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Perlis Attractions |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
Although Perlis is the smallest state, it does not lack in attractions. Perhaps it does not have common favourites like other states, but it includes its own set of destinations of which one can visit.
The Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest is one such attraction. A local favourite for picnics, the park comes with its own camp site and natural attractions. For those who would like to experience a traditional vacation, head out to Kampung Ujung Bukit Homestay which is located in around Bintong. Here is where one can take a slow leisure holiday among the friendly villagers in around the paddy fields.
Padang Besar, the border town for Malaysia-Thailand is a shopper’s paradise. Here one can find clothing, crafts, food, textiles, leather goods and many others at the bargain markets. The Wang Kelian State Park is a naturally rich and relaxing park for the green lovers.
One could also visit the Chuping Sugarcane Plantation, not something that can be seen in other states, Gua Kelam is one of the caves found in around the state to check out the stalactites and stalagmites.
The Bukit Kubu Recreational Forest is essentially a naturally rich limestone cave in the vicinity of the Wang Pinang Limestone Hills.
The Melati Lake comes with its concrete walkways for those who would like to take walks around the floating lotus pond and the still water of the lake. The Perlis State Museum houses the old relics and memorabilia that is of the state of Perlis while the Wang Burma Cave is also another caving attraction here. The state also developed a lake known as the Timah-Tasoh Lake, which is one of the main water supply for the people here while providing the haven and sanctuary for migratory birds.
Other attractions here include the Snake and Reptiles Farm, the Wang Kelian State Park, Mount Medan and the Batu Pahat River. |
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Perlis Indera Kayangan |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
Perlis is the smallest and northernest state in the Peninsular Malaysia. It is the last state from the country before heading out to Southern Thailand. The state houses more than 210,000 in population with Arau as its Royal Seat while the capital is in the city of Kangar.
The state was historically a part of the Kedah state when it was under the Thai Monarchy. Generally, the state is divided among its towns of Kangar, Arau and Padang Besar, the Malaysia-Thailand border town. One can also come through from Kuala Perlis, the town that hosts the main port of the state, linking ferries and boats from Langkawi Island.
Being the smallest state in the country, it is an easily visited place where one is able to get around pretty much without hassle. Bordered by Kedah at the south and the Straits of Malacca in the west, Perlis’s highest peak here is Mount China. Like any other parts of the country, it experiences the tropical monsoon, which is mostly dry during the first four months of the year while the other months are wetter with rainfall. It has a lake known as Tasik Melati that offers a serene location for picnics, day outs and vacations.
Perlis maintains a high level of traditions like dances and performance arts. Their Tarian Ayam Didik and Tarian Canggung are very much in demand. The Canggung is a historical dance performed during harvest. This is pretty much like answering poems, in the local terms ‘Berbalas Pantun’ and accompanied with music.
Tarian Terinai is performed in royal events and ceremonies where five musicians harmoniously use the Gendang Terinai, which is a type of drums play. Another form of performance here is the Awang Batil which goes along a story telling performance about the history of the old traditions. |
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Kedah Attractions |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
There are various attractions to check out in Kedah. Apart from Langkawi Island, which typically attracts tourists from all over the world, the mainland state does have its own landmarks. The capital of Alor Star is a historically rich city. Its architecture here still resembles the various colonies it has experienced over the years. In around Gunung Keriang, there is a Paddy Museum which puts on display the many paddy cultivation methods and traditions found in the state. One could also view the equipments used in the production and planting of paddy here.
Pantai Merdeka is located nearby Alor Star which is typically a 1 kilometer long beach famous for its scenic seaside. From here, one could usually go over to other islands nearby like Pulau Song and Pulau Telur. Otherwise, one could check out Pedu Lake where one can enjoy the traditional village accommodations that comes within the lush rainforest of natural attractions. Apart from that, Alor Star too houses its own architectural and historical wonders like Balai Nobat, Balai Besar the Royal Boat House, Balai Seni Negeri and the Royal Museum.
In Langkawi, one could also try the cable car, renowned for its spectacular views below, the Gunung Mat Cincang. Otherwise, the island has much more to offer especially for its beauty and natural attractions. The island is made up of another 99 smaller islands of which each one hosts its own beauty. The island is a free trade zone, which means that shopping, food and beverage here are tax free, therefore slightly cheaper than other parts of the country. The island also keeps the Makam Mahsuri, which means Mahsuri’s Mausoleum, constructed to commemorate Mahsuri, the island’s legendary maiden who is said to be wrongly executed. The Mausoleum is located around Kuah Town, the biggest town here and keeps the port where passengers and visitors from the mainland stop by from Kuala Kedah and other parts like Georgetown.
For the underwater lovers, the Langkawi Underwater World showcases more than 100 tanks and more than 5000 fish species for one to appreciate. It is situated around Cenang Beach.
Other attractions in around Kedah include the Padang Nasi Terkukur, Taman Lagenda, Kampung Buku Malaysia, Kampung Air Hangat, Laman Padi Langkawi, Talaga Tujuh, Durian Perangin Waterfalls, Snake Sanctuary, Pulau Payar Marine Park, Pantai Cenang, Gua Cerita, Gua Buaya, Gua Siam, Gua Pinang, and Gunung Jerai.
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Kedah Transportation |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
To get to Kedah, there are many ways available. The best way perhaps would be by land. There are long distance buses that come to the states everyday connecting major cities and states. From the country’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, one could take buses from the many terminals available like Puduraya Bus Terminal, Putra Bus Terminal which has many bus companies ferrying passengers to and from the north. Some are many stops buses that goes all the way to northernest state Perlis and have stopovers along the way. Otherwise one can take the non-stop express buses that goes into Alor Star Bus Terminal. The bus terminal also cater to other cities like Penang, Ipoh, Kota Bahru and Johor Bahru as well.
Apart from buses, one could also take rented cabs from the bus terminals to get into the state. From there one would be able to get to other parts of the state via connecting buses or chartered taxis as well. otherwise, one could rent a car and take a drive along the North-South Expressway towards the north to get into Bukit Kayu Hitam.
For those who would like to take trains, Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) offers services that links the northern states. There is a stopover at Alor Star that is along the way from Kuala Lumpur towards Hatyai.
Alternatively, one could fly into Alor Star via its Sultan Abdul Halim Airport. National airline, Malaysia Airline flies into the capital daily while a cheaper alternative would be to fly Air Asia, the country’s budget airline. Another airport in the state is located in Langkawi Island. There are direct flights to and from the island to other parts of the country via the Langkawi International Airport serviced by both Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. For those flying into Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one would have to take connecting flights into Kedah via any of the two airlines.
To get to Kedah by sea, there are daily ferry services that links the South of Thailand with the state that stops at Langkawi Island. There are also ferry services via Kuala Kedah, Penang and Kuala Perlis as well. |
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Kedah Food Guide |
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Written by asiamind
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
AccommodationFood in Kedah is abundant. It basically houses its own set of recipes and traditions when it comes to food. As Kedah dominantly produce rice, one would expect that rice is the staple and there would essentially be accompanying dishes to go with rice.
Most of the variety found around here includes Malay, Indian, Thai and Chinese dieshe. The most common favourites here include Sayur Keladi, Gulai Nangka and the Perkasam. These are typically local dishes that can be found almost anywhere in around the state. Another local favourite would be the Nasi Ulam which is rice blended with various type of fresh vegetables and cooked with spices.
The Glutinous rice, locally known as Nasi Pulut is an age-old traditional serving adored by many. One can find Nasi Pulut in most states around the country although the Kedah version included accompanying dishes like durian, banana and mango. There are many variations to this delicacy which includes Pulut Inti, Tapai Pulut and Pulut Sambal all of which contain its own respective style and savour. Like Johor and Penang, Kedah has its own version of the Laksa, typically curry noodles. Here it is taken with fish gravy and cucumber. Onions too are usually used as well.
In around the town of Kuala Kedah, it is famous for its original and unique Laksa Kuala Kedah which uses fish gravy and thick rice vermicelli while in around Pantai Murni Esplanade, one would be able to find a huge range of local foods. Common orders here include the grilled squids, fish and chilli crab. This is a great place to dine while enjoying the seaside esplanade of the sun setting among the various food stalls.
There is a place in the capital known as Pekan Rabu, which means Wednesday Market. This is a renowned spot that used to be around only on Wednesdays but due to its demand, it operates daily from morning until late night. here is where one can find a congregation of all types of food and stuff. Try out the local delicacies here while shopping around for souvenirs and gifts. It is typically a trading market and is a tourist attraction for those who would like to know more about the traditions and culture of the state.
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