Rara And Reddy Goes To Penang - Muntri Grove

Penang! It was a short 1.5 hour of drive from Alor Setar, after dozing off for a snooze in the taxi we hired, the next thing we know, Penang Bridge has come in sight. It was somewhat a surreal experience, as the only time I have seen the bridge was on the telly, or from school textbooks from (obviously) many years ago. Penang is located almost way up north (northwest to be exact) of the Malayan Peninsula. It shares its borders with (the other small) state of Kedah and Perak. Despite being the second smallest state (by land mass) in Malaysia, it is the second largest city by population. Yup , that is how dense this little state is. Penang also holds the esteemed recognition from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (the other 4 in the country being Lenggong Valley in Perak, Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Kinabalu Park in Sabah and the historical town of Melaka). Can you believe that this is my first visit here! So close to home and yet it took me many years to find myself landing in this fascinating place steeped in years and years of rich history. I am such an ardent fan of anything old, and judging by the sheer amount of "oldness" within the vicinity of where I chose to bunk in for a 2 nights, I am thrilled beyond words and cannot wait to share what Rara and Reddy been up to in the city also known as the Pearl Of The Orient.

 
What more appropriate a choice than a charming boutique hotel housed in a compound of refurbished old shophouses. Simply lovely :)

RaRa and Reddy's Happy Time! @ Amara Sanctuary Sentosa

One of the nicest on the very (overly) commercialised little island of Sentosa. Amara Sanctuary Resort adopts a very green approach, they build into the surroundings, unlike most place which created such "surroundings". Natural vegetation were retained, along with the buildings of rich colonial history heritage. The result? A luxury resort oozing charm, elegance, modernity and contemporary chic.

Love how they incorporate the pool into the lush greenery located in and around the hotel grounds.

Project Adhoc - Alor Setar, Kedah

Off to the northern state of Kedah, Negeri Jelapang Padi, as it is known in Bahasa Malaysia, to a little town named Alor Setar. Last I was here was probably 20 years ago. This time round, RaRa and Reddy will make the trip up to this little known town in Malaysia. This is one of those places that make people go "Where?" Well, for the less informed, Alor Setar is located along the main travel route between Malaysia and Thailand. One can drive up to the Thai border (Sadao town) just a mere 48km north, about 40 minutes away from Alor Setar.


Typical view of a small nondescript Malaysian town (or any small town for that matters)

Swissotel The Stamford

Was once dubbed the "Tallest Hotel In The World" (JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is now the world's tallest hotel). Swissotel Stamford is equipped with 1261 guest rooms and suites, 15 restaurants and bars. This is also home to the Equinox dining complex, where you wine and dine with unsurpassed bird's eye view of the city and beyond. Swissotel has one of the best locality, with the City Hall Mrt just underground and with shopping and eateries galore at Raffles City Shopping Center and Suntec City all within reach.

Classic Room with a bird's eye view of the Singapore landscape.