Kuala Kangsar Posted on March 14th, 2014 by Heather Goff

The Gusties were up bright and early this morning with a 7 am departure time from the USM campus to head towards Kuala Kangsar. It was a busy but enjoyable day, with 3 main stops.

We started the day at a traditional shop selling pottery made from clay from a local kampung. We were able to learn about the process of making the various pieces, and some of us even got to try our hand at making them! After about an hour of browsing, most of us left with a few souvenirs and an appreciation for the artisanship showcased.

The next stop was at the old palace of the Sultan of the state, now converted into a museum. The architecture was gorgeous, and the displays inside were even more stunning. The wealth of the sultan and his family was clear, as glittering outfits and jewelry along with pieces from around the globe were showcased in multiple rooms.

Departing from there, we were fed a large buffet style lunch before heading to the house of colonial British author Anthony Burgess and then the Malay College Kuala Kangsar school where he taught for a few years. We were greeted by students dressed in traditional outfits, and attended a presentation where we learned about the school’s history. A former student of Anthony Burgess was in attendance, and this was an interesting opportunity to hear his perspective on the composer and author that we have learned about in class. Most fun for the ladies of the group was the chance to take pictures with the young male students in uniform. I like to imagine it was fun for them to receive all the attention, since they go to an all male school!