Interesting Place In Terengganu

Berjaya Redang Beach Resort New Luxurious Suite

2009-12-26T00:22:00.004+08:00

New suites to woo holiday-makers
Berjaya Redang Beach Resort (Now Known as The Taaras Beach & and Spa Resort - Redand Island,Malaysia) re-opens with two new collection of luxurious suites

The rainy season is over and Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is saying hello to the sun by re-opening to visitors after a RM40 million facelift. Now guests can avail themselves to Berjaya Redang Beach Resort two new collection of suites – Premier Suites and Oceanfront Suites – for discerning holiday makers who desire a private and serene getaway.

Designed to co-exist in harmony with the famed nature of Redang Island, these new suites provide comfort and privacy amidst tropical breeze, powder-white sandy beaches and pristine blue waters. The six Premier Rooms and 12 Premier Suites are perfect retreats targeted at couples, families and friends. The Premier Suites – specially designed with a Jacuzzi placed snugly inside the bedroom, is a new luxury which comes with a breathtaking view and the sound of the ocean right outside. There is also a spacious living hall leading to an outside balcony facing the blue waters of the South China Sea.

Both the Premier Suite (100 sq m) and Premier Room (54 sq m) can be adjoined to accommodate larger families and friends travelling together.A private check-in area and a private gymnasium are additional special benefits awaiting guests of this room category. Wi-Fi Internet services are also available, with coverage extending to all guest rooms, chalets, guest lobby and check-in area, restaurants and function rooms.
Rates for a Premier Room start from RM1,200 while a Premier Suite starts from RM2,800.

For now, you can enjoy a one night stay at the Premier Suite and get the second night free at RM2,800 nett. This price is inclusive of breakfast for two, and the package is subject to availability.

The Oceanfront Suites meet the needs of leisure travellers who prefer a bigger room space. The existing front row of deluxe seaview chalets were upgraded to make way for 12 exclusive Oceanfront Suites.

The Oceanfront Suites (measuring at 82 sq m) are made up of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, with six units in each category. Both Oceanfront one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites are housed in double-storey wooden chalets, featuring traditional Malaysian architectural design.

Rates for an Oceanfront Suite start from RM1,800. With the recent additions and upgrade, the 266-room Berjaya Redang Beach Resort now boasts of the largest room inventory in Redang Island.

Edit:

Berjaya Redang Beach Resort has change it name to

"The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort - Redang Island,Malaysia."

The name of the property is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘TAARA’, meaning ‘Star or Apple of my eye’ as well as ‘Goddess of the Sea’ which are all represented and epitomised by our mermaid figurehead"

For renquiries, contact Corporate Office & Sales Office

The Taaras Luxury Group
Lot 54, Level 8 Berjaya Times Square
1 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60 (3) 2149 1788
Fax: +60 (3) 2149 1499
or email: sales@thetaaras.com or visit http://www.berjayahotel.com/redang/thetaaras.php

Terengganu is Malaysia’s Cultural Heartland

2009-12-25T07:02:00.006+08:00

MANY BELIEVE THAT THE EAST COAST OF THE Peninsular is the real Malaysia – it’s cultural heartland. Indeed, laid back towns, colourful villages, cattle roaming the road and resort islands with comfortable chalets, are located along and off the east coast. For many, life stands still and traditional customs are central to their lifestyle.

Travel to the east coast to forget Kuala Lumpur’s fast pace, hectic traffic and people on the move. The relaxed pace makes it an ideal place to visit and there are resorts where it’s possible to relax and even get a drink.Travel here with an open mind and you’ll be pleasantly surprised as to just how content people are with their way of life.

Just to confuse those who drive through Terengganu, the state-of-the-art petroleum and petrochemical industries around Kerteh, Kemasik and Kijal are what drive the Malaysian economy. Terengganu is possibly the state with the most contrasting landscapes and lifestyles.

All along the Terengganu coast, long stretches of yellow beaches have been home to fishing communities for eons. Some of the region’s earliest traders visited coastal ports and by the 18th century, Kuala Terengganu was well established, exporting pepper, gold, tin, camphor and sugar. Ships brought in Chinese and Indochinese silks that were re-exported by local merchants. The trade continues today from these ports but with petroleum the principal export. The petroleum industry contrasts markedly to traditional ones like batik, songket and Duyong Island’s boat building yards.

Kuala Terengganu, the state capital has an old world feel. Many merchants trade Malay textiles, metalwork and woodcraft from the waterfront district of Kampung Cina. Located at the mouth of the Terengganu River it’s best explored on foot or trishaw – don’t miss the large market. Apart from the city’s attractions like the museum, palaces and mosques, craft industriessuch as silverwork, textiles, kite making and brass work are located in and around the town.

Those looking for a beach holiday are best to head to islands like Perhentian, Redang and Kapas. While known to many divers, they are still blimps on the radar screens of international jetsetters. Dive centres are located on all and accommodation is in mostly small, locally run but comfortable chalets. Redang is a little differentas it has a large resort and now direct flights from Kuala Lumpur make access easier.

There are two main islands in the Perhentian Group – Big (Besar) and Small (Kecil). Malaysian and Singaporean divers travel here to appreciate the rich marine life and calm waters. Divers would be disappointed if they didn’t sight turtles, reef sharks and many fish species. Access is via boat from Kuala Besut, 20km. away on the mainland.

Redang is further south and access is viaMerang (not to be confused with Marang). Redang is a marine park of nine islands with some excellent reef dives. There is a Fisheries Department turtle breeding programme on Pinang (not Penang) Island just off the main island. Kapas Island is reached via a 6km. boat journey from Marang, arguably the most picturesque fishing village along the coast. Just 20km. south of Kuala Terengganu, Marang is the quintessential fishing village and well worth visiting.Kapas can be visited as a day trip but several small resorts are recommended.

Tenggol is another great diving island off Dungun that has comfortable accommodation and good facilities. The dive season for the east coast is from May to October as the monsoon at other times makes access difficult. Back on the mainland, international resorts are located near Kijal (Awana) and Dungun (Tanjung Rhu). There is a very good coastal golf course at Awana Kijal.

Roads on the east coast are mostly straight and sparsely settled apart from small villages. There is a more direct inland route south from Kuala Terengganu to near Kuantan but it’s not as scenic as the coastal road. Motorists need to drive carefully as cattle, chickens and kids also use the road. The road journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu can be done comfortably in five hours so the east coast is a good weekend escape. Alternatively fly to Kuala Terengganu and have your resort meet you.

Along the coastal roads there are several picturesque fishing villages lining beaches or river mouths. Some worth investigating include Marang, Dungun, Chukai and Kg. Sungai Ular where a popular delicacy keropok (prawn crackers) is produced in many – look for roadside stalls and signs. While the locals are used to tourists, traditional values are important to many and visitors need to be respectful of these often conservative
lifestyles. This really is not the place to polish up on that all over suntan and it maybe difficult to get a beer, but be resourceful – take a six pack from home. However, for those who want to learnsomething of their Malaysian home (batik, spinning tops, kite flying, etc), the locals are delighted to share their culture by .

For Foreigner that wish to know more about Terengganu or any of it State in Malaysia can go to
www.expatkl.com It a website that are maintain by Those expatriate that work in Malaysia Enjoy!!

Interesting Place in Terengganu is Under Construction..Thank YOU..

2009-12-21T05:04:00.005+08:00

my Photo album account was closed... seem to be missing number of Picture...

Anyway Hope u will enjoy the new Template

e....Be right Back... : P

Upadate: if Finish ill post back the name and Hotel and budget inn List In TErengganu...

Pulau Duyung,Terengganu2

2008-10-10T21:01:00.011+08:00

Something old, something new

Pulau Duyung

A trip to Pulau Duyong turns into a rush through history for ALAN TEH LEAM SENG as he hops from a 90-year-old fort to traditional boatmakers and a modern marina resort.

If walls could talk, who knows what wonderful stories about Pulau Duyong’s past will be revealed?

External view of a duplex chalet at theHeritage Bay Club Marina and Resort

Beautiful blooms add character to the chalets

DRIVING along Sultan Mahmud Bridge was a breeze despite the hot tropical heat. Traffic was heavy but smooth flowing.

I soon came up to a sign directing me to turn towards my destination, Pulau Duyong or Mermaid Island, one of Terengganu’s most happening tourist destinations today, thanks to the annual international sailing event, the Monsoon Cup.This year’s competition starts tomorrow, and already my mind has vivid pictures of sail boats taking to the raging South China Sea fronting the island.

All’s ‘Well’
My first stop was the Duyong Old Fort which showcased traditional Terengganu architecture. Along the way, I passed several houses that still had wells near the steps leading up to their homes.Some 50 years ago, most of the villagers in Pulau Duyong depended on wells and the Terengganu River for their daily water supply.

Curiosity got the better of me and I took a peek inside one well. What a pleasant surprise it was to find water in it still!Just then, an elderly man in a sarong came up and threw in a bucket to draw water. His toothless grin was friendly. After washing his feet, he went up the staircase and entered what must be his home. The metal bucket that he left hanging by the side of the house looked aged and was badly dented. “It must have served him well through the years,” I thought.

Fort Without Fortifications?
Duyong Old Fort was just a short distance away.

At first glance, it looked like a traditional Malay palace. I was especially attracted to the intricately carved woodwork and layout. The imposing structure, sheltered by nine roofs, is said to resemble the designs of several types of traditional Terengganu homes like Bujang Berpeleh, Lima Bungkus and Potong Belanda.

Although the name conjures up an image of strong fortifications and ramparts, the primary objective for building the fort was not to ward off marauding invaders. Built some 90 years ago during a period of peace and prosperity, the fort was erected to showcase Terengganu’s rich architectural heritage.Strong Corinthian and Egyptian influences add to its artistic allure. A few historians are of the opinion that the person responsible for the building, Datuk Biji Sura, was so influenced by visiting tradesmen to Kuala Terengganu that he decided to incorporate their art into his design of the fort.

Despite its age, the white walls hardly showed any sign of wear. Perhaps this was due to the innovative use of clay, sand, eggs, honey and lime (from cockle shells) for construction at the time by the rich and famous. I remember once reading with scepticism, in Noel Barber’s Tanamera, about the use of this technique to produce plaster that was as smooth and strong as marble. Perhaps there was some truth to the tale after all.Datuk Biji Sura was the cousin of Terengganu’s first Menteri Besar. He was well educated and began his career as a clerk at the Terengganu Court. He was later appointed a member of the Royal Council with additional duties as chief Syariah Court judge and commissioner of Religious Affairs.Boat Builders After soaking in the illustrious history of the island’s past, I made my way to see an industry that had become synonymous with Pulau Duyong.

No visit to the island would be complete without a visit to its renowned shipyards. The island has gained worldwide recognition as a centre for traditional boat making. The boats are built without the use of blueprints or plans!I watched in awe as the local craftsmen went about their task. Everything was done by hand and surprisingly, there were few modern equipment used. I approached several builders taking a break nearby.What they told me was simply amazing. It’s true indeed that they don’t use a single blueprint or plan to build a vessel, be it a giant trawler or a luxury yacht destined for foreign shores!

All a master craftsman needs to know is the type and size of vessel. He then draws on his vast experience and photographic memory to begin his work. Even in this day and age, well-worn traditional tools like axe, saw, plane and hammer are the main tools of the trade.Before returning to their work after the short break, one of the craftsmen pointed in the direction Kuala Terengganu and said “Monsoon Cup”.

I knew immediately that he was referring to the Heritage Bay Club Marina and Resort, which incidentally was my final stop for the day.Home of the Monsoon CupLeaving Duyong Old Fort and the traditional boat builders, I drove towards the Heritage Bay Club Marina & Resort with its spanking new clubhouse, chalets and state of the art yachting facilities.Along the way, I had the strangest feeling of being in a time capsule with the entire history of Pulau Duyong moving fast forward at lightning speed.

I was now heading back to the future!The Heritage Bay Club Marina & Resort was established in conjunction with the inaugural Monsoon Cup in 2005 to promote Terengganu as a world acclaimed yachting venue.

It offers water related activities like river cruises, sail tours and regattas and conducts training for community groups, corporate organisations and the general public.I headed for the Ulek Mayang Restaurant to quench my thirst and get a chance to rest my travel weary feet. Here, I enjoyed stunning views of Kuala Terengganu town and the South China Sea from its ultra modern dining area.

Even the partitions separating each table were shaped like sails!The food had interesting local names like Pulau Redang Special (foot-long chicken sausage bun), Heritage Bay Club Lekor Fried Rice with fried fish cake, Monsoon Laksa and Nasi Lemak Traditional Seberang Takir.Fed, rehydrated and rested, I went to the marina, hoping to catch a glimpse of the prize-winning boats to be used in the Monsoon Cup competition. I was not disappointed. There they were, a pair of boats inscribed “Richard Mille”, bobbing gently by the pontoon.With great satisfaction, I bade farewell to Pulau Duyong.

By then, the evening sky was a picture-perfect backdrop for the island which embodied both Terengganu’s illustrious past as well as the promise of a bright future.Getting ThereBy Air: Pulau Duyong lies a short distance from Kuala Terengganu, the capital and largest town in the State.

The opening of the Sultan Mahmud Bridge in 1990 not only allowed easy access to the island but also spurred its growth from a sleepy fishing village to a tourist destination. Kuala Terengganu is about 50 minutes by air from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia make several daily flights to Kuala Terengganu.

Pulau Duyong is about 20 minutes from the airport.By road: Travellers from Kuala Lumpur can head east towards Kuantan via the Karak Highway. It takes about three hours to reach Kuantan. From there, the smooth driving and scenic coastal route will lead straight to Kuala Terengganu.

Those from the north, including Penang, should take the East-West Highway and head towards Kota Baru. From here, take the coastal road and you’d be in Kuala Terengganu in no time at all. From the south, including Johor and Singapore, drive along the North-South Expressway and exit at Yong Peng. From there, travel along the main thoroughfare to Labis and Segamat. Just follow the road signs from Segamat to Kuantan.

From there, it is smooth driving all the way to Kuala Terengganu.

By Sea:

Those intending to approach Pulau Duyong by sea should note that its position is Lat 05° 20.3´ N Long. 103° 085´ E. The Pulau Duyong Light Beacon flashes green (3s) while the Kuala Terengganu Light Beacon flashes quick white. Communication is via VHF listening on Ch. 16 and Single Side Band (SSB) on frequency 8124.00 KHz.

Accommodation
The Heritage Bay Club Marina and Resort offers comfortable chalet-style accommodation. There are three categories of chalets: Cemara (duplex), Teratak (executive suite) and Serambi (deluxe room). Guests have a choice of dining either at the Mayang Sari Restaurant or at the Terengganu House poolside lounge.

For further information and reservation, contact The Heritage Bay Club Marina & Resort, Pulau Duyong, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. Tel: 09-627 7888 Fax: 09-622 9903. E-mail: info@heritagebayclub.com.

Website: http://www.heritagebayclub.com/

Must Do

Interesting sights are best appreciated on foot.

Bring ample drinking water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Wide brimmed hats will offer a respite from the tropical sun.In the village, watch the villagers go about their daily activities including drawing water from ancient wells. Then visit the Duyong Old Fort. Look out for its exquisite woodcarvings especially on the veranda. The boat building workshops are a must visit.Walk around the marina to see the racing boats on display. Along the way, stop and enjoy the bracing sea breeze and stunning views of Kuala Terengganu town across the Terengganu River. Pictures by ALAN TEH LEAM SENG

Perhentian Island review 2

2008-10-10T20:52:00.009+08:00

RM160 escapade: Island on a budget (Perhentian ISLAND)

You don't need to be rich to holiday on a South China Sea island. For a paltry sum, PUTRI ZANINA finds a slice of paradise in Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

ALL you need is just RM160 and you can escape to a world-class island. How? Well, travel on the cheap, like backpackers do. Your destination? Pulau Perhentian Kecil, off the coast of Terengganu and well known all over the world as a backpackers’ haven.

Lonely Planet, the popular guidebook for those who travel on a shoestring budget, describes the island as having “one of the best backpacker beaches in mainland Southeast Asia”. It’s not surprising then to see a young international crowd, mostly singles, converging on the island, turning it into a small global village. Here, everyone gets into island mode – relaxing under the sun and sinking gently into the tranquility of this heavenly spot with its warm, welcoming sea.
Sins & Families

That morning, when our boat sped towards the island from the jetty at Kuala Besut, our boatman enquired whether we were going to the big island or the small island. “The small one,” we told him, referring to Perhentian Kecil, one of two islands that make up Pulau Perhentian. The big one, Perhentian Besar, is separated from the little one by just 10 minutes by boat. He smiled, his yellow-tainted teeth shining against the bright sunlight. “Itu pulau maksiat,” he said, his voice rising above the roar of the engine. We smiled at him knowingly. We knew that some locals dubbed Perhentian Kecil as the “island of vice (maksiat)” where singles and the “single-at-heart” meet, mingle and party.

The boatman then told us that locals prefer Perhentian Besar. “It is suitable for families. You can find more comfortable lodging there. Only two of you travelling together?” he enquired, looking at us as he squinted against the sun. Because he was such a nosy character, we gingerly steered him away from personal stuff and into small talk about how beautiful the sea was. And beautiful it was indeed, the blue-green sea with water glinting in the sunlight. The sweeping view of sky and sea, punctuated with little boats in the horizon, was nothing short of dazzling.

Village Ambience

About 30 minutes later, we approached the shore of Perhentian Besar where half the number of passengers in the boat, all locals, got off. The rest of us, 10 altogether, including a motley group of western backpackers, would be going on to the little island. Barely rising from above the waves, a gentle slope of white sand beach festooned with coconut palms and casuarina trees loomed into view. Our boat stopped not too far from the beach.

Almost on cue, several little boats sped towards us. These would ferry us to the shore. When we finally stepped on land, we hung on to our backpacks and walked along the beach under the searing sun. Thirsty and exhausted, we stopped at the nearest chalet. Tucked against a rocky headland in the southeastern side of the island, the wooden shacks of the Lemon Grass Chalets, well shaded among trees, beckoned like a cool oasis. It looked like a small village with traditional Malay houses built on stilts.

We decided to book a chalet there. The rate was unbelievably low. Only RM35 for a chalet for two! Each chalet has a veranda. Our neighbours, two caucasian girls clad in batik sarong tied over their bikinis, were within hearing shot! They had a ready smile when we waved and responded with a cheerful “hello!” Once inside the chalet, however, we couldn’t wait to get out! It was steaming hot inside and we couldn’t switch on the table fan as electricity was available only from 7pm to 7am.

There was a double bed with a thin mattress covered with, thankfully, a clean sheet. That was all but hey, we couldn’t expect more for the meagre amount we paid. A common bath area and the toilets are located outside. Rainwater is collected in barrels and this is used for washing, and even bathing, when the piped water runs low. Owned by Ma Hussin Yusof, Lemon Grass has been in operation for the last nine years.

There are 16 units of chalets, occupied mainly by foreigners. “Only about five per cent are locals,” said the reception staff. A quick glance through the guest-book showed that the guests were mainly students from England and other parts of Europe. We were told that some have stayed on the island for over a month. A few even worked part time at local sundry shops and snorkelling/diving centres to raise money before they moved on to other places. A few have even settled down here, marrying locals or staying with adopted families.

Famous Long Beach
On the island, the great outdoors are everyone’s playground. The action is all out there, especially over at the Long Beach. It’s the most famous and the longest stretch of beach on the island. Hardly anyone calls it by its local name, Pantai Pasir Panjang. Lazy chairs and colourful umbrellas dot the sparkling white sand beach.

If you’re taking a stroll along the beach, you may find it hard to keep your eyes “straight” ahead. But try you must, as it is rude to stare at the skimpily clad men and women sunbathing and relaxing under the sun. Here, the code of conduct is “don’t stare, judge or comment”. Just smile and if you feel like it, strike up a conversation and ask a few friendly questions.

Despite the many people on the beach, you can still find your own spot of privacy. Why, even white belly eagles seem tame and often land on a quiet spot here. Lining the beach are rustic little beach cafes and restaurants with wooden poles and nipah roofs. Buoys, flags and batik sarongs hanging from the roofs or hung on poles and walls add colour to the lazy island ambience. Equally enchanting are the names of some of the drinking joints, eateries and chalets – Matahari (sun), Symphony, Moonlight, Panorama and D’Lagoon, all of which add to the touch of romance in the air.

Do Not Disturb
We spent the afternoon sipping the island’s specialty drink, coconut shake — coconut milk or santan blended with ice and vanilla ice cream and served in a tall glass. Just perfect for chilling out in the hot afternoon. We gazed at the turquoise-blue waters, watching others bathe in the sea or set out in boats for a spot of snorkelling and diving. The surrounding waters are protected areas so there’s a thriving marine life and healthy coral gardens to admire. The young crowd on the beach was oblivious to others. Hours passed with many of them just lying on lazy chairs or on towels spread on the sand. Reading, sunbathing, sleeping or having quiet chat over cool drinks – it was each to his or her own private indulgence. Very little broke the peace of the quiet moments except for the occasional sounds of boats passing by.

Lots Of Green
For a change of scene, we trekked the hilly, lightly forested interior towards the western side of the island. Well-posted signs directed us along the trail from Long Beach to the tiny and pretty Coral Bay or Aur Bay on the western part. It was an easy 15-minute walk along footpaths through the jungle. The highest point with tall trees accorded us a peek at the sea, craggy mountainside and picturesque chalets tucked among pockets of greens. Much of the island remains shrouded in greenery, rocky land and cliffs surrounding the bays and inlets. These are home to birds, monitor lizards and bees humming among flowery bushes. Coral Bay has a small strip of beach and not too far away is the Sunset Beach. The best time to be there is obviously when the sun is going down. Watching the white sand turning gold and amber as the sun went down below the horizon made our day.

Party Time!
Walking back to Long Beach, we saw lights twinkling on the beachfront. When the sun goes down, the tempo goes up. Night is definitely not the time to retire to the chalets and catch some sleep. It is time to party! There was music and, if anyone chose, there was dancing. Certainly, there was a lot of merrymaking, drinking and dining. Beach parties are one of the island’s attractions. But we saw no evidence of purportedly “wild” scenes of drunken people getting rowdy or couples smooching openly. Instead, everyone was having a good time, eating and drinking and listening to music that went on till the wee hours.

Feeling Right At Home
Sleep came very hard but we managed to knock off for maybe two to three hours. At the crack of dawn, we were back on the beach. At that time, the island was totally seductive, the water inviting. We took a dip and found the water warm and wonderfully soothing. We had the beach all to ourselves while the rest of the island slept on. The rocky cliffs seemed so familiar then and we felt so comfortably at home. Yes, in a way we did as I am sure so many others must have felt too. But for now, we were all cocooned in our own beautiful dreams on this island paradise.
How Much

The estimated budget of RM160 covers the cost for one person on 2D/1N stay (twin sharing RM17.50 each) in a budget chalet, return bus fare Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Besut jetty (RM14), return speed boat fare Kuala Besut jetty-Pulau Perhentian Kecil (RM60), return small boat transfer (RM4), entrance fee to the island, which is within a marine park (RM5) and meals for two days (RM60).

If you travel by express train from Kuala Lumpur, you will need to pay more. Economy seat on train (RM56 return) and taxi fare from the train station in Wakaf Baru in Kelantan to Kuala Besut (about RM80 return). If you want to snorkel or dive, set aside another RM40 for the trip and RM65 to RM90 per dive. Bring more cash for contingencies and if you want to splurge a little.

Where To Stay
Long Beach: Lemon Grass Chalets, Matahari Chalets, Chempaka Chalets and Panorama Chalets for back to basic lodging. Bubu Long Beach Resort offers a more comfortable stay.

Coral Bay: Fatimah Chalets, Maya Beach Resort and Aur Bay Chalets. There are many other chalets that charge from RM10 for dormitory-style accommodation to over RM270 for room with air-conditioning and bathroom.

Most chalets don’t accept advance booking and they are fully occupied most of the time. Plan to arrive early at the island to check for room availability. Bring along a tent in case all rooms are fully booked, especially during peak season. For details, contact local travel agents offering tours to Perhentian.

Two of these are Kuala Besut Travel & Tours (09-697 4948) or Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours (09-626 2020). Lemon Grass Chalets can be reached by calling 019-938 3893/012-900 8393.

What To Eat
Beach cafes and restaurants offer both local and western fare. You can get some fairly good western food as eateries there cater mostly to westerners. Western breakfast (toast and pancakes, from RM3 to RM6), sandwiches RM4.50 to RM6, main dishes like spaghetti and rice dishes (from RM7) and barbecue (from RM10).

How To Get There
Pulau Perhentian in the South China Sea is located 20km off the coast of Terengganu. The main gateway is Kuala Besut, 108km from Kuala Terengganu (about two hours) and 54km from Kota Baru or Wakaf Baru, Kelantan (about one hour). Boat ride from Kuala Besut: 30 minutes by speedboat and 1 1/2 hours by slow boat.

Best Time To Go
March to September, but avoid school holidays and public holidays. The island is closed during the monsoon season from October to February.

What’s On
Mark August in your calendar for the annual Perhentian Island Challenge. This year, it will be from August 24 to 26. It is a multi-sport endurance race that includes swimming, kayaking, trail/beach running and water orienteering. Now into its fourth year, the challenge this year offers cash prizes totalling RM50,000.

There is a new category for first-timers in addition to the Elite category. Be there to watch participants from all over the world in keen competition. Entertainment, traditional games and food fair are added attractions.

For details, contact info@perhentianislandchallenge.com or call 013-210 9283 or 03-2142 6688.

Bukit Besi, Terengganu, Legacy of Iron Hill

2008-10-10T20:38:00.003+08:00

I can think of better explanation about bukit besi than this guide article about Bukit Besi's History ....It better than my description about Bukit besi and would not be right for me to continue using my article when this guy has wrote a very good description about Bukit Besi, Terengganu in his article.

Title the Legacy of Iron Hill by ALIAS MOHAMED

It was once the centre of iron-mining activities, a town that boomed with activities and jobs for 8,000 people. ALIAS MOHAMED revisits Bukit Besi

IT was 50 years ago when I witnessed the first Jalur Gemilang being hoisted at Padang Astaka in Bukit Besi (Iron Hill), Terengganu to celebrate the historic Merdeka Day. At that time, the old “Iron Town” was still lively and filled with activities.

One of the plants for processing iron ore

But today, it is far from what it used to be. It is now very quiet – especially in the hills. In the old days, convoys of heavy vehicles and mining vessels snaked their way up the hills amidst sounds of activities and explosions from the mines. Indeed, Bukit Besi was well-known, not only in this region, but throughout the world including America and Japan.

“At that time, nobody would have thought that Bukit Besi would just ‘die away’ like this,” said a former iron ore miner, 72-year-old Mat Husin Abdullah.

Bukit Besi, located 85km from Kuala Terengganu and formerly known as Permata Bumi or literally the “Jewel of the Earth”, was first opened for iron-ore mining in 1916. But, about a century later, the mines were closed when the lodes were depleted.
Initially, the mining was undertaken by a Japanese company but it was taken over by the British after the world war in 1945.

Later, another company from America, known as the Eastern Mining & Metal Company Limited (EMMCO) took over the operations until the place was closed in early 70s. Nearly 8,000 workers, including foreigners, were employed in the mines.
Besides providing the locals with jobs, the company also provided a better and modern standard of living for the workers compared to people in other parts of Terengganu. The nearest town is Dungun, about 30km away.

Bukit Besi used to be known as Bukit Seri Bangun and stood at 400m high. It was the centre for mining activities. But somehow, the hill does not seem to be that high now and plants that used to grow on the slopes have disappeared. The whole place looks ghostly.

Saving A Legacy
In an effort to save the legacy of Bukit Besi, the Terengganu State Government has decided to gazette all the former iron-mine sites in and around it as historical heritage.
Terengganu State Culture, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) committee chairman Din Adam said several lots had been identified and allocated for the project, including a site for a museum.

Among the places earmarked are Bukit Seren and Bukit Tebuk, two distinguished landmarks of the iron-mine town. Also included for preservation are the remains of the mining equipment as well as railway tracks and tunnels for transporting and processing the iron ore.
A former Bukit Besi iron mine worker, Ananda Kumar, 68, came all the way from India to visit his “hometown” recently. He said: “It’s very sad to see a place, that used to be known as one of the booming towns in this region, so neglected and left to rot as if it has no historical value,” he said in almost perfect Bahasa Malaysia.

How To Get There
From Kuantan, drive along the interior road passing through Bandar Al-Mukhtafi Billah Shah (Ketengah) for 170km before turning into Bukit Besi on the left. It is 32km from Dungun and 90km from Kuala Terengganu. Contact Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat DUN Bukit Besi, Tel: 09-833 7100.

Kuala Berang’s History

2008-10-10T20:26:00.003+08:00

From NST
Kuala Berang’s glorious past
ALIAS MOHAMED

It’s a quiet town that you can whizz past without noticing. But, writes ALIAS MOHAMED, Kuala Berang was once a busy port in Terengganu

IT’S a place that few people will notice. It does not arouse any excitement, unlike Tasik Kenyir located 35km away. Yet, centuries ago, the district of Kuala Berang was one of the busiest ports in Terengganu where traders from as far as China came to trade and to replenish their supply of food and fresh water. Back then (12th-14th Century), the Chinese called the place Fo-Lo-Ann. The locals, however, named it Kuala Berang after the bamboo species known as buluh berang that grew wildly along the banks of Sungai Terengganu and Sungai Berang.

According to records at the Terengganu State Museum, a Chinese historian, Chan Ju Kau, wrote that Kuala Berang was once a very busy port with traders buying local goods like kayu cendawan (candan), elephant tusks and scented kayu gaharu for export to China, the Middle East and West Asia. In exchange, the traders brought gold, silverware and food for sale at markets in Kuala Berang. The traders arrived in large vessels through Sungai Terengganu or other routes that passed through Pahang and Kelantan to reach Kuala Berang.

At that time, Sg Terengganu was more than 15 metres deep and it could hold large vessels, some of them as big as medium-sized battleships that plied the Straits of Malacca. This fact is confirmed by the discovery of an iron anchor used by large vessels, near Kg Buluh. The old trading zone was near Kg Buluh, located between Sungai Terengganu and Sungai Berang, 32km from the sea. Another Chinese historian, Chau Chu Fei, described Kuala Berang as a great port, similar to Kedah’s Bujang Valley during the Srivijaya rule more than 2,000 years ago.

Kuala Berang was a thriving entity on its own, but in the 14th Century, it came under the rule of the Terengganu sultanate. The first sultan was Sultan Zainal Abidin. In the 18th Century, the administration shifted to the State capital of Kuala Terengganu. Today, Kuala Berang is one of seven districts in Terengganu and encompasses Tasik Kenyir.
Historic Finds

The famous Terengganu batu bersurat (inscribed stone slab that’s a sign of the early existence of Islam in the State) was actually found in Sungai Tara, Kg Buluh in 1887. The stone is now displayed at the Terengganu State Museum in Kuala Terengganu. The graveyards of local warriors — Tok Gajah, Tok Indera and Tok Pauh — were also found in Kuala Berang. Kuala Berang also has traces of Neolithic and Mesolithic civilisation. After Tasik Kenyir was opened in early 80s, there were several discoveries that proved the existence of the Neolithic people. At Gua Bewah in the area of Tasik Kenyir, several jars and other artefacts were found that indicated the existence of the Neolithic civilisation. Not far away, at Bukit Taat, several jars, plates and the skeletons of Neolithic people were unearthed. According to studies, this civilisation existed several thousand years ago. The findings at both Gua Bewah and Bukit Taat have long piqued the interest of historians and trekkers as well. The two places are listed as attractions of Tasik Kenyir. Since Tasik Kenyir is a popular fishing spot, Kuala Berang too benefits from the scores of visitors passing through to get there. There may not be any of the physical legacies of its glorious past but it suffices to know that it was once a bright spot in the country’s history.

Getting There
From Kuantan, Dungun or Bukit Besi, drive towards Ajil. From there, signboards point to Kuala Berang, which is about 10km from Ajil. Drive 35km from Kuala Berang and you will reach Tasik Kenyir.

What To Do
Kuala Berang itself has nothing much to offer. Tourists usually head straight for Tasik Kenyir. But those who like local fruits such as buah salak, kelubi or other jungle products, will go to the market which opens every Saturday and Monday. About 20km from the town is Sekayu Recreation Park with a beautiful stream and tiers of waterfall. There are shady spots for picnics and other activities. You can also visit the State Agriculture Department’s orchid and fruit gardens and a herb garden maintained by the State Forestry Department.

Where To Stay
Kenyir Lake View Resort (Tel: 09-666 8888) Kenyir Sanctuary Resort Mobile No. 019-983 6105). You can also stay in a boathouse run by Ketengah (Tel: 09-822 3100).

Hi!...To all your reader out there...

2008-03-03T06:04:00.006+08:00

Hi!...To all your reader out there...

Thank you for coming to my blog about my home in Terengganu . This last few year i was busy with my life and my first degree examination at UNITAR

and I was rely shocked that the website have reached about to 14k visitor....

there were only 358 visit when i left my blog and other site for my study in late 2006..after 2 year i was shocked to see the number and figure of 14 Thousand people visiting my site..that when i log on account to check my web this past few weeks...

For that i thank you all ...

i have went back to Terengganu during this 2008 Chinese New Year..and i really need to congrats to Idris Jusoh (YAB Datuk Haji) for the develompent that he had bring to Terengganu in two year..it really change much

it very hard for me two explain about the changes so here a an interesting post by Jed Yoong who is an independent journalist, whose articles have been published in Asia Sentinel, Malaysiakini, New Straits Times, The Star and Brunei Time about my Home town..

i will be back for the election...this 7 for the 8 Mac 2008..General election.. You hhave my Yote Mr YB.. .Kudos To Idris Jusoh for his far sight...and achievement..and Terengganu!!! Maju Sokmo..!!

I will try to update all those post that had been publish here..as some are two year out dated ..but still can be a general guide.....may be i just keep everything under a title..and made a new post of all the place and all this can be left as an archived of Terengganu Tw0 year ago... hehe

Notice!!

2006-06-15T04:58:00.001+08:00

Terengganu has the longest beach is Malaysia yet sadly not all the beach are developed except for some which were naturally located on strategic are and also some which was developed by private entrepreneur who had a large vision like Tanjung Jara Beach Resort and some was famous because of it specially like :

1.Pantai Keluang in Besut District
Which is famous for its Rocky cave of Bukit Keluang  which is one of the main attraction for cave exploreratian ,picnicking on the beach and also camping on the north of Terengganu and the East of Kelantan.

2.Pantai Penarik in Setiu District.
Which is famous for its traditional fishing village and sea catch and watching the fleet of fihing boats coming home from with their catch .The Beach it self are famous for its fresh sea food restaurant and hut ,which attracts hundred of visitor daily.

4. Pantai Merang in Setiu District.
which well know as a sea side haven with  long strectces of coconut palm ,its gentle surf and its emerald waters.The beach is also home to the famous Aryani Resort and its Merang Jetty to Isle of Redang. Beside this .it is also famous  to the local for its fire fly appreciation activity. Here at the nearby Fishing Village, tourist and visitor alike can hire a boat from any of the fishermen here to go up to the Merang River to see the thousand of fireflies glitering in the Dark. Or by going with The Merang River Safari that are offer by

If You are interested about Aryani Resort you might want to read:
Advertisement review about Aryani Resort by www.tripadvisor.com

5.Pantai Tanjung Jara
Tanjung Jara is a rocky beach, The white sandy beach here is one of the most striking beaches in Terengganu with fascinating sand dunes that are created by Nature earth’s powerful waves from The South China Sea with its timeless beauty and a serenity of this enchanting beach is like from a dream. Whereas the foreland and the sea here are bless by strong wing and a beautiful calm sea with many underwater treasure of flora and fauna..

Another of its main attraction is  the most highly acclaimed Tanjung Jara Beach resort in whole Terengganu. It is the only resort which have everything from diving, spa, till golfing and etc .Thus with the Resort itself had created an endless activity at the beach.

6.Pantai Batu Buruk in Kuala Terengganu District.
Located strategically at the city center, it is the home of the annual beach carnival and many even. This beach is also the home to the culture centre where traditional stage performances are stage here. If you want to go here you might be disappointed since the beach are now being enlarge with many sand tanker and ship going trough the places. But if you don’t mind you can walk from this beaches to the General hospital and from there to the many attraction that can be found here near the beach.

7.Pantai Chendering in Kuala Terengganu District.
This beautiful beach with its beautiful bay had born many famous local heroes and heroine triathlete and swimming enthusiasts. It is also home to the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. Where visitor can get a chance to witness first hand the skill of local artisan at work in making the Songket, batik, ceramic and other handicraft.

8. Pantai Batu Rakit in Kuala Terengganu.
Pantai Batu Rakit is famous for its fresh sea food, the famous keropok lekor , otak-otak and satar, The beach is on the unspoiled shores dotted with colourful fishing boat as is time went slow here with beautiful crystal clear water and surrounded by lush green forest.

9.Pantai Kijal in Kemaman Disctrict.
More porpular know as a holiday beach by the many people who visit here,This is the place where tourist who doesn’t want to be found or for total relaxation will be here at this quite beach .Which are run by the private sector just like the Tanjung Jara.

The reason why I am rewriting and why I took out the rest of the beach.

There are many beautiful and panoramic beaches in Terengganu. Sadly there are not much development and attraction at some of the area and also accommodation at this place which lack of  infrastructure had cause most of these beautiful losing their charm comparing with the other 9 famous beaches in Terengganu.

Because of this, the other beachs in the beaches section will be taken out until the gorvement / or private entrepreneur decide to developed these beaches in the future.

Nota bene all the beaches will be took out until futhose Notice

Pantai Batu Buruk

2006-06-15T04:46:00.002+08:00

Pantai Batu Buruk

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Pantai Batu Buruk (beach of the old ugly stone) Kuala Terengganu’s famous beach is a popular place for strolling and good place to visit especially in the evening, located just 1 km from the city centre of Kuala Terengganu.. This beach is a populars destination for the city folks of Terengganu and throughout Malaysia to unwind and relax and also a haven for Vintage or antique collector like me : P and also famous as Fishing spot and Angler Competitions .

Batu Buruk is also as Famous’s as Kota Bharu as a place to find valuably and Original vintage Denin Jeans!! and shoes!! which sometimes reach as high as RM 7000 or 2 or 3 thousand US Dollar!!! O.o and my favourite place to find antique which are unique and hard to find.

Set against the scenic backdrop of The white sandy beaches with swaying and breezy casuarinas Tree (Pokok Rhu) lining up behind the shore, like a loyal friend to the waves.

Here in Pantai Batu Buruk can find many tourist and local Flying the many kite that are sold on the beach whether it’s the Famous Tradisional “Wau” or morden day kite all can be found here flying in the sky stretching for mile and mile, that sometime it loos like a kite festival being held especially during the paddy planting season in month of February till April.The panoramic view of the sea is quite beautiful ..i don’t recommend swimming here currently as the tide is very strong and sometime can be dangerous.

Seeing that Pantai Batu Buruk a famous and popular attraction . the authrority had decide to preserve and enlarge the beaches and are currently building since august 2004. A long stretch of wave breaker about 800 meter from the beaches when finish It would make Pantai Batu Buruk and ideal place for swimming and other water activites and also prevent any coastal erosion even though they were never was any costal erosion in the first place!!. ( From my point of view: I think they use the costal erosion as an excuse to get Grant from the federal government :P )

Varieties food stalls can be found at Batu Buruk, streeching from Batu Buruk Resort until 500 meter from the Kuala Terengganu General Hospital. It used to stretch past over 1 km from The Hospital until they set a 500 meters anti Stall Radius. this is because 7 year ago , the food stalls were just 10 meter from the Hospital Garden’ fence which is a waist high.

The delicious smell from The hundred and hundred of food stalls which is just 10 meter from the Hospital ground had tempted a lot of patient. Yes I MEAN A LOT of patient wearing pink clothing who cant resist to sneak out from the ward to get a snack and running around and eating anything that they shouldn’t or smuggling in some back to share with fellow “inmate’s” which in the end cause a lot of security breach and a lot of Headache to to the hospital director and its staff :P ”

Ok Back to the Varieties food stalls can be found at here.all the food is halal .
as a Chinese who like to eat frequent here!! I suggest u try some dishes which is quite famous in Terengganu that if u don’t try its . The when people at home ask about the taste and you don’t know then their will think that u probably had never come here. Try the first and best fried ice cream (Ais Krim Goreng) in Malaysia since 1998 . (there only one Ais Krim Goreng shop in whole Kuala Terenggau as many had tried and fail to copy it flavour :P ) , Nasi Dagang,(Trader Rice) a Terengganu famous traditional rice cooked with coconut milk and server with Fish curry, fried sea foods and Yunnan chicken rice run by a Chinese muslim family .All this food can easily be found along side a long stretch of Shop near Batu Buruk Beach Resort.or u can go to my favourite joint wher me and my friend like to hang out at Pak Maidin Shops which is just infront of Batu Buruk Beach Resort.(the place where you tour bus will stop as Batu Buruk)

Friday in the afternoon starting from 4.00pm till evening is the best day to go to Pantai Batu Buruk . There is a big and long night market every Friday from 3.00pm till 7.00pm offering hundred of Varieties food stalls ,Beautiful and wonderful art ,gift and souvenir can be found here with other product and lastly a lot of Bundle shop that sometime if u lucky you may bump into some vintage Jeans worth thousand of dollar at the price of under US 100 dollar if the trader that sell its are bloody blind !! there also peddle that sell only Selective Jeans that they found at affordable price. price (I know of 1 american who stay at a resort for more that 4 year and making big money by travelling to Pantai Batu Buruk Night market every Friday with a bunch of Catalog in his small backpack!!. (note most local don’t know that almost all The Jeans seller here whose wear rugged clothing are Very Filthy RICH!! :P )

Friday is also the time where our City council held culture show and event at The Batu Buruk Culture Centre. The Culture Centre stage pencak silat (Malay martial art), top spinning, kite flying, sepak raga and other traditional performances from 5.00pm to 7.00pm every Friday from starting from 1 April till 31 October which is the Tourist Season, There also a tourist office Centre here where the friendly staff are ready to server your needs and information.

If u are bored u can always walk to Pantai Batu Buruk for strolling especially in the evening like other couple who are in love.

Pantai Kijal

2006-06-15T04:44:00.001+08:00

Pantai Kijal

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Besides traditional fishing activities, Kijal is known as a vacation place with tranquil and beautiful scenic view of its mile long beach with coconut tree and pine tree waving in the powerfull breeze from the South China Sea. Kijal is quite famous to tourist who wish to main seclude by anyone where u can rent a room at the many budget inn here. Sadly all the inn are over booked from year on to year on. Finding one empty room here can be count as a blessing.

Pantai Kijal are the most famous place for Golfing and spa which is run by a 5 Star resort called Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort which is the only resort here and in my opinion is the biggest championship green in the whole Terengganu and I like they green, driving range, kayaking and walking inside the beautiful Garden and pool here.. They green are quite popular among the many pro golfer in Malaysia to tried they 18-hole championship
golf course.

Beside golfing there are more thing that can be done here at Pantai Kijal and if you are tired , you can just go lay lazily at the Spa there for hour and hour.

http://www.awana.com.my/en/ak/golf/index.htm

or you can read some of the review of the place at

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/7c61b/138bc5/

Marang Beach

2006-06-15T04:43:00.002+08:00

Marang Beach

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Marang Beach also called Pantai Kelulut lies between Marang and Rantau Abang. The beach at the bustling reverie Marang Fishing Village is widely acknowledged as the most advantageous point along the east coast to witness and photograph the most spectacular daily sunrise in whole Malaysia. White sandy beach with green emerald like sea is an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, enjoying a picnic with the whole family, or camping here while waiting for the beautiful sunrise.

Visitor will be captivated by its natural beuty and quite serenity. Where the pine tree that stretch along the beach provides a good hide-away feature for nature lovers.

Beside that visitor can also go to the nearby Marang Fishing Village to look and see the culture and lifestyle of its people. The Village here loos like it been suspended in time in the 60’s or 70’s not much had change here.

Well maybe except of the motorise boat, TV, Satellite T.V with is only RM68 per month (watching HBO, Cartoon Network, ESPN, EPL, Discovery channel and such) , and also Rock metal song that can be hear been play by some of the youth. Compare with the elder who play many of the old record from the 60’s till the 80’s like P.Ramlee, Saloma, M Daub ,S Jibeng and more.

Speaking of TV in the past 2 year since 2004, Malaysia had been struck by the Reallity show fenomena e.g; Malaysia Idol and Akademi Fantasia, American Idol,Pop Idol and such. Which cause many of the village’s Warung kopi ( wooden coffee shop with no wall) heavily packed by the fan and they supporters during the weekend.

But with the world Cup Season Now what you can hear is all about World Cup and every night have become a World Cup Gathering..

Pantai Baru Rakit

2006-06-15T04:40:00.001+08:00

Pantai Baru Rakit
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Pantai Batu Rakit is situated about 30km from Kuala Terengganu and are about 14.7 Km from Merang in the north of Terengganu..

Pantai Batu Rakit is famous for its fresh sead food ,the famous keropok lekor , otak-otak and satar, is on the unspoiled shores dotted with colourful fishing boat, beautiful crystal clear water and surrounded by lush green forest.

The scenery at the a lot of fishing villages adjoining to the beach can make you felt peace fully as , here you can see Fishing nets hung out to dry, rows of colourful batik sarongs lined washing lines – flapping in the gentle sea breeze with friendly fishermen

Its like a fiasta when large fleet of fishermen returning from they daily catch in the morning and in the evening.

In some sunny days, the famous Pulau Redang and former Vietnamese refuge island, Pulau Bidong are visible from the beach.
Try seafoods tempura (goreng celup tepung ) at the Batu Rakit beach stalls, the stall serves varieties tempura such as fishes, crabs, squids,prawns, sting rays, bananas, kerepok etc.Batu rakit also famous for fried kew teaw with squid and chicken, try the stall opposite the mosque along the main road.

Pantai Batu Rakit is a popular place, among the folk in the city of Kuala Terengganu and my mother to catch the coming home of fishing boats in the morning for fresh fish, crab and Prawn.

Here also is the place to looks for the stalls by the road which sell the most delicious “otak-otak” and “Satar” in the whole Terengganu and I mean its because I once live here!!

Even though there are many stall here that sell The Famous Keropok Lekor..they keropok is sory to say but not very tasty..

NOTE : There are better place to buy it as The Keropok here cant beat all the Keropok at Kampung Mengadang Lekor which is on the main road to Pulau Redang Jetty and the Keropok Lekor in Losong, Kuala Terengganu.

Pantai Chendering

2006-06-15T04:38:00.001+08:00

Pantai Chendering

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Chendering, located approximately 6 km from Kuala Terengganu is a picturesque fishing village with long jetty which makes it an excellent site for fishing and are much popular among angler (XL size Fish) and swimming enthusiasts. Where many swimming competition are held here.

Chendering is the site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. The centre offers visitors a wide variety of Malaysian handicraft and also an insight into handicraft making.Some of the exquisite items which can be found here are songket, batik, vases, and mats, hats, wallets and bags made from pandanus leaves.

Visitors will also get a chance to witness first hand the skills of local artisans in songket weaving, batik painting, basket weaving, etc.

Besides being considered as the centre for handicraft and traditional textiles in Terengganu, endering is also the site for a national deep sea fishing project. Whats more is that Chendering is only 5 minutes by road from Kuala Terengganu.

Kampung Penarik

2006-06-15T04:08:00.001+08:00

Kampung Penarik
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Kampung Penarik, a quiet, orderly little fishing village. Lining the path were tranquil houses on stilts with tidy gardens. Fishing nets hung out to dry, rows of colourful batik sarongs lined washing lines – flapping in the gentle sea breeze.
This place is the most famous place for sea-food enthusiastic to buy fresh sea food and cooked here at the many daily sea-food Restaurant here up till midnight.
A little way from the village is Penarik Inn... somewhere to stay where the beach is clean, the sand is as fine and white as castor sugar, and the hospitality is just nice – homey and unobtrusive. The main house where Penarik Inn’s owners call ‘home’ is the central area. Behind is the reception ; close by is the kitchen and dining area. Most times than not, dinner is set out in the lawn, under the stars and between swaying coconut trees. Chalets are structured after tranquil houses on stilts.

The chalets are tranquil, and the bed linen may be a little gaudy but its comfortable and has clean, airy attached bathrooms . For a mere RM55 per room per night, it’s worth it for the tranquillity. Owned by Baha and Ana moved away from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur some years ago to set up a whole new environment for their young, growing children.
The Sungai Penarik (River) And Pantai Penarik Favorite place for Kaki Pancing /Hard core Angler as Crab, XXL fish and Udang Galah,(Go image Google its) are found abundant here. Don’t be surprise at number of the angler and sea-food lover here, over number the people and tourist that came here for picnic and for Sungai Penarik firefly’s appreciation activities.
Tips :
Always bring a picnic basket and a of Fishing set and another backup Rod. Many of the fish here are strong XXL size game fish like Ikan Toman, Ikan Haruan tasik, Pari, and lots more (use Google picture search for those name)

Pantai Penarik & Pantai Rhu 10

2006-06-15T04:07:00.001+08:00

Pantai Penarik & Pantai Rhu Sepuluh

Pantai Penarik and Rhu sepuluh an untouched coastal line of the Setiu district in Terengganu is quite popular as the main road to Kelantan and to Terengganu from Kelantan. Pantai Penarik is a haven for fresh supply of sea catch or watching many fishemen boat coming ashore.

Just 400 meter from Kampung Penarik .You will find Pantai Rhu sepuluh which is famous in Terengganu for its batter fried fish server steaming hot in your plate which is quite delicious and if you just wanted to passing trough Penarik make sure you close your window or you may be tempted by its delicious aroma to stop .

Driving along Penarik is a pleasant experience. Along the way, there are coconut trees shading the road and Malay village houses spotted here and there between the trees.

The beach, Pantai Penarik at Kampung Penarik is somewhere behind the coconut trees, 90km to the north of Kuala Terengganu. Straight and sandy coast line is the major attraction for holiday seekers who intend to tan their skin and have a picnic for couple hours of quite and relaxing time.

Much of the area is coated with wild, gnarled vegetation. Here and there, local fishermen park their boats amongst the mangroves as they stop to mend their traps and to install bubu(fish traps) in the shallow waters.
Streams running into the ocean provide nursery grounds for young fries and also hunting grounds for monitor lizards, otters and an assortment of birds including predators like eagles and owls. It is also the perfect place for fishermen to hide from the heat of the day.

Pantai Merang

2006-06-15T04:02:00.002+08:00

Pantai Merang

Merang which is only 30 kilometer from Kuala Terengganu is one of the familiar tourist attraction in the land which is famous of it oil ridge in Malaysia .Can you please tell them about this Little fireflies sanctuary at The Sungai Mearang to the many people who are not aware about the little firefly sanctuary here then you can just ride the waves to Pulau Redang.

Pantai Merang The beach, although not the most famous in the east coast, its long white sandy beach and long stretches of tall coconut palm, golden sand, gentle surf promise abundant of activities for tourist and its sparkling emerald sea water will defiantly leave an unforgettable imprint in your memory.
The Jetty of Pantai Merang is also the gateway to world famous archipelago of Redang islands. With many Boat providing sea tour around the Redang isle and also to and return from the island. Before proceeding to next destination Which is Pulau Redang u might want to stop longer here as some of u might don’t know or have over looks before this.

Plantai Merang actually holds a jewel that many tourists don’t realize. The beautiful Mangrove swamp near the beach to a small river also have a fabulous little fireflies sanctuary.

To get here are very easy as nearby the jetty is a very warm and friendly fishing village from where u can easily find place to stay. They are a lot of boat that u can hire here to go up the fireflies sanctuary by in Merang riverside as a lot of local and some tourist alike came here to see the thousand of fireflies spectacularly glittering in the dark and experience the Mangrove swamp are along both side of the river, and the Sonneratia caseolaris (Berembang) tree while heading to the unofficial little firefly sanctuary . that I had witness during an Eco-Awareness camp that I went last august 2005 and if can.

Pantai Merang with its fabulous little fireflies sanctuary and beautiful Mangrove swamp . You migh want stop by and enjoy an abundant of fresh sea food prepare by many stall here that can be enjoy. The many scenic beaches is a good stop to enjoy the sea breeze before proceeding to next destination.

For those who are interested can also stay at Aryani Resort at Merang Beach before foing to Redang.

Google Advertisemnt: review about Aryani Resort by http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Note: please DO Not to be confused with names, of Merang and Marang as Merang is the take-off point for visitors to Pulau.Redang, Pulau.Lang Tengah, Pulau Bidong and the other islands off this part of the coast. In addition, Marang in Marang District is the take-off point for Pulau Kapas which is much FURTHER down the coast.

Pantai Bukit Keluang

2006-06-15T03:51:00.001+08:00

Pantai Bukit Keluang

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Pantai Bukit Keluang is located some 140 km away fom the very north of Kuala Terengganu,. and few kilometers south from city of Kuala Besut. It is also known as Dendong Beach Park. The beach is just behind a wooden walkway built through a rocky cave extended to the sea.

Pantai Bukit Keluang view in this area is one of the most breathtaking and magnificent in Malaysia and is also an ideal site and destination for some water sports such as swimming, snorkelling and wind surfing.

Beside the Beach , Pantai Bukit Keluang or the Keluang hill beach. also offer a fascinated Cave for you to explore and most importantly the view in the cave is most impressive and fascinating.

Bukit Keluang cave can explore through its entrances which are easily reached by walkways. There are easy walkways to help you along so all you need is a flashlight, good shoes and an adventurous spirit.

The caves at Bukit Keluang is not too difficult for novices as even I as big as minorous can enjoy exploring the cave. It is quite safe...still... exploring without a guide is not advisable. Its better to get a local villager from nearby village for free or with mere RM 50 or RM100 to guide you in this cave.

On top of these, Pantai Bukit Keluang is also a favourite destination during weekend or holiday, you may see people come in family or group for picnicking and camping

Pantai Tanjung Jara

2006-06-15T03:49:00.001+08:00

Pantai Tanjung Jara

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Tanjung Jara is an rocky beaches, which spread out on a generously landscaped acreage with a beautiful stretch of clean, The white sandy beach here is one of the most striking beaches in Terengganu with fascinating sand dunes that are created by Nature earth’s powerful waves from The South China Sea.

Tanjung Jara which is 14km from Kuala Dungun or 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu is also the home of Tanjung Jara beach resort.The timeless beauty and a serenity of this enchanting beach is like from a dream .Whereas the foreland and the sea here are bless by strong wing and a beautiful calm sea with many underwater treasure of flora and fauna. Thus creating an endless activity.

Most of the people who came to this private beach of Tanjung Jara Beach Resort are here because they want to get away from the madden crowd of people at Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang.

A visit here to the beach will not be complete if you do not stay at Tajung Jara Beach Resort .Which is the most highly acclaimed Beach resort in whole Terengganu.It is the only resort which have everything from diving ,spa, till golfing and etc.

By staying here you can indulge in many exciting array of water activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, deep sea fishing and diving that the beach has to offer .All these can be arranged at Tanjung Jara Beach Resort or have a relaxing stay at the Spa or go on for a golf or two with friend and family.

Many of people that stay here, speak highly of they resort that they always received a long reservation from loyal guest who will stay here when there are in Terengganu.The resort also was chosen by many local and international celebrites during important event or during the annual Moonsun Cup and most importantly this place is far from anybody.

Tanjung Jara Beach Resort is a 5 Star accommodation and service with a very attractive price.

For More information about Tanjung Jara Beach Resort

Go Google the word Tanjung Jara Beach Resort + blog .where you will see what other people wrote about these Hotel in their Blog.

Advestisement : What I found From Google Ad.

You might want to visit these site since which also offer lot of info about the Hotel price and many travel Package by The Best Travel agency in Malaysia.
http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BLoSqXoSORIrHLcLIiwGBoNSaCMvAsQvbksXPAcCNtwGwzAsQBxgHIMqPsAQoCkCaE0iYOVDK28qkB7IBLGludGVyZXN0aW5nLXBsYWNlLWluLXRlcmVuZ2dhbnUuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tugEIZnBfYWxfbHDIAQHaAVVodHRwOi8vaW50ZXJlc3RpbmctcGxhY2UtaW4tdGVyZW5nZ2FudS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vMjAwNi8wNS9mb3Jld29yZHMuaHRtbC01NDc5NTA3MjFk4AEClQIR8CIKqQKvmYkVEUSSPg&num=7&adurl=http://www.pinganchorage.com.my.htm&client=ca-pub-5024914077407498&nh=1&jca=1037

If you are here ,you might not want to miss this place

On the main coastal road, just opposite the turning into Tanjung Jara is C.B.Wee restaurant. This place is a good stopover for some seafood prepared the Chinese way and also to cooked your catch during your fishing trip. This is a pork free restaurant. The price is reasonable and the food is scrumptious .That it even stole the Customer from the Resort it self.

Taman Herba Tasik Kenyir

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Taman Herba Pulau Sah Kecil , Tasik Kenyir.

Also popularly known as Pulau Herba or Island of Herb to the local.The Taman Herba on Pulau Sah Kecil ; a very small island about 15.84 hectare can be found just 16 kilometre from Pengkalan Gawi.,Tasik Kenyir.

Herb has long been known to be used through out the history from the ancient time till the morden time of today. Most of the herb species of today are well acknowledged of its beneficial and medical properties in the new World of today medicine.

Even with new rivalry from Morden medicine, herbs still retain a special place among us especially with the Malay.

Here at the Taman Herba Pulau Sah Kecil visitor will find a large collection of herb on this island is a new tourist destination in Tasik Kenyir. Most of the people and tourist that came here so that they can see for them self about that many herb that are used troughs out the Nusantara period that had span more than 600 year before the first Morden medicine arrive in the Malay world by the Arab trader who were also responsible of spreading of Islam Religion trough out the South East Asia and making the Nusantara the world most important trade area from the 13th century till the end of the 15th century.

The island of Pulau Sah Kecil was chosen because the area is the highest naturally concentrations of herb which grow wild here along with the other collection of herb that are specially planted here by Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH) ,who run this little Island

The little it self is fast becoming a favourite tourist destination among the many Tasik Kenyir goer after the promotion of the little island started.

Visitor who can to this island will also have a chance to see the herbal plant them self with the explanation of the herbal properties it have and it beneficial value including its environment and habitats by the farm helper and officer of the Taman Herba.

Beside sight seeing, visitor can also enjoy having a taste of some of the herbal tea of Mas Cotek and Tongkat Ali (Both which are very famous and priceless herbs ) which are prepare traditionally by using a large clay pot at the “Herbal Hut”.

Visitor can also buy herb which had been cut and process to dry that had been prepared in small packages at the Herbal Hut .For those who are interested, visitor can also bought some of the young herbal sapling home for planting.

Since it was open in year 2000 till May 2006, there are now 25,502 kind of herb coming from more than 108 species that can be found here at this little Island. Thus creating a small herbal industries in the state its self.

For those for are interested about herb and herbalist the this is place that should be let out from your list.

TO Get Here TO Taman Herba Pulau Sah Kecil.

Visitor can rent a boat from the numerous operator here to the island which is just 16 Km from Pengkalan Gawi.

The travel agency at Kenyir will be happily to arrange a visit here if you wanted .but don’t worry. The Island is on the list of almost every tour in Kenyir Lake.
But to be on the safe side it better to ask or you will forgot all about the Island of Herb after your were astound by the enchanting beauty at Kenyir.

Tasik Kenyir

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Tasik Kenyir is a great lake with great place for natural lover and photo enthusiasts and wild life observation. Since it is an protected area as it is part of the oldest rain forest in the world (130-million year old) with endless of abundance of nature diversity which is rich with ecosystem which remain protected even though it is open to the public as tourist attraction and resort.

The lake itself is also a melting pot as a modest accommodation is also offer here for adventure, fun seeker and with many activities like, fishing, kayaking, rafting, jungle trekking and many more out door adventure which can be found all over Tasik Kenyir except at the Tanjung Mentong area in Tasik Kenyir which is a protected area and parts of Taman Negara

Beside being a part of oldest rain forest in the world and being the one of the Best fishing spot in Malaysia, it is also the most unique gateway to the Taman Negara.

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Tasik Kenyir

The beautiful and serine green lake

Tasik Kenyir or Kenyir Lake is just 55 km from Kuala Terengganu Cities. Located in the interior of Terengganu, The Kenyir Lake beside being the largest man made lake in Southeast Asia, its is also reputed to be one of the largest and most fascinating man-made lake in the world. It is also Malaysia’s Largest rock filled hydroelectric dam. This immense lake also serves as another gateway to the Taman Negara at Tanjung Mentong

The Kenyir Lake which is part of Taman Negara ,span over 260,000 hectares. Its vast boundary alone will be promises to astound you with its extraordinary mixture of exotic flower and fauna which offer an endless of discovery of new flora and fauna and also new adventure as most of its ground are still unexplored due to its vast and immense boundary which is haven for undulating landscapes.

Tasik Kenyir or Kenyir Lake was ‘completed’ unexpected in 1991 ,When the area was unofficially inundated by mother earth with rain 1 year before the place were to be officially inundate. In just two weeks of the large down poring of rain had cause most of the area flooded into an immense lake with million of dollar in form of machinery like bulldozer, truck and such lay beneath the now calming and gleaming Tasik Kenyir.

Tasik Kenyir got her name from one of the former main river here, which was once known as Kenyir River. But now the river is beneath the lake when Kenyir Lake was filled by the surrounding river and especially the large rainfall during the monsoon that fill up the Empangan Tasik Kenyir which was finish constructed in 1989.Which laid the Sultan Mahmud Hydro Electric Power Station.

Here you will find about 340 islands where some of them are as big and bigger that Singapore. This islands were created when the hilly region area was inundated by water , most of the hill were above the water level thus creating the now beautiful and exotic 340 islands which is once the peak and hill area that survive the flooding during the dam first and early monsoon season.

The rain forest that cradle the area bestow the lake with an astounding and incredible assortment of flora and fauna including rare ferns, exotic orchids , hornbills, herd of elephants , panthers and animal that it is recorded that Tasik Kenyir which is surrounded by a lush tropical jungle is home for more that 8,000 species of flower , 2,500 species of plant and trees.800 species of orchid and 300 species of fungi.380 species of birds and more than 200 species of animal.

The lake is fed by 30 rivers with 24 waterfalls large tributaries that serve a breeding ground for fish had bless the lake with hundred of variety of fresh water fish such as Baung, lampan and many large size Game fish like Tapah, Toman (snake head Fish) ,ketutu, sebarau, and many species that are found in abundance , thus making the Kenyir Lake a popular and ideal retreat for nature lovers, anglers haven.

Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir (Gawi Jetty)

Any angler that want to fish here are advised to arrange for special trips trough the many chalet , Private Boat operator ,Boat House operator for the best fishing spot and also to obtained a fishing permit with the Wildlife Department at Pengkalan Gawi

Cruising along Tasik Kenyir

There are many interesting Place in Tasik Kenyir and to get there your first stop will be at Pengkalan Gawi,the Gawi jetty that was completed in 1991 serves as the main gateway to Kenyir Lake and there are also the Tourist Information Center located here for the conveniences of tourist. Here there are many boat that any transfers by boat can be made available to the resorts, chalets and lodges located at various parts of the lake. With the current and growing number of tourists to Kenyir Lake, the state Gov had plans and are afoot for another gateway like , the nearby Pengkalan Utama which will be equipped with bigger and better facilities.

Besides being the gateway to Kenyir lake. Pengkalan Gawi is also the nearest access point to Taman Negara. Should you decide to go to the National Park in Tanjung Mentong, it is best to remind to bought for a permit first at the entry point of Tanjung Mentong as like all National Park in the world, the Protected Area here are forbidden to any trespasser who doesn’t obtain a permit. The warden here are VERY VERY strict .There was a stories that I heard from my friend three year ago when I visited Tasik Kenyir in 2002.which is about a minister who brought a group of reporter to promote the national park but was kick out by the park warden for trespassing and was fine for not first obtaining a permit from the Wildlife Department office including all the reporter.

There are one Tourist Information Center and Wildlife Departmen office in every entrance to the park including next to Pengkalan Gawi that can provide you with permit.

So please remember to obtain a permit from the Wildlife Department at Kuala Berang or at the Tanjung Mentong and the Tourist Information Center at Gawi jetty if you are heading to Taman Negara by Kenyir first, before u journey to the Taman Negara .The Tourist Information Center at Gawi jetty are opened from 9.00am - 5.00pm from Saturday to Wednesday, while 9.00am to 1.00pm from Thursday to Friday.

Popular Destination in Tasik Kenyir

GUA BEWAH or BEWAH CAVE
Bewah Cave is located in the towering limestone hills, the caves which provides spectacular sigh of towering limestone and stalactites and stalagmites. The Bewah cave are also know as Gua Tahi Kelawar (Cave of Bat Droppings) as the chamber of the cave is home to thousand of bats roosting upside down on the ceiling. This is one of the caves where many artefact was uncovered by a group of archaeologists in 1956 and 1970’s. the many artefacts that was found were kitchen utensil, axes and tools dating back in Neolithic era. Thus during that era this place was known as and been listed as a centre of civilisation .The best way to visit the cave is trough Ping Anchorage Tour Package by houseboat as the provide the best service to many guest for more info you can visit www.kenyirlake.com

Bewah Cave Taat Cave entrance

Taat Cave
Inside this cave, an extraordinary sigh of stalactites and stalagmites wait the explorer.
It also holds many secret of the past and further excavations are now being planned to unravel its mysteries and secret. like Bewah Cave, the cave its self are located in a towering limestone caves that are abound with mysteries as this the site where archaeologists and historians from the state museum have uncovered many artefacts that dated to the Neolithic era. Both Bewah and Taat caves lie within Taman Negara. Therefore permits have to be bought in order to enter the Park .For more info you can visit www.kenyirlake.com

Waterfall in Kenyir.

There are about 14 waterfall around Tasik Kenyir. Among the 12 most beautiful waterfall here ,Lasir waterfall and Tembat Waterfall are the most popular as they are easily accessible by boat and have many camping site that are prepared with needed amenities.

Enchanting Lasir Waterfall

Lasir Waterfalls
The 150 meter high Lasir Waterfall located 16 KM or about 30 minuted boat ride to the south of Pengkalan Gawi is one of the many spectacular waterfalls within Tasik Kenyir.
The waterfalls drops gracefully at 500 feet trough into multi-tiered levels of boulders forming sprays of forming white.The Lasir waterfall are one of the most favourite picnic spot in Tasik Kenyir as ponds of water can be found at each of the 5 levels. Which provide the best place for watering experience and fun. The waterfall its self are well shade by the surrounding forest tress that offers an enjoyable and cold refreshing bath here. Here there are a large flat area which is perfect for camping site before following a hiking trail lead to the top.

Magnificient view of the Tembat Waterfall

Tembat WaterfallsLocated at the Tembat River, The 60 foot waterfall is beautifully amazing that you can be enchanted by its flowing water and its sound that calmly flow and cascade trough the ridge and many boulder into a big lagoon. The waterfall itself is a wonderful place for a swimming and picnic. For the most adventure type you can always rent a camping gear and camp here as there is camping sites by the fall which can be accommodate the large number of people that came here everyday. You must first inform the Tourist centre first if you wish to camp at any where in Kenyir Park .You can rent a boat from the many operator at the Pengkalan Gawi or through you chalet. The 50 minutes boat ride will lead you to many trail along the river that will magnificent you with its clean water and air.

There are actually more destination in Kenyir. The Information that can be obtained about Tasik Kenyir is from www.kenyirlake.com which is run by the most well know travel agencies in Malaysia. Which is Ping Anchorage , who had last year had won two Malaysia Tourism Awards by the Tourism Malaysia for two consecution year and are also Voted as Malaysia’s Best Tour Operator (Inbound) & Malaysian Best Tour Operator (Domestic) 2004 and 2005.

Travelling In Tasik Kenyir.
Well… Water transportation here is very important as most of the places ,chalet and resort can only be reaches by boat.

At The moment may 2006, there are 70 license boat operator proving their service within the Lake. Which is the 8 person fibre glass boat and also the double Decker boat house which can accommodated 12 person max.

For accommodation .

There are 10 resort chalets that can be found here all over the lake Which is the

Kenyir Lake View Resort (a golf resort) 150 room.
Kenyir Sanctuary Resort. (40 chalets / Campsite).
Rumah Rehat Persekutuan. (Federal Government Rest house) 10 Chalets.
Lake Land Resort. ( 22 chalets)

How TO Get Here?

If you are an fanatics Angler and are driving from Kuala Lumpur and want to quickly go to Tasik Kenyir to Fish by going trough the forest, elephant dung and frighten almost to death when you stumble on a herd of Elephant sleeping on the road at the middle of night and day, and like going up and down the hill, then takes the Karak Highway to Jerangau-Jabor Highway to reach Ajil (no elephant) and onward to Kenyir. (5 hour), first timer (6 or 7 hour)
Alternatively

Take the Karak Highway to Kuantan if you want to go trough the pleasant view of the fishing village along the coastal road trough Kemaman, Dungun, Kuala Terengganu and subsequently to Tasik Kenyir .(10 Hour)

With bus express from Kuala Lumpur

Daily service to Kuala Terengganu.

Takes any daily bus service to Kuala Terengganu at 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM from the Hentian Putra Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur.

Daily direct Service to Tasik Kenyir from Kuala Lumpur via Al Muktafi Billah Shah Town and Kuala Berang.

Then Takes the Kenyir Express that depart daily at 8.00 pm from the Hentian Putra Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur for only RM 28.70.

From The Airport.
Choose and Takes whatever that suit your pocket by going with the Malaysian Airline or the Air Asia. Both operates regulars flights to Sultan Mahmud Airports in Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

Then from Sultan Mahmud Airport go take a Taxi straight to Tasik Kenyir which is only RM 60.00 .while to Kuala Berang is RM30.00

The Sultan Mahmud Airport
Is under reconstruction to enlarge the airport into a giant International Airport and with the most Morden facility in 2007.Based on the design of Old Malay Palace it will soon will be an architectural feat that will marvel Visitor and tourist who will in the future don’t need to hassle with long hour drive and going trough to KLIA just to be in Terengganu and to abroad.

About Taman Negara Malaysia at Tanjung Mentong.

For More information please click here for some info About Taman Negara or straight to Taman Negara for Full information.

Nota bene/Take Note: (Every Blue Word is a Link and some of The link is Down at the moment )

The entry fee and service at TPN

2006-06-01T06:48:00.000+08:00

The entry fee and other service

Taman Pertanian Negeri in Sekayu,Terengganu

A) Entry Fee to the Taman Pertanian Negeri.

1.) Children Below 12 year of ages. –Free-
2.) School Student wearing Uniform. – RM0.50.
3.) Visitor above 12 of ages. – RM1.00

B) Camping --------------------- Normal Day / Holiday

Tent Fee_______
1.) Small Tent (2 person) RM 3.00/RM 4.00
2.) Medium Tent (4 Person) RM 6.00/RM 8.00
3.) Large Tent (5+ person) RM10.00/RM12.00

______Camp Site_________________Fee________
1.) Small RM 1.00/RM 2.00
2.) Medium RM 2.00/RM 3.00
3.) Large RM 3.00/RM 4.00

C) Tram Service:

Visitor Aged Fee__________
1.) 4 year and below Free
2.) 4 – 11 year old RM0.50
3.) 12 year and above RM1.00
4.) Student (wearing Uniform) RM0.50

D) Horse Coach Service

Visitor Aged Fee__________
1.) 4 year and below Free
2.) 4 – 11 year old RM1.00
3.) 12 year and above RM2.00

E) Horse Ride Service:’

Visitor Aged Fee__________
1.) 11 year old and below RM0.50
2.) 12 year and above RM1.00

F) Renting and Fee of Water Spots service for each (30 minutes)

Service Type / Fee__________
1.) Paddle Sampan (2 person) / RM1.00
2.) Kayak (2 person) / RM1.00
3.) Rubber Paddle Boat (2 Person) / RM1.50
4.) Aqua bike / Water Bicycle (2 person) /RM1.50

G) Renting Fee of Bicycle service for each (first ,second and third Hour)

Service Fee__________
1.) First Hour RM3.00
2.) Second RM2.00
3.) Third and the next 1 Hour RM1.00

H) Renting Fee of Trishaw service by the villager = (Feel free to tips them more)

Service Fee__________
1.) One Whole Day RM5.00 (that doesn’t mean u can abuse them)
One way Trip ONLY
2.) Travel from Hutan Lipur to Kolam Rekreasi RM2.00
3.) Travel from Hutan Lipur to Air Tejun RM2.00
4.) Travel from Hutan Lipur to Taman Orkid RM2.00

I) Renting Service and license for fishing
Only for Friday, Saturday and public Holiday

*license for fishing….RM2.00*

Service or type Duration Fee________

1.) 1 Fishing Rod 3 Hour RM3.00
2.) 1 Pack of fish Feed 250gram RM2.00

Note: The fish that had been caught will be sell to the angler with attractive price.
Except for Jelawat, Patin and Patin fish will be sold at RM 6.00 while the other kind of fish will be sold at RM3.50 each.

J) Renting Service for Other special amenities and equipment

Service Fee__________
1.) Open Stage 1 day/RM10.00
2.) Canopy (1 unit) 1 day/RM10.00
3.) Kitchen cooking table with gas 1 day/RM20.00
4.) Gas Lamp 1 day/RM05.00
5.) Haricane Lamp 1 day/RM01.00

K) Storage Service Fee for helmet and others are charges RM0.50 per day

L) Price for Fruit product and Hydroponics harvest will be sold according to market
* price will be inform / in display from time to time.*

Hutan Lipur Sekayu

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Hutan Lipur Sekayu.

Hutan Lipur Sekayu or Recreational Forest of Sekayu coordinated N04° 57.85' E102° 56.71' are just 1 hour drive from Kuala Terengganu which is located in the Forest Reserve of Hulu Terengganu Tambahan. Which is 15 Km from Kuala Berang.

The place is blessed with many nature wonder with abundant of flora and fauna .The Recreational Forest of Sekayu is one of the most famous recreational forest in Terengganu and a favourite visitor retreat from the dusk and long hour work.

The reason why Sekayu is very famous is because of its many unique treasure of such as its waterfall; a large and beautiful vertical fall with seven cascades water fall that had three different sloped level. Making this place a is very beautiful and charming for frolicking in its cool water while hearing the sound of the gentle water rushing down the slope.

Many people including me claims that the river here is the most crystal clear in whole Terengganu as you can clearly see your foot even though you are standing almost 1 meter in the water
The crystal clear and cold water that flow from the Sekayu and Tersat river and the beauty of the mother nature all around its will conjure a sense of peace and tranquillity making Hutan Lipur Sekayu is very suitable place for resting your mind, body, soul and also bringing your family for a picnic here and to take part in the many Recreational activities that can be found here.

Beside the river and the waterfall ,Hutan Lipur Sekayu are famous with its green tropical rain forest which is rich with many nature treasure of flora and fauna that are well protected and guarded. There are many kind of tree and plant species that can be found here including those which have high medicine properties and value and all can be easily to be found here.

All the tree and plant here are well marked with signage and brief description which are easy to see. The wild life service here also provide an area where visitor can see the many herb product and herb species on display in the open hall.In the Hutan Lipur visitor will also find the largest Collection of Herb in Malaysia at an arboretum of herb and forest fruit and rare traditional fruit at the Taman Pertanian Negeri.

picture

The Recreational Forest also have a large area that are suitable for family picnicking and outing activities all over along the sekayu river with many changing room and washroom and a lot camping area around Sekayu complete with a fire place to cook and boon fire ,with electric and clean water supply .There are many thing that can be see here from the many fruit and food seller and shop that can be found just out side of the main gate till the exhibition hall of the flora and fauna at the forestry department. here to the many beautiful wonder that mother nature have to offer to those who seeks her.

Visitor can relax their day and enjoy walking along the many the recreational ground and to the Taman Pertanian Negeri which is just inside the Hutan Lipur. Here at the Taman Pertanian, you will see the Flower park. the orchid Park, fruit orchard, garden, bird park, and a mini zoo at Sekayu where you can see some of the animal that be found here are the monkey, beaver ,Malaysia sun bear and other . Visitor can also find many public amenities that can be found here like large car park changing room, resting hut and also the Taman Pertanian Negeri

Visitor can also walks along the forest trail that are prepared by the department to see the assortment of plant and wild life at the nearby forest or go for a walk along Hutan Lipur area like following the flow of the river till up to the suspension bridge which span across the river.Belive me crossing it can be quite fun for first timer especially when a group of naugty children running around on the bridge, making the bridge rocking slightly. Still it is quit rewarding as here you can enjoy to capture with your camera of the surrounding gree forest while capturing the beauty of Sekayu’s crstal clear water that flow calmly with the river.

Picture at Recreational Forest of Sekayu

gate way to the park -------The beautiful Tersat river--- Chalets for overnight stay available

If You planning to go here don’t forget to spend some time at the Taman Pertanian Sekayu, which is in the heart of the Recreational Forest. This agrotourism garden is the third largest
In Malaysia and the most famous in the whole East Peninsular Coast of Malaysia.

For those who cannot get enough of the Sekayu forest and the waterfall ,visitor can rent the many state own chalets that cab be found here for an overnight stay which are available here and also in the Taman Pertanian Negeri. While those who are adventures sort can be close with nature by choosing to camp here at the large camping site that can be find here till the Taman Pertanian Negeri.

Getting Here:
Located 16km from Pekan (town) Kuala Berang trough the Jalanraya Kuala Berang-Sekayu,56 Km from Bandar Kuala Terengganu to Bukit Payong,and then from there to Wakaf Tapai,To Ajil*

Instruction :

From the main road (nr 14) from Bandar Kuala Terengganu to Bukit Payong,and then from there to Wakaf Tapai,To Ajil* and last you take the road to Kuala Berang. Turn left, just before reaching this village. Clear signposting. After about 15 km you will reach Hutan Lipur Sekayu

Visitor can use they own transportation or public transportation like airplane,
bas or taxi from KL to Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Berang before departing to The Recreational Forest of Sekayu.

Note:
*at Ajil you will find the largest pheasant park in the East Coast Penisular of Malaysia which just beside the Main Ajil road all you need to notice is the Large Signboard Saying Welcome to Taman Kuang Ajil so stopping will be quite an interesting place.

Tips :

Sekayu is also famous as the largest producer of Buah Salak in the state.(see the thorny salak plant that are planted at both side near the main Gate to the park.) The Salak fruit is cover in scaly skins like snake scale and a dark yellow seed as big as your thumb, the fruit grown near the sterm of these thorny palma plant. its fruit that are ripen will taste very delicious while those that are too dry or not quite ripe will taste very badly like vile of Sour crop that had been left for ages.

It is best that you buy a little amount to taste first as a lot of the trader here will claim that their Salak are ripen but actually wasn’t.

Taman Pertanian Negeri

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Taman Pertanian Negeri.

The State Agriculture Park/ Taman Pertanian Negeri also know as Sekayu Agriculture Park by the local is one of the most famous agro tourism Park (almost - a very nature enclave) in Terengganu and are among the most visited by nature lover and city folk as it is in the Sekayu Tourism Corridor as it is near to a large variety of attraction at Sekayu like the famous Sekayu Recreational Forest (Hutan Lipur Sekayu), Sekayu States Park, Sekayu Waterfall, Sekayu Herbal Farm ,Sekayu Mini Zoo (the only Zoo in Terengganu )and more.

Picture 1

With the many attraction that can been found in one place ..Which why the number of visitor in 1 month here at the Taman Pertanian Negeri are more than the visitor in a whole year that visited the Kenyir National Park in Terengganu. Another reason is that as the place have all the modern amenity for family recreation needed by the city folk then what we needed, Thus why I chose to translate it and feature it from the Department of Agriculture Terengganu Website about this place.

The Taman Pertanian Sekayu is Terengganu’s first Agriculture Park. The State Agriculture Park was first developed by the state government in 1982. The park is run by the Department of Agriculture of Terengganu, can be located at Kampung Sekayu (Sekayu Village), in Hulu Terengganu district in the area of the Taman Pelancongan Sekayu or Tourism Park of Sekayu in the Sekayu Tourism Corridor area. which was already famous for its Recreational Forest and waterfall.

Even thou the Sekayu Agriculture Park are about 50 kilometers from the town of Kuala Terengganu. Agriculture Park are easily accessible by modern road as there are a lot of public amenities that are prepare by the states gorvenment which makes it more easier to go there, Along the way visitor can find a lot of signboard that can show you to the Hutan Lipur Sekayu (Sekayu Recreational Forest) as the locations or the agriculture park are near that place which is why it chosen in the first place. The area at the Famous Hutan Lipur make it the most suitability place for the agriculture park to receive visitors from the many good attractions at Sekayu.The Taman Pertanian also is a blessing to the local villager.Here with the Park the villager are allow to operated the trishaw service and also to sell their fruit and green product at the Gate to the visitor and also as a side income to the local villager.

Sekayu Agriculture Park is a park which is combine with many aspect of agriculture, aquaculture, and herding which interact naturally with the forest inviroment. The Sekayu Agriculture Park has now been know as one of the most important agrotourism and famous tourist attraction in sekayu, the states and also from the abroad.

The Taman Pertanian Negeri are about 85.02 hectare that are full with many attraction .Among the many famous attraction at the park are:

………………………………………………….

The Orchid Park / “Taman Orkid”.

Picture here of the gate

Every visitor that came to the Taman Orkid will have the chances to see a large assortment of Hybrid Orchid and Exotic Orchid species that can be found in Malaysia. The combination of colour with the arangenmend of the many asorment of spcies in uniform manner had cause the park to be come an interesting place to visit and also an attraction to the many visitors and guess that frequent the agriculture park. Beside that, the location of the orchid park is also close to the Flower Park, which make it’s a “Must See” to the visitor.
Picture Ochid

The department of agriculture had uses many new aspect with new proper technique in the planting of the Orchid at the park. This is done as a way to espouse to the visitor and the public and also to the many Orchid growers in Malaysia and also the potentials of Orchid industry in Malaysia and abroad.

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The Flower Park or “Taman Bunga”

Picture of the Garden

The Taman Bunga was lanscaped under the plan of a Park in a Garden. It was created especially as a family recreational garden for the visitor .Inside this park, you can find a large beautiful landscaped little garden pool, many arsorment of flower species ,”Taman Mini Burung” or Little Bird Park and also a Playground garden for chidren that are design to blen in with the flower park.

Visitor can sit here at the Garden on the many bench and also public amenity that are prepared here to suite the need of the many visitors including a picnic area.Enjoying the cool scented air of the flower garden in the middle of the forest is quite refreshing to the mind and soul where visitor can just relax, while watching the many flower , bird ,butterfly and other insect.

Beside that ,a group picnic is very suitable to be held here as a way of getting together with colleague and friend.

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Fruit Orchard Park or “Taman Buah-Buahan”

The Taman Buah-Buahan are design to introduce the many kind of local fruit product in Malaysia. Here in the orchard there are large variety of local fruit plant that can be found here like the King of Fruit; “Durian” a fruit with pungent smell but delicious to the taste buld.and many more like the “Duku”, “Cempedak”, “Nangka” dan “Limau Langkat”.

Picture 7

All the fruit tree here at the orchard had been mass planted carefully, so that the tree bear fruit throughout the year with out having to wait for it season. This is a plus to the visitor to taste and to buy home the many fruit here. The Orchard is also a place to see and taste the local fruit that can be found here like the Star fruit, where 60% of the world export of Star fruit came from Malaysia. The fruit tree that had been plated at the orchad are of the highest variety of grade and high quality.

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Hydroponics Park / “Taman Hydroponik”
Picture 8
The hydroponics park was built in the Agriculture Park as a way to expose the visitor and public of the new “Environment Safe” planting system without using soil and land which are free from insect and chemical.
Picture 9
The plant and vegetable that are grow using the Hydroponics system only need a short time before to be ready for harvest that the old conventional way. Especially Tomato and Green vegetable to the market can be produce with highest quality.
Visitor can also bough the Vegetable home as a way to promote the taste of vegetable that are grow by the hydroponics’ system.

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Aquaculture Park / Taman Perikanan
There are 3 kind of breeding that exist here, which is breeding in the flowing current water, in a pool and inside the aquarium .Different assortment of fresh water fish can be found here at the park like the expensive Jelawat, Patin, Tilapia, Kap and Lampan. Which is a perfect place for those who are interested on the local fresh water fish that can be found here.
Picture 10

Beside this, the park offer a very “can not be refused offer” ,the many fish that are breed in the large pool can be fish by the visitor ,during the time that are scheduled by the park authority .Those who want to join the scheduled angle activites here must obtain a permit first and the fish that had been successfully angle by the angler will be sold to them with an affordable price .
Which is one of the main attraction here, while the man and women can go fishing while the rest can watch the many fish at the large aquarium.
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The Domestic Farm Park/ “Taman Ternakan”
Picture 11
The Domestic Park contain a few assortment of animal that are breed here, some of them are rabbit, pheasant, bird and deer. The objective of the farm and park is to made this park as a place and a center for learning about the habitat, the feeding, and the breeding of the animal to the visitor and student . Whis place is also the favorite place to bring young chidren here .Here you may have a chance to feed them and play with the rabbit here.
The park also sells the meat from this place to the visitor.

Arboretum / “Taman Koleksi”

ARBORETUM or Taman koleksi are divided to two parts. The Fruit Arboretum which emphasis on rare traditional fruit like the “Sentul” , “Kecapi”, “Kerian” , “Asam Gelugor” , “Melinjau” and the other where most of them are forgotten by the new generation who only know about apple and strawberry and oranges and most of the farmer prefer to plant fruit that have economical value like the pineapple and banana that are easily to planted and a short time to harvest.

Picture 12

The second part are The Medicine Arboretum, which emphasis on collection of more than 160 of herb and plant that have medical properties and also rare herb like the Famous “Tongkat Ali” , “Ubi Jaga” , “Kenerak” , “Teja” and the rest. The main function of the park are to save , to protect the species from disappearing and to promoted the tradisional herb and medicine plant.

Sekayu was chosen as a Medicine Arboretum was because Sekayu is the motherlands that are rich of herb and medicine. All the herb in Terengganu can be said came from Sekayu. Most of the herb that can be found here at the arboretum was already there , while the rest was came from the outside by finding and buying.

Beside as an Arboretum the Park was also chosen as Research Center for Traditional Plant on the 23.6 hectare ground.

Recreational Amenities

Picture 12A

For the comfortable for the many visitor that came here, Beside the agrocuture attraction, the Taman Pertanian Negeri also provided many amenites for the rekreatinal purpose for the visitor. Here visitor can find a recreational pool that had been specially erected for family recreations, here visitor will be prepared with Sampan ,boat, Paddle Boat ,Water bicycles and canoe .
Visitor will also have a chance to taste and pleasure of the fresh water fish from the breeding pen at the floating restaurant in the pool or one that their had angler at the Aquaculture Park. The price of the menu here are very affordable.

Picture 14

At one of the area near the edge of the hill here, Visitor can find a lovely and interesting nature waterfall and area which can provide a good rekeratinal place for family to picnic, and refreshing outing by bathing, playing and dipping in the cool pool after a long walk at the big agriculture park.
Beside that, the area here are also a favorite place to camp if they chose not to stay at the Hutan Lipur Sekayu.

The Entry Fee and Othre Service that are offer here

The entry fee and other service

at Taman Pertanian Negeri in Sekayu,Terengganu

Hutan Lipur Air Menderu

2006-05-27T20:14:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Air Menderu which means recreational forest of gushing water or Recreational Forest of Air Menderu are located at Hutan Simpan Rasau Kerteh or Rasau Kerteh Forest Reserve which is a lowland forest.

At this hutan lipur many kind of flora and fauna can be seen while passing through the forest track like colourful musroom ,wild fower and wild orchid and animal. There are many public amenity that are well prepared by the Forest department for the convenient of many visitor that came here like resting hut, public toilet, changing room, pavement, water supply, and camp site for those who wish to spend more time with nature.

Being bless with abundant of flora and fauna and beautiful waterfall and rapid, an assortment of activities can be done here like picnic, camping, or have a dip at the irresistible cool shallow stream or at the many waterfall here and trekking.

Here visitor can also take a stroll and see the wild life here while trekking along the jungle trek that had been prepare by the forest department. Beside that visitor can also visit the forestry department in Hutan Lipur Air Menderu to see the botani garden and exhibition of tree ,insect, and animal that can be found here like herb and they medical function and forest product that are now been cormecialy.

Hutan Lipur Air Menderu are located 10 km from Pekan Kerteh , 120 km from The City Centre of Kuala Terengganu

Getting Here To Hutan Lipur Air Menderu
To reach here visitor can use your own car or take a taxi straight from the KT Airport to Hutan Lipur Air Menderu or transfer from Kuala Terengganu to (town) Pekan Kerteh taxi before taking another taxi to the Hutan Lipur air Menderu.
Location: Kerteh, Terengganu

The Address:
District Forestry Officer.
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Selatan,
23000 Dungun,Terengganu.
Tel. : 09-8441404

Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung

2006-05-27T20:12:00.002+08:00

Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung

Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung or Recreational Forest of Cemerung River is the biggest Hutan Lipur and are located beside the river of the Forest Reserve of Pasir Raja, in Dungun. (District Dungun) .The forest reserve is a hill forest. The forest reserver are bless with abundant of are many unique of flora and fauna that can be found here .The forest reserver are rich with the meranti and keruing tree which create an interesting background to the Hutan Lipur.

Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung is one of the most famous Recreational Forest in Malaysia as uniquely, it is the home of The Highest Waterfall in Malaysia : the Cemerung Waterfall and the world two largest and oldest Cengal tree in the world and the most beautiful and scenic Recreational Forest in the whole peninsular Malaysia.

As you are approaching the recreational forest from far a way you will see along strict of white colour in the middle of the green valley.The closer you get to it you will see a towering white water gushing down from the valley like a stairway to heaven.

The Cemerung Waterfall is an 305m high beautiful and magnificent waterfall which lay at the wall of East Coast Mountain Range, The 305 meters of gushing white water streaked down to the many beautiful steep rock faces before smashing into a cloud of spray all around the waterfall as is the whole place are still in the early morning mist.

The Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung is the favourite resting spots in Malaysia and Terengganu with almost 2 thousand visitor almost every weekend or during the holiday season.The are a lot of ammenitis here that are prepared by the Forestry Department. The are many resting hut or “Wakaf” that are built around the place, a high observation tower can also be found here for the many nature lover who want to see the many animal that frequently visit the salt area here.

Visitor will enjoy the many recreational amenities that are prepared here at the park. To many visitor like me the Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung is like a large water world as you can see many waterfall around here and wherever you go you will only see water and water. Many young children will enjoy very much here as you can swim ,bath and do almost anything except fishing.

The inland is the where, the adventurers’ type can go on a jungle trekking activities or camping to hike your way up to the top of Cemerung Waterfall, where you will find your self with a magnificent view of the pristine forest from high above. Along the way you will see a lot of flora and fauna here that this place is like a heaven for photojournalist and bird watcher.

A picnic trip at Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung is the most ideal thing to do here as this will bring and tighten the family and ease the body to relax from the stressful weeks of long hour works.

Recreational Forest of Sungai Cemerung are located 30Km from the city of Al-Muktafibillah Shah (15-20 Minute drive), or 100 Km from Kuala Terengganu (1 Hour Drive)

To get Here
Hutan Lipur Sungai Cemerung can be reach by using your own transportation or taxi or other public transportation from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu and then from Bandar Al-Muktafibillah Shah of Dungun to the Hutan Lipur.

Hutan Lipur Lata Payung

2006-05-27T20:10:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Lata Payung

Hutan Lipur Lata Payung or Recreational Forest of Lata Payung are located at The Forest Reserve of Gunung Tebu (Mount Tebu) ,in Daerah Besut (District Besut) and Setiu. The forest reserve is a dikprtokal hill forest with conifer forest at the top of Gunung Tebu. There are many unique and abundant of flora and fauna that can be found here.

The Forest Reserve of Gunung Tebu is most famous for its Gunung Tebu, which is the main attraction to the many Malaysian and tourist who came here to see Mount Tebu or to hike it. For anyone who want a bit of challenge or outdoor activities in Terengganu, then why not have a hike at Mount Tebu by following the trail up to the submit. The trail are prepare by the forestry department and trust me the hike here will test your mental strength and stamina.

What fascinated me about Gunung Tebu is the large horde of student and college kid including some primary student who came just to hike Gunung Tebu (especially during school holiday, college, and University semesters breaks. The Gunung Tebu is also the most favourite place for uniform member to test they skill, most of them are Scout member from all part of Malaysia that came here to earn their scout badge and testing they skill.

Beside the Gunung Tebu the forest reserve is also famous to the many biologist, birdwatcher, researcher and scientists as this is the only place where many of the rare species of flora and fauna that are hard to find at in the many state of Malaysia can be found here in one place.

Visitor can also enjoy some jungle trekking along the trek that are well organise by the Forestry Department to educated many simple layman of the many flora and fauna of the forest and its benefit and the important of conservation of the forest and its effect to human kind. The waterfall here are beautiful that you will enjoy having a dip in its cold and refreshing river that are so clear that many children will enjoy looking at the many little fish and little shrimp that can be found here.

Visitor at the Recreational Forest of Lata Payung are allowed to camp here as they are many camping spot to be found here along the many scout member. Visitor can also bring they own food for picnic or have BBQ here using the BBQ stove here except for the tool to burn the Food and charcoal which you bring yourself.
You can also can go for a leisure walk along jungle trail in the park to see the many wild life that can be seen here or you can go see the exhibitont of the forest which are prepare in the park where visitor can learn about herb, plant, tree and animal.

TO GET TO Recreational Forest of Lata Payung

To get here visitor can use they own transportation or public transportation like airplane ,bas or taxi from KL to Kuala Terengganu to (Town Pekan Seri Langkap , where you can use your own transportation or public transportation like bas and taxi to the Recreational Forest.

The Recreational Forest of Lata Payung is 25 Km from Pekan Seri Langkap and can be reachable by (highway) Jalanraya Pekan Seri Langkap-Lata Payung or 65 KM from Kuala Terengganu.

Hutan Lipur Seri Amar

2006-05-27T19:59:00.000+08:00

Hutan Lipur Seri Amar

Hutan Lipur Seri Amar or Recreational Forest of Seri Amar are located in the forest reserve of Hulu Nerus which is just 18 Km from Permaisuri city ,59Km form Kuala Terengganu City.have an assortment of flora and fauna enthough it is close to the city.This small Recreational forest was created to cater the need of the local community in Bandar Permaisuri.

The Recreational forest here, have a very beautiful river, where the water that flow here are crystal clear and refreshing. The recreational forest here are the perfect spot for a picnic with the family. Without going trough the long hour just to be close with nature. There are many modest convenience that are prepare here by the forestry department and the local government like public amnesties like phone, toilet and changing room with rest house ,hut, and camping site that are prepare here for visitor who wish to spend overnight.
The area offer an a small assortment of activities that can be done here like picnicking, swimming, bathing, camping in the wild or trekking. Here visitor can enjoy taking a pleasure walk on the pavement along the park or go for a jungle trekking where visitor may see small wild animal that frequently appear at the trail at the small but modest park.

Being near to the suburban this place make its an idea place for a family gathering and occasion like BBQ with colleague and friend.

Getting Here:

Located 18 Km from Permaisuri city , 59Km form Kuala Terengganu City.

The small Recreational forest of Seri Amar can be reach by they own transportation  or by taxi from Kuala Lumpur or from Kota Bharu to Bandar Permaisuri before departing by taxi to Seri Amar or straight from Kuala Terengganu city (40 Minute drive)

Hutan Lipur Lata Tembakah

2006-05-26T22:26:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Lata Tembakah or Recreational Forest of Lata Tembakah which was develops in the years 1986 are located in the Forest Reserve of Simpan Pelagat in Besut. Which is about 25km from Pekan Seri Langkap or 130km from Kuala Terengganu.

Lata Tembakah is one of the most famous recreational forests in Terengganu as it is the home of the famous Lata Tembakah Waterfall and are the only forest which are majority and concentrate by the Meranti and Keruing tree.

     The Lata Tembakah waterfall is an 50 m high waterfall which formed seven beautiful -tiered cascading level of waterfall. Which created an unique landmark to Hutan Lipur Lata Tembakah. With a beautiful pool on each of the seven – tiered waterfall.

Beside the waterfall, there are also many rapids and small pond which are suitable for swimming, bathing and playing in the water. Every visitor including nature and adventure lovers will enjoy the jungle trekking activities along the trek and the overhang bridge. The trek and trail  are well organise by the Forestry Department, to educated the many layman of the many flora and fauna that can be found in the forest and its benefit and the important of conservation of the forest and its effect to human kind.

Being blessed with many natural vegetation and beautiful waterfall, rapid and stream, the area is a great place to have a picnic with family and friends over the weekend .The waterfall here are beautiful and alluring that you will cannot resist to enjoy a dip in its cold and refreshing river and waterfall that are crystal clear. The small pool and stream will also entertain the many children here as they will enjoy looking and trying to catch the many little fish and little shrimp that swim along they leg and feet.

          There are many conveniences that are prepare here like chalet, rest house, camping ground for traveler who want to stay overnight. With many changing room and toilet along the river and park that can be found here. Beside that they are also Information both,resting hut and many souvenir shop can be found here .

From morning to late afternoon 5.30 pm you can find many food stall that can be find at the gate of Hutan Lipur Lata Tembakah.

     The Recreational Forest in Malaysia are created to let human be close with nature which in the end will create and awareness and mutual respect among us toward the forest and to lead a healthy mind and body to the many visitor that came here.

>>>My picture posted here are pale in comparison to this Blog by -drew-

of his Visit to latah tembakah" Seriusly..i feel ashamed.. i took out all the photo.You should see the picture is his blog at drewteh.blogspot.com

Getting to Hutan Lipur Lata TembakahMy

The Recreational Forest is 25 Km from Pekan Seri Langkap and can be reachable by (highway) Jalanraya Pekan Seri Langkap-Lata Payung or 65 KM from Kuala Terengganu.

To get here, visitor can use they own transportation or public transportation like airplane ,bas or taxi from KL to Kuala Terengganu to Pekan Jertih before going to Lata Tembakah .where you can use your own transportation or public transportation like bas and taxi from Pekan Jertih which is a small town.

Hutan Lipur Lata Belatan

2006-05-26T03:49:00.000+08:00

Hutan Lipur Lata Belatan

Hutan Lipur Lata Belatan are located at Hutan Simpan Gunung Tebu (Forest Reserve of Gunung Tebu or Mount Tebu), Daerah Besut ( District of Besut) are hill types Forest with Conifer Forest at the summit of (Mountain) Gunung Tebu ,which is one of the main attraction here.

An assortment of many types of species of flora and fauna that are hard to find can be found here. For visitor who like challenging, you can go climb Gunung Tebu ( I climb and camps trice during my Scout days) or, walks..up to the mountain. There a “denai hutan” or Jungle Trail that are prepared by the foresty department which head straight to the summit of Gunung Tebu.

If you ask me its more challenging to walk than to climb. Walking can took an hour half for regular jogger or 6 hour for those who had never went camping.

Mount Tebu are a favourite place for school student, college trip, scout and other Uniform Body to earn they badge. During the school holiday season the summit are pack with student and Tourist.

All sort of things and activities can be done here like camping, strolling around the park walkway , Jungle trail, and the such .

Beside that there are many thing to find here like shop, complex, stall, and by the way you can use your hand phone in the forest or the mountain here or the public phone

Situated just 24 km dari Pekan Jertih/Jertih Town, trough JalanRaya (Highway) Kuala Terengganu-Jertih, 118 km from Kuala Terengganu.

Getting Here

To get to this Recreational forest .Visitor can use they own motokar or taxi from KTTC to Bandar Permaisuri or Pekan Jertih then to Hutan Lipur Lata Belatan

Location: Jertih District, Terengganu

Person in charge:
Pegawai Hutan Daerah or District Forest Officer
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Selatan,
23000 Dungun, Terengganu.
Tel. : 609-8441404

Hutan Lipur Besul

2006-05-26T03:46:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Besul

Hutan Lipur Besul are located at Hutan Simpan Besul, or Besul Forest Reserve at District /Daerah Dungun, the forest are on the hill thus many of kind of tree and plant that grow here are from the hill and mountain species. The hutan lipur have many species of tree especially from the large collection of Meranti species and Keruing worth around USD 1500 to 3000 per tree thus making the Hutan Lipur Besul tha most expensive Recreational forest and Forest reserve in Malaysia and are well guarded by the Forestry Department.

Hutan Lipur Besul is a beautiful and the most unique natural forest that are located in the suburban of the city thus making it easily to access from many of the road that can be found here.Most of the visitor here are from the Dungun Distict as outer/outsider people are moiré climp to go to The Hutan Lipur Cemerung or Recreational Forest of Cemerung to visit and picnic to see most higherst Water fall in South east asia which is more than 300 meter high. Like a stair way to heaven.

There are many public amenity that are prepared by the Forest department for the convenient of many visitor that came here like resting hut, public toilet, pavement, water supply, and camp site.

Here visitor can also take a stroll and see the wild life here while trekking along the jungle trek that had been prepare by the forest department.
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Lokasi: Dungun, Terengganu
District Forestry Officer
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Selatan,
23000 Dungun,Terengganu.
Tel. : 09-8441404

Located 10 km from Bandar Dungun, 105 km from Kuala Terengganu. The park are connected with road, to get here, visitor can use your own car or taking a taxi from Kuala Terengganu to Pekan Dungun before taking a taxi there to the Hutan Lipur Besul

#Note if you are interesting in Climbing then you should contact Terengganu State Mountaineering Organisation Which can be find in DUNGUN Terengganu

Terengganu State Mountaineering Organisation
Persatuan Mendaki Terengganu
242-A, Kuarter JKR,
Jalan Nibong,
23000 Dungun Terengganu MALAYSIA

Jabatan Hutan Negeri Terengganu,
Tingkat 8, Wisma Negeri,
20200 Kuala Terengganu,
tel: 09-6222444
fax: 09-6236552

Hutan Lipur Bumbung Raja

2006-05-26T03:44:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Bumbung Raja

Hutan Lipur Bumbung Raja are located at Kampong(village) Pasir Raja, Dungun, Daerah(District of ) Dungun which is a lowland Forest. The Bumbung Raja is  unique as it’s the only recreational forest in Malaysia which situated just beside a village.

The most unique about this hutan Lipur is that it has a very wide river which are suitable for Kayaking and Rafting activity. There are many kind of public amenity, which also includes a Jungle trek, Concrete stair, and resting hut.

Beside that visitor can also have a picnic, camping, or have a dip at the cool shallow stream or at the. Here visitor can also take a stroll and see the wild life here while trekking along the jungle trek. There are also a lot of variety of bird here that Bumbung Raja is one of the place that are most frequent by bird watcher (strangely there more Japanese bird watcher than the local and also a bunch of US, AUS, Europeans that frequently camp here.Most of the people came here either for Bird warching or Kayaking and Camping.
A visit here will rejuvenate you hectic life and also a perfect place for those who are tired With The beach and ISLAND !!


Location : Dungun, Terengganu

Person in charge:
Pegawai Hutan Daerah Dungun (Forestry D.O of Dungun)
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Terengganu Selatan,
23000 Dungun,Terengganu.
Tel : 60-09-8441404

Located 40 km from Bandar Al-Muktafibillah Shah trough Kuala Terengganu High way to Ajil , 110 km from Kuala Terengganu’s city centre.

To reach here visitor can use your own car or take  a taxi straight from the KT Airport/ City Kuala Terengganu or Kota Bharu to Hutan Lipur Bumbung Raja or transfer from taxi at Pekan Kuala Berang or Pekan Ajil (Both are small town and Make sure u stop first at Taman Kuang AJil, The Largest Pheasant Park in Malaysia)

Hutan Lipur Sekayu

2006-05-24T12:33:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Sekayu.

Hutan Lipur Sekayu or Recreational Forest of Sekayu coordinated N04° 57.85' E102° 56.71' are just 1 hour drive from Kuala Terengganu which is located in the Forest Reserve of Hulu Terengganu Tambahan. Which is 15 Km from Kuala Berang.

The place is blessed with many nature wonder with abundant of flora and fauna .The Recreational Forest of Sekayu is one of the most famous recreational forest in Terengganu and a favourite visitor retreat from the dusk and long hour work.

The reason why Sekayu is very famous is because of its unique waterfall; a large and beautiful vertical fall with seven cascades water fall that had three different sloped level. Which is very beautiful and charming. Many people including me can claims that the river here is the most crystal clear in whole Terengganu as you can clearly see your foot even though you are standing almost 1 meter in the water and also the many public amenities that can be found here like large carpark and also the Taman Pertanian Negeri

The crystal clear and cold water that flow from the Sekayu and Tersat river and the beauty of the mother nature all around is very suitable for resting your mind and body and bringing your family for a picnic here and to take part in the Recreational activities.

Beside the river and the waterfall ,Hutan Lipur Sekayu are famous with its rich earth that contain many nature treasure of flora and fauna that are well protected and guarded. There are many kind of tree and plant species that can be found here including those which have high medicine properties and value and easy to be found here. All the tree and plant here are well marked and are easy to see.The wild life service here also provide an area where visitor can see the many herb product and herb species on display in the open hall.In the Hutan Lipur visitor will also find the largest Collection of Herb in Malaysia at an arboretum of herb and forest fruit and rare traditional fruit at the Taman Pertanian Negeri.

picture

The Recreational Forest also have a large area that are suitable for family picnicking and outing activities all over along the sekayu river with many changing room and washroom and a lot camping area around Sekayu complit with a fire place to cook and boon fire ,with electric and clean water supply .There are many thing that can be see here from the many fruit and food seller and shop that can be found just out side of the main gate till the exhibition hall of the flora and fauna at the forestry department. here to the many beautiful wonder that mother nature have to offer to those who seeks her.

Visitor can relax their day and enjoy walking along the many the recreational ground and to the Taman Pertanian Negeri which is just inside the Hutan Lipur.Here at the Taman Pertanian,Visitor will see the Flower park.the orchid Park ,fruit orchard, garden ,bird park, mini zoo at sekayu like the monkey, beaver ,Malaysia sun bear and other .Visitor can also walks along the forest trail that are prepared by the department to see the assortment of plant and wild life at the nearby forest.

Picture at Recreational Forest of Sekayu

gate way to the park -------The beautiful Tersat river--- Chalets for overnight stay available

If You planning to go here don’t forget to spend some time at the Taman Pertanian Sekayu, which is in the heart of the Recreational Forest. This agrotourism garden is the third largest
In Malaysia and the most famous in the whole East Peninsular Coast of Malaysia.

For those who cannot get enough of the Sekayu forest and the waterfall ,visitor can stay at the many state own chalets for an overnight stay are available here or at the Taman Pertanian Negeri.While those who are aventures sort can chose to camp here at the camping ground that can be find here till the Taman Pertanian Negeri .

Getting Here:
Located 16km from Pekan (town) Kuala Berang trough the Jalanraya Kuala Berang-Sekayu,56 Km from Bandar Kuala Terengganu.

Instruction :

From the main road (nr 14) you take the road to Kuala Berang. Turn left, just before reaching this village. Clear signposting. After about 15 km you will reach Hutan Lipur Sekayu

Visitor can use they own transportation or public transportation like airplane,
bas or taxi from KL to Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Berang before departing to The Recreational Forest of Sekayu.

Tips :

Sekayu is also famous as the largest producer of Buah Salak in the state.(see the thorny salak plant that are planted at both side of the main Gate to the park.) The Salak fruit is cover in scaly skins like snake scale and a dark yellow seed as big as your thumb, the fruit grown near the sterm of these thorny palma plant. The fruit that are ripen will taste very delicious while those that are no quite riping are to dry will taste very badly like vile of Sour crop that had been left for ages.

It is best that you buy a little amount to taste first as a lot of the trader here will claim that their Salak are ripen but actually wasn’t.

Bukit Puteri

2006-05-14T06:54:00.001+08:00

Bukit Puteri. Walkway on top of Bukit Puteri

Bukit Puteri (the hill of the Princess) or Princess hill, covered an area of 0.688 hectares and is 200 meters in heights, is situated just beside the Istana Maziah and the General Post Office in Kuala Terengganu City Centre(KTCC) and forming a nice scenic background of Kuala Terengganu which overseer the Sungai Terengganu river mouth.

Bukit Puteri is a hill with many legend and history which is well renowned since well before the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin I (1724-1733), the first sultan of Terengganu till today. There are many stories of on how the hill got its name. Still it very certain that the name of Bukit Puteri have existed long before the 16th century as the earlier written record had recorded that during the rule of Megat Seri Rama who was sent as representative to Datok Bendahara Pahang Saujana from Johor, who died in 1697,the hill was already known as Bukit Puteri.

Another of the many story about the Princess hill, claim that the name Bukit Puteri was name by “Tuk Raja Menteri” a Johor Chieftain noblemen who had lead a group of people from Johore to Terengganu and was the first person to open the area at the foot’s hill of Bukit Puteri as village.

Still the most popularise believe among the many local that the name Bukit Puteri ,was derived from a fact that a real Puteri Bunian (a fairy princess) had live here long ago until the 1920. Bukit Puteri was once the residence for a Fairy Princess . The Fairy Princess does exist as during the 1880’s strange thing had happen in Kuala Terengganu. Silverware and plate show up in Bukit Puteri when the local populace around Bukit Puteri planed to have any festivity and event like wedding or “Kenduri”. This had shock a lot of people during that time. When I was little, my and the other elder who once live in my Kampung told us about the strange happening which they heard from their father and elder and how the princess had left the Bukit Puteri to another hill in Besut District this you can read at The Legend about Bukit Puteri.

From the top of the hill,you can see the entire city of Kuala Terengganu and see the magnificent view of the South China Sea and its many fishermen and boat bustling the riverfront back and fro with their catch.Visitor can find many public amenities that been built here for the public and the many visitor that came here from day to day whether for taking picture of the the entire view of the town or just a leisure walk or just to rest here while breathing the cool air that emitted from the tree and wild flower.The Pricess hill is among the favourite spot in Terengganu. The Bukit Puteri hill is open to the public from 9am to 5pm everyday with entrance fee of Rm1.00.

Kuala Terengganu Defence Fort and the Civil War.

Beside the Fairy which was once the main attraction to Princess hill. The hill have also had many historical attraction as Bukit Puteri was once use as a strong hold and defence fort during the civil wars which accur when Baginda Omar, Sultan Mansur Syah II, and Sultan Muhamad were fighting for the throne of Terengganu.. Before the war , because of the desputed for the throne, a high level meeting was held and it was settle that both Tengku Mansur and Tengku Omar would jointly rule the state from 1831 AD onward. Where the Tengku Mansur became the Sultan of Terengganu , wheres Tengku Omar was appointed as the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Terengganu.

The division of power and reef between the two powerful men did not end the dissension. Each men insited on selecting their own Pembesar- Pembesar Daerah (Chief of District).The civil war continued, where Tenku Mansur made his stand at Balik Bukit and Tengku Umar at Bukit Puteri.

The Fort was also popular call by the non local as “Kubu Bukit Puteri”in Malay or “Princess Hill Defence Fort”

Kuala Terengganu Defecence Fort which lies on top of the hill was build during the Terengganu civil war that happen in the 1830s. The fort was built by Tengku Omar (In the year 1831 , Baginda Omar once sat on the throne replacing Sultan Daub and is also the then Yang Dipertuan Besar of Terengganu) in his effort to de-throne the then Sultan of Terengganu, Tengku Mansur who was conferred the title of Sultan Mansur Shah II.

The fort was made by brick and cemented by honey,lime and egg white. This is the headquater where baginda Omar plan and launch his strategies with his “Panglima” and “hulubalang” (general and Warior).During the relentless war, the Fort of Bukit Puteri was finally fall to Sultan Mansur II and Baginda Omar was force flee from Kuala Terengganu and regroup.

On 1837,Sultan Mansur II later were replace by Sultan Muhammad. Baginda Omar later launch several campaign to recapture Fort Bukit Puteri, The fort was successfully recaptured on the third attempts and launch his campaign. Where on the year 1839, Baginda Omar defeated Sultan Muhammad and reclaims the throne of Terengganu

Baginda Omar spent most of his early days as the ruler of Terengganu within the fort itself .During the rule of Baginda Omra( 1839 – 1876 ), the state of Terengganu progress rapidly. Sultan Baginda Omar turned the fort into a defensive fortress with many cannon during his reign period. To perform the function of a protective fortress that overseer the river mouth and a “Genta” The bell served as an ‘alarm’ whenever there are enemies were detected.

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The “Genta” of Bukit Puteri

At the top of the hill are some historical artefacts can be found here which have a large and significant link to the history of Terengganu. Among them are the hunded year old yellow copper “Genta” a large bell which is on the middle top of Bukit Puteri hill ,which are used since many generation of ruler to warn the people of danger and also use to gather the people during important day now during the time peace . If the bell damaged it will replace with a new ones. The last time it was replace was during reign of Al – Marhum Sultan Zainal Abidin III on the year 1326 Hijrah (1908).

The “Genta”s circumferency is about 228 cm.Its height 78cm.it was made from brass and its weight is about 175 Kg. Arcording to the stories that was first recoreded. The bell was first cast in front of Istana Maziah during a royal ceremony. The mastercraftman who had craft the bell was Wan Ali Bin Wan Awang ,and he was assited by other caftman from Kampung Tanjung and Kampung Paya ,Kula Terengganu district.

The "Genta"

The Genta was first used during the reign of Sultan Omar, the ninth Sultan and Ruler of Terengganu and all its dominion ,One the 17th of Sya’aban 1270 (15.May.1853).The bell are well guarded and look after by the “budak-budak raja” and Encik Ali Bin Abdullah is the royal scout that had been in charge bye the kingdom as keeper and guardian of the Genta from the reign of Sultan Omar to the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III (19.05.1881 – 25.11.1918) and the Genta was first called “Negara” or Nation.

The “Genta” and the people of Terengganu
The role of the Genta during that time was used as away to alert everyone in the city if they was any major commotion or disaster happened, like fire or if some one was running “amok”or the approaching of enemy attack toward the city. From the record at the Public Library of Terengganu States it is recorded that according to tradition if they were people running “Amok” in the town,the Genta will bell in odd time and without harmony , thus when the inhabitant of the town during that time will close their doors and be prepare. While the member of the aristocrats; the Pembesar Raja and the town people will run to the Istana with armed and ready and if they are fire in town the they will go and help each other.

The bell was once used as a breaking fast reminder during the fasting month , the Hari Raya and Hari Raya Haji. In the fasting month, the bell will be rang at 6 in the afternoon until the time of the breaking fast or sahur time and also at the “imsak” time which mark the beginning of the fasting period to the Muslim in Terengganu .Beside that the bell are also rang at 12 midnight (which was call the “Goncang” meaning Shake) and fallow up with a shot by the cannon from Bukit Puteri.

For Hari Raya and the Raya Haji the bell will be rang with a rhythmic and harmonious sound to mark the bergining of of the prayer and the departure of the ruler to the mosque .But this tradition and custum was cancelled during the reign of Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah and was not used anymore.

The Royal Flagpole of Terengganu.

The Flagpole can be clearly seen on top of the Princess Hill

The “Tiang Bendera or the Flagpole on Bukit Puteri is 18 metres tall and is buried 2 metres deed. The flagpole are used to raise the royal flag ,the king flag (Bendera Raja) was first raise on the 22nd april 1899 or 12 Zulhijjah 1316 Hijrah of the Moslems Calendars ,during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III with full cerenmonious honour accompanied by 16 cannon salutes.While now the current flagpole at the top of Bukit Puteri was raised during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah.

The Defence Cannon of Kuala Terengganu

The ancient Cannon of Bukit Puteri

Beside the Genta the light house and the flagpole ,Visitor can find a group of historical Meriam Beranak (a family of Cannons) which are used to protect the river mouth of Sungai Terengganu and was once used in the defence of Kuala Terengganu. A light house to guide the boat which come in and out of the river mouth. Old defence wall and a defence fort can be seen on top of Bukit Putri with the cannon diligently guarding the Istana Maziah and the whole town of Kuala Terengganu and the main port. These cannon was also used to repel enemies attack from entering the cities and also from the South China Sea and are also use in many royal and other ceremonial state occacion.

During the old day there were many cannon at the eastcoast from Kuala Terengganu beach staring from Telaga Batin ,Batu Buruk Beach till the Beaches of Chendering covering as during that time The Sultan Mansur Syah I the first price of Sultan Zainal Abidin the first, had planed to built Kerajaan Melayu Johor Raya or Confederated of Malay Johor Kingdom which include Riau,Johor and Terengganu with Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah.
But ,the planed was never succeded as many problem broke out including its internal problem and outside of the state. In the end Riau ,Johor and Terengganu was rule and form by its own Sultan and Ruler.
Among the many cannon that survive the Siamese, the british rule whos stole the cannon as souvenirs or gift and also during the time of the of the Japanese occupation of the World War Two between 1941 to 1945,the occupying force had removed the cannon from the fort as a present to the Siam Gorvement .But luckily the war ended before the cannon was shipped .The cannon was later moved back to its original place.

The cannon at Bukit Puteri was named as a way to show the sign of the cannon spirit and its nature.There are “Seri Johor and Seri Bueh better know as Meriam Beranak ; this was named as one of the cannon are a little cannon while beside it lay a large cannon. thus came the named ;Family cannon wheres it is said that the large cannon had given birth to the small cannon. The other are “Laila Majnum and Seri Jamlor”.All these cannon had witness many event and history that supase us .Some of the cannon was forge by the Malay ,while some are from Spain and Portugal and other part of the Malay kingdom.

Meriam Beranak

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The Legend about Bukit Puteri

From the elder, The strange happening of Plate and silverware was said to be happen regularly where people meet with mysterious people or lady at the hill. Still the most famous was after a Malay mother who one day want to held a feast for some event ( Sorry I’ll forgot what event). Seeing her plate and bow were very old and not “beautiful”. She went into the town with her boat and bought some plate and ware in the market. But she loss all her dishes and cutlery while crossing the river with her Sampan.

The old mother was sad that she loss her cutlery and was devastated on what to do during the feast. While walking past the foot of Bukit Puteri, she rest there saddened by her ordeal. The Puteri Bunian who live there was touch by her ordeal. When the old women was ready to continue back home she was shock to find silver and porcelain cutlery lay in front of her (as claim by her). This she knew that she(claim) had received help by the Puteri Bunian. During the day of the feast the villager and guest was surprise seeing the gold and silver cutlery and beautiful white porcelain plate that she had use on that day. The local populace were curious on how a simple pheasant can have expensive ware and where did it came from.

After being enquire by the guest and relative on how she obtain the Gold and silver plate and bowl.. She told them of her ordeal at the river and how she the cutlery lay on the foot hill.The villager and guess there agree that she had received help from the Puteri Bunian. Some who were curious of the story, fallow the old lady to the hill where she want to return the cutlery. The villager that fallow her waited and waited,near the hill to see wherther the plate was taken back by the Puteri Bukit Puteri. While waiting they bump to an old lady ,whom they ask what she was doing here. When suddenly one of the villager shouted that the culery had vanished.
During the commotion the old lady was also vanished. After some time they heard rumour about somebody , who also use the same kind of expensive cutlery as the old lady. The man claim that he went to the foot hill and shouted wheather he can borrow the culery for a feast, After waiting some time ,nothing happen that he give up that maybe the old lady had lied. Strangely and astonishingly he claim that while walking down from the hill he found the culery at the foot hill.

Since then on ,when they are any feast or gathering. The villagers will go beside the hill and shout if they can borrow her cutlery. Astonishing where in the next morning they will found the sliver cutlery laying at the foot hill. But not all request was entertain .
After finishing using it the the villager will return it in the next evening. This go on till the 1920’s .Until one day, the fairy princess was vexed and left Bukit Puteri when the local residents that borrowed her cutlery ,started to take granted of her help that some return them un wash or was not return whole or return its on time or replace them if they were damaged. The dishonesty of the borrower coused the fairy pricess to leave the hill.

The princess was said to had migrated to a hill in Besut distict ,Which the local rename the hill as Bukit Puteri as local populace in Besut claim to had meet the fairy there ( as You can see in Besut District in the Tourism map which I made )

N.B.
There are some critic who claim the the gold and silver and plate was lend by wealthy people who didn’t want to expose them self that they left it near the foot hill. Still whether you want to belive or not that your choice but to the Terengganu many still belive it true as many News paper and magazine had tell or record about the mysterious even and happening at Bukit Puteri during the 1900 till the 1930. The story died out when the World War II struck Malaya.

Pulau Bidong

2006-05-06T06:39:00.006+08:00

Pulau Bidong or Palau Bidong

Pulau Bidong or Palau Bidong by the American War Veteran. This little island was also know as little Saigon and is an historical island, which lay many memories to a lot of the of the older generation and the former the Boat People I had went in search for article about the Boat people.
.. ......after reading those article I was lost with words that I had decided to post the Story of the island from journey Malaysia and other that I put up together here as I don’t think I have the right to write about things that I don’t know.

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Warning!!
Never go to Pulau Bidong Alone even though it is not restricted to the public any more, as There are many traps in form of abandoned wells dug which was dug by the refugees for fresh water a decade ago

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Pulau Bidong- The Story

In “Deer Hunter”, a movie starring Robert de Niro and Christopher Walken exploded into the theatres in 1978, and became one of the movie industry's historical turning points. This film dealt with lives of U.S. war veterans and their failure to assimilate into society back home after the Vietnam War.Many moviegoers in the U.S. knew someone or of someone who had gone off to fight and lost a part of them there. The impact of atrocities of war had never been more realised nor had it ever been so close to heart.

On the other side of the fence, whilst the Americans were picking pieces of their lives, the Vietnamese people had still to live through the terror, long after the U.S. veterans had left their land. As the last of the U.S. administrators and officers left Saigon on 29th and 30th April 1975, things began to change for the Vietnamese people. Millions of people were displaced, orphaned and millions suffered all through the next 2 decades.

Little did we realise at the time, Malaysia was already feeling the ripples caused by that war . There were many displaced victims of war, who were desperate to leave the country. They sold whatever they could and bribed anyone that was willing to ‘help' them gain a passage out of Vietnam. Those lucky enough, bought themselves space on cramped wooden boats heading for a new life in neighbouring countries. Others tried to trek across to the Thai borders where they hoped to secure asylum there.

Their journey was a perilous one. No one knew what to expect upon arrival in the new land. The boats were usually so cramped, most passengers had little more than crouching spaces. Storms came and went; illnesses and malnutrition took away a few elders, children and the weak; and pirates pillaged boats. Stories were told of pirates ruthlessly raping, killing, and throwing victims overboard. Occasionally, bodies were washed up ashore.
To others, the greatest fear was that if marine patrol boats were to catch up with them before arriving at their specified destination, their sentence would be an immediate return to Vietnam and.... a death sentence.

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The Boat People in Pulau Bidong

Still even with the many danger that they face ,yet more and more of the ‘Boat People', made their parelial journeys despite the slim chances of them making the entire journey unscathed. Many arrived on Malaysian soil - praying that the Malaysian authorities would not send them back. They soon learnt that if they ‘broke' their boats by crashing them onto rocks in shallow waters, they could buy more time with the immigration officials. The officials had no choice but to house them in camps until proper documentation etc were issued.

The refugees landed wherever they could and realising that there may be more to come, the authorities agreed to allow camps to be set up for them. One chosen camp location was Pulau Bidong. The Pulau Bidong refugee camp started in 1975 and was sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR). The Malaysian Red Crescent Society, on the other hand, was responsible for the daily operations at the camp.

Some 250,000 refugees filtered through this camp between 1975 and 1991. When the camp closed , all remaining refugees were relocated or were returned to Vietnam.
Although the almost circular island has land space of about 2km in diameter, the camp occupied only a small area. Real estate was the career to choose at the camp. After all, like anywhere - it's location, location, location! Refugees leaving the camp would sell their shacks to new arrivals or brokers from as little as US$20 to as high as US$400.

Black market also thrived in the community. Local fishermen traded with several Vietnamese who were brave enough to swim out to the fishing boats, anchored some distance from the island. With black market came gangsters, vendors, suppliers and the rest. If there was a market, there was supply. Even prostitution was not uncommon. But not everyone worked for a ‘Big Brother'….not full time, that is. There were those who were employed as labourers and administrators in the offices and were paid in food parcels - the common denomination of the island's economy.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society had an administration office at the camp. A temple was built with the help of the Malaysian government, UNCHR and the red crescent society. A school, a church, a clinic, shops and a cemetery was also set up at camp. All left abandoned now. The wooden structures are disintegrating with the years of neglect but the stories of their lives are etched, carved and preserved on slabs and in memorials left behind by the boat people….those that lived through the ordeals and unjust punishment of a war

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Pulau Bidong a tourist spot?

Although this tiny island only had the capacity to accommodate for 4,500 refugees, however during some very ‘peak’ seasons, it once sheltered almost 40,000 people. To ensure the better living condition, long houses were built with schools, workshops, post office, church, temple, tailors, hair salons, bakery, noodle shops, sundry shops, even disco and bar etc. as to serve the basic needs. The home missing emotion can even seen not only on these imitation, the refugees even named on the beach here as Pantai Cina-China Beach, the famous counterpart in Vietnam. Therefore it is no doubt why Bidong was also called Little Saigon.

Bidong was the temporary home for the refugees before they are resettled to third country.Time taken for resettlement process varied from each individual. Some took a few months and some few years. While waiting for the news, UNHCR had organized vocational training, languages classes, kindergarten etc. for the refugees as a preparation for them to face the challenges of life when they are resettled in other countries. Those who are rejected in the resettlement process will then be transferred to Sungai Besi Refugee Camp.

When the last batch of the refugees left the island in 1991, Bidong Island was officially handed back to the Terengganu state government, but remains restricted to the public until 1999.

So,what happen to Bidong Island after the handover and after 1999? and what is left on the island?

Though there was proposal to preserve the relics on the island, but when the first group of visitor stepped on the island after nearly 8 years being isolated from the world outside, those collapsed and rotting buildings and overgrown bushes imply that none of the preservation action has been carried out. Few buildings had been torched, equipment that remained in the vocational workshops has been smashed, wooden platform of the jetty was completely stripped…..by the nature, by the wildlife and also, by human.

Nevertheless, few structures are safe from the destructive action, such as an artificial boat besides the temple to commemorate those arrival on the island, statute of a father who pulls his beloved daughter out from the sea, cement memories with heart aching words inscribed, gravestones marking the burial plots etc. They stand like a mute reminder to the world.

Recently there are interests to turn this island into a tourist spot. But what kind of tourism can it be and should it be? This is a big question mark leaves for people whoever involves in the industry. Some say to construct new sky scrapping hotel buildings like other islands; some suggest to make the Little Saigon reborn and alive again by rebuilding the bar and disco and, some recommend to make Bidong Island a memorial island thus promoting heritage tour…

Before anything turn into reality, afford to bring tourists here has long started by some local tour operators. In year 2003, a group of former boat people who have resettled in other countries made their trip back to this island, which was once sheltered them from the waves of life. Many of them came back with their spouse. Their vision was bursting into tears, words turned into sobbing. A simple chanting ceremony was taken out by a group of Buddhism-Chinese as to calm the soul of those dead relatives and fellows. To them, this island is more than a bitter part of their history.

To date, fewer Malaysian tourists come here, not only because they are not familiar with the name but also, some of them claim that there is black spirit on the island. (there were many death)

Regardless how true it is, a 3D2N package tour with accommodation in resorts or hotel in the mainland or a day trip is available now from Kuala Terengganu to the island in order to give a chance to have a glimpse on this island before proceeding to snorkelling or diving trip in adjacent water. A guided tour is advisable even though you can simply hire a boat from Merang to the island yourself. There are many traps in form of abandoned wells dug by the refugees for fresh water.

Whether or not this island is going to be another Tourist attraction as famous as Redang or Tioman in the eyes of tourism, it remains a very special part in the heart for many Vietnamese and Malaysian Helper who had serve there. And, although Bidong Island is not familiar to the younger generation today, it will always has its place in the Malaysia’s modern history.

Pulau Tenggol

2006-05-06T06:27:00.001+08:00

Pulau Tenggol or Tenggol Island is the name for the most finest Diving spot in Peninsular Malaysia. Tenggol Island is the most unique in Terengganu, the name “Tenggol” which in the terengganu dialect means 'to perch',this is because first glimp of this islnd from afar ,You will see that the island resembles a person perching. The island till to today are still use by local fishermen as shelter from sudden tropical sea storms or bad whether.

The only beach here is the only long stretch beach of  Teluk Air Tawar or Fresh Water Bay. The sand here are modestly white , The beach is are frequent by its permanent customer, who came here every 8 or ten year . From the age of dinosaur, many green turtle and hawksbill turtles from across the globe are driven by their instincts have returned to mate in the same shore and to lay their egg at the same beach where they hatched from some 30…40…50…60 years ago.

The Island wonder was lay hidden for a long time, other than once used to be a hiding place by the Vietnamese’s Boat people before been discovered by the authority and was allocated to the Famous Pulau Bidong and as shelter from unseen bad whether. According from my father, Pa says that Pulau Tenggol was famous after some marine-biologist discovered  whale shark, dolphin and large amount of bio-diversities in the water of Tenggol Island and its secret underwater world. This finding were report in the press  and  soon the island was famous and throughout the year many heavenly diving sport was discovered. The local and centre government later to protect and develop it later, gazetted the island as part of Terengganu Marine Park. Where the island are protected by the fishing activities, spear fishing, and collecting the marine life even for study will require a permit and any un-inform building activities are strictly prohibited. Here u can only find one resort, which is the Tenggol Island Resort. In the end the island was never developed as  was a blessing.

With the frequent patrol , strict action and conservation by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia. The island and its diving site are unspoiled and much of the reef remains intact. and the most importantly its is very far from the tourist bee hive like Redang, Perhentian and The Kapas Island and there only one resort here. Thus leaving much of dive site un crowded

I don’t well come green horn’s diver to tenggol island to dive, unless, you are and experience diver or at least an advance level diver before coming here. The Dive master will test your skill in open water at the western bay of Teluk Air Tawar. The current here are at most of the dive site are very unpredictable thus making its quite dangerous for the green horn. and a lot of the famous dive site here should be temp by dive who had large experience in the open water.

The Western Bay of Teluk Air Tawar is a beautiful dive site and a must for and photographer, suitable for everyone can be reach from the beach, the calm seabed slopes gently from the shoreline. Its is very famous because here you can see into a lot of marine life and coral. Many green parrotfish ,sea turtle frequent here to feed, and lots of colourful coral fish like unique parrotfish, Nemo, Yellow tang, Angelfish, ray, Percula clownfish, sea snake, ells, moray and other dangerous sea life like zebra lion fish, Puffer fish, Sea Urchin, Starfish , Lion fish, Coral cat fish, octopus . Garden eel can bee seen poking around the sandy nudibranch and fire coral.

When dark, the bay will be full bloom into life like a big city. colourful night creature can be found almost everywhere. that even two tank will not be enough for photographer and some diver,suring this time most of us need to be more extra carefull as many poisonous creature can be found here that u need to scoured fist before swimming especially when reaching the surface area.

Still don’t lose track of time or your find your self sweep away far away from your group or ended hurt. There had been cases of hard headed tourist, Who didn’t heed any advice and also are to proud with their scuba experience or be little the warning from the Dive instructor that they pay top dollar to local fishemen to bring them here , sometime some of this dive result accident .

Most of the diver that come here are nature lover who is “Hard core Diver” and “seasons diver. there are some who came here during the month august to October to see the whale shark ,but most are here to see the few pod of dophin which frequent the south western side of Pulau Tenggol.

Even the shallow water in front of the resort are a good place for snorkelling for many kind of coral ,brain corals, staghorn corals,blah...blahhh.blah and  the dangerous fire corals. and its denizen.

There are a lot of famous diving spot but here, Pulau Nyireh,Tokong Laut or ‘The Highway’ , Coral Garden, White rock, Moonracker, Amazing Grace ,Sarang Lang and more .if you want to find out more of the diving site here ...u can check at Tenggol Island Resort. and use google image search at google.com.my for “Tenggol coral” fish at tenggol.

Pulau Redang

2006-05-06T06:08:00.001+08:00

Pulau Redang

The Seaview from Laguna Hotel at the Pasir Panjang Beach

Pulau Redang also knows as Redang Island is located 45 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu in the South China Sea or approximately 45 minutes boat ride from the famous Merang (wooden Jetty ) to Redang island .The Jetty is situated at the fishing village of Merang. The fishing village is North of Kuala Terengganu.

Redang Island gazetted as a Marine Park back in 1985, and enjoy the protection of the Department of Fisheries of Malaysia is one of the 8 isle in Terengganu that top The 10 Most Beautiful Island in Malaysia. Redang is also one of The Most Beautiful Island in the World and are among the Best Known and Most Famous Gem Haven for Diving Activities for Tourist and All Diver all around Malaysia and the world. Redang Archipelago, exists of 9 islands ( comprises of Pulau Redang, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Ling, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Kerengga Kechil, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kechil and Pulau Lima.) that abound with stunning marine life and coral reefs that ensure great snorkelling and scuba-diving. Your fist glimpse of the isle will leave you spell bounded by the Postcard scenery and instantly captivated by the lush green carpet of vegetation that covers the gently sloping hills

Immediately upon arriving at Redang, the light blue water offers an enticing temptation to 'test the water'. A big mistake that are frequent by unsuspecting visitors and most first timer and once including me : P .Where u will find your self deceived by Redang's crystal clear water.

Many are deceived by Redang's crystal clear water as the sea at Redang archipelago are special! The water visibility here is about an Outstandingly 45 feet!!. When the sea is very calm it can get up to 18 meters, that's Over 54 feet. Which many will find it Unbelievable!! (which is a Bonus for diver and snorkel)

Why? you ask? well....

“Try imaging seeing many people sunbathing along the Beach and then your boat just arrive near the shore and with out waiting for completed stop And for a great Entry with your khaki short ,shirt and wearing a hat and a sunglasses .You jump into the knee deep crystal clear water like everyone.. Later .. only to find your self your self standing in a shoulder deep water than expected and had to walk up to the shore and endure the laugh of the many beach comber and (when you see somebody checking in at the counter with wet attire...your will know what had happen to then : P ”

I have seen some for at very calmly and just trodden trough the water and up to the beach.... as if nothing had happen. Still it can be a horrible night mare for children and women...i had seen those who took lightly on the boat opperator advice about Redang's crystal clear water. Once at the beach I saw a boat had just arrive in front of resort..a women lift her skirt (Why in hell that any one want to wear skirt on a boat Each Time!!!) and took a step and plunge/ Walk the plank into the sea like a rock with her skirt like umbrella up to her face. She was shock and went on panicking in the water that it took almost an hour for her to calm down...in the resort.

So for those out ..You had read my warning. Make sure you pay attentions to the boat operator Warning.

The Famous More-More Inn

The paradise-like island, surrounded by majestic green hills, the Shining white sandy beach ,the crystal clear light turquoise sea water with the temperature range from 31 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and with Mother Nature gift of a breathtaking scenic sunset give an unforgettable soothing calmness and relaxation sensation to people at the Redang island. The isle is rich in diverse
forms of colourful fishes and abundance marine life swimming gracefully around the world's most mature coral gardens.

The water here is very crystal clear that even On the seafront visitors can even see the many beautiful corals and a variety of fish from the beach. Don’t be shy to rent Diving and snorkelling gear from any of the resorts or any operators on the islands .even if for just a while in the water to have a closer look.

Things that you can sea at the shallow water

At the shallow water around Redang isle u can see many large variety of marine life like the clown fish, many Colourful parrot fish,some reef shark, stingrays and other small fish brightly lit like colourful neon bulbs. Amongst the corals near the shore and rock, one can see all kinds of shellfish, sea anemone, and Gamat (sea cucumber).

There is also a protected marine park at Island, which many people found enjoying for snorkelling, in Redang Marine Park, you can find a many colourful array of spectacular marine life . There are small and big eel to be find living here amid the coral, giant black and brown grouper, black tipped shark. you may also encounter with the some or lonely Green sea turtle and Hawksbill sea turtle, pufferfish, angelfish, damselfish; eels; giant clams; rays, sea urchins, sea cucumbers . Don’t be scare if u bump into with our “Bapok Bayan” a The Biggest Green Humped parrot fish in Redang Marine Park, who usually frequent here with its gruesome teeth and a big lump on its forehead that forage coral. This particular ”Ikan Bayan” is at the size of a small build man, making the shark here look very harmless : P

In the protected marine park, there are corals of every imaginable shape, size or color like multicoloured Christmas trees coral, standing like a guardian to the sea. Who will fold up and retract back into the rock and them gracefully popping back again. or Staghorn Coral field, some very big size clamp ( never touch them or it will owned You!!) , taupe shape coral, nudibranch with reef shark, stingrays and other small fish brightly lit like neon bulbs.

If you are sharp-eyed diver, will be rewarded with sights of flatworm, shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, stonefish, Dangerous Lionfish, lobster and pipefish.
A word of caution to visitors: No fishing is allowed within a 3.2 km radius of the island and any Fishing, damaging and removing of corals and other marine life are strictly prohibited and the penalty for breaking the law includes jail and fine.

The Marine Park Headquarter

The Marine Park Headquarter is cited on Pulau Pinang which is in southern of Redang Island . Here is the where officer and patrol boat from Department of Fisheries of Malaysia are place to protect the marine park to inspect and supervise all activities in this area. There are also a few chalets that are built overseeing the sea which can be rent and enjoy by only government civil servants.

The sea here are very calm that u don’t need to be a good swimmer that u can go rent a life jacket , snorkel, and diving gear at any resort and jump into the sea (except no jumping at the Marine park)

One of the many Lion Fish at redang

Plenty of good snorkeling and diving sites can be found here like; Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Kerengga Kechil, Mat Dollah, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kechil , Tanjung Tokong, Turtle Bay, House Reef, Marine Park Headquarter, However, deep sea snorkeling is not necessary though there are 2 snorkeling boat trips to bring you to any of these area.

A diver with the beautiful sea turtle at Redang water

The water around Redang isle also offer many perfect diving spot including two historic shipwrecks The H.M.S Prince of Wales and the H.M.S Repulse that were sunk here by the Japanese Imperial Navy at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

To do a diving trip here, you need to book with the dive shop at any of the resorts that offer its. Even non diver can sign up for a scuba diving course and lesson on the spot. Check up for the detail of the fee charged.

The trekking in Pulau Redang and its Village

Redang Island is still a very much covered by the Rainforest, thank for the government and local islande effort. The ideal time for going for a trekking is at a round 7’o’Clock in the morning. Where you will find the air very fresh and protected by the Strong heat of the morning mist.

The trek that u can find here is about 2.5 Km trail that lead from Pasir Panjang a beautiful beach to Teluk Dalam, where u can find a Kampung or village. The trail at the hilly island of Redang is fascinating in its own way.Make sure that you bring a camera.with and extra role of two. The trail is well marked and trodden as this place is a favourite path for local and some staff on the island that you may meet during they morning Jog. During you journey you may encounter a small stream and a pool alive with local Catfish,If you are lucky u may encounter Redang’s unique wildlife but harmless animals such as the shy Kancil “mousedeer” looking for food .(please don’t surprise or scare them as the Kancil here are can easily day offright...No..joking.!!) .

Sometimes there might be long tailed macaque monkey hanging on the trees staring at you,sometime on the tree you can find flying squire, along the way you will see many wonder that are created by the mother earth and also a very beautiful and scenic view of The tranquil and isolated bay of Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is accompanying by snowy white sandy beach . the trail will end at Berjaya Redang Resort

Following the properly sealed road will lead you to the “Kampung Nelayan” Redang Fishing village.The village here you can find house that are Centered around a small mosque which sits up on a small hill. You can find a mamak stall or local Restaurant for some humble food for a change ,Mee Goreng (Fried Noodle) , a cup of KoPi Kaw ( coffee ),or you could tried the famous Nasi lemak and Roti Canai here .

The most beautiful beach at Pulau Redang - Pasir Panjang Beach

Unknowns by most people,The island’s finest beaches is in the Pasir Panjang beach, and from my point of view, the beach surrounded by majestic green hills that cast a shadows in the simmering sea with a magnificent shoreline of fine powdery white sand and a coral garden immersed in a clear blue sea is a perfect getaway for holiday seeker.

As a bleesing ,I was not the only one that felt that way, as a couple of year ago a big and magnificent resort was build here, The Laguna Redang Island Resort are the only resort built here. The low-rise resort retains a ‘modern paradise concept” that cleverly infuses Terengganu ‘s traditional Malay architecture with modern amenities and yet is in perfect harmony with the natural greenery. that even I who went they at august 04, cant help at marvelling at the unique and finely design of the resort which has 300 rooms and suites (with private balcony) either fronting the beach or a well-landscaped garden that are touched its designer, the well-known Terengganu-born royalties and architect HNR Prince YM Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Shah.

If you are going to Laguna Redang Island Resort, you will love the dining experience at the seaview Ala-Carte Restaurant which serve local and continental cuisine and after dinner you can enjoy a walk along the beach under the beautiful and panoramic view of the stars.

The resorts also have a nice open disco, private karaoke lounges and indoor beach club which features live entertainment that u will enjoy and they have such a nice staff.

From my experience you will find a lot of thing to do here that are provided by the resort like Snorkelling,island excursion, a sunset cruise, Fishing trip or diving trip in the day or night, thre are also a lot of recreational water sport that u can join or a jungle trekking from where u are to Teluk Dalam on the otherside of the island.

The language

You wont to worry about the language here as just about everybody here speaks English, since its compulsory subject to be learn in all school in Malaysia. There are also school, police station and a Goverment Health Clinic Centre to be found.

Berjaya Air's plane landing at the Bejayaa private airstrip at Pulau Redang

HOW TO GET THERE
By Air :
Malaysia Airline System (MAS) & AirAsia operates services direct from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Kuala Terengganu. "however, Air Asia is cheaper, but with limited flights and seats. A MAS round-trip ticket costs RM388.00 [adult] while Air Asia offers as low as RM19.90 for single trip" (that's if you book really early or fly on off-peak hours)
The flight takes about 45 minutes.

or if u in the "rat race" then by Berjaya Air,From KLIA Airport straight to Pulau Redang.

By Road :
Express buses/Coaches and outstation taxis offer regular services from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu.Coaches go to Kuala Terengganu. It costs approximately RM23.80 one way for Coaches.If you are not rushing for time Takes the coaches where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and experience the local village culture along the east coast. The coach stops a few times along the journey at town and villages for tea break, you might get a chance to drop by and experience some Malaysian local culture is like in the "Kampung Life" as we call it.

Overall The trip takes about 7 hours.

There are many buses, coaches and taxis commuting between Kuala Terengganu town and Merang Jetty.

Destination Day ETD / ETA/ Fare
Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Terengganu, Daily, 2245 / 0645* next day ,RM26
Kuala Terengganu / Kuala Lumpur,Daily. RM28

From Penang
Depart daily at night from KOMTAR or Butterworth stations to Kuala Terengganu. Journey: 8 Hours from Johor Bahru Depart daily (10:00am, 9:00pm, 9:30pm, 10:00pm) Larkin Station / Hentian Kompleks Pengangkutan Awam to Kuala Terengganu Journey: 10 Hours Tel: +607-2245182, +607-2220045 Fare: RM28.60 (adult) / RM14.30 (child) from Singapore Depart daily (9:00am, 8:00pm, 9:00pm) Singapore (Lavender Street/ Kallang Bahru Junction) to Kuala TerengganuJourney: 11 Hours Tel: +65-62947035 Fare: RM51.90 (adult) / RM25.90 (child)

By Rail
There is no train or railway network to Terengganu at the moment.

By Ferry
The main jetty is at Merang, some 30 km north from Kuala Terengganu. From Merang, the trip to Pulau redang takes about 40 minutes on comfortable, large speedboats. There is no boat ticketing counter at Merang Jetty.

Accommodation and boating are all pre-arranged and on package deal only so Its best to book from Resort of Tour agency as all resort provide they own package deal from which may include diving surfing ,snorkeling ,kayaking and etc for the best package..

Advice its better to book early as some resort are to famous that they scenic room are book 5 or 8 month earliar. and sometime are booked till the next 2 or 3 year by some Rich Loyal customer.

As Terengganu also don’t Have enough hotel to accommodated the large influx of tourist each year. Ps:Beside that,we dont want the island to be over crowed do we?

Pulau Kapas

2006-05-04T08:33:00.002+08:00

Pulau Kapas.
Pulau Kapas or Kapas Island, An island famous for its clear waters, sandy white beaches and swaying coconut palms, it is relatively isolated. Home to an infinite variety of hard and soft corals, the waters around the island abound with seashells, fish and turtles and are famous place for bird watching.The island's laid back atmosphere is ideal for relaxation but the more adventurous will find it is also a haven for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing. Kapas has somehow become the refuge of those who refuse or could not join the Perhentian' crowd. The island is favourite with the local people in the very high season and the public holidays.

The island is just 4 nautical miles or only 6 KM in front of the Marang jetty and the fishing village of Marang. The nice little Kapas Island is visible from Marang jetty at all weather. The name “Kapas” or cotton came from its island which inherited the white powdery beaches which looked like 'kapas' or cotton . The Kapas island is a small island, with just over 2km long and 1km wide.

It's is an ideal place to break away from the busy hectic day. Kapas Island is about easy access, cheap, choices and plenty of accommodations available on the island for travellers to chose. Places, to stay ranging from camping sites to dormitory to island resorts with en suite facilities.

Here at the island you can find many small animal ,bird and reptiles.The Famous animal in Kapas Island is the famous song bird called “Murai Batu” or White-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus) . This song bird is reputed by most local as to has 23 different and equal beautiful melodies in its repertoire.

On the long stretches shallow water of island's western shore that u can snorkel . You can find many colourful reef and coral which extend out into the deep blue sea This area offer a lot for snorkelling and diving as the water here are warm and very green light blue water that are Crystal Clear but it advisable to wear a jacket is you are not a swimmer . During the low tide, some part of this shallow area can be a vast shallow area of just only a knee deep which is very dangerous. Don’t be temp to walk on any vast shallow water. (why? just read on)

The Variety of this little cotton island. has to offer to see are too many that Green ones who snorkel here may often find them self ,lose track and get trapped in shallow water during low tide which is quite dangerous .( Please Read The Article About The Danger of Walkable Shallow Water. in the Danger and safety precaution.)

The Kapas Island reef is a safe haven for abundance of beautiful marine life and coral. Which is blessing to most diver and snorkeler to find the such as unique parrotfish, Nemo, Yellow tang, angelfish, ray, Percula clownfish, sea snake, ells, giants clams, sea turtle and sea terrapin and other dangerous sea life like Fire Coral, Puffer fish, Sea Urchin, Starfish , Tiger fish, jelly fish , octopus (which sometime try to drown u by holding on you face) and the such.

Kapas Island is a good place for diving .as there are a lot of popular and favourite diving spot . A World War Two shipwreck located 5 nautical miles offshore is the key attraction to most of divers that frequent here as to photograph and gaze at the past . The popular and favourite diving spot for diver is the outer reefs on her seaward. The water of Kapas island also contains artificial reef of illegal fishing boat that been sunk here by the authority and private party to promote the developing of coral reef and also increase the fishing stock in Marang District

Only thing that never change on this island is the constant number of backpackers arriving and departing each day. May - August and the local holidays are the best times to go ,May till August is the squid jigging season, During this period of time you can go for squid jigging activities which can be arranged by any one of the local chalet here during the evening.

The boat operator who is on a Squid jigging “Candat Sotong” trip will rig his boat with many neon light or florescent tube around a few long pole stuck on both side of his ship Roof like a big Wing. The many light that illuminated the water, will attract squibs to gather in the shaded area under the boat. You can start your squib jigging by let your little jig drop into the water about 1 or 2 feet and start jerking the line about 3 of 4 time, then pulled it up a bit till you saw your jig and then letting go.these step are done repeatly .squib bite you jig when it fall and very sofly .it u felt you jig a bit heavy ,quickly give a gentle jerk, but don’t jerk with all your strength as you don’t want to see your friend in the boat to be attack by your flying inking squib,

Don’t be startle by the ink that been squirted out when you raise them out of the water as this is normal.

Like fish ,squib came in school,that if you saw that many people start catching this mean they are a school of squib under your boat,this is when your boat will have a fiasta of squib that u need to be quick on getting off the squib from the hook for the nex jigging before the school jet away. If the boat is very lucky, the boat’s ice container will be full of squib in 30 minute.

After your come back from your jigging trip you can have your fresh squib, BBQ or just Fried them or eat it raw like the local do.
I mine experience Makcik Gemuk Chalet is the best place to stay .
Getting there
From KL take a the daily flight offer by Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia to Kuala Terengganu Airport

Get a bus or a taxi (Rm 25.00) from Kuala Terengganu to Marang which is 10 km south. Then get off at the jetty.
There are plenty of boat operators at the jetty. Some of them take accommodation reservation or booking as well as snorkeling trip apart from boat ticket. You can book a room here or wait until you are on the island. the boat trip to the island takes 20 minutes.

Pulau Lang Tengah

2006-05-04T08:30:00.001+08:00

Pulau Lang Tengah

Two or Three year ago most of the traveller that came here to Pulau Lang Tengah are consisted of mostly German, Japanese and European, also some Australian and a few local. This is because most of the publicity of the island was done in overseas markets instead of the domestics as sadly to say this; but because many Rich Malaysian here are lack in awareness of their action toward the nature. This is quite evidence in Pulau Perhentian where u can find many of the coral near the shore are damage by they clumsy fin and standing on the coral and stupid boat operator. Perhentian island perhaps in 10 year time, soon will only be remember in picture like Rantau Abang,

Pulau Lang Tengah or Lang Tengah Island off the coast of Terengganu were hidden in
the shadow of its neighbours; Perhentian Island in the north and Redang Island in the south.
This pristine little island is one of the nation's well-kept secrets for almost five year. The Isle’s beautiful coral and its underwater secret were kept and share only with close friend.

Only true diver and most of the local dive master here and nature lovers knows of the secret of this tiny island as to kept it’s safe from ignorant people especially from the large majority of ignorant and big spending city dweller who only want to have fun but not really to amaze of what’s the nature have to offer. Most of these ignorant people came from KL, Penang and sadly, the Terengganu’s people its self.

The secret that are kept as long as possibly; were broken out too to many people in the past year, which in the end ended in sadly and joy. With the launching of subsequent resorts and last year by the launching and promotion by the state government to develop its economy and future, this tiny little island was put inside the tourism map as a new destinations and products for the tourism industry.

Sadly, to say many of greedy private agencies had started to see the gold value of this magnificent blue coral island.That these greedy agency now offer many , packages tours for the rich, with accommodation either in Pulau Perhentian or Pulau Redang. A lot of the boat operator hire by these private agency are not local and are irresponsible bunch , there just drop anchor near and some even drop anchor on top the coral as a convenient for rich tourist who stay at five star hotel in Redang or Perhentian ,hoping they will be given a large tip for they effort. (Shame on all of you for tip pings this kind of people. )

This has couse a lot of anger to many nature lover who had for long time had tried to protect its wonder. However, as compensation, the island is now a fully protected marine preserve. Where; any future construction on this island will be monitor and study closely of their impact toward the eco system and nature. and patrol boat patrolling its . However, I do not think they shall be any resort to be built here. Since the entire beach here had already been, resided

Today, more tourist and some Malaysian faces can bee seen on the island. But we are quite glad that, Some of the resort here are friend of the nature. Here you can find only room with only the basic accommodation of fan, hot water and some common room equip with TV and small karaoke room and some air conditions. Here the variety of food is modest with normal mixture of Western and Asian and local dishes offered .The island its self is less developed and the land and beaches is limited .Which is much as away of a deterrent against party headed tourist .

The less crowd on the island, an effort by the local resort have made the Blue coral sea and the rugged green hill  of Lang Tengah Island  a wonderful  and  pleasant  world and heaven for snorkelling ,diving and nature photographer .
The reefs here are very 'alive and untouched'. Even by snorkelling, ones can already see so many beautiful  soft and hard corals ,and fishes. Here you can find large area of  Blue Corals or Dark Purple Fan shaped which looks like a huge blue purplish taupe under the sea just laying underneath the shallow sea in front of the, Blue Coral Island Resort, which is the reason for the resort name.

The Pulau Lang Tengah, Here in Terengganu the bird; “Helang” or eagle are called “Lang” and Tengah means “Middle” as in the middle between Perhentian Island and Redang Island. The sea at Pulau Lang Tengah is the main road used by most fisherman since long time ago and still use today to go and return from the South China Sea. According to the local stories , the island was called Pulau Lang Tengah first by the Bugis and fishermen because they were a lot of ‘Lang’ can be seen in the area of the middle of the three island.

The first glimpse of the island and its tiny beach may make you think that you had been hag by your resort and your travel agency. this is quite true if you plan to just have fun and party  as the beach here are only as wide as volley ball court. Even the view here are not very scenic except for the dark green hill and some swaying coconut palm. But then it is quite a good setting for most book worm, This is how Mother nature protect Lang Tengah secret.

Decade ago many of the people that travel to this island were nature lover ,who came here to stroll along the small white sandy beach and bath under the sun for coveted golden tan and exploring the untouched tropical jungle in an island that they can claim as they own. While exploring the island shore, they were shocked and captivate by its secret. They later share its secret with close friend and they dive master, later it catch the imagining of some of the nature lover who was amaze with it. Later came the diver with their dive master, resort, the foreign, the newspaper and now the Travel agency

The crystal clear greenish blue shallow water, will simply captivate you when u see its under water secret.
The arresting beauty of the magnifecnt soft and hard coral and the bio-diversity of marine life is very splendid!! That it cannot be describe by word. If u want to know its under water secret its best you booked with the resort and stay there for 5 day.

Here you can go on a guide jungle treck which run up to some hills and beautiful bay. and maybe climbing up on the magnificent rugged rock formation along the coast where in the late evening you can see the many fishing fleet returing from their modest catch of the day.

Getting Here:
By Air :Malaysia Airline System (MAS) & AirAsia operates services direct from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu. The flight takes about 45 minutes. Taxi service is easily available from Kuala Terengganu to Merang jetty.
By Road : Express buses and outstation taxis offer regular services from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu. The trip takes about 7 hours.
There are many buses, coaches and taxis commuting between Kuala Terengganu town and Merang Jetty.
Public Transportfrom Kuala Lumpur

Destination     Day     ETD / ETA     Fare
Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Terengganu      Daily     2245 / 0645* next day     RM26
Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Terengganu      Daily     2330 / 0730* next day     RM26
Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Terengganu     Daily     2000 / 0400* next day     RM26
Kuala Terengganu / Kuala Lumpur     Daily     1100 / 1900      RM28
Kuala Terengganu / Kuala Lumpur     Daily     2200 / 0600* next day     RM28

from PenangDepart daily at night from KOMTAR or Butterworth stations to Kuala Terengganu. Journey: 8 Hoursfrom Johor BahruDepart daily (10:00am, 9:00pm, 9:30pm, 10:00pm) Larkin Station / Hentian Kompleks Pengangkutan Awam to Kuala TerengganuJourney: 10 Hours Tel: +607-2245182, +607-2220045 Fare: RM28.60 (adult) / RM14.30 (child) from SingaporeDepart daily (9:00am, 8:00pm, 9:00pm) Singapore (Lavender Street/ Kallang Bahru Junction) to Kuala TerengganuJourney: 11 Hours Tel: +65-62947035 Fare: RM51.90 (adult) / RM25.90 (child)

Pulau Perhentian

2006-05-04T08:15:00.001+08:00

Pulau Perhentian .
.
The two Perhentian Islands, Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar are two of the most beautiful islands in the world…a virtual paradise and haven for snorkelling and diving and also a haven for those who doesn’t want or for those who were almost pelt to Deaf by the incessant crazy techno beats being belted out from every Thai island.

Believe me that your first glimpses of the Perhentian islands will be pretty breath- taking (make sure you ready your camera first)

Perhentian Islands can be located 25 km from the coast of Kuala Besut in the South China Sea. It consists of two islands, Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Both islands, which have white-lined shores, and are surrounded by beautiful coconut palm, which fringe the island’s white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise-blue sea.

Making trip to this lush and exotic tropical island is a must for all underwater photographers and nature lovers and a haven of virtual paradise for those who enjoy swimming, scuba and snorkelling, skin diving, Underwater diving, deep sea fishing, wind surfing, sailing, boating and kayaking .

“A lot of people especially tourist misunderstand that these two islands fall within the governance of Kelantan.... all because it is located at far northern of Terengganu and near the neighbouring state, Kelantan. Making its worst further more, the accessible point is through the jetty in Kuala Besut, a small Terengganu fishing village but with a lot of Kelantanese culture, therefore many people actually thought that they are in Kelantan as what more is that all of the people here speak only the Kelantaness malay dialect...sigh!!”

In those days during the old time ,The “Perhentian” or “Stopping post”they are called because of the role they played as a post for traders and fisherman from Siam and local (Today’s Thailand).Because they are only two island and are different size in the area, the people called its Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil ,where the “Besar” and “Kecil” stand for Big and Small to different which is which.

Both the“Perhentian” islands are separated by a very small and narrow strait that contain the most crystal clear water at the island. But!! beware as the current is quite strong and no swimming and Kayaking are allow!! There are a lot of different between those two islands. Perhentian Besar is more of a vocational island whereas the small one is an island with the mixture of vacation mood and with local lifestyle due to Kampung Pasir Hantu a fishing village which is resided by more than 2300 villagers with completed basic facilities and also resorts and chalet and bungalow guesthouses.

The home here are randomly distributed in Kampungn Pasir Hantu. All the house in this Kampung remain in their original plain wooden colour without colourful paint ,except for the white and blue marine police station, Red and Yellow Klinic ,assembly hall and the school. because the clear blue sea and sky and also the palm trees are the best contrast and complementary.
All the bungalows/chalets that are on Pulau Perhentian Kecil are not on the beach! Here you can find convenience shops, local coffee shops also souvenir shops and soon a cyber café and etc. in the village. There are a lot of T-shirt, caps and batiks hanging and flapping by the breeze outside the shop and coconut trees waving in the wind Here you can find tourists who do not go out for snorkelling or diving will hang around here in the village or lay in their hummock.

It will be a waste if you come to Perhentians without paying a visit or have a glimpse to its abundance marine life. There are a lot of good diving or snorkeling points around Perhentian Kecil: like D’Lagoon, Gua Kambing, Panglima Abu, Batu Nisan, Tanjung Butung and etc which you can find a lot of Colourful crown fish, angle fish, shark, Christmas tree, Deer Horn Coral, Sea cucumber, sea urchin, squib, turtle and more

…..Colourful marine life in all shapes and size which will be fascinating the underwater world.

The crazy squire at action

The interior of Perhentian Kecil are surrounded by flourishing tropical rainforest with a wide variety of wild life especially the wild and Crazy Chip and Dale“Tupai” or squire who will steal and eats your lunch under your own very plated which will make many delight in your lazy day.

Here you can jouney on a long trekking or a short and simple one. The Trails break into several parts. along the track. There are flora and fauna and also some wild Crazy Chip and Dale .monitor lizards, monkeys, geckos, flying squirrels, butterflies and many other types of animals in the jungle- sometimes right in front of your chalet that might impress or bring you much surprises.

The track start at Pasir Panjang and head to Aur Bay at the west side which takes only about 10 minutes. Then if your are not satisfy and want to go further from just Aur Bay .Head down to beaches in front of a local run chalet, called Mira Chalet to a trail connecting Mira Chalet with the fishing village. This part of trekking involves some climbing up and takes nearly 1 hour for you to reach Kampung Pasir Hantu and 1 hour back or if you are tired you can always look for a boat to give you a lift back.

There are rocky caves hills in the jungle which attract swallows to build their nest in this area which also bring some side income to the villagers who collect the precious bird nest from the caves. The bird nest collected here is just enough to serve the local market which is the resort.

Other than several recently built resorts, the rest of the guesthouses are in small scale with only basic facilities that stretch along the beach.
Perhentian Besar has longer and wider beaches and finer sand than Perhentian Kecil. Most of the beaches are distributed to its western and south eastern side, Teluk Pauh, Pasir Panjang, and Teluk Dalam are the most famous and popular beaches here..

Though accommodation is distributed over the beaches, Perhentian Besar is still covered by a lush rainforest. To the end of the beaches, you can find coconut palm in the white fine sandy beach and the crystal blue sea.
The island is gifted with turquoise water and many colourful fish, Standing in knee deep water u can witness many colourful fish swimming around your legs and little shark which sometime NIBBLE YOU TOE!! and small baby ray which may make u heart jump if you step on them :P.

To the south of the island where there is a beach separated by rocky edges. You can always find fantastic and colourful coral near the rock.If you want to snorkel there please bring a companion and stay far away and pay more attention when you swim near to the rock as the strong wave here can crash you to the sharp rock .

There are a number of trails leading from one beach to the next overland. you can choose to take the jungle trail. Anyway, all the treks are clearly marked.

The jetty at Teluk Puah, near the entrance of Perhentian Island Resort is an ideal place to go if you want something different than to lay on the lazy chair listen to waves and watching the stars in evening. Here during the evening time, the jetty light attract many squib that u can join in with other tourist and local at the jetty in“candat sotong”or “Jigging for Squib“to fish for squib” as all you need is just a line or a small rope with a hook or a pin and then u can go and BBQ your catch.(pls refer to Pulau Kapas). Sometime there are small metal or rattan cages or “BuBu” in the water with blue sea crabs inside. The BuBu is simple traditional trap set by the islander to catch crab.

The jetty is an ideal place to go if you want more than just laying on the resort lazy chair listening to the crashing waves and watching the evening star

Getting there

First, you must arrive at Kuala Besut for you to take a boat to the islands. To get to Kuala Besut, you can arrive from Kelantan or Kuala Terengganu. If you come from Kuala Terengganu, take a bus or taxi to Jerteh then another to Kuala Besut, or a direct bus to Kuala Besut. The journey will take nearly one and half hour.

Alternately, you can choose to start from Kota Bharu. You can either take a taxi ride or take a bus (leaves every 30 minutes) to Pasir Puteh and then another bus to Besut. Overall, the journey by taxi will take about one hour from Kota Bahru to Besut.

There are direct buses from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut which take about 9 hours.Or Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu Aiport (35 minutes) from then on take a airport taxi to the Taxi terminal(25 - 50 minutes of congest Traffic) or Bus terminal(35-45 minutes) and looked for ride to Kuala Besut..

Journey to the islands takes about 30 to 45 minutes by speed boat and one and half hours by slow boat. There are a number of boat operators in Kuala Besut offering boat services to Perhentian Island. The return boat ticket cost RM60.00 per person for speed boat and RM40.00 per person .

Make sure to put heaps of sunscreen and a big thick book for company. The journey are relatively stress-free, Except the bus ride from KL to Kuala Besut, and a 30 min boat ride (fast boat, expect to pay more than the 1 hour slow boat) to Perhentian Kecil..

Warning :

Don't Wear Sunblock and Cream while Diving.This is becouse ,the chemical that are emitted from the Sunblock can kill THE CORAL and other MARINE life.

Please Help Save The Coral!

Spread The Word!!

Pulau Duyung

2006-05-04T05:57:00.001+08:00

Pulau Duyung

Pulau Duyung or Mermaid Island are consist of Pulau Duyung Besar (big) and Pulau Duyung Kecil (small) this island ....,actually not really an island instead both are two peninsular that extends from the mainland and river towards the sea. Its Pulau Duyung Besar is the home and the most famous place to find the Finest, The Busiest, The most acclaimed master boat makers and The Oldest Traditional Boat Making in Malaysia and soon will be an international tourist destination.

Pulau Duyung which is only a few hectares big, sits between The Sultan Mahmud Bridge and Kuala Sungai Terengganu (Sungai Terengganu’s river mouth). Making its easily assessable by road or river.
This old-fashioned and laid-back little island can be visit on any time of the year. Among the last cache of Traditional boat maker that produce wooden sailing boat is Abdullah bin muda, a master yacht craftsman who is known and sought after by many sailing enthusiasts who have heard about his skills within the international sailing community over the world. Abdullah’s handcrafted yachts are very popular around the world that he received many orders that came from Singapore, Canada, Algeria, Australia, the United States, and Denmark, Britain, New Zealand, Italy, France and much more since his first overseas sales in 1965.

Abdullah’s handcrafted yachts or Custom Made Wooden Yachts are quite famous and remarkable as all the design of the boat are from his imagination. All the boat and yachts of the boats are dovetailed and pegged rather than nailed. All he need from his client is what do they want or characteristics of the boat on the spot that he can just simply draw out the remarkable design to his client in just minute that fist timer will be flabbergasted by his imagination right on the spot. Abdullah’s workshop which sits on a very scenic spot of Sungai Terengganu is one of the state’s most popular tourist haunts, especially for foreigners who arrive by the vanload, if not busload the workshop is located in the heart of the village in a traditional Malay house.

At Abdullah’s workshop many tourist can see how good and skill he and his skilled apprentice is at work. Which usually leave most people shock and baffle seeing how they chisel away, hacking and saw ling the wood with out even drawing or looking at any plan? They simple and languidly took the wood and start chopping and sawing straight away without the slightest or though of making any mistake.

Another reason which made him famous and much respected by many people is his loves of making boat, his modesty, this can bee seen with his modest bungalow which is just a stone throw from his workshop even thought many of the vessel that are build by his works shop are value over a quarter million US Dollar. He is a man who keeps his promise that even if the other party go back on their word and he has a philosophy is that “as long as there is no order from the owner to abort the deal, the agreement stays and the vessel will remain here.” and most importantly his laid back and honesty when dealing with boats most people cant believe that with his much sought skill and ten of million dollar worth of project in five decade his custom made yachts and boat making fee are relatively cheat except for the material. Which make him still a poor man that even thief will simply looked away from his house.

Anyone who wish to hire him had to be patient to get his order as Pakcik Abdullah doesn’t have a dead line on when to finish the order as he take extreme care and pride in making his boat that it may need a year or two to finish. The result are remunerable as most of the new owner will be awe in amazement of his job . Last year’s Monsonn Cup had cause his name more famous and had bring an order worth 5 million US dollar worth of nailess vessel and yacht and other sailing boat.

The Annual Monsoon Cup
Beside of the traditional boat making industry Pulau Duyung are also famous for its salted fish and fish cracker industry at Pulau Duyung you will find many fish are salted and than put under the sun for 4 or 5 day until it is dried.

Ok...Back to business... beside this, there is another attraction here. Which is the International Sailing Championship, the Monsoon Cup. The Moonsun Cup was the idea of The Prime Minister Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was here at Terengganu to congratulate Terengganu’s BARISAN NATIONAL for winning the election and took back the turtle state from the Pas party. During his sigh seeing in KT. The tour stop at the middle of the Sultan Mahmud Bridge to view the city’s waterfront, our Prime Minister. “Pak Lah” (as were usually called before he was elected as the fifth PM of Malaysia) suggest that the waterfront should be developed as an international stage or venue for sailing as he view the Pulau Duyung bay are suitable for sailing.

After that day Wan Hisham the chaiman of the state development of infrastructure , public amities and comuniction was chosen to change Pulau Duyung Bay into an International Sailing Venue ae The Monsoon Cup and the state company T-Best Event Sdn Bhd was form to run the event.

Last year they were a dramatic change at Pulau Duyung (as seen in ESPN on December 2005 During the live telecast of the Monsoon Cup). The state Gov decide and had built Heritage Bay Chalet, 5 star resort with swimming pool and much more . 60 unit were build during the first phase and another 60 more are currently been built to provide accommodation to tourist who want to stay at the calm Pulau Duyung and during the annual Monsoon Cup (Check the event Calendar) and 120 unit of 3 flour apartment was also build last year for rent .

Rm 60 million was spent on just to developed Pulau Duyung and its marina. The other development project that the state Gov also plan are the project to developed and establish an fishermen port, a playground garden ,shop and other building on a 30 hectares wide area.

The first Monsoon Cup was held in December 2005. But strangely.... last year the fierce monsoon season that usually strike from Octobers didn’t happen....?( still we were happy because we got to see many famous people like actor, singer and sport stat like Ferari team, Michele Yeoh, Jacky Chan and much more.It was like a festival and all suddenly Terengganu was on the world map and many dignitary from here and abroad was here at the small city of Kuala Terengganu.

To get here
To get here is very simple you can use the Sultan Mahmud bridge and take the Pulau Duyung exit in the middle of the span. From there, ask for directions to the “boat builder’s place” and walks there. You can even take a river boat ride from Pasar Payang or at the small jetty that lay just next to Hotel Seri Malaysia in Kampung Cina which both are use mostly by farmer and local to unload they produce from farm to sell here and going to Seberang Takir for Keropok Lekor and its seafood. The short ride should cost about 70 sen per person. And most importantly work at the workshop ceases by 4.30pm and it’s closed on Fridays. Pakcik Abdullah can be reached at 09-631 5072.

Accommodation
For accommodation, u can stay at a small sea facing Chalet for as low as Rm 20 per night in Pulau Duyung Besar or 3 star Hotel Sri Malaysia in Kampung Cina or 5 star Heritage Bay Chalet or u could rent the 3 storey apartment for a whole year. Both chalet blends perfectly into the village or Kampung life, that u may think that the chalet are your house that you can mingle with the local folks who sit down on small pondok drinking ‘kopi” as is u are staying with the local. The stay here will be quite remunerable. To get here you need to get to Uncle Awi yellow house. His house can be easily find but if you get lost. Uncle Awi are well know by the villager and some town folks .You can ask any of the local kid for “Rumah Awi” and they will direct you to his house. Heritage Bay Chalet can bee seen from a far which a swimming poll in the middle.

Beside the scenic spot the chalet is quite remunerable as next to Awi’s place, live Hasim who was a former sea crew and sailor who one work in the international water with various ship. Here you can find and buy and see how he made the many handcraft Wooden model of many old trading boat, Junk and many more which once strive the water of Terengganu ,Malaysia and the great South China Sea.

At Pulau Duyung also you can find an old istana called Istana Kota Lama, Pulau Duyung. Which had recently been open to the public after the timber palace was restore by a group of historical NGO foundation.

For reading about Pulau Duyung you can go to

http://allmalaysia.info/news/story.asp?file=/2003 /travel/islands/icboat

Malaysia's Longest Exotic Beach

2006-04-26T05:26:00.000+08:00

The Longest Exotic Beach in Malaysia and its beaches

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       Streching more that 244 kilometre the Terengganu Coastline is The Longest Exotic Beach in Malaysia also knows as Malaysia’s longest playground in the sun.
         Beachcombers and sunworshippers alike will find the Terengganu coastline to be one never-ending giant playground with the longest sandy coastline in the country.Terengganu offer an amazing collection of beaches that revealboth secluded palm fringed coves abd popular beachfront

              The state of Terengganu, on the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia, is famous for its long stretch of white sandy and unpolluted beaches that span 244 kilometers from the northern district of Besut to the southern district of Kemaman. Which is The Longest Exotic Beach in Malaysia also knows as Malaysia’s longest playground in the sun.
Facing the South China Sea, the amazing collection of beaches that reveal both secluded palm fringed coves and popular beachfront beaches are breathtaking and its offshore islands enchanting. A haven for those seeking a good time in the sun, sand and sea.

All these amazing beach are easily accessible via the scenic costal highway that even me and some tourist can’t resist the temptation to stop by the way to gave at the golden sunrise or have a picnic , Fishing. or buying the Famous Terengganu ‘s Delicacies  The “Keropok Lekor”,The aroma of the famous “Otak-Otak” and othe malay delecasie that can be found almost all place in the city or throughout the coastal highway.
          You can ask you tour guide or taxi to stop to buy these delicacy while traving by tour bus or taxi around Terengganu as all of them know where to find the best place for all famous delicacy.

Nur Nadhirah Palace

2006-04-26T04:25:00.002+08:00

Nur Nadhirah Palace

This palace was erected in the 1920s after the signing of the Agreement between Terengganu and Great Britain in 1919, under which the Terengganu Government was to provide official accommodation to the British Advisor.
The palace became the residence of Governor Shuchiji Kakha (Shu Chokan Kakha) when Terengganu was under the Japanese regime, and of the Thai Governor while under Siamese rule.
It was then the abode of the British Advisor since after World War Two until December 1956.
When the country achieved independence from the British, the palace became the official dwelling of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Terengganu, the current Sultan of Terengganu.

The Palace was given the name Nur Nadhirah in 1998.

Istana Badariah

2006-04-23T23:44:00.001+08:00

Istana Badariah

Istana Badariah

Works in the building of Badariah Palace first started at 8.00 a.m. on Monday, 22nd January 1940 (12th Zulhijjah 1358 H.). Built on a piece of land at Lot 41, Padang Seri Negara Mukim Batu Buruk, the palace ground measures some 41.844 acres or 16.933 hectares in area.
The palace was first erected in the era of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah (1920-1942), the 13th Sultan of Terengganu. Unfortunately, due to his untimely death, the Sultan did not manage to occupy the new palace. His body was, however, conducted from this palace on the way to his final resting-place.

The palace was made Renca-Consol during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Badariah Palace then became official residence to the 14th Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (1945-1979). Sultan Ismail breathed his last in the palace, and his body was escorted in a royal procession from here to the Royal Cemetery at the Zainal Abidin Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.
Badariah Palace also became the official residence of Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, the 15th Sultan of Terengganu, in whose era a number of renovations were made to the palace.

The interesting and beautiful structural designs on display at the palace have now become national and state heritage, and a source of pride to the Terengganu people.
Royal occasions and greetings for important State visitors are now frequently held at this palace.

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang

2006-04-23T14:49:00.001+08:00

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang

Pasar Payang is a must-visit especially for the first-time visitors to this Sea turtle state (Negeri Penyu). Located just a few minutes walk north along the pier from the inter-city bus station and Located just by the Sungai Terengganu (Terengganu River).

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang (Payang ‘s Big Market Shop) or Pasar Payang in short (also known as Central Market) is the lifeline of KT. Located by the Terengganu River, it is one of the most popular tourist spots in KT, not only for shopping but also to have a taste of life in KT. It is also close to the Shabandar jetty, making it ideal for a short stop en route to the islands off the coast.
The Pasar Payang is housed in 2 storeys building consisting of a wet market and a shopping arcade, it offers visitors a variety of items to purchase - from grocery items such as such fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, "keropok lekor" etc to traditional products and souveniers like batik, brassware, brocade and songket. Visitors to this market will have a delightful experience shopping in local fares at reasonable prices.

Pasar Payang serves as both a wet market as well as a trade centre for the local community. There is a festive air as you approach the entrance of the market, with makeshift stalls lining the path, displaying trinkets of all kinds. In their loudest voice, these peddlers will impress you with the alleged magical powers of the amulets, the potency of their traditional medicines, or the quality of their precious stones.
On the ground floor, trading stalls are covered with fresh fish, meats and vegetables of all colour, many manned by kindly-faced old ladies, ever smiling, inviting you to their wares.

The Malayan Medical Green or Ulam

This is where you'll find the familiar lettuce and tomatoes and the unfamiliar and sometimes out of the ordinary like the “Durian”The King of Fruit (indigenous prickly-skinned durian that emit a pungent scent. But delicious and if u over eat more that 4 or 5 durian .... i can guaranteed that your air-cond room will be like a boiler room.( See Wiki for Durian) . Instead of, here you'll find a whole range of traditional greens Call "Ulam" Ranging from– pegaga, ulam raja, petai (Very strong pungent smell) – normally eaten raw and and cooked with chilli and are seldom found at conventional urban grocers. Each of these vegetables are certified to possess medicinal properties, which can keep check almost every ailment there is. Peria is good for kidney ailments, pegaga for high blood pressure. You can get fresh produce of local delicacies such as the 'keropok lekor', made of grounded fish and flour, and 'serunding', the spicy flavoursome meat floss.

Two of the many Beautiful Batik and Songket Shop at the Market

Terengganu is also known for its thriving batik industry. Some of the best batik and songket in Malaysia is hand made in Terengganu and a vast choice of this traditional textile can be purchased on the first floor of the Pasar Payang. A wide range of colourful silk handkerchiefs, batik shirts, scarves and kaftans are on display for you to choose from. A wide array of souvenirs. Silk garments, rattan baskets, brassware items and farmers’ hats are also popular items on sale here. Be sure to bargain for the best price when you're buying.

The Local Trishaw that can be found at the Pasar Payang-the best way to see the city

The History of the Marketplace in Terengganu

N.B or nota bene:
Arcording to the history ,the town Kuala Terengganu had once had two big famous market; One is the “Pasar Tanjung” (Foreland Market) ,which is also known by the local as “Pasar Kedai Hilir” (Down River Market Shop) and the other one is called “Pasar Payang” (Payang is a traditional large fishing net which is suit and pull by the Perahu Payang). The marketplace was call Pasar Payang because of one of the Terengganu trademark;the famous traditional “Perahu Payang” which can only be found in Terengganu and was once the most popular boat use by the traditional fisherman.

Well...actually, before the two big marketplace, there had already exist one large market; which is called Pasar Kampung Laut (Market of the Sea Village), situated near Kampung Bemban (which once famous for its many colourful Bemban basket) and Kampung Nesan Empat or” Village of Four Headstone,” Kuala terengganu

N.B (Bemban plant “Donas arundastrum”--> {use google image} .its trunk are use in the traditional bemban basket – N.B: no body makes the bemban basket anymore and finding ones at Pasar Payang are pure luck!

Between the two market, Pasar Besar Tanjung had the most seller and peddler which run their business every day. During those time almost all the seller there are Malay and while the rest are Indian who sells large variety of spice, herbs and also some household item.

Like Pasar Payang they are many thing that are sold that its can be said that however small or big the thing needed and till whatever things that are wanted by customer can be found here. The Pasar are consisted of two large building on the western side of the road. Both of them are wall-lest, Where the highest building are the place where cow ,deer ,water buffalo and other meat are sold while the eastside building are specialise for fishmonger. While the ground area near the beach around the building were given to the peddler.

While on the south till north can be found a long role of shop where each space is 300 foot are café and shop selling textile, gold and silversmith and all thing incuding bizarre thing.

On the north west of the pasar.there are a vast “tanjung” (foreland) which near the corner of the “Sungai” (river) Kuala (water mouth) Terengganu. When the tide come in river will overflow to the bay flooding the peddler area. This place are are called Kampung Tanjung Pantai Teluk (Village of Foreland Beach Bay).

Kampung Tanjung Pantai Teluk was once known; for its cottage industry in the production of Atap Nipah , Gulung Daun Nipah, Pasar Sasak and Dinding Pelupuh.

N.B :
Atap Nipah
-roof made of Nipa fruticans leaf.

Gulung Daun Nipah “role Nipah leaf”
-use as traditional cigarette; where role Nipah leaf are unrolled and role again together with tobacco.

Pasar Sasak
- traditional nail which are made of wood.

Dinding Pelupuh
- bamboo that are hit until flatten by thick wood like a club to make wall in traditional house.

The river here are the economy and the life line of many people. Once from morning till 3 o’clock in the afternoon, many “Perahu” and fisherman boat can be seen here “parking” by the beach or in the bay. The perahu are used by villager who live out of town to buy or bring and sell they product at Pasar Besar Tanjung. While fishermen boat came here to send they catch to the fish monger.

“Perahu”
- a wooden boat which is usually wide only 1-1.5 meter and length 3 - 7 meter.

Every day when the time strike exactly 5 o’clock in the afternoon the area around Pasar Besar Tanjung will be full with team of peddler and seller selling all kind of delicacy, food and 1001 thing can be found here.When the night come the area would look like a fiasta with many long line “Pelita” kerosene lamp can bee seen lining up from both side of the lane at Pasar Tanjung. Business are done till the peddler go home at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning.
Aproching the 60’s ,the Pasar Payang Kuala Terengganu were modify and enlarge. All the old buiding here were replace with new stone building (like in the picture).After finish rebuilding the Pasar Payang. Many peddler, seller and shop owner either from Pasar Tanjung or the old one moved to the new Pasar Payang.

The Fate of Pasar Tanjung
During the late 70’s,the ground of the Pasar Tanjung become quite and deserted after the government order all the seller to moved to Pasar Payang which were renamed Pasar Besar(big) Payang.like the malay proverb “setiap yang patah akan tumbuh,dan yang hilang akan berganti ”which mean Every that are broken wil grow,and those which is missing will be replace”....... The ground at the former Pasar Tanjung were clean up, and made in to a “taman” or garden and the building are replace with long role of shop and café selling food and drink. This area was later officiated and renamed “Taman Selera Tanjung” or popularly known as TST by the local. The names Taman Selera Tanjung are very amusing when translated in to English (Foreland’s Appetite Garden)

When I was a kid I used to frequent this place with my family after finish shopping at the super (The Store and sometime at Hock Kee Seng)

But TST didn’t last long, because I still remember seeing the erosion around the Garden which is cause by the wave at the river mouth. Resulted by that... a new buiding which is 4 storey high were build to replace the TST which fell succumbed to the wave and was officiated in the year 1990 by Yang Amat Berhormat (The Most Honourable) ,Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed who was then the fourth Great Prime Minister of Malaysia. The building were later renamed Kompleks Taman Selera Tanjung. The ground are at the right side of the complex were made into a night market or Pasar Malam Tanjung ,where from 5pm onward will be fill with many hawker until 12 or 1 am.

Like the history repeating it self. In 1998 The Kompleks Taman Selera Tanjung was sold and modified by the new owner into a Small Super called ASTAKA SHOOPING COMPLEX. Selling all kind of tin stuff and groceries that u normally see. Here inside Astaka u will find a fast food restaurant, cake shop, phone shop etc... ,this is one of the place u can stock up some cheap wine and cheap beer before your next trip to the island as alcohol are hard to find unless your are at a Chinese restaurant.

The Closing of Pasar Malam Tanjung and its blessing
At the year 1995, The Pasar Malam Tanjung were closed down to made way for a small bus express terminal and office (December 1995) and still remain with small cubicle ticketing office as it is today 2006 . This small terminal is the place where u will arrive if u take any bus express to Kuala Terengganu. Here u can find a buiding with 4 toilet!!? and other public amities like public phone .

After 10 year, this shabby building still sell bus ticket to all major city in Malaysia. Is quite a sore in the eyes and are pathetic and embarrassment to Terengganu State .It is quite pathetic seeing a 20M by 3M long wooden squire box with small 1m wide counter or 1 x 2m cubicle selling ticket to the other major city and some mega city like Kuala Lumpur ,Shah Alam and Johor Bharu and 3 metre wide roof .There only 18 small long chair which can accommodated only around 80 people ..while there are at lest 9 or 13, 40’s seater air conditioning bus express departing every hour to other major city in Malaysia which ...is.. my god what and accommodation they got!! still with all its crazyness was compensated with its precise time and scheduled for bus to arrive and depart. and a small super called The ASTAKA SHOPPING COMPLEX just about 8 metre from the terminal ticketing both. When its rain you can run to the small Super if you are not afraid to miss your bus.(this happen a lot to many non local who loiter to long at the ASTAKA that they miss they scheduled time :P )

N.B:
Just infront of the small terminal at the cross road, u can see a very popular but “STUPID” Chinese restaurant. Why Stupid you ask? because the owner are greed and reckless for other people safety. They modified and enlarge they shop with 1.5 meter high pavement to put they extra table till its reach the bloody road. If you are riding a Proton Wira, you will need to up your car into the main road about almost 2 meter something, just to see whether you can corner into the main road as the table and the customer block your view. Which is very dangerous if the incoming car speed on and don’t know there are a road next to the @#$$%& restaurant.. What irritated me and most motorist is that is the little @#$%^& cute teddy customer who smile at you and than while you about to corner they will pour carbonated, juice and etc drinks and food on your car.. chou !@#$%^&&*..... I don’t recommend anyone eating there at all.

Quest for Reader!!

Thing to find with google image

- Nipa fruticans - Atap Nipah - Gulung Daun Nipah - Pasar Sasak -Dinding Pelupuh.
- Perahu- Dr Mahathir- ASTAKA SHOOPING COMPLEX-Perahu Payang-

new paper article about Pasar Payang.

http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/Shopping/
20050425130534/Article/index_html

Laman Istana Maziah

2006-04-23T14:35:00.002+08:00

Laman Istana Maziah

Laman Istana Maziah or Courtyard of Maziah Palace is a small park outside the compound of the Istana Maziah.The only thing that divide the palace and this beautiful park is the fence which fence the perimeter of the Maziah Palace.

The courtyard of Istana Maziah is open to the public by the permission of the Sultan of Terengganu as a gift to all his people and all visitor for leisurely walk around the palace compound and a place to spend some time with family after hour of working.

The Laman Istana Maziah is very popular by the city folks to bring they family here for walks and some photo session in the afternoons including filming. Beside the local this place is also the most popular tourist spot in Terengganu. Tourist and traveller will stop here to see and gave at the unique architecture of the Istana Maziah and also to rest here after visiting the town are of Kuala Terengganu before visiting the Kubu Bukit Puteri (Bukit Puteri Fort) and Bukit Puteri Lighthouse which lies on top of Puteri hill. (a small fort that was build during civil war in Terengganu in 1830s) and the Lighthouse can be see on the up most righ corner of this picture.

Within the park, there are many small tree and flower that are plant here. In the early morning, the air at the ground will be fill with soft flowering scent. Here in the park, you can find unique colourful walking pavement, which had built for the conveniences of many visitor including physically challenge people to easily mobiles around the small park.
There is also a small marquee and a Tepak Sirih monument which is built to greet the visitor to the small park.. As tepak sirih (a small gold/brass tray used to keep betel nut leaves and its condiments) is a common welcoming symbol in Malay culture where since the early malay cillvisation the tepak sirih are use to serve the betel nut leaves , the monument is no doubt a sign of welcome to all visitors of the palace's park.

2006-04-23T14:35:00.001+08:00

Terengganu Tourism Map

plese use the Upper ones since the down one since to be Not working

here the map that i map which refer to real road and places

Istana Maziah

2006-04-23T06:37:00.001+08:00

Istana Maziah (Maziah Palace)

Istana Maziah

Istana Maziah (Maziah Palace) is symbol of honour of the institution of Terengganu’s sultanate.
This magnificent palace is located at the foot of Bukit Puteri in the heart of KT town, and is just 220 meter from the water teeth of river/ Sungai Kuala Terengganu. The palace and mainly used today as the venue for state official functions, such as installation or coronation of The throne of Terengganu , commemoration of the sultan’s royal birthdays, royal weddings, conferment of titles and receptions for important local and foreign dignitaries

To dated they have been clashed about the exact dated of the contruction of Istana Maziah. Acording to the note by Engku Pengiran Anum, the foundation stone of Istana Maziah was laid and strted on Friday ,10:00 am,dated 31 May 1895 ( 7 Zulhijjah 1312 ) during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III ( 1881-1918 ). While the note Dato’ Seri Amar Diraja Haji Ngah Muhammad bin Yusof stated that the palace was built on the year 1897.

Istana Maziah was built to replace Istana Hijau (Green Palace) which was destroyed by fire. Istana Hijau have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Omar (Baginda Omar ) on 10 March 1870 ( 7 Zulhijjah 1286 ).

The figure that had been given the responsibility of building the Istana Maziah and elected as the project manager and engineer was Tengku Chik Abu Bakar bin Tengku Abdul Jalil. He is an in law cousin to Sultan Zainal Abidin III. There were also several figure which help in the building of the Istana. Those are Engku Besar Paduka Raja Sayyid Abdullah bin Zin Al-Idrus, Encik Muhammad bin Abdul Rahim and Dato’ Mata-Mata whom was responsible together for finishing the building plan,the building of the castle ,and decorating the inside of the Istana. Most of the wood that are use in the building of the palace came from Dungun which was taken care by Tengku Panglima Besar Tengku Muda Kechik.While the stone and lime for the contruction was manage by Tengku Besar Paduka Indera

Architecturally, this brown colour 2 storeys palace is a blend of modern and traditional architecture with its tall shuttered windows that resembles a French chateau. About 20 Malay and Chinese labour who are skill worker with long year of skilful in art , wood craft, carpenter and more were involved in the building of Istana Maziah. The ingredient that are use in building the of the palace was a mixture of lime, clay, salt, eggs white and honey.

Because of the constant refrain by the lack of fund the palace constructions was many time delay but finally the conduction was finish and a “upacara naik istana” a celebration marking the sultanate moving into the new palace was held on 7 august 1903 ( 14 Jamadil Awal 1312 ).

The palace itself are one of the main attraction at the city. The palace are beautiful that many tourist came here to take picture of the palace

Here u find Dataran Maziah which is located infront of the Istana Maziah .Dataran Maziah is a mini-park which are beautifully adorned with landscapes of shrubs, trees and paved walkways. In the centre of the park, stands an impressive replica of Betel Chewing an instruments such as Gobek Sireh and Kacip Pinang or usualy call Tepak Sirih.Tepak symbolising the culture and traditions of the state. This is however not a place where you can just walk in and take a photo Istana Maziah and Bukit Puteri

Masjid Tengku Zaharah

2006-04-23T06:28:00.001+08:00

The Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah

The Floating Mosque of The East

The Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah (Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque) which is situated about 4Km from Kuala Terengganu Centre, is built on a floating platform and is also known as the "The Floating Mosque of the East" due to its unique design that creates an illusion of itself as floating on water. This magnificent and unique Mosque are named after one of the matriarch in the Terengganu Royal house, the mosque are in perfect harmony with the natural ,was touched and designed by YM Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Shah, a very well known Malaysian architect who himself a Prince coming from the Terengganu royal house.

The Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque cleverly infuses Terengganu‘s traditional Malay architecture with modern design, which symbolizes the mordernisation and urbanisation of Terengganu.The pristine white plain and unadorned the mosque is unpretentious architectural stament yet bold and strong in the same time are undoubt fully the most recognisable landmark for Kuala Terengganu and the state of Terengganu itself.

It is located in the outskirts of Kuala Terengganu, It is build on a lagoon by the mouth of Sungai Ibai that cleverly gives an illusion that it is floating on the water - the first ever of its kind in Malaysia before similar concept was adopted by Masjid Putra in Putrajaya. At night, the floating affect of the mosque looks even more interesting as the mosque will be brightly lighted and you can see its reflection on the water. Just like any other mosques, the mosque and its surrounding area is open to all. However, as usual proper attires are required especially if you plan to have a look inside the mosque - dress conservatively, no shorts, mini skirts or sleeveless. Avoid also visit during prayer times especially on Friday afternoons from noon till 3.00pm. Try visiting this mosque during the the evening when the setting sun shines on the mosque creating a lovely hue and scenic.
Sungai Ibai, Kuala Terengganu.
Directions: At a lagoon on the mouth of Sungai Ibai, about 4km from Kuala Terengganu town centre.

Kampung Ibok's Firefly Sanctuary

2006-04-19T13:39:00.001+08:00

The Sungai Yak Yah’s Firefly Sanctuary

The Glow fly has resided here for many-many year and its has been a major place for some Terengganu’ people, researcher and student to came here for study or firefly’s appreciation activities and marvel at the many Glow fly that habitat here. The glow fly sanctuary here was almost not known to any body except for the villager and fisherman in and near Kampung Ibok, Chukai Town at Kemaman district.

Recently our Terengganu state government in 2006 had started promoting and selling the Firefly sanctuary as recommendation sight-seeing  and number one glow fly appreciation area inside the state after Sungai Penarik Firefly Sanctuary, near Kampung Penarik..

          The Sungai Yak Yah Firefly Sanctuary is the biggest fire sanctuary in Malaysia. Which is located about half an hour from the town of Chukai in Kemaman. The Yak Yah river is home to the biggest firefly colonies in Malaysia. But the sightseer whom visits this river every month is less than 100 and most of them are from Japan and a few from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur , Perak and etc, which leave the firefly sanctuary almost deserted because the local authority at Kemaman doesn’t paid much attention for the tourism industry until early 2006. When the local News paper like News Strait Time Press or (NSTP), The Sun, and Utusan Malaysia had highlight the concern and plead of the Kemaman people ,Villager of Kampung Sungai Ibok and tourism operators. When the Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh found out about the sanctuary ‘s problem Our MB Dato’ Idris then had direct the Kemaman ‘s DO or District Office to ensure the habitat of the fireflies was well protected , preserved and not disturbed. and like wise the State Government Tourism Action Council’ secretariat also had now started to promote Sungai Yak Yah as the state newest attraction and building the necessary amenities needed like a jetty , toilet  and etc.

     To tell you the truth there was a lack of publicity on the place during the fuss .I myself who had live in Kuala Terengganu Town Center,(KTTC) for almost 10 year . Though that Sungai Penarik in Setiu District, is the only Glow fly / Firefly sanctuary in Terengganu (which Ping anchorage agency always organise a trip there). I had never heard about the glowfly sanctuary in Kemaman until the fuss from the News Paper during the end of 2005 .Even thou there was two local Che Ghani and his partner, Zainal Ibrahim, were organising firefly-watching trips since 2001.

     Because the fuss last year, I had travel with my friend from KT Town a weeks after  the Chinese new holiday just to see for my self. There lack of road signs, no signboards or pointer along the way to inform traveller and tourist about the fireflies sanctuary’s that we tooks and insanely one hour driving and asking for pointer to the sanctuary from the local village people even though its only 11km from Chukai !!!!! .Still it was quite worth with to see the many firefly (I prefer calling them glow fly) along the river.


     Currently there are only two local villagers (Che Ghani and his partner, Zainal Ibrahim) who dedicated their full time bringing and conducting daily firefly tours and guide for by paddleing their wooden boat as not to disturb the firefly habitat and appreciation activities.and Kudus!! for they part in protecting mother nature’s treasure. Both of them can be found at the jetty. Or you can rent a boat from the many fishermen here. Last year’s 2005 the state government and theYang Berhormat / Most Honourable DO of Kemaman Distric had banned the use of motorised boats along the river Yak Yah. .....Kudos !!

The appreciation activities  can be done all around the year except from the month of October to January and the best time to go here for firefly appreciation activities is from July to September, which is the mating season for the firefly.

     Almost everyday when the dusk falls the colourful firefly will crowded the area with glitter like neon light throughout the 13 Km long Yak Yah river. From the guide and the local villager .... The Best place to marvel or taking picture and the best spots for firefly appreciation  is around 5 km from the jetty. Here you will be astounded to see the many berembang and putat trees there, along the river bank lit up like Christmas tree with thousand of fireflies

Currently.I don’t have any picture of the place after my last trip there my RM 1700 worth local “ I ” Digital camera went on a swim in the river and had never recover.  The place are still quite unknown and with the fact that I didn’t find any picture of the place in the Web prove it. .The tour operator are not many except for village folks and those two who pioneer and had organising firefly-watching trips with they paddle boat since 2001.

Those “Two” are Che Ghani and his partner, Zainal Ibrahim, who conduct daily firefly tours from 7.45pm to midnight for RM20 per person. They can be contacted at 019-9336458/013-9365681

Its is best to stay at the many cheat and budget motel and hotel at chukai as you can see how life goes on in this quite town which is quite famous for its fresh Kopi ‘ O (Grounded Fried Coffee bean +  hot steaming H20 + sugar =     Kopi’ O .that its taste and aroma had attract a lot of people especially those from Singapore, KL, Johor,Pahang and KB who frequently travel from the north to singapore and vice versa

Travel Tips:

If you are here don’t forget to stop at Try Tong Yuan Restaurant and Kedai Kopi Hai Ping for the best fresh coffee ( in Whole East peninsular if you ask me) with toast and fresh kaya (coconut jam) spread in the quiet little town of Chukai in Kemaman district .
If you are a traveller you wish to stay here.... you opt to stay a Chukai where there are many cheap hotel and economy budget hotel to be found or if you had a lot of money you could stay at Kijal is you are a tourist who just want to relax you can stay at the many high class resort here.Which is also one of Terengganu’ famous green for golfing.