Akok Terengganu: A sweet dessert

Akok is a traditional dessert made of rice flour, eggs, sugar and coconut milk. Those days, Akok is served during the feast or party. Now, you can get akok everywhere. There is no season for this dessert. Since it is sweet, it is advisable you drink sugarless tea or coffee after eating the akok.

Akok is ready to be served. Note it is divided into two for easier handling.

Akok is made with mixing those ingredients and put into the bronze container (special mould for cooking akok). Traditionally,  the mould (containing the liquid akok) is heated from the bottom and top using the firewood and coconut husk.  When it is cooked, the the fire is removed and the cooked akok become solid and were being put into the other container for cooling. Then, it can be served. 

You can buy this akok in the markets. In Kuala Terengganu, Pasar Chabang Tiga has permanent stalls that sell this akok. Happy travelling.

Pulut Gaur Nyior : A Terengganu Breakfast

Pulut Gaur Nyior is a cooked glutonous rice, shaped like a tennis ball and sprinkled with grated young coconut. It is a breakfast menu for Terengganu folks. It is eaten with fish. The fish may be fried fish, fried salted fish, or boiled mackerel then fried. It is very tasty. Gaur is a Terengganu word for mixing.

 The Pulut is served with grated coconut and fried fish.

The ingredients for making this breakfast are gluton rice (soak overnight in water), young coconut, fish, pandan leaf, pinch of salt and sugar. The soaked rice is drained  and was put in the steamer. Add some pandan leaf (for good smell), steam until cook. When it was cooked, shape the rice into  several tennis balls and put them  in the container. Young coconut is grated and add a pinch of salt  and sugar and spread over the rice. The pulut is served with the cooked fish or fried fish.

This food is sold in almost all food stalls in Terengganu. You can find this in Pasar Kedai Payang and Pasar Chabang Tiga in Kuala Terengganu  (in the morning). Happy travelling.

A Terengganu Heritage Pura Tanjung Sabtu: A Place You Must Visit

Pura Tanjoung Sabtu is a collection of Terengganu architecture traditional houses which existed in Terengganu some 200 years ago. These original houses (around 100 years of age) were brought in  from other areas and were rebuilt on a 14-acre site at Kampung Tanjung Sabtu. They are arranged or modelled in a typical palace environment in the 18th century. Those days, this kind of large timber houses only the royals and the rich can afford it.

Located 14 km from town centre of Kuala Terengganu, Pura Tanjung Sabtu is a classic example of  Terengganu traditional houses which is becoming extinct by days due to it is costly to maintain timber based structure as they tend to rot over times unlike the brick structures. This pura (a sanskrit word) is also located near  Nerus River, a tributary to Terengganu river.

The traditional house with airy veranda. The ground floor is for different purpose.

The two houses are attached to each other where you can walk from veranda to veranda.

The roof is unique in design.

What is special to this Pura? It is a traditional palace architecture of Terengganu Sultanate. It  has Royal Family Heirloom and Songket Weaving Demonstration area. Since it is close to the river, you can experience Bot Penambang (water taxi) from here to the Central Market of Kuala Terengganu. It is really a good experience where you can see riverine villages and its activities along the river like people bathing by the river banks, washing clothes, fishing, etc.

This pura belongs to an individual who has passion to this kind of heritage building. He is also an expert in songket design. He gave his name card to me which stated The Owner-Hosted Home Stay. The explanation went on as " Pura Tanjung Sabtu, a complex of centuries-old Terengganu Malay timber houses reassembled , restored and preserved in the style of a princely palace of 18th century Terengganu. It is a private residence of Tengku Ismail bin Tengku Su, which is now open to paying guests who would like to experience the courtly living of Terengganu's past. Your patronage will help to preserve the architectural heritage of Terengganu".

There are many houses here, one of them is occupied by the owner. Two houses are reserved as guesthouses and available for paying guests. Every house has its name. For further information of this pura, click to http://www.puratanjungsabtu.com/

The address of this pura is 5728, Kampung Tanjung Sabtu, Mukim Manir, Kuala Terengganu. How to get there there? Just drive to Batu Enam roundabout and turn to the direction of Manir. Turn right when you reach the second traffic light. Continue driving towards Jeram until you reach Tanjung Sabtu Mosque on your right. Turn right and follow the narrow road for 50 metres and turn right until you reach the end. You will pass through Malaysian kampong houses. Pura Tanjung Sabtu is at end of the road.

If you are interested to rent, you can contact 609-6153655 or email to puratanjungsabtu@gmail.com  Happy travelling.

Traditional Boat Building of Terengganu: World's Unique Craftsmanship

Terengganu, being a maritime state is blessed with so many companies and individuals that involve in boat building. What I am going to tell you is about the traditional boat building in Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu. Pulau Duyong is located right in the middle of Terengganu River estuary. Being a traditional village, this island is famous for its boat building activity.

Early stage of boat making.

The fisherman's boat nearing completion.

The boat viewed from the front.

I found there are at least three individuals who crafted traditional boats for their clients. There is a community here  that produce boats without any formal plan. It has been the practice for generations  meaning it has been passed on from generation to generation. The trio are Pok Awi, Pok Hassan and Pok Loh. Pok Loh is specialising in making yachts. Pok Loh whose real name is Abdullah Muda owns a company by the name of Custom Made Wooden Yachts.

The sign board.

The boats that they made are without the use of metal nails. They use wood nail and stainless steel bolt and nuts. They do not have any formal training in naval architecture or other carpentry works. They belong to a few family members and they recruit the new ones, trained them on the job.

They make boats and yachts for fisherman and enthusiasts. They also get the order from many boat enthusiasts from all over the world such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, etc. Some of their clients did bring the plans or picture to show their intention. 

The workshop area.

The boats ready to use.

The boats in the water. The far end yachts is worth millions.

The new generation of traditional boat builders. They are very committed to see this craftsmanship sustainable.

The traditional boats are made of  hard timber (chengal wood). The timber is specially ordered to make boats of high quality. When you say you want them to make 80 feet long, they knew already what is its width and height and how many tons of tin ore  is needed to make the boat steady and stable in water.

The interior finishes normally done by another firm. It means once the boat is ready, they will be sent to other firm to make the finishes like bedding, kitchen, toilet, dining etc. I was told the boats are big and normally the cost is around RM2 million. The time taken is 18-24 months depending on size and finishes.

During my visit, I was lucky, I was briefed by Mr. Saiful on every process of boat making at the workshop. The more I listened, the more I learnt. I feel this traditional boat making needs real attention from the authority because of its heritage. You can not rely on memory alone. You need to document all the traditional boat making processes. They need a better space to operate with facilities. I believe it is a Malaysian Heritage that  need to be preserved and promoted.

In order to make this tradition and craftsmanship survive and sustain itself, I feel there is a need to establish a traditional boat builders school here. It should rope in all experienced boat builders as paid trainers before the experience dies with them.

If you are interested to see this traditional boat building, go to Pulau Duyong either by boat or bridge. Look for the boat making area. Ask around. Custom Made Wooden Yachts can be contacted at this number 609-6314743. Happy travelling.

Merang Jetty: A jetty that gathers people to Redang Island

Merang jetty is located at the bank of the narrow Merang River, an area rich in biodiversity. It is about 50km north of Kuala Terengganu. It is being used as a gathering point for people going to the Redang Island. Here there are many private jetties along the Merang river that cater for the tourists or visitors to the island due to lack of anchoring space for boats. So the boats have to be parked linearly along the river banks unlike the ones at Kuala Besut.

Boat belongs to one of the operators at Merang jetty.

At the jetty point, there are many private parking areas where you can park your vehicle for a fee.   A few souvenir and food stalls are available for quick buy and drink while waiting for the boats to the island or the bus (chartered bus) to other destination.

The boats are mostly owned by the chalet operators on the island. They vary in sizes depending on the status of the operator. Laguna Redang for example, has big boats to ferry visitors to its chalet. It takes an hour to reach Redang Island from Merang.

If you are interested to experience boat ride to Redang, you can embark from this jetty. It is advisable to go in the morning as the sea is usually calm in the morning. Look for boat schedule. Normal departure time to the island is around 10.00am. For those who like the rural environment, you may want to consider staying at the chalets nearby such as Suria Merang. Happy travelling.

Snorkeling at Kapas Island: A way to relax your body and enjoy the marine environment

I found a large group of holiday makers at Kapas Island doing snorkeling. The site for snorkeling is already determined i.e. at the north west of the island facing Pulau Gemia.

To go snorkeling, you need to take snorkeling apparatus with you: the goggle and the breathing pole. Everybody is supplied with life jacket. Just relax. Put your head into the water, you can see corals and many coral fish of various colours. It is quite an experience for those who are first timer.

You also can take the opportunity to relax your mind and body while in the water. You do not have to worry whether you can swim or not. The life jacket can support you to float in the water.

Some are waiting for their turn to jump into the water.

They started to spread among themselves for better view of the corals.

After two hours in the water, they are ready to go back.

This girl seemed to have two floats with her as double protection: the life jacket and life buoy. 

If you feel like snorkeling, do come to Kapas Island or any off shore island. It is wonderful. Just relax your mind and body. Dipping your head into sea water certainly can make your face a bit darker. However, after a week, it will clear off. Happy travelling.

Kapas Island Resort (KIR): An affordable Resort for all

Kapas Island Resort is one of the accommodations available on the island. It was formerly known as Primula Kapas, a subsidiary of the state corporation company. Opened in 1992, now it is under different management by the name of Kapas Island Resort. 

This resort is located very close to the beach and the island jetty. There are chalets (more than 20), games courts, a swimming pool, meeting rooms and the restaurant serving local food (western food available on request).  

The restaurant and the check-in counter.

A view from the restaurant.

A swimming pool, beside the restaurant.

The single room chalet made of timber.

The long beach.

The beach and the jetty can be seen from the resort.

One of the activities organised by patrons while staying at the Resort.

I found this resort is okay in terms of accommodation and food. The resort also can arrange for island tour and snorkeling. Happy travelling.