The Satun National Museum is a must visit for the inside scoop on Satun’s history. Like much of Northern Malaysia and other parts of Southern Thailand, Satun’s history is fascinatingly complex. In a nutshell, once upon a time, Satun was part of a Malay state known as the Kingdom of Setul Mambang Segara (Setul) from […] The post Satun National Museum, a Satun Must Visit appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Kampung Warna Warni has won my heart. This previously overlooked Kuala Perlis fishing village is not only bursting with new life now, but also with color. A mind-boggling amount of color. Kampung Warna Warni translates to ‘colorful village’, but when it comes to this Perlis community project it is so much more. The new colorful […] The post Kampung Warna Warni, Eclectic Gem of Perlis appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Climbing the Gunung Raya eagle stairs is something I’ve been meaning to do for a very long time. A nearly mythical staircase that leads to the top of one of Langkawi’s giants; Gunung Mat Raya. Gunung Raya mountain sits majestically in the middle of Langkawi Island. It’s a legendary mountain of 881-meters in height and […] The post Climbing Gunung Raya’s Thousand Memories Eagle Stairs appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

The truth is I hadn’t planned my trip to Thailand to coincide with the Songkran Water Festival, but travel fate plunged me smack in the middle of it. My own mind was on Malaysia’s Ramadan month and the travel complexities associated with the fasting month; changes in land transportation schedules and hotels booking up. But […] The post Songkran Water Festival Hat Yai Style appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

When I first got the invitation to join a group climb to the top of Gunung Baling Mountain, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. The 546-meter-high mountain would be easy for a badass like me; at least that’s what I told myself. After all, I had already conquered Kedah’s Gunung Keriang and have the victory […] The post I Survived Gunung Baling and You Can Too! appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Considered one of the oldest districts in Kedah, Malaysia, quaint Baling holds a significant place in Malaysia’s history books as a once-upon-a-time communist operation area, and later the location of the famous 1955 ‘Baling Talks’. The newly refurbished Galeri Rundingan Baling (aka Baling Negotiation Gallery) houses a collection of historic memorabilia regarding these negotiations between […] The post Baling Talks Gallery, a Kedah Must Visit appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Looking for unique restaurants in Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi? Tanjung Rhu Resort not only has one of the best beach locations in Langkawi, it also has 3 of the top Langkawi Restaurants. Restaurants with 5 star ambiance at affordable prices with a priceless sea view? How could you go wrong? You may need to drive a […] The post The Culinary Trifecta of Tanjung Rhu Resort appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Did you know that Kuala Lumpur has a Biomedical Museum? Visiting a biomedical anything may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but this particular museum is worth a visit. It’s odd, but unique and interesting. Located in the Chow Kit area of KL, the Biomedical Museum (Muzium Bioperubatan) is housed in a beautiful 1928 heritage […] The post Biomedical Museum, Scientific Wonders in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Train travel in Malaysia is a marvel. Especially along the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia. For a mere RM100 (about 21usd) you can get all the way from KL Sentral to Padang Besar, Perlis and the border of Thailand in about 5.5 hours. Malaysia train travel is an excellent alternative to over-priced flights or long […] The post All Aboard! Riding the Rails from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis and Beyond  appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more

Looking for a little outdoor adventure in Kedah, Malaysia? Then let me introduce Gunung Keriang Mountain. Located around 8-kilometers from Alor Setar, from a distance Gunung Keriang looks like a giant rock sitting forlorn in a padi field; similar to those craggy islets mysteriously poking out of the coastal waters of Thailand.  In fact, Gunung […] The post Climbing Gunung Keriang, Kedah’s Iconic Mountain appeared first on The Island Drum ..read more