Kelantan - My siblings are my best friends...

“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood...” – Karen White

(The three sisters at Pantai Sabak)

I was not born in Kelantan but Kota Bharu is like my home town.

I spent most of my younger years in Kota Bharu. Two of my younger sisters were born in Kelantan. We speak with a thick Kelantan accent and the locals easily pass us as Kelantanese. For these few days in Kota Bharu we will be visiting interesting places we used to frequent, some with fond memories.

Early in the morning we were already at Ayang café to avoid the crowd. The best-selling signature dishes here is Roti Ayang, an equal to Roti Tib-tab, a toast with kaya and half boiled egg. For breakfast there are varieties of packed food to choose from too.

(Pink is the color for Ayang Cafe)

(The famous Roti Ayang, mine without kaya) 

(Kelantan delicacies to choose)

Our first visit was to FAMA market at Kelantan RTC. You can get almost everything here. The open market was packed with tourists. You can tell the difference between the tourists or locals. Locals in Kelantan are not afraid of Covid and they do not wear masks!

No trip to Kelantan is complete unless you put Pengkalan Kubor Duty Free Shopping Complex in your itinerary. People from all over come here to shop. Most products are from across the border and cheap.

(Tourists are more compliant to the SOP)

(Very cheap baju kelawar on display)

(Need one for kenduri kendara)

After spending much time and money at the border shopping complex, we drove to Restoran Ikan bekok Kak Pah Abe Loh in Kampung Geting, Tumpat. Kampung Geting is a fishermen village and the venue for the International Kite Competition Festival.

(Popular with tourists and locals)

(Yummy ikan bekok and kembung rebus goreng)

(Masjid Kg Geting for solat jama')

After performing our prayers at Masjid Geting we drove to Pantai Senok in Bachok. Pantai Senok is one of the popular beaches in Kelantan. The casuarina trees were planted in neat rows, not only to protect the beach from erosion, but also to beautify the area. It is not surprising that Pantai Senok is nicknamed Pulau Nami of Malaysia.

(Casuarina tree lined in neat rows)

(Enjoying coconut ice-cream at Pantai Senok)

(The uncles and nephews)

We planned to have early dinner at Restoran Acu Tera in Pantai Sabak but it was packed with people. Even the road to the beach was congested. Pantai Sabak was where the Japanese began their invasion of Malaya during WWII. It was once a beautiful sandy beach. Unfortunately coastal erosion has caused much damage to the coastline. Today the beach has all gone and a wall of boulders has been built to protect the village and coast from further destruction.

(A beautiful sunset at Pantai Sabak)

(The beach brings back good memories)

(With my beloved sisters Amah and Zai)

It was already dark when we visited the nearby Masjid Ar-Rahman. Masjid Ar-Rahman features the unique architecture of Islam and Malay. Beautifully located on Pulau Gajah in Sabak, it also incorporates a combination of decorations from four countries, namely Indonesia, Morocco, Yemen and Turkey.

(Their first visit to masjid Ar-Rahman)

(A unique minaret of the mosque)

(The main door is decorated with Quran verses)

(The main prayer hall is big and airy)

Before driving to Pantai Cahaya Bulan for our late dinner, we stopped at one of Kota Bharu Street Art locations in the middle of town.

(In memory of Tuan Guru Nik Aziz)

(A prayer for a peaceful world)

(Mingling with the Arabs)