Malaysia
Every time I return to Kuala Lumpur, I just have to visit the Petronas Towers, and walk in the beautiful park that sits in front of them.
But this video is not just the Petronas Towers, its also about my walk there from China Town and what I saw along the way.
A vibrant and architecturally diverse city the reminds me in many ways of London. A feast for the eyes, and the senses. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy visiting it!
Malaysia
During my visit to Alor Setar, or Alor Star as it is known locally, I was able to visit this sad and derelict Palace. No longer a school as per descriptor below, it remains in a sad state and only glimpses of bits of the front give you an idea how beautiful this building once was. I certainly enjoyed the walk round it and would love to see it restored.
Istana Sepachendera is a grand palace hidden within the grounds of a school. It’s often compared to the Taj Mahal due to its intriguing backstory. In 1882, the 26th Sultan of Kedah – whose administration spanned from 1881 to 1943 – built the residence as a declaration of love for his Thai wife, Che Sepachendera.
His devotion to her shines through the building’s stunning architecture, which blends together Malay and Thai influences. The royal couple gave birth to several royal princes in the palace too.
Sepachendera’s death in 1907 led the royal family to vacate the house. But it remained inhabited for years after by various parties. In 1922, it was home to the first English girls’ school in Kedah – Kampung Baru Girl’s School, established by Sepachendera’s son, Tuanku Ibrahim. During World War II, the palace was occupied by Japanese soldiers.
Following the war, the building became another all-girl’s school, but it closed in 1954.
The palace was last in use in 2000, when it functioned as a prayer hall for students and staff at the nearby Insaniah University College. There were talks in 2014 to preserve the palace and convert it into a museum.
Malaysia 2023
Ipoh, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Perak, is known for its vibrant street art scene. The city has seen a rise in the popularity of street art in recent years, with numerous murals and artworks adorning its walls. Here are some notable street art pieces and locations in Ipoh:
Mural Art Lane: Located at Jalan Masjid, Mural Art Lane is a famous alley filled with colorful and creative murals. Artists from all over the world have contributed to this vibrant outdoor gallery, depicting a variety of subjects ranging from nature and animals to local culture and heritage.
Old Town Ipoh: The historic Old Town area of Ipoh is home to several captivating street art pieces. Explore the narrow streets and alleys to discover hidden gems, including wall murals, quirky installations, and artistic graffiti.
Concubine Lane: While not strictly street art, Concubine Lane is a popular tourist spot with a charming atmosphere and numerous art installations. The lane is lined with quaint shops, cafes, and vibrant decorations that make it a great spot for photography and exploration. Jalan Sultan Iskandar: This busy street in Ipoh features several eye-catching murals and street art installations. Artists have transformed the walls of buildings into colorful art pieces, often reflecting the local culture, history, and natural beauty of the area.
Kong Heng Square: Situated in the heart of Old Town, Kong Heng Square is an artsy and cultural hub. The area is adorned with unique street art, sculptures, and creative signage that adds to its bohemian ambiance.
Jalan Tun Sambanthan: Known as “Memory Lane,” this street is filled with nostalgic artworks, paintings, and vintage items. It’s a tribute to Ipoh’s past, featuring retro-themed murals and installations that evoke a sense of nostalgia and history.
Remember that street art is dynamic and constantly changing. New murals and installations may appear, while existing ones may be altered or replaced. It’s always a good idea to explore the city on foot and discover the latest street art treasures Ipoh has to offer.
Ipoh, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Perak, is known for its vibrant street art scene. The city has seen a rise in the popularity of street art in recent years, with numerous murals and artworks adorning its walls. Here are some notable street art pieces and locations in Ipoh:
Mural Art Lane: Located at Jalan Masjid, Mural Art Lane is a famous alley filled with colorful and creative murals. Artists from all over the world have contributed to this vibrant outdoor gallery, depicting a variety of subjects ranging from nature and animals to local culture and heritage.
Old Town Ipoh: The historic Old Town area of Ipoh is home to several captivating street art pieces. Explore the narrow streets and alleys to discover hidden gems, including wall murals, quirky installations, and artistic graffiti.
Concubine Lane: While not strictly street art, Concubine Lane is a popular tourist spot with a charming atmosphere and numerous art installations. The lane is lined with quaint shops, cafes, and vibrant decorations that make it a great spot for photography and exploration. Jalan Sultan Iskandar: This busy street in Ipoh features several eye-catching murals and street art installations. Artists have transformed the walls of buildings into colorful art pieces, often reflecting the local culture, history, and natural beauty of the area.
Kong Heng Square: Situated in the heart of Old Town, Kong Heng Square is an artsy and cultural hub. The area is adorned with unique street art, sculptures, and creative signage that adds to its bohemian ambiance.
Jalan Tun Sambanthan: Known as “Memory Lane,” this street is filled with nostalgic artworks, paintings, and vintage items. It’s a tribute to Ipoh’s past, featuring retro-themed murals and installations that evoke a sense of nostalgia and history.
Remember that street art is dynamic and constantly changing. New murals and installations may appear, while existing ones may be altered or replaced. It’s always a good idea to explore the city on foot and discover the latest street art treasures Ipoh has to offer. Music free under creative commons licence
Malaysia
In April 2023, we once again returned to one of our favourite neighbouring countries, Malaysia. We have travelled extensively throughout Malaysia, but this time instead of flying in, we travelled by train and bus.
Our first stop was the wonderful city of Alor Setar, or Alor Star as the call it locally. The focal or center of Alor Setar is centered around Zahir Square and it’s amazing Mosque and historical buildings. You will see in this short slideshow the buildings of interest and in the square many people gather to break the fast, during Ramadan, which is after sunset.
It was a wonderful atmosphere, people sitting on picnic mats with little bags of food and drinks. The roller skates were there for people to hire and skate around if wanted. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Music is free under creative commons licence. Title: Stealth By Akash Ghandhi
So, Garden centers in Thailand tend to be roadside affairs. Usually, a small holding with various plants and assortment of soils and trees for sale.
I have been driving about in my usual day seeing the astounding colours of these smaller roadside garden centers and decided to capture them in full bloom, here in Phuket.
In this slideshow you will see a more commercial Garden center, but still on the road, just both sides of the traffic lights. Majoring in plants, aggregate, sculptures, and all manner of pots! I only touched on a fraction of the plants on this visit. I may return later to see what else I can find. I hope you enjoy the show!
Music is free under creative commons licence from You Tube music library
So, Garden centers in Thailand tend to be roadside affairs. Usually, a small holding with various plants and assortment of soils and trees for sale. I have been driving about in my usual day seeing the astounding colours of these smaller roadside garden centers and decided to capture them in full bloom, here in Phuket. In this slideshow you will see a gardener who has majored in Bougainvillaea’s, carefully grafting some to create stunning bushes/trees of multi colour blooms. I hope you enjoy the show!
Music is free under creative commons licence from You Tube music library Title: In Eternity We’ll Meet by Aakash Gandhi
Ekman Garden resort is quite unique in this part of Thailand. Not only sporting a pool and many other relaxing facilities, but for the wonderful garden that was full of all the Thai favourite and indigenous flowers. Sichon is not far from Khanom and its stunningly long beach. If you want to escape from beaches and tourists this is a heavenly place to sit and read and smell the roses! Music free under creative commons licence from YouTube music library Song credits to: Emily A. Sprague and “floats”
Ao Talet or Ta Lhet Bay is a beautiful and secluded beach located in Khanom, a district in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province of southern Thailand. The beach is known for its clear blue waters, soft white sands, and stunning natural scenery, making it a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing getaway.
It is the most stunningly beautiful and scenic bay I have been anywhere in Thailand, and there have been many! This one remains the top spot for me. Being out at the end of the pier, Invokes a sense of wholeness with your surroundings.
Khanom Beach is a beautiful and secluded beach located in Khanom, a district in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province of Thailand. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and serene atmosphere. The beach is relatively quiet and peaceful, making it a perfect destination for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy some time in nature.
One of the main attractions of Khanom Beach is the chance to spot pink dolphins. These rare and endangered dolphins are often seen swimming in the waters off the coast of Khanom, and there are several tour operators who offer dolphin watching tours.
In addition to dolphin watching, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at Khanom Beach. Visitors can go snorkeling, kayaking, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun. There are also several restaurants and cafes in the area, serving up delicious Thai cuisine and fresh seafood.
Overall, Khanom Beach is a hidden gem in Thailand, offering a peaceful and picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The beautiful green Island park of Ko Lamphu on the river Mae Nam Tapi is neatly landscaped around a central lake. There are various sports courts (badminton, futsal, basketball and volleyball) and picnic areas buzzing throughout the evening, as well as lanes for cyclists and joggers. Ko Lamphu is Surat’s finest public green space and a wonderful place to sit and watch locals literally at play.
Lamphu island is in the Tapi River in the centre of Suratthani. It is accessed by crossing the river via the main road bridge( brightly illuminated at night) from near the City Pillar shrine. Once over the bridge, turn left and you will soon come to the entrance to the island where the road( beware of cars and motorbikes particularly in the evening) crosses another, smaller bridge on to the island. On the island are many different sports facilities so you can walk, run, cycle, use apparatus or play ball or racket games. All in all, the equipment is kept in pretty good condition.
There will be several food stalls particularly at the entrance, toilets and places to relax. There is a sizeable car park. Most areas can be accessed by wheel chairs.
It is very popular with the locals and can get quite busy particularly in the evening when it’s cooler.
Ratchaprapha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, is a large hydroelectric dam located in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. The dam was built in the 1980s to generate electricity for the region and to regulate the flow of the Klong Saeng River.
The Ratchaprapha Dam is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The dam is surrounded by lush forests and towering limestone cliffs, creating a scenic and peaceful atmosphere. The reservoir created by the dam is called the Cheow Lan Lake and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Visitors to the Ratchaprapha Dam can take a boat tour of the Cheow Lan Lake to explore the scenic surroundings and spot wildlife, such as monkeys, birds, and fish. The lake is also a popular spot for kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
Near the dam, there is also a small village where visitors can learn about the local culture and sample traditional Thai food. The village also offers a variety of eco-tourism activities, such as hiking, camping, and bird watching.
Overall, the Ratchaprapha Dam and the Cheow Lan Lake offer visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of southern Thailand while also providing an important source of electricity for the region.
Journeys From A Small Room 