I've been to Alor Setar (The capital of Kedah, aka Rice Bowl of Malaysia) three times in total, of which twice were in this year alone. One of the few things I like to do when I travel and put up a night in any city or town is to jog around and see the sights on foot. Recently I've taken a notch by jogging with a camera so that I won't miss the essence of my trip.
Point is, it's amazing how much of discovery one can find while on foot. Things that we overlook. Things that we take for granted. Things that we never thought were there for a reason. Things we didn't care to ask. Things we didn't dare to explore.
We are allowed to choose. Seize the day, or let it slip.
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| Grand clocktower in the middle of Alor Setar |
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| Love the intricate design of a clocktower entrance... |
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| Didn't think it was wrong to be part of the furniture... |
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| Jogging can be quite hazardous |
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| Main gates to the old Royal Hall. Located in front of the old Kedah Palace. It was last used to host Royal functions and weddings. Currently it is an annex to a museum. |
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| The Emblem of Kedah. Lotsa rice grains |
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| Closer view of the Royal Hall |
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| The royal salute |
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| Here's looking at you kid |
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| View from the Royal Hall |
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| Flag of Kedah flying high |
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| Arch with Thai and possibly Chinese influence |
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| I had no idea what this pagoda was |
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| Near or far, it looked more like a gigantic furnace |
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| Right or wrong, decided to explore a little since it didn't have a NO ENTRY sign |
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| Surprise, surprise.... photo relics... Sultan of Kedah 1882-1943 |
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| Shouldn't all these be in a museum?? |
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| Official Royal letters |
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| The Queen of Kedah....no idea when? |
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| HRH Sultan of Kedah |
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| The Royal Band or "Nobat DiRaja" |
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| So apparently the furnace looking ornament that people drive by daily is actually the practice tower for the Royal Nobat |
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| Undated picture of a member of the Royal Nobat in his official garbs |
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| Nobat in full force |
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| Another view of the "Royal Furnace" |
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| Newspaper article to educate the current generation on what the nobat is |
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| Making a quiet exit before I get royally screwed |
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| Not before I catch a glimpse of the casings of the royal instruments |
ref...Queen of Kedah, was also the Queen for Malaysia once... and the 3rd youthful and nice looking one, besides the current one...in my 3 scores here. The first pretty queen we had was actually QE II. Pretty then, still elegant now.
ReplyDeletetks for sharing your lovely pix.
that's that