Back to Alor Setar

I had the opportunity to return to Alor Setar and observe the fast together with Walid, a moment that felt both peaceful and meaningful... after performing the Subuh prayer, I took a short one‑hour rest before getting ready, and we set off at 8:30 am... as a precaution, a COVID‑19 test was carried out before breaking fast the day before... the result was negative, allowing the journey and time together to proceed with reassurance and peace of mind... throughout the journey, the drive was remarkably smooth with no traffic congestion at all... we only made a brief stop at the R&R Gunung Semanggol area, making the trip comfortable and pleasant from start to finish...

this time, we brought only Abyana along, as Azim is currently staying in the hostel... the drive was taken at a relaxed pace, keeping within the speed limit and enjoying the journey... upon arriving in Alor Setar, our first stop was to visit the grave of Mak... it has become a meaningful routine for us - whenever we return here, paying our respects and meeting Mak first is something we never miss...

this year marks 19 years since Mak returned to Allah SWT, and every Ramadhan seems to bring her presence closer to my heart... somehow, her familiar scent always feels near, bringing a sense of calm and quiet comfort... we stopped briefly at Pekan Rabu to buy some souvenirs before heading straight to Walid’s house, where the afternoon was spent sharing conversations and cherished moments together...

as expected, Alor Setar was heavily congested, especially when buying food for iftar around 5:30 pm, forcing us to take the residential routes... we were grateful to break our fast and later perform Tarawih and Witr prayers together, completing 8 rakaat plus 3 for the night... afterward, we took a leisurely walk around Stadium Alor Setar Raya Eid Bazaar, simply enjoying the atmosphere and the lively crowd...

we did not feel like lingering there for too long, so we headed straight to Taman Koperasi to enjoy a plate of char kuey teow with cockles... this place is well known for its rich and satisfying flavour, and it is conveniently located close to Walid’s house... we also tried char kuey teow Iman, though it was not quite to our liking as it felt a bit too oily, even though others might enjoy it... char kuey teow Joned still tasted good as usual, although the dining area itself was not particularly comfortable...

by 10:30 pm, we were already heading home, as Abyana is the type who sleeps early... it was time to rest and unwind after a long yet fulfilling day... truly, it felt wonderful and refreshing to be back in Alor Setar, a return that brought comfort, familiar routines, and a deep sense of contentment...