I’ve passed through Alor Setar many times over the years, but I was usually en route to somewhere else. It took a pandemic (and travel limitations) for me to discover what a true gem this Malaysian city is. Beyond, of course, … [Read More...]
The Island Drum is a Southeast Asia based travel blog as well as a source for information about Langkawi, Malaysia and the surrounding areas. For Langkawi Information check out This Week in Langkawi and Langkawi Sights & Food. For more inside scoops and travel inspired blogs and reviews, be sure to visit The Island Drum Blog. If you need any other information, feel free to contact us!
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The Mystery of Langkawi’s Ancient Tomb
Makam Purba (ancient tomb) the roadside sign reads. The sign has been there for years. Since I already knew the word ‘makam’ meant tomb, I’d always assumed it was ‘just’ a graveyard. Out of respect for the dead I don’t … [Read More...]
Hitting Pay Dirt in Perak; Best Tin Mining Museums in Malaysia
Unless you are a geology buff, mining museums are probably not at the top of your sightseeing wish list. But if you’re heading through Perak, Malaysia now would be a good time to do just that. Perak has some of the best tin … [Read More...]
The Ultimate Guide to the Langkawi Rainy Season
Ask locals, in Langkawi, Malaysia, what the islands’ weather is like, for a particular time of year, and you will get a variety of responses from the various self-proclaimed weather experts. That will be especially true … [Read More...]
Celine Tan Clinic: My Visit to an Alor Setar Top Skin Specialist
It was my quest for a Kedah-based dermatologist that initially brought me to the Celine Tan Clinic. As one who spends a lot of time in the sun, skin cancer is always a concern and an annual look-see by a skin specialist is … [Read More...]
Kedah Paddy Museum, Coolest Rice Museum in Malaysia
As the Kedah countryside sped by, my eyes were glued to the distant horizon. My mind asking, “Are we there yet?” while my mouth spewed non-stop questions (as usual) with my jovial GRAB taxi driver. I’d only seen a few vague … [Read More...]
15 Free Things to Do in Langkawi, Malaysia
The cost of travel, these days, can put a real damper on planning a holiday. It’s not just the transportation and accommodations that take a chunk out of the old vacation budget, but entry fees can do their fair share of … [Read More...]
5 Cities to See Unique Street Art in Malaysia
Street art in Malaysia has become much more common place these days. From typical graffiti-style smatterings of paint to the symbolic imagery of community ‘thinkers’ hoping to subtly let the world know what’s really on their … [Read More...]
My Perfect 4 Days in Langkawi Itinerary
Need some help planning your 4 days in Langkawi? Langkawi itinerary advice is a dime a dozen these days. Which is a good thing when it comes to planning a Langkawi holiday. Especially if time is limited. Nothing worse than … [Read More...]
Is Pulau Payar Marine Park Worth a Visit? Yes!
When it comes to island hopping in Peninsular Malaysia, the state of Kedah has been the king of the hill with their Langkawi archipelago turned UNESCO Global Geopark. Langkawi (also known as the Jewel of Kedah) has 99 islands … [Read More...]
The Magic of Coconuts and DIY Virgin Coconut Oil
If you ever find yourself stranded on a desert island in Malaysia, or any other tropical location around the world, the one thing that could be your saving grace is the multi-purpose coconut palm. The coconut palm grows … [Read More...]
Learning to Surf in Langkawi, Malaysia
The idea of learning to surf in Langkawi or anywhere else in Malaysia may come as a big surprise to some folks. It’s just not something you hear much about. At least not consistently. And that may be because Malaysia’s waves … [Read More...]