rabbits, tortoise, squirrel, lizards, snakes and insects. It was like a small mini zoo. As usual, we also cruised along Tanah Rata and stopped at Bharat Tea Plantation...giving the opportunity to my kids to 'play' with tea leaf at the plantation. We also went to Strawberry Park. 

Recently, during the 2013 mid year school break, I fulfilled my parents-in-law request to spend 2D1N stay at Cameron Highlands. As usual, we booked the family studio room with 4 beds and huge balcony with Brinchang town view at Country Lodge Resort. My sis-in-law and her family also joined us but just for a day trip. This time, we discovered other-than-usual attractions. We stopped at Kampung Raja Bharat Tea Plantation, Lavender and our all-time favourite chillax spot i.e. Big Red Strawberry Farm. This time, besides the salads, yoghurt and fresh strawberries, we also ordered strawberry chocolate fondue and waffle with ice-cream, fresh strawberry and whipped cream for my kids...and it came to my surprise that it tasted so damned marvelous. I also gotta taste fried strawberry ice cream, which was also superb.

Since we started healthy living with no-carb diet and regular exercise in January 2013, we decided to have our morning cardio run at Cameron Highlands...we brought along our running shoes and managed to complete 5 km run from the hotel towards the golf course and back to the hotel. We stopped by at one of the nasi kandar restaurant and 'tapau' some roti canai for my in-laws and my kids breakfast. Then both of us walked to Big Red Strawberry Farm to have our guilty pleasure breakfast....coffee with waffle with ice-cream, fresh strawberry and whipped cream. OMG.....what a satisfying breakfast date with my hubby! 

  

After we checked-out from the hotel, we were on a mission to stock-up my strawberry-choco drink and passion fruit juice. During this mission, we stopped by at S-Corner, nearby Kea Farm, and we accidentally discovered the Mushroom Corner. It was totally a new experience for my kids to see how mushrooms were grown. We took the opportunity to buy loads of fresh oyster mushroom to be fried at home. Then, we treated my in-laws with steam boat lunch at Rossa Passadena Hotel. Actually...it was Syameer who kept on nagging for the steam boat! 

Whenever we have a fresh-strawberry rush, we will definely revisit Cameron Highlands...it will always be a chilled getaway filled with our favourite superb food!     

 

 

Greetings from Cameron Highlands!