I’d planned to visit Alor Setar and in mid-August, I redeemed some Enrich points to fly out on 18 November. However, due to the blasted general election, I decided to reschedule my trip to 4 November as I’d planned to take the night bus back to KL and didn’t want to arrive back having to vote in my groggy state. I went to purchase the ETS ticket a week before departure and found I should’ve just bought it online as buying it over the counter cost me RM1 more.
On Friday, 4 November 2022, I left home early. I’d arranged with the cabbie to pick me up at 07:00 and he arrived at 07:03. We reached KLCC at 07:21 and I crossed over to take the LRT to KL Sentral. I’m so glad and thankful that the trip took place when it did what with the LRT problems which started the following day (the problem started on 5 November but RapidKL only issued notice on 9 November)!
The train left on time and I read for most of the trip. We arrived at Butterworth at 12:15 and I took the stairs out to exit and proceeded to queue to buy the Komuter train to Alor Setar. It cost RM7.10 and I scanned the ticket bar code and went down to the platform. The trip took 68 minutes. I decided to perform prayers at the station before calling Grab. I had to wait ten minutes for the driver. Fortunately, traffic was light and we arrived at the museum at 14:15. After taking photos outside, I went in (the museum reopens at 14:30 on Fridays but the guard allowed us in at 14:25).
I left after 15:00 and was walking out when it started raining. It started with a drizzle which progressively turned heavier. I walked to Aman Central in the rain and had my late lunch at the food court. The rain continued falling steadily when I left.
I walked past Alor Setar Tower to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Gallery (built in 1922, this was previously the High Court building) but it was closed. The building was converted in 2007 to a gallery to commemorate the life of the previous Sultan. Nearby are the 18-metre high Balai Nobat tower built in 1912 to house Nobat musical instruments, and a replica of Kota Tengah Palace Gate. Across the road is the Big Clock Tower which was built in 1912 and initially functioned to aid the Zahir Mosque congregants in establishing the correct prayer times.
I walked across Alor Setar Square and noted that the Great Hall (Balai Besar) was closed. This hall was built in 1735 and was the official venue for royal events and functions. I headed for the Kedah State Art Gallery and asked what time it was closing. It was 16:35 then and it closed at 17:00 so I hurried in. This Roman-looking building was completed in 1912 and was originally the High Court building before it served as the office for the Public Works Department. It was converted to an art gallery in 1983 and houses art works by Kedahans.
I left the art gallery just before 5 p.m. and walked to nearby Pekan Cina (Chinatown). I also wonder why Asians like to gravitate to Chinatowns when they’re abroad and then I realised that I do the same too haha. I don’t know why but I always feel at home in Chinatowns. The Chinatown in Alor Setar was small though.
I then made my way back to the train station, stopping en route at the Tourist Information Centre (it was closed as it was already past 5 p.m. But it’s probably closed on Fridays anyway). There was a memorial within the TIC grounds for the three Japanese invaders who died while guarding the bridge against the British troop.
I arrived at the station and as the system was offline, proceeded to purchase my ticket for the train back to Butterworth from one of the machines. The best thing is the machines accept cards. I then went to cross over to wait at the platform 2. It was still raining. On the opposite platform, the train for Padang Besar was delayed.
Our train came on time and I was shocked to find it was packed to the rafters! So unlike the train from Butterworth where there was ample seat, this time most passengers had to stand. Someone gave up her seat before we reached Butterworth so I managed to sit for a short while.
At Butterworth, I made my way to Penang Sentral. At the ticket counter, I exchanged my soaked ticket reference for a ticket then went to perform prayers. After prayers, I checked out the dining options and decided to head out. It started raining again as I was walking.
I returned to Penang Sentral before 21:30 and sat to wait for my 23:58 bus. The bus arrived at 23:50 and left on time. I didn’t manage to sleep much on the bus as usual. We arrived at KL Sentral at 03:50 on Saturday. Alhamdulillah.
