Terengganu - Passing through beautiful scenery...

“Siblings comprises love, strife, competition and forever friends…” - Byron Pulsifer

(Turtle Rock at Pantai Rantau Abang)

On the way to Ayang Café for breakfast, we stopped at the Polis Kompleks Wakaf Mek Zainab. This was where we lived during our younger years. Our flat was the first to be built and it was demolished years ago to make way to new apartments. Whenever we visit this place, the nostalgic memories always pull a string in our hearts. 

(OYO Tanjung Inn)

(Nostalgic memories of younger days at the flat)

After we checked out from Tanjung Inn, we drove to Pasar Siti Khadijah because my sisters had a long list of goods to buy. The Siti Khadijah Market is adjacent to the Buluh Kubu Bazaar but the shops were not opened that early in the morning. Ladies tend to flock here for Kelantan batik, songket, baju kurung, selendang, and telekungs which have prices ranging from cheap to premium.

(Pasar Siti Khatijah fruit section)

After we were done shopping, we drove out of Kota Bharu town towards Kuala Terengganu via the coastal road. We stopped at Tok Bali Bridge for a short rest and some photo shots. In recent years, Tok Bali has served as an alternative departure point for tourists to Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang.

(Capturing happy moment)

(Ferries to nearby islands at Tok Bali Jetty )

Our next stop was at Masjid Rusia or Masjid Lapan Kubah situated in Jerteh. The Mosque with eight colorful domes is situated in Kampung Lapan Kotak and was nicknamed the Russian Mosque. Its architecture resembles St Basil Cathedral in Moscow. It is now one of the iconic mosques that attracts both the locals and foreigners.

(Our 2nd visit here)

(Masjid Lapan Kubah a.k.a Masjid Rusia)

(Closed to visitors during the pandemic)

We had celup tepung dishes for lunch at one of the many famous Celup Tepung restaurants along Rhu Sepuluh beach. We later performed our prayers at a nearby surau.

(Beautifully decorated eateries along the beach)

(Most restaurants were packed during lunch time) 

(We had our lunch here)

We arrived in Kuala Terengganu quite late in the afternoon and drove direct to Pasar Payang. The market has been relocated to a new two-storey building by the Terengganu River. It offers visitors a variety of traditional handicrafts such as batik, silk, songket, handmade crafts, as well as fresh produce and authentic Terengganu delicacies.

(The new Pasar Payang building)

(A long bucket list of Terengganu produce)

We checked-in Nipah River View Hotel located quite far from town but near to Taman Tamadun Islam. The hotel looks abandoned and the facilities needs major upgrade. After a short rest we drove to the riverside to have a sumptuous seafood dinner at Warung Mek Ta in the foodcourt by the river.

(A hotel not so well maintained)

While having our dinner we had a good view of Terengganu Jambatan Angkat. It is the first drawbridge built in Malaysia and Southeast Asia and one of the new tourist spots in Kuala Terengganu. The lighted bridge looks beautiful at night.

(The drawbridge is lighted colorfully)

(Rental boats for night river cruise)

(My favorite kerang bakar for a starter) 

The next day we checked out early in the morning and drove to Taman Tamadun Islam on Pulau Wan Man. The park's attractions includes Masjid Kristal and the scaled Islamic monuments that are found around the world. The attractions are closed during the pandemic but visitors can still drive around and take photos.

(The entrance to Taman Tamadun Islam)

(The main attraction, Masjid Kristal)

The beautiful Crystal Mosque is the park’s icon and is situated within the vicinity. During the MCO the main prayer hall of the mosque is closed. The mosque is unique as it is built entirely from steel and glass, giving it a crystal-like image.

(Golden colored steel and reflective glass)

(Even the morning sun and its reflection look golden)

We did not stay long as everyone was feeling hungry. We planned to have breakfast at Restoran Nasi Dagang Atas Tol but it was closed on Tuesdays. Instead we ended up having breakfast at Restoran Nasi Minyak Zaki.

(Nasi Minyak Restaurant in Merbau Patah)

(Heavy breakfast of nasi minyak)

After breakfast we drove on and stopped at a few stalls along the route to buy local delicacies, satar, keropok lekor, salted fish and other tit-bits to bring home.

(A choice of grilled or frozen satar)

(The many varieties of keropok)

(Salted fish and dried seafood)

We made a rest stop in Dungun at Pantai Rantau Abang, one of the popular beaches in Terengganu located 62 km from Kuala Terengganu. Rantau Abang is popular not only because of its beautiful beaches, but most importantly because it is a place where turtles lay their eggs. Among other interesting places in Rantau Abang is Bukit Penyu located at Bukit Che Hawa.

(The serene Rantau Abang Beach)

(The legendary Turtle Rock)

The Turtle Rock according to myth comes from a female turtle that landed on Rantau Abang Beach. The turtle was said to be wandering around looking for a fragrance that came from a tree. The turtle got lost on Bukit Che Hawa. At the break of dawn the next day, unable to go back to the sea, the turtle turned into a permanent rock stone until now.

(A unique rock formation)

(Having fun with the waves)

After some photo shots, we drove on and stopped for lunch at RC Nasi Kukus in Kampung Baru Cherating. From there we split ways and drove separately home.