Somewhere in September 2005, my favourite guys (granddad, dad and brother) and me made a trip to the northern states of West Malaysia. We travelled across 4 states, starting our journey from Penang. To view the location of each photo, please click here: Dollsville Sightings


The scenery in the Northern states is very beautiful. Since the opposition party ruled the northern states, development has been slow, thus leaving many places untouched.

Here are some picturesque photos that my brother and me had taken. These scenes are uniquely Malaysian.



]

Ariane is wearing the Malay Baju Kebaya made from Batik Fabric and a Tudung (headscarf).

The Baju Kebaya is worn mainly by the Malay ethinicity in Malaysia. To preserve their modesty, many women choose to cover their heads with a headscarf known as the 'tudung'. According to Islamic laws, when a girl reaches puberty, she is encouraged to cover her whole body except the face and the hands.

This is the highest point on Highway 4, in between the states of Perak and Kelantan. When we arived, the monsoon season has just started, hence the overcast gradient sky.



On the first day, we checked into the resort at Moonlight bay, Kota Bahru. This beach was named "Beach of Passionate Love". When the more conservative Islamic opposition ruled over Kelantan, it changed its name to "Moonlight Bay". Unlike most beaches with bikini-clad ladies, Moonlight Bay is a nice stretch of sandy beach with very few people and no bikinis. This picture is taken landward during an evening walk on the beach.



A Congkat fit for the King. Congkat is a game played by many in Malaysia and Indonesia. Although my Indonesian friend explained the rules a few times, I was probably too dense to understand. All I knew was that you have to put some beads into one hole and transfer it to another hole. This photo is taken in the previous residence of the Kelantan sultan. If you remain friendly, the curators will allow you to take photos of the Sultan's gifts.



Commonly seen on the country drive are massive lands of luscious green padi fields and gazing cows. This photo is taken near Penarik.


A closer view of the fields with the lazy cows on a hot afternoon. To take this photo, my brother and I had to bear the stench of cowdung. Being city dwellers who are not used to such a scent, we grabbed Ariane and ran as soon as the photo is taken. Ariane is wearing a hat made from Mengkuang leaves.



This is taken on what the corridor of what used to be a princess's house. The wooden house is now residing on the compound of Terengganu musuem (at Kuala Terengganu) Terengganu musuem is West Malaysia's largest musuem which housed many Malay artefacts. I just love the casted shadows on the floor in this shot.



The staircase of the Princess's house.



A sunset at Marang which is where we resided for the third night. It was very windy at this breakwaters. I was rather afraid that Ariane would fly and my brother was holding tightly to his camera too.



This is taken at Marang. A little stream runs between the land and the sea.



We completed the trip. A picturesque view of the dam can be seen along the highway at Northern Perak, near Grik. Again, it is an overcast day.

	The Padi Fields. That little shed is the toilet.
	Brilliant sunset , this is the type of sunset which i love where the orange sun drops into the horizon.
	Another sunset with changing hues. Somehow, the country sunsets are nicer than the ones in the city.
	Monkey picking coconuts.