HOTEL MEMORIES (KEDAH)

2012: HOTEL SERI MALAYSIA, ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

Alor Setar Heart Week 2012 took place at the Star Parade Shopping Complex in Alor Setar from 3-8 July 2012.

Throughout the program, my colleagues from the Malaysian Heart Foundation and I stayed at the Seri Malaysia Hotel in Alor Setar. The hotel located in the heart of Alor Setar, strategically positioned near the State Stadium Complex. An affordable, budget-friendly accomodation option for travelers. 

The hotel owned by the state government and is part of a national chain offering  accesible lodging. The hotel was located central to Alor Setar town, with easy access to attractions like the Sultan Abdul Halim Gallery. Masjid Zahir, Alor Setar Tower, the birthplace of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Balai Nobat etc. 

2012/2013: TERAP INN,KUALA NERANG, KEDAH

Terap Inn is a hotel located in Kuala Nerang, Kedah. It is owned by the Padang Terap District Council. 

The Inn is currently known as OYO 44033 Terap Inn Kuala Nerang and offers standar hotel amenities. 

My colleagues and I stayed at this hotel during the Health Screening Program organized by the Malaysian Heart Foundation at the UMNO Hall in Kuala Nerang, Kedah on 22 September 2012. The following year on 2013, we stayed at this same hotel for our program at FELDA Lubok Merbau on 5 January 2013 and Dewan Orang ramai at Naka, Kedah on 6 January 2013.  

2013: D'AMAN HOMESTAY, GUAR CHEMPEDAK, KEDAH

During the Health Screening program at SMK Agama Yan in Yan, Kedah on 7-8 January 2013, we stayed at D'Aman Homestay, Taman Desa Aman located in Guar Chempedak, Kedah which is owned by one of the teachers at SMK Agama Yan.

2013: KULIM INN, BANDAR KULIM, KEDAH

Kulim Inn is situated on Jalan Bukit Alwi in Bandar Kulim in Kulim, Kedah, a strategic location near the town center. 

Highlighted for having an outdoor swimming pool and ample parking. My colleagues from YJM and I stayed at Kulim Inn during the Health Screening Program held at SMJK Chio Min, Kulim, Kedah on 29 December 2013.

Today it is known as OYO 89486 Kulim Inn, managed under the OYO budget hotel brand. 

2014 / 2017: D'VISTA HOTEL, SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH

My colleagues from YJM and I stayed at D'Vista Hotel in Sungai Petani during our Health Programme held at Central Square Sungai Petani (2014) and at MSU College Sungai Petani (2017).

Today, D'Vista Hotel at Sungai Petani has been rebranded as Merilton Hotel.

2014: D'VISTA HOTEL

2017: D'VISTA SG PETANI

These are my memories of staying at hotels in the state of Kedah.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

15 December 2025: 1.37 a.m

KEDAH - LIMA LANGKAWI 1991

LIMA LANGKAWI 1991

The first Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition was held on Langkawi Island from 11 to 15 November 1991.

LIMA is the brainchild of the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. It is an air and maritime exhibition that focuses on commercial and defense aviation.

I was involved with this first LIMA Langkawi when I was onboard KD Lekir, the Royal Malaysian Navy Corvette class, from the 26th Corvette Squadron. It was my last voyage with KD Lekir before being transferred to SKTLDM Kuantan on December 4, 1991. This was also my last ship with TLDM.

KD LEKIR : 7 AUGUST 1989 - 4 DECEMBER 1991

Pulau Langkawi is a duty-free island of Kedah and an archipelago of 99 islands. Pekan Kuah was the largest town in Langkawi, while Pantai Cenang is the island's most popular beach and tourist area. 

Pulau Langkawi was known for its legendary Mahsuri. According to the locals, in the late 18th century, a woman named Mahsuri was wrongfully accused of adultery and put to death. Before she died, she placed a curse on the island that would last for 7 generations. Not long after Mahsuri's death, in 1821, the Siamese army invaded Kedah and attacked Pulau Langkawi. 

Mahsuri's curse was believed to have ended when Wan Aisyah, Mahsuri's 7th generation descendant, was born in 1986. A year later, in 1987, Langkawi achieved its status as a duty-free island, which led to an influx of tourists and made it a commercially successful island thereafter.

DATARAN LANG

Dataran Lang Pulau Langkawi, located in the town of Kuah, features miniature fountains, terraces, and bridges. Towering in the square is a 12-meter-tall sculpture of a reddish-brown eagle, the emblem of the island. According to folklore, the island's name is derived from two Malay words: Helang (eagles) and Kawi (reddish-brown).

PULAU DAYANG BUNTING

Isle of the Pregnant Maiden is a popular stop on island-hopping tours. Legends have it that this was the favorite bathing pool of a celestial princess and has mythical fertility properties. 

Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park is a must-visit for travelers seeking unique and unforgettable experiences. It is a true natural wonder.

FURTHER READING:

1. INFO LANGKAWI

2. WIKIPEDIA - PULAU LANGKAWI

3. TOP 20 FACTS ABOUT LANGKAWI

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

18/12/2024 : 12.12 a.m

KEDAH - KUALA NERANG

Kuala Nerang is a major town located in the Padang Terap district, Kedah, Malaysia. Located 30 km from the capital city of Alor Setar.

Nerang is the name of the son of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni the late Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah, the father of independence who once served as a district officer here. It was also taken in conjunction with Kuala Nerang, where he named his son Tunku Ahmad Nerang.

A health screening program organized by the Heart Foundation Malaysia was held at the UMNO Hall, Kuala Nerang, Kedah on 22 September 2012. One of our staff members is from Kuala Nerang.

A total of 102 local residents attended the Health Screening Test that day.

The travel distance from the Malaysian Heart Foundation at Jalan Semarak Kuala Lumpur to Terap Inn, Kuala Nerang, Kedah is 465 km and the travel time is 5 hours. 

This time's Heart Disease Awareness Program is in collaboration with the Padang Terap District Health Office, Lincoln University College and the Malaysian Diabetes Association.

Throughout the program we stayed at Terap Inn Kuala Nerang. Terap Inn Kuala Nerang is located 500 meters from the town of Kuala Nerang, Kedah and has 16 rooms and one VIP room. Terap Inn is owned by the Padang Terap District Council.

You can explore the best of Kuala Nerang, it is a hidden gem in Malaysia that offers a unique travel experience. Some of the interesting places in Kuala Nerang is the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, home to various species of flora and fauna and a great place for hiking. 

We passed through Pendang town on our way to Kuala Nerang.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

16/12/2024: 7.37 p.m