Kembara Ramadhan 2026 – Day 09: Carrying memories forward...

"Ramadan is a journey of the heart, guiding us from darkness to light..."

(A typical iftar set at most mosques)

Day 09: 09 March 2026 (Monday)
Route: Pangkor Island - Ipoh
Hotel: Anderson ImpianaKU Suite, Ipoh

Today marks our final morning on the beautiful island of Pangkor. By 11.15 am we would be boarding the ferry back to Marina Island Ferry Terminal. The ninth day of Kembara Ramadhan promises new roads, new mosques, and new moments of reflection as we continue our journey towards Ipoh, with several detours planned along the way.

Last night, after nursing my chronic back pain with a dose of painkillers, I drifted into a deep, tranquil sleep and slept like a log until it was time for sahur. The packing, thankfully, was left in the capable hands of dear hubby.

(The minerat of Masjid Raja Bayang)

In the cool hush of early morning, bracing ourselves against the slightly chilly sea breeze, we slowly made our way by motorbike to Masjid Raja Bayang for Subuh prayers. We chose this mosque because it was the closest to our lodging, but also because I had grown fond of the calm ambience and the quiet serenity of its surroundings.

By 10.00 am we checked out of our accommodation. Our luggage had mysteriously doubled—one bag filled with dirty laundry and another stuffed with chocolates and ikan bilis. Balancing two bags on a motorbike was no easy feat, but we managed the short ride to the jetty safely and returned the rented bike without incident. Not long after, the ferry departed right on time.

(On the ferry to the mainland)

Upon arriving at Marina Ferry Terminal, we collected our trusty 4WD and paid the parking charges online before heading off. After a quick refuelling stop in Manjung, we set the GPS and made a detour to visit the 130-year-old Masjid Kampung Tinggi in Bagan Serai.

(Masjid Tinggi Bagan Serai)

Also known locally as Masigit Lawas, it is one of the oldest mosques in Perak and a significant cultural landmark for the Banjar community. The original mosque was built around 1897 by Banjar settlers who migrated from Banjarmasin, Indonesia during the British colonial era. The mosque earned the name Masjid Tinggi (Tall Mosque) because of its distinctive height, while the Banjar community affectionately refers to it as Masigit Lawas, meaning “old mosque.”

Architecturally, the wooden structure reflects strong Indonesian influences and is said to resemble the historic Masjid Demak in Java. Today the original mosque is preserved as a heritage site, standing proudly as a reminder of the early Banjar presence in the area.

(Masjid Al-Athar, Bagan Serai)

Adjacent to it stands Masjid Al-Athar, a newer mosque built in 1965 to accommodate the growing congregation that the historic wooden structure could no longer hold. Unlike the traditional Banjar style of its predecessor, Masjid Al-Athar features a more modern architectural design. Deeply rooted in the same Banjar community, it continues the legacy of the old mosque. We performed our jamak prayers here before continuing our journey.

From Bagan Serai we rejoined the PLUS Highway heading towards Ipoh. Along the way, news of a major accident causing a 5-kilometre traffic jam between Kuala Kangsar and the Menora Tunnel prompted us to exit earlier and take a slower alternative route through Kuala Kangsar. The detour made the journey longer than expected and resulted in a rather late check-in at our accomodation in Ipoh.

(Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II, Ipoh)

After a quick shower and a brief rest, we drove out again to Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II, the official State Mosque of Perak, to break our fast and perform the terawih prayers. Located in the heart of Ipoh, the majestic mosque was completed in 1968 and is known for its striking modernist design, crowned by 66 oval-pointed domes and a 125-foot minaret.

Just as the call to maghrib approached, heavy rain began to fall. It turned out to be a welcome blessing, cooling the air after days of relentless heat and humidity that had accompanied us throughout our journey since the start of this Kembara Ramadhan.

As we left Pangkor behind this morning, I realised that every step of this journey carries more than just distance travelled. Each mosque visited, each road taken, and each unexpected detour adds another quiet layer to the experience of Ramadhan on the road.