In June 2012, we turned our self-drive habit toward something closer to home: a road trip through Kelantan and Kedah on Malaysia's east and northwest sides. Given Eric's enjoyment of convoy-style driving, this trip took shape as a loosely coordinated multi-car journey through some of Malaysia's most rural, rice-growing regions.
Kedah in particular is often called Malaysia's rice bowl, and driving through it in June meant passing padi fields at various stages of growth — some freshly planted and vividly green, others closer to golden and ready for harvest. The flat, open scenery made for easy, relaxed driving, a nice change of pace from more mountainous trips elsewhere in the region.
Kelantan brought a different texture to the trip — a stronger sense of traditional Malay culture, from local crafts to the traditional wau (kites) that are practically a symbol of the state. We spotted a few in flight over open fields during our drive, colourful and elaborate against a plain blue sky, and couldn't resist pulling over to watch for a while.
"Colourful and elaborate against a plain blue sky — we couldn't resist pulling over to watch for a while."
Travelling in a small convoy added its own rhythm to the trip — regular stops to regroup, shared meals at roadside stalls, and the easy camaraderie that comes from a group of cars making the same journey together. It's a different experience from solo self-drive trips, with more built-in socialising and a shared sense of adventure.
This domestic road trip reminded us that some of the best self-drive travel doesn't require getting on a plane at all. Malaysia's rural east coast and northwest offered plenty of open road, good food, and cultural texture well worth the drive from Singapore.
Practical Tips
- June sits within a relatively dry stretch for Malaysia's east coast, generally good for road trips, though tropical showers can still appear without much warning.
- If travelling in a convoy, agree on hand signals or a simple radio/phone system in advance for smoother coordination between cars.
- Kedah's rural roads pass many roadside stalls — a great way to try local specialties without needing a sit-down restaurant.
- Kelantan's traditional crafts markets are worth building extra time into the itinerary for, especially for kite and batik enthusiasts.