Change of traffic flow at Kampong China, Kuala Terengganu

For years, the one way traffic flow at Kampong China Kuala Terengganu started at Kedai Binjai near Seri Malaysia Hotel towards Pasar Kedai Payang. Recently, the local authority  reversed its flow. It started from the central market to Seri Malaysia Hotel. If you come from Seri Malaysia Hotel, you have to take the back road adjacent to the river to go to the market.

Happy traveling.

Terengganu: An Affordable Destination

Malaysia is among the top 10 most affordable destinations in the world where Europeans can go a long way with their Euros for a memorable holiday, according to the German-language Yahoo Travel Magazine. Well done Malaysia!

Terengganu, one of the states in Malaysia is also an affordable destination. Located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Terengganu has a beautiful 244 km long beach. Its white and sandy beaches were classified as superb beach. Majority of the Terengganu people stay along the coast where the towns flourish. The natural beach trees, casuarinas and coconut trees adorn the coastal beach.

 Terengganu has many interesting places to visit and Kuala Terengganu being the most populated city lies close the river mouth and the sea. There are many hotels here and the food too are superb. Many international events are taken place here: Monsoon Cup (yacht competition), Equestrian, and Arts Performance like Gamelan Music Festival.

You can plan your visit to Terengganu to experience the place, the food, the environment and the culture here. Your itinerary may take packages for 3 days 2 nights, 5 days and 4 nights and if you want to learn more you may stay for one month. Cheaper accommodation is available in the home stay or hostel. Home stay is mushrooming in Terengganu. Happy travelling.

Message to the Tourists: Beware of the Drug Smuggling

Many drug smugglers in the world now use the naive tourists to bring dangerous drug into the country. Some  tourists becomes mules to this syndicate. Malaysia is no exception. Malaysian law is very strict on this. If you were caught with the drug you will be severely punished and if the drug is more than a kilogram, if the court decided so, the punishment is death.

So, be careful with your bags. Always know what is in your bag. Never leave your luggage unattended and lock you luggage. If you need to go to the toilet, bring your luggage with you. Never trust people. If some one  you did not know ask you to keep his or her bags, do not entertain, say you are going off soon. Harsh? No, this is to protect you from unsuspected drug syndicate. I hope I do not frighten you. But it is important to be alert on this menace. Happy travelling.

Terengganu's Taxi: A Good Attempt to be Different

If you come to Terengganu, you will notice that Terengganu's taxi has a few colours that are different from other states. Airport taxi is blue and white in colour while the town taxi is yellow and black in colour.

 Blue and white airport taxi at the arrival hall.

Airport taxi is stationed at Sultan Mahmud Airport in Telaga Batin at the ground floor at the exit of the arrival hall. Before you get your taxi, you need to buy the coupon first at the counter which is located at the arrival hall. You can choose to rent the car or buy the coupon to go to your destination.

The taxi parking area waiting to ferry passengers to all places in Peninsular Malaysia.

For the local taxis, there are stationed in the town centre near the bus station. You have to be careful with the fare as some do not use the meter. Ask first before you go in. You can call the taxi to take you to the airport.

One interesting point to look at is the logo of the local taxi has a motto "Terengganu Hebat" (trans: the Mighty Terengganu? ). The motto is nice and if all the drivers follow rules and etiquette of good driving and play a good host, certainly more people are confident with their service. This will bring more business for them.

The motto: Terengganu Hebat, No Contraints but Opportunity...is written on the front doors.

Next time when you are in Terengganu, look for this taxi to bring you around. Happy travelling.

Ri-Yaz Heritage (Marina resort and Spa) Hotel, Pulau Duyong

Kuala Terengganu has a unique hotel located on Pulau Duyong. This hotel cum spa  has beautiful rooms  and commands good view. The 5-star hotel has a marina and host many events related to annual Monsoon Cup  Competition.

The hotel view from the south bank.

If you want to organize conferences, seminar, corporate dinner and entertainment, wedding reception, this hotel is the perfect venue. Any inquiry click at www.ri-yazheritage.com or 609-627888. Happy travelling.

Map of Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu, a Nice Waterfront City Not to be Missed

Kuala Terengganu is a city that is situated along the estuary of the Terengganu River. It also faces the South China Sea. Its evolution dated back some 200 years ago. Most settlements i.e. the inhabited areas were near the river and sea as these were the basic communication network in those days. This was actually reflected in their employment where they became fisherman.

Kuala Terengganu initial growth areas were at the north and south banks of the river. A lot of villages were formed. Kampung Tanjung, Kampung Ladang, Kampong Paya Bunga, Kampong Batas Baru, Kampong Kolam, Kampong Kedai Payang, Kampong Kedai Binjai, Kampong Nisan Empat, Kampong Banggol were some of the initial kampongs (all of them were located in the city centre of Kuala Terengganu now) were the earlier areas of settlements. Kampong China came in when the immigrants from China came and settled there.

Heritage island on the right.

A few bridges were constructed to connect Kampong China and the island.

One of the gates.

The island at night.

 The development of these kampongs continued with the development of brick and mortar shophouses in these areas during the post war periods especially after the 1930's. Rows of brick shophouses were constructed along the main roads especially in Kampong China, Banggol, and Kedai Payang.

In the 2000's , these areas experienced redevelopment replacing some of the old houses and some areas were subjected to urban renewal. 

The State government had come up with a concept of waterfront city and had started promoting Kuala Tertengganu as a Waterfront City. The government concentrated development of promenade along Balik Bukit with public park and lately it had created an island behind Kampong China and called it Pulau Warisan (Heritage Island). This Heritage Island is beautifully designed and now become an icon of Kuala Terengganu tourism.

If you are interested to visit this place, go to Pasar kedai Payang, you will surely notice this place. Happy travelling.