Ancient Treasure

October 16, 2008 at 2:30 pm (Kedah) (, )

Kedah archaeological treasure, Lembah Bujang Museum situated in Merbok, about 17km from Sungai Petani. Sprawling 400km square, Lembah Bujang or Bujang Valley is the richest archaeological site in the country. Lembah Bujang was a vibrant trading centre in Southeast Asia. It was hailed as ‘Nusantara’ or the ’seat of all felicities’ and was the centre of a flourishing kingdom.

This museum showcase about 1000 artefacts that were recovered from this buried civilisation. Exhibits include earthenware, beads, ceramics, photographs and many other fascinating relics. Visitors can view reconstructed ancient temples at the ground of the Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum. The main structure here is Candi Bukit Batu Pahat. Others are Candi Pengkalan Bujang, Candi Pendiat and Candi Bendang Dalam.

Opening Hours:9.00am-5.00pm daily

Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha

Admission is free

Tel: 04-457 2005

Situated on the Kedah riverbank, Kuala Kedah Historical Complex is the site of an ancient fort known as Kota Kuala Kedah or Kota Kuala Bahang. It was constructed in 1771 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad JIwa, and completed 9 years later. The fort has withstood attacks by the Bugis, Archinese and Siamese. Kuala Kedah is situated about 12km from Alor Star and is the staging point for ferry sevices to Langkawi. This quint town is also famous for its variety of seafood dishes and beautiful views of the sunset.

Opening Hours: 9.00am-6.00pm daily.

Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Closed from 12.30pm-2.30pm on Fridays.

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-731 9297

Sungai Mas Archaeological Museum located at Kota Kuala Muda. This is the oldest historical site in Kedah, 1600 years old. Sg Mas is the centre of the ancient kingdom Katahanagara (old Kedah) which existed during the same time as the Srivijaya empire. Ths museum situated about 21km from Sg Petani.

Opening Hours: 9.00am-6.00pm daily. Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Closed from 12.30pm-2.30pm on Fridays

Admission is free

Tel: 04-437 4780/457 2005

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Kedah, City of Attractions

October 15, 2008 at 5:31 am (Kedah) (, , )

Kedah situated in north of Peninsular Malaysia , this state is an alluring destination of paddy field, charming towns, imposing limestone outcrops, jungle-clad hills and picturesque views. As Malaysia’s main rice producing state, Kedah’s landscape is donimated by paddy fields and dotted.

Alor Star, is Kedah capital city. The impressive landmark in its skyline of Alor Star Tower is one of the modern and attractive buildings in Kedah. As the oldest state in the country, its has some outstanding historical attractions like Bujang Valley, the cradle of a thriving ancient civilizations dating back to the 5th century and today one of the most treasure archaeological sites.The city’s main heritage square is known as Medan Bandar, situated along Lebuhraya Darul Aman. Balai Nobat, Masjid Zahir, Big Clock Building and Balai Besar are among the places of interest in the city and they all situated within walking distance.

There are many attraction of the city. For example, Alor Star Tower which soars above the city skyline at a height of 165.5m. This communication tower is the 19th tallest in the world, and the second highest in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur Tower. Its design resembles a huge bunch of paddy stalks that are tied together. If you go there, be sure to visit the Observation Deck at 88m above ground level to enjoy panoramic view of the surroundings, sprawling from Gunung Jerai to the Straits of Malacca. There is Seri Angkasa Restaurant at 94m for a meal.

The Observation Deck is open from 9.00am-10.00pm daily.

Admission fee: RM6 (adults), RM3 (children).

Tel: 04-720 2234

Situated in a stately building, the State Museum is a place where you have a chance to see the beautiful Bunga Emas (a plant with leaves and flowers made of gold) which was sent as an annual tribute to the Siamese King. Other attractions include flora and fauna, early modes of transportation as well as gallery dedicated to the country’s prominent figures who hailed from the state.

Opening Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm daily. Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-733 1162

Beside that, there is Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial, located in Jalan Tunku Bendahara, Alor Star. The late Tunku Abdul Rahman knownly as the ‘Father of Independence’ was the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is remembered for his role in obtaining independence for the country without any bloodshed. Established in his honour, this memorial showcases photographs and documents on Tunku’s life and family, his struggle which led yto the country’s independence in 1957, and his contribution.

Opening hours: 9.00am-5.00pm daily. Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.

Closed from 12.00pm-3.00pm on Fridays.

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-730 3771.

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.

Opening Hours: 10.00am-5.30pm daily.

Closed form 12.00pm-3.00pm on Fridays. Closed on Monday (except during school holidays season and public holidays)

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-720 4212

If you would like to see Malaysia’s fourth Prime MInister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad birth place, you can go to Persiaran Sultan Abdul Hamid, Alor Star. This traditional wooden house has a lot of nostalgic stories of his simple life under the strict supervision of his father. The well-manicured complex consists of two exhibition halls, an auditorium, office, a souvenir shop and the first ice factory in Alor Star.

Opening Hours: 10.00am-5.00pm daily.

Closed from 12.00pm-3.00pm on Fridays. Closed on Monday (except during school holiday season and public holidays)

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-772 2301

The Traditional Malay Houses: Rumah Tok Su and Rumah Seri Banai, situated at Jalan Lumba Kuda, Alor Star. This house featuring traditional Malay architecture, these heritage buildings were private home which have been restored and relocated. Rumah Tok Su house is 100 years old is supported by 34 pillars and has six main sections. Rumah Seri Banai was built with the local meranti and temak timber, relocated from its original site at Kampung Banai.

Opening Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm daily

Closed on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Admission is free.

Paddy Museum is tucked away at the foothills of Gunung Keriang, amidst acres of paddy fields, is Malaysia’s only paddy museum. It’s the fourth of its kind in the world after Japan, Germany and Philippines. The museum’s unique architecture resembles bushels of harvested rice stalks. A must visit attraction here is the observatory on the first floor, where a huge three-dimensional mural depicts amazingly lifelike images of an agrarian community. The rotating platform gives a breathtaking 360 view.

Opening Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm daily

Closed from 12.30pm-2.30pm on Fridays.

Admission fee: RM3 (adults), RM1 (children), an additional charge fee of RM2 will be charged for cameras.

Tel:04-733 1162/735 1315

Other than that, there are Masjid AlBukhary at Jalan Langgar, with a beautiful motifs in pleasant hues of blue and white. Its minaret resembles the Nabawi Mosque in Madinah and seven domes are inspired by the Shah Mosque in Isfahan. The largest Buddhist temple in the state, Wat Nikrodharam boasts intricate carvings. For shopping, the bustling bazaar Pekan Rabu at Jalan Tunku Ibrahim, Alor Star offers a wide assemblage of textiles, traditional attire and an interesting assortment of local food. Pekan Rabu literally means “Wednesday Market” as it used to operate only once a week.

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How To Get There

October 6, 2008 at 2:32 pm (Malaysia, Pahang, Tioman Island) (, , )

By Ferry

You can get boat to Tioman in Tanjong Gemok in Pahang or Mersing in Johor.

Ferry operator in Tjg Gemok, Rompin Pahang : Fast Ferry Venture

Tel: 609-413 1997/1998

Duration Tg Gemok-Tioman : 1 hour 15 minutes

Distance to Tg Gemok (by Road): From Kuala Lumpur: 320km/4 hours

From Singapore : 170km/3 hours

From Kuantan : 150km/2 hours

Ferry Operator in Mersing Terminal: Blue Water Express

Tel: 607-799 5015

: Seagull Express

Tel: 607-799 4297

Duration Mersing-Tioman : 2 hours

Distance to Mersing Terminal ( by Road): From Kuala Lumpur: 360km/4 ½ hours

From Singapore : 130km/2 ½ hours

From Kuantan : 190km/3 ½ hours

Ferry schedule is subject to sea/tide condition in Mersing

By Air/Flight

Berjaya Air operates daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore using a 48-seater De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft

Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 603-78468228

Duration: 1 Hour

Seletar Airport, Singapore Tel: 65-6227 6698/3688

Duration: 40 minutes

Website: www.berjaya-air.com

Overland Routes to Tg Gemok (by car)

Ø Kuantan-Pekan-Kuala Rompin-Tg Gemok

Ø Kuala Lumpur-Temerloh-Kuantan-Pekan-Kuala Rompin-Tg Gemok

Ø Kuala Lumpur- Karak Highway-LPT- Gambang- Pekan-
Kuala Rompin- Tg Gemok

Ø Kuala Lumpur- Seremban- Bahau- Muadzam Shah- Kuala
Rompin-Tg Gemok

Ø Malacca- Tangkak- Segamat- Muadzam Shah- Kuala Rompin- Tg
Gemok

Ø Singapore- Johor Bahru- Mersing- Tg Gemok

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