Masjid Ulul Albab, Jerteh, MALAYSIA

This is a mosque which is  designed based on the Malay architecture. Located in Seberang Jerteh, Terengganu Malaysia, it looks very majestic like old Malay King Palace in the 19th century.

I found this mosque is interesting and very uniquely designed and constructed. It has three-storey structure with the top floor is devoted to a library, first floor for praying hall and veranda and the ground floor occupied by a hall, eating area, toilets, ablution area, parking and landscaping.

Built in 2010 and completed for public use in 2012, the materials are mostly from  cengal wood. Besut is famous for wood carving, therefore, it is natural for those in Besut to opt for this kind of design. Well, this kind of architecture  has long been under long evolution time and had been tested over  a long period that says it is still relevant to this modern day architecture.

It is a pleasant experience when you step into the compound and walk up the stairs. It is very well ventilated with special motif doors and windows. And the rest, you can judge yourself by looking at the pictures.

The front and entrance

Wood carving railing

Broad and wide staircases

Prayer hall

Ground floor: hall and the eating area or even for study.

The landscaping

Nice hand rail

The gate

You may look this kind of architecture at my previous postings in 2010 such as Desa Ukiran Kayu: wood carving centre, Kg Raja ; Warisan Resort, Kuala Berang; Bazaar Warisan, Kuala Terengganu; A Terengganu Heritage: Pura Tanjung Sabtu .


Happy travelling.

Ikan Celop Tepung, Terengganu delicacy

When you visit Kuala Terengganu, you must try this food. Recently, the locals call it ICT. It does not mean Information and Communication Technology but it simply means Ikan Celop Tepung. Fish, squid, prawn etc covered with flour paste and fry in hot oil.

This ICT is popular among the locals and visitors as well. You can notice that some seaside stalls especially along Batu Burok beach sell this.

However, I like to introduce the so-called most frequented stall. It is located at  seaside Teluk Ketapang, near the Kuala Terengganu airport i.e. at the corner of the airport extension into the sea. It is reasonably price. You can relax at the stall while enjoying the food.

The point B is the location of the stall.

The stalls  also offer side dish like fried mee, fried banana fritters, jemput-jemput, keropok lekor (local fish "hotdog") and drinks like coconut juice.

The stall open from 2.00pm till 7.30pm  only. If you wish to try this food, go to Teluk Ketapang (by the sea side), once you reach Scout Camp, proceed until the corner of airport extension. It is on the left side of the road.

Happy food tasting......

Beautiful, clean sandy beach, Chendering, MALAYSIA

Chendering is a place name in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Chendering beach is famous among locals who use the beach as their recreational  area and playground. Located 10 km  south from the city centre, this beach is accessible from at least two points i.e. from Chendering junction to Pantai Pandak and two from  a small residential road near Sultan Ismail Mosque.

This beach has  white sands, no gravels and you can walk barefoot without problem. During weekends, locals use the beach as playground where kids were seen running about, some came for picnic where they bring their prepared  food and drink and had a good meal time while facing the sea, listen to the waves and whispering breeze.

The beach fine sands and its waves offer therapeutic massage to those who take the trouble to walk on it. The 2 km long beach is a real asset to Terengganu's future coastal development.

The authority perhaps may introduce few public amenities like toilets and bathing facilities, picnic camp, parking areas at strategic places.

White fine sand is common here.

Wide beach offers move more space for beach users.

Beautiful waves cascading its rhythm to the shore.

Those who wish to visit this beach, you must have your own transport as there is no public transport to bring you right to the beach. If you do not have your own transport, you may hire a taxi.

The best time to be here is in the morning before the sunlight gets stronger. 

A Restaurant Called The Tappers

For those who visited Kuala Terengganu, MALAYSIA you can try sample food  food at this restaurant. It is a nice place to dine with friends etc. It offers both local and western foods. The price is >Rm 13.00 per person/dish. It comes with a drink.

It is open from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm and is located in Kampong China facing the river, just a few meters from Pasar Kedai Payang (back).

Ibai River Estuary in Kuala Terengganu

These two pictures taken from  Kuala Ibai Bridge are classic examples of the beautiful scenery of Terengganu. On the left (north bank) and right (south bank) of the river banks stood beautiful parks where you can jog, walk and have picnics. On the south bank, large fields are available for sporting events like football, rugby, polo etc. On the north bank, the park is close to the Floating Mosque, one of the icons of Kuala Terengganu city.

Prinzpark Terengganu, Malaysia

This newly opened hotel is located in Ibai Lagoon next to Terengganu Equestrian Resort and the Floating Mosque in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.Full address: Prinzpark Terengganu, Terengganu Equestrian Resort, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu.

Location of the hotel. (source:google map)

The 207-room hotel offers deluxe and premier rooms, honeymoon suites and executive suites. Its facilities include a floating restaurant, business centre, lobby lounge, concierge, ample car park, banquet and conference halls, retail shop, traditional spa etc.

The rooms are spacious and some have view of the lake (natural lagoon), while other rooms have views of polo club and the South China Sea.

Lobby

One of the meeting rooms

Honeymoon Suite

Bathroom

Deluxe room

One of the pictures displayed in one of  the rooms

Room rates start with RM180 nett (deluxe) during promotion period.The room comes with 32-inch flat screen TV, safe-box, hairdryer, wifi, a small fridge and tea/coffee facilities.

It is an ideal venue for conferences, meetings, seminars, and weddings. Basic rate for one day seminar or meeting is around RM75.00 per pax (subject to change).

Those interested can contact the front office 609- 617 8866 or visit website www.prinzpark.com
Happy travelling.

60 Tip Mengembara

In November 2012, a Malaysian publisher, Telaga Biru Sdn Bhd has published my manuscript "60 tip Mengembara" (60 tips for traveler) in Bahasa Malaysia. The book is about tips on travelling: before travel, during travel and at places of destination, and post travel.

The book guides the reader on how to become a good Muslim traveler. It touches on clothes, bag, passport and visa, duration of travel, cost, halal food, shopping, and many more. It may be interesting as tips are real, based on experience and my observation during 32 years of international travel. It is a comprehensive checklist for traveler who wish to travel overseas.

This book is available at MPH, Popular, Pustaka Mukmin (KL) and other book stores. Look at religion section, then you can spot it.