Revisiting Alor Setar, feat. Attending a Conference.

This is my second time visiting Alor Setar, Kedah. I aimed to attend a conference at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok. I stayed two nights in Alor Setar to revisit landmarks such as Menara Alor Setar, Bali Seni Negeri, Masjid Zahir, and Muzium Kedah. Kedah is an underrated state in Malaysia.

I “checked in” to the city by joining the congregation for Maghrib prayer at Masjid Zahir, one of the oldest and most famous mosques in Malaysia, built in 1912. The architecture looked well-maintained, with visible Mughal and British influences in its arches, columns, and materials. Islamic geometry and calligraphy were also integrated into the design.

My first night in this historical city was simple. I bought a burger and snacks from a nearby Speedmart and relaxed in the hotel, which was located just behind Aman Central, Masjid Zahir, and Menara Alor Setar.

After breakfast, I visited Masjid Albukhary to observe its architectural and landscape design, believed to reflect strong Islamic art influences through palms, geometric patterns, and domes. I admired how the verandahs framed views of nature.

I also visited Balai Seni Negeri, which exhibited collage art designed by secondary school students from across the state. The artworks were impressive and mature, even surpassing those by adults. I was inspired by how the gallery serves as a creative hub to showcase student talent. This exposure nurtures students’ courage and confidence to continue making art, a subject often overshadowed by technology and science.

After lunch, I went to the state museum near the stadium. I couldn’t believe I spent about three hours there. The entrance display immediately caught my attention with its unique model composition. Except for the costume section, the entire presentation was chef’s kiss, the details were informative and aligned with what I’ve learned from history books. Unfortunately, visitors were not allowed to take photos.

At night, I had a coffee near the hotel, took a short stroll, and prepared for the next day’s journey.

The next morning, I drove an hour to Sintok. I was delighted to reunite with old friends and meet new ones from northern Malaysia. The conference featured cultural performances, speeches, and keynote presentations. After taking group photos and having breakfast, we attended our respective sessions. My presentation went well, and I was happy to learn from other speakers.

The conference ended, and I drove seven hours home. Before that, I would love to share three random photos found during my trip.

Thank you.