Kuala Teregganu. Wednesday 24th Augus, 2016.

 

 

Forgot to post this last night, our last meal at Swiss Gardens Beach Resort. Seafood BBQ 

   



Left Swiss Garden Beach Resort by 9.30am for our trip further north  up the coast to Kuala Terengganu. Good trip as the highway E8 which started from KL goes all the way to this place. When we leave here we will take the coast road to Kota  Bharu to get amongst the locals more.

Still had trouble with the GPS trying to take us off the highway all the time but we know now not to always listen to her  and just follow the signs.
We were about 30kms into our trip today and she took us off the E8 without us realising, we just thought we were changing roads until we realised we had done a complete u turn and was heading back to where we started. And you know how long it is before you can get off a motorway again. I think that she (GPS) is just going to be put under the seat until we get to the cities.

 

 

Des this is the toll motorway we drove on north of Kuantan so please don't stress re our driving   it's a lot less stressful  than NZ. So please stop worrying.

 

 

We arrived at our Hotel Fielda Residence at about 1.30pm but too early to check in so off we went again.

TERENGGANU  Pop 396433.

With so many islands to choose from Terengganu's coast is seen by many travellers as a mere pass through, to visit  just the Islands. Travellers who take the time to explore Terengganu  (between island hops) will fine the region rich in culture, seafood cuisine and scenery,  Terengganu is surprisingly attractive despite the number of newly built skyscrapers.
There is a boardwalk, a couple of decent beaches, a few old kampung style houses hidden between the high rises . Fish plays a big part in local cuisines.

 

We wanted to go over to Kota Lama Duyong Island (photos above) which lies in the middle of the river to see a boat factory that still builds traditional fishing boats in wood instead of glass. Still using age-old techniques and tools. We had read about it saying all visitors welcome but were told it no longer existed but they sent us to another one but there was no  work going on so had a look around took a few photos and crossed that off our list. I was disappointed  as I know the PT would have enjoyed watching these guys working building boats in the old traditional way We still saw one of the grand old boats as above.

 

In one of the sheds we found an old Sealegs. It was owned by a Government Dept and while in the photo it looks in good condition it has had a hard life when you look inside.

 

 

 



Above a few old fishing boats that are lying around.





 

Current fishing boats in the river

 

 

These are some of the fishing boats moored over on the Island.

 

  

 

Standing on the Island looking back at our Hotel. The tall high rise.



   Then we drove around the little settlement on the island through their very narrow roads and small houses.

 



 The children were calling out to us through the village  saying hello and then giggling. So cute

 Came back to the hotel and checked in room 701 nice corner room with great views up and down the river.

 

 

 We dropped everything had a coffee and went out to walk around the city. very hot after sitting in the car most of the day keeping cool. We started off with walking through China Town.

 

The gates of China Town. A very small China Town but pretty

Interesting area to explore with all its water marked buildings and faded alleyways. Note how narrow the walk ways are.

In the alleyways they have all this artwork.

 

 The oldest Chinese Temple in the state of Ho Ann Klong with its vibrant red and gold dating back to the early 1800's

Its known for its fresh fish being right on the river edge. 

 

Walked for a good hour, Nice city far more interesting than Kuantan much more to see and do. Suddenly heard the thunder which  isn't uncommon this this time of day. Rushed back to the hotel and got back just in time.

 

 

 

 

Above and below showing the rain and thunder coming in looking left and right out of our window.

 

  

 

 

Now its come really heavy and loud thunder. (PT now under the bed!!!!!!!)

 



 

Showered and went up stairs to their dining room on the seventeenth floor for dinner. Nice view up there.

 

 

When we got back to our room it had cleared  and I zoomed in from our window to get this little fishing boat leaving to go fishing. Probably over night.

Although we didn't have wifi that worked on my old computer  I remembered that once when in Germany it didn't work and they offered me a cable so  I asked for one and they said yes you can try that. Went back to my room and it worked but then later in the evening it got very slow so have just finished Wednesday's blog and can now post. We are just leaving to go further north so hopefully can catch up there. I think it is a better hotel than here.