Terengganu to Kota Bharu Malaysia Friday 26th August, 2016

Left hotel at Terengganu at about 9.00am to travel up the coast to Kota Bharu.
Decided to take more of the coastal road, through all the small towns to see more of their village life.. Stopping now and again on the way.  As we left Terengganu we stopped to top up with petrol for the first time. MR1.75 about NZ60 cents a litre 95 octane. We put in 55.50 Litres cost MR 97.10 about NZ$30.00. Amazing...

 

Our first stop was Merang. We drove out to a dead end road which stopped at the beach.

 

 



 

 

The boulders above were formed all the way around this bay to make like an enclosed harbour with just a small outlet to the sea. This made a safe recreation area for the kids to learn water sports.

 

 

 

At.the other end of the beach above was the inlet to the river where all the fishing boats went up to moore.   

 

 

 

Merang is a  little area that has been all modernised and re developed into a great recreational area also I is a pickup area for the charter boats to take passengers to the out lying islands.

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Above and below further up the river is where all the fishing boats are kept.

 



 

 

Our next stop was Pantai Penarik. A steep beach straight into very deep water.

 



 

 

This is another fishing area. This coastline seems to go forever up the east coast for miles.

 Beautiful sandy beaches

 



 

 



 

A Restaurant looking out to the mouth of the river in Merang. We stopped here for lunch We had toasted sandwiches and spring rolls and a bottle of coke cost MR11.00  about NZ4.00.Getting up into the cheaper areas. If you keep out of the hotels eating is really cheap.

 



 

There are a lot of recreation areas like this all up the coast behind the different areas.

 

 

After about four hours we arrived at our hotel in Kota Bharu. Very nice five star hotel and lovely staff all running around doing as much as they can for us. This is the foyer.

 

 

Looking down the other way down the long corridor with individual cubicles  where people can sit with some privacy

When I was waiting for PT to park the car after check in the young porter came up to me and said do you have a daughter. I said yes but she isn't with me she is at home in NZ. Then he ask me how old  am, I so I told him and he said you look a very strong lady for that age. Its just that I look so much bigger than them. Once I told him my daughter was coming up to 40 he lost interest re my daughter. He meant no harm they are lovely people.

 

 

 

We are on the 8th floor somewhere up in that tower looking out the other way. Executive  room upgraded from a premium. 

 

 

 

 

 BBQ Buffet seafood, meat, chicken everything around the pool. We thought that we had better put on our longs for the first time now that we are further north. Kota Bharu being very religious.         No grog.

 



 

The boys posing for me who are doing the BBQ

 



All the raw seafood waiting to be cooked.
 

The desert table. So much food all you can eat for RM60  NZ$20
 

 

 

PT having trouble getting his phone to hook into wifi so getting plenty of help from three beautiful young ladies.

 

 

Two of the girls with their lovely smiles. So much better than the last hotel who all looked grumpy, no smiles but this is a top hotel and top staff and only costs NZ109 a night. including breakkie. Great value.

 

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.

Swiss Garden Beach Resort. Tuesday 23rd August, 2016

Took off this morning to where we were yesterday Teluk Cempedak, The closest beach out from Kuantan, to do the board walk to the missionary beach. Another very hot day with less haze than we have been having but it is still there.

Where we went today.

Where everyone goes to swim and do their water sports. Also a great place for holiday makers as that is were they are doing major upgrading for the Hyatt Hotel. Really nice spot for a hotel resort.

Standing at the northern end of the beach where we started our boardwalk which connects to is Missionary bay. This is built over large boulders that lie on this part of the coastline. 

The start of the boardwalk. 

Some of the big boulders.

Looking over to Missionary Bay. (Above and below)

Small monkeys can often be seen around the beach area. although it is recommended that you don't get too close to them. They can be aggressive especially if you are carrying food.  When they first saw us coming they rush up nearer to us, I was a bit worry but we think that they were checking us out for food. As we weren't carrying any they then lost interest in us. Phew!!!!!!

Looking back along the beach where you can the Hyatt Hotel.

 We came across the fishing boats that had been out fishing earlier.

PT being PT had to stop and talk to the local men  some of which were the fishermen. We were told that all the boats nowadays are made of fibreglass.

Drove around the back streets for awhile to see some of the real life of the locals.

We asked the local Fishermen where we could go for a good fish lunch which was this place. Nothing to look at from the outside but they all treated us well. Open air to the beach.

Had a wonder around while waiting for our lunch to cook and outside there  were three tables in the sun one with Sharks fins , one with the above knifes forks spoons and a few little dishes  and the third table were crab shells all put out to dry. That's how they dried their dishes!!

Crabs shells

Shark fins. They make Shark fin soup.

Hows this for large prawns. Some of our lunch.

We got back to the hotel went down for a swim and a relax by the pool. There for half an hour, heard thunder in the distance then shortly later the rains came but no lightning.
In these hot climates the rains don't usually last long before it clears again and the sun comes out.
We are off tomorrow further north up the coast to Kuala Terengganu for two nights. It is abut 217km and should take about 2h 20min. This is where the usage of the wifi is only in the lobby unless they have upgraded. Therefore might give the blog a miss if it's going to be awkward. We can always catch up when we get to our next two night stop.
Later- Just as I said rained for only about half hour so went back down to finish off my swimming.