Eid Al-Adha Mubarak...

 "On this sacred day, may your faith be strengthened and your life be blessed with joy and prosperity..."

( The two of us at Bidara House)

May the spirit of Eid al-Adha bring peace to our hearts and fill our home with endless blessings. 

Eid Mubarak!

The Signs of Failing Health...

"A healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one..." - Arabian Proverb

(Warded at PPUM)

It has been heartbreaking to see my husband’s younger brother, Noh, struggling with his health. What started as discomfort, bloating and restless nights, has led to him being warded for prostate abnormalities.

Right now, he’s undergoing more tests so the doctors can find the best way forward. Seeing him lying there, so frail and exhausted, is incredibly difficult. He is usually cheerful, always jovial and bright, but the pain has taken its toll on him.

We are praying for his strength and a speedy recovery. It’s a somber reminder that without our health, nothing else matters.

A Reunion by the Sea...

“Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world...”

(Friends forever)

It is time for our SMKB classmates’ reunion once again.

This year feels a little more special. We have managed to gather a small but meaningful group of girls from the Class of ’71. Each carrying her own stories, her own journey through time. Our meeting place: the breezy shores of Bayu Melawi Beach in Bachok, Kelantan, where the sea stretches wide and the wind seems to whisper memories from long ago.

Some of the girls, together with their families, will be staying the night at the resort, turning this reunion into a brief family retreat. Others will join us just for the day. Just enough time, perhaps, to laugh, to reminisce, and to reconnect. The plans are simple, but filled with joy. A seafood barbecue by the beach, light-hearted games, and the kind of conversations that only old friends can share.

I find myself feeling unexpectedly excited. There is a certain warmth in meeting old friends, those who once shared classrooms, laughter, secrets, and youthful dreams. Some I have not seen since the day we went our separate ways after school. Time, of course, has left its gentle marks on all of us. We have aged, each in our own way, shaped by life’s many turns.

We may not recognise one another immediately. Faces change, voices soften, and years quietly reshape us. But beneath it all, something remains untouched.

 

(SMKB Reunion - 2017)

There is something timeless about friends who knew you before you became who you are.

My Trip Itinerary:

(26 - 30 April 2026)
Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Terengganu
Day 02: Kuala Terengganu
Day 03: Kuala Terengganu - Kota Bharu
Day 04: Kota Bharu - Bachok (Reunion Day)
Day 05: Bachok - Kuala Lumpur

My Overseas Travel Blog:

munmus.blogspot.com

Day 01: A Journey to the East Coast...

“So often we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to enjoy the journey...” - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

(Warisan Kota Temir, Kuala Berang)

Day 01: 26 April 2026 (Sunday)
Route: Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Terengganu
Hotel: Sumai Hotel Apartment, Kuala Terengganu

We began our journey at 7.00 am, quietly loading our bags into the Hi-Lux as the morning was just beginning to stir. This trip holds a special purpose, my school reunion in Kelantan, with my husband joining me for the journey. We decided to start a few days early, allowing ourselves time to wander, to revisit places of history, and to rediscover the charm of the East Coast at an unhurried pace.

 
Our first stop was a simple pleasure of nasi berlauk breakfast at Restoran Putri in Sri Gombak. It was hearty and comforting, just what we needed before merging onto the Karak Highway. The road ahead was kind to us that morning. Traffic flowed smoothly along Karak and LPT2, almost as if welcoming us eastward.

(Tasty Nasi Berlauk for breakfast)

 
We refueled both the vehicle and ourselves along the way. First at Petronas Bentong, then brief stops at Hentian Sebelah Lanchang and Kemaman. These pauses, though small, added rhythm to the journey.

We exited at Ajil Toll Plaza. Our first meaningful destination was the historic Memorial Batu Bersurat. This site marks the discovery of the Batu Bersurat Terengganu, a 14th-century inscribed stone that stands as one of the earliest evidences of Islam in the Malay Peninsula. The inscription, written in Jawi, speaks of Islamic laws and governance, offering a glimpse into a time when faith was beginning to shape the identity of this land. Standing there, one cannot help but feel a quiet reverence for the depth of history beneath our feet.

(The Batu Bersurat Memorial)

(The earliest evidences of Islam in the Malay Peninsula)

(Terengganu 14th-century inscribed stone on display)

(The discovery of the Batu Bersurat depicted in a painting)

 
We continued to Makam Tok Gajah, the resting place of a respected local figure and warrior. Tok Gajah is remembered for his courage and resistance during turbulent times, particularly in opposing foreign influence. The site is simple, yet dignified, echoing the humility of those who came before us.

(The signage to Makam Tok Gajah)

(Brief history of Tok Gajah)

(The resting place of the legendary Tok Gajah)

Driving along a smaller road by the river, we arrived at Warisan Kota Temir. This heritage site reflects the remnants of an old settlement believed to date back centuries, once serving as a centre of early governance and trade. Though time has softened its edges, the spirit of a once-thriving community still lingers.

(The GPS led us to a less trodden, short cut route)

(Traditional wooden gate with carvings at Warisan Kota Temir)

(A traditi(onal Malay house built on stilts)

(Replica of classic Terengganu architectures)

Lunch was a delightful surprise, a small roadside eatery serving murtabak rusa and nasi goreng rusa. It was rustic, unassuming, and delicious in the way that only such hidden places can be.

 

(Nasi Goreng Rusa for lunch)

Our journey then took us to Makam Syeikh Abdullah, known affectionately as Tok Pauh. He was a respected Islamic scholar who played a role in spreading religious teachings in the region. The calmness of the area seemed fitting for someone who dedicated his life to knowledge and faith.

(Historical background of Sheikh Abdullah Tok Pauh)

(Newly build walls around the tomb)

By late afternoon, we made a brief stop at Masjid Padang Mengkuang in Marang to perform our jamak prayers, another quiet pause, grounding us amid the movement of travel.

(Masjid Padang Mengkuang, Marang)

We arrived at Sumai Hotel Apartment around 4.30 pm. We will be staying in Kuala Terengganu for two nights at Rm105/night. The room welcomed us with much-needed comfort, and we surrendered to a short power nap. The heat of the day had been relentless, leaving me drained and nursing a slight headache.

 

(Our lodging in Kuala Terengganu)

Still, by 7.30 pm, we gathered enough energy to head out again. This time to the waterfront, where the iconic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge stood gracefully against the evening sky. We watched as its lights shifted in colour, reflecting softly on the river. A gentle, almost poetic end to the day.

(The iconic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge)

 
Dinner was light, soup noodles and crispy fried calamari at a seaside restaurant along Batu Buruk Beach. The sea breeze, though warm, carried a sense of calm.

(A seafood restaurant at Batu Buruk Beach)

 
Back at the hotel, a refreshing shower washed away the day’s fatigue. We turned in early, grateful for a journey that had begun not just with miles travelled, but with meaning rediscovered.

Day 02: Tracing Faith and Time...

“In every quiet mosque, history whispers and the heart listens...”

(Galeri Ilmu Tok Ku Tuan Besar, Kuala Terengganu)

Day 02: 27 April 2026 (Monday)
Route: Around Kuala Terengganu
Hotel: Sumai Hotel Apartment, Kuala Terengganu

We began the morning unhurried, letting the day unfold gently before us. Kuala Terengganu would be our base, our journey today was about tracing faith, history, and the quiet beauty of old mosques scattered across the state.

Our first stop was Masjid Raja Bukit Besar built in 1919. The old mosque was demolished and a new mosque was built in 2015 and renamed as Masjid Sultan Muhammad. The new mosque carries a calm dignity, with its layered rooflines and traditional Malay architectural elements reflecting a time when design was shaped by both function and faith.

(Masjid Sultan Muhammad or Masjid Raja Bukit Besar)

(The 1919 old mosque was demolished - Google pic)

Breakfast followed at the ever-popular Nasi Dagang Atas Tol, simple, familiar, and comforting.

 

(Nasi Dagang and Teh Madu for breakfast)

From there, we continued to Masjid Hiliran, one of the oldest mosques in the state, known for its distinctive multi-tiered roof and strong Javanese influences. It was declared a National Heritage Site in 2019. While the exact date of its original wooden construction is unknown, it is believed to be over 200 years old. It is believed to be the first mosque in Terengganu built with two floors. A highlight of the site is the Telaga Mandi Gajah Putih (White Elephant Bathing Well) built during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin IIl. A quiet reminder of the cultural exchanges that once shaped this region.

(Masjid Hiliran, Kampung Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu)

We then visited Masjid Kampung Bukit Bayas, a historic mosque closely linked to early Islamic scholars in Terengganu. It is notable for its long history, dating back over 150 years, and its preservation of traditional Malay architectural elements. Built around 1873, it is one of the older mosques in the region. It is also associated with the legacy of Syeikh Abdul Kadir Bukit Bayas, a prominent religious scholar. It is famous for its intricate wood carvings on the mimbar, which showcase traditional Malay motifs like awan larat, floral patterns, and vines. The mosque understated structure speaks more through its legacy than its form. A place where knowledge and devotion once flourished side by side.

(Masjid Kampung Bukit Bayas)

Our journey continued to Masjid Kampung Mesah Baru, a modest village mosque that reflects the enduring role of faith within close-knit rural communities, simple, grounded, and quietly steadfast. This is a new mosque believed to have been built over the century old original mosque. While the exact date is not precisely recorded, which is common for older community built mosques that may have evolved from smaller suraus over time.

 

(Masjid Kampung Mesah Baru)

Further inland, we arrived at Masjid Kampung Dusun, one of the most remarkable stops of the day. It is one of the oldest mosques in Terengganu, with records indicating it was built around 1908. Built entirely from Chengal wood without the use of nails, the mosque stands as a testament to traditional craftsmanship. Elevated on stilts and adorned with delicate carvings, it reflects the elegance of Malay architecture. Known locally as Masjid Raja, it is also believed to have once served as a refuge for Sultan Sulaiman during the Japanese occupation. Even today, the presence of the old beduk on its veranda quietly preserves echoes of the past.

 

(Masjid Kampung Dusun, Kuala Berang)

(The century old beduk)

We made a brief stop at Empangan Sultan Mahmud. The scale of the dam was impressive, though ongoing construction limited what we could explore. Still, the vastness of Tasik Kenyir stretched beyond, hinting at its natural grandeur.

 

(Massive roadworks on the way to the dam)

On the return route, we visited Masjid Beladau Kolam, a peaceful mosque set within a quiet village landscape, another reminder of how deeply mosques are woven into daily life here. It is recognized as one of the oldest and earliest religious education centers in Terengganu. Historically, it was the site of the second Tok Pulau Manis (Sheikh Abdul Malek) religious school. It was originally built as a wooden mosque by villagers. The current permanent concrete building was constructed in 1996. The mosque features a single dome and only one minaret.

(Masjid Beladau Kolam, Kuala Terengganu) 

One of the most meaningful visits was to Masjid Pulau Manis. This mosque traces its origins to the 17th century, built on the site of a religious school founded by the esteemed scholar Tok Pulau Manis, the legendary Malay scholar Syeikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah, Once a renowned centre of Islamic learning, it attracted students from across the Malay world. Though the structure has been renovated over time, its spiritual legacy remains strong especially with the nearby resting place of Tok Pulau Manis, still visited and remembered by many.

 

(Masjid Pulau Manis, Kuala Terengganu)

(Makam Tok Pulau Manis)

On our way back, we stopped at Masjid Tok Ku Tuan Besar for jamak prayers. One of the oldest mosques in Terengganu, it is closely associated with Tok Ku Tuan Besar, a respected scholar whose real name was Sayyid Abdul Rahman Al-Idrus, who played a significant role in spreading Islamic teachings in the region. Traditionally designed with a multi-tiered roof and timber elements, the mosque reflects the classic Nusantara style. More than a place of worship, it once served as a centre of learning and community life, a role that still lingers in its quiet presence. The tomb of Tok Ku Tuan Besar is located adjacent to the mosque.

(Masjid Tok Ku Tuan Besar, Kuala Terengganu)

(The tomb of Tok Ku Tuan Besar)

Before returning to the hotel, we made a quick detour to Pasar Payang. A simple lunch at the food court, followed by a small purchase of kuih bahulu and bottles of honey, added a touch of local flavour to the day.

(Pasar Payang Kuala Terengganu)

Back at the hotel, we rested well, grateful for the slower pace, the stories uncovered, and the quiet beauty of places that continue to stand, not just as buildings, but as keepers of time. Each mosque carried its own story of faith, resilience, and community.