Teppanyaki Sunway Putramall

“Healthy does not mean starving yourself. Healthy means eating the right food in the right amount...” - Karen Salmansohn

(Beef Teppanyaki for lunch)

It has been a long time since we eat out.

Over the weekend we stayed for a few nights at our Putramas Apartment. On Sunday we drove to Sunway Putramall and had a late lunch at Teppankyuko Restaurant on the upper floor. There were quite a crowd at the shopping mall but visitors are adhering to the SOP to stay safe.

We did not stay long after lunch.

(A nice decoration)

(Outing during the PKPP)

PKPB JB Trip...

"If you find some happiness inside yourself, you'll start finding it in lot of other places, too..." - Gladiola Montana

(Arif and Alia in Paradigm Mall)

We were in JB to help sent Alia and Arif to school...

Fitri has to be in Putrajaya for work related business. It would be difficult for Sara to handle all three kids and drive the bigger kids to school early in the morning. While we were in JB, I enjoyed a full body massage at home. Lin's massage is strong and therapeutic. And she charges reasonably. 

On the weekends we brought the kids to the mall to enjoy delicious meals.

(A break from homebound PKP)

(Variety of dishes to choose from)

Pahang: Food Hunt in Raub...

"Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is..." - Ken Hakula

(Patin goreng with sambal tempoyak)

We started a little late from Gua Musang. 

By the time we reached Raub it was already noon and time to look for a place for lunch. We planned to have lunch at Restoran Pak Engku King but it was closed. We noticed many eateries along the route were closed because of the Movement Control Order.

(Restoran Pak Engku King is closed)

(Full house at Restoran Azmi Ikan Stim Tempoyak)

We drove on and stopped at Restoran Azmi Ikan Stim Tempoyak not very far from Raub town. As it was lunch time, the restaurant was quite packed. After scanning My Sejahtera and body temperature we managed to secure a table away from the crowd. They have rearranged the tables to comply with the SOP for social distancing.

The specialty of the restaurant is of course the yummy Patin Steamed Tempoyak. One can either choose from a wide variety of ready cooked dishes or pick from the menu.

(A poster on the wall)

Gua Musang Old Train Station…

“It ought to be plain how little you gain by getting excited and vexed. You'll always be late for the previous train, and always on time for the next...” - Piet Hein

(The old train station is closed but still standing strong)

The Gua Musang old Railway Station which is now closed, is located at the end of the main street in the old town. A rather nice attraction, Gua Musang old Railway Station is unique in a way that it is situated at the foot of Bukit Gua Musang, a barren hill of rocks with stone-steps running 105 m high. From a distance, the hill looks like a stone pillar with a big crack which nearly splits vertically into two equal halves. Between the hill and the town, there runs a railway track. A new KTM Train Station is about 1 km south of the old station.

(The old KTM Train Station)

(A historical attraction in Gua Musang)

(The Bukit Gua Musang is in the background)

(Interesting murals on the wall)

(Keretapi Tanah Melayu murals)

(Popular rail tracks for the jungle train)

(The rail tracks are still in use)

This time we missed exploring the Gua Musang Taman Tasik. The beautiful lake garden located beside Gua Musang Police Station is an ideal place to take a relaxing walk in the morning and evening.

Restoran Kak Zah Gua Musang, Kelantan

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food...” - George Bernard Shaw

(Strategically located at the corner of the main road)

We had nasi berlauk and nasi dagang breakfast at Restoran Kak Zah. This restaurant is located strategically at the corner of the main road. It serves a wide range of local and delicious cuisine at affordable price from breakfast to lunch. Its cozy ambiance and nice deco makes it popular to the locals as well as tourists.

(Quite tasty and cheap)

(Clean and spacious dining area)

(A painting on the wall)

(A nice ambiance for a relaxing dining)

Masjid Perpaduan Gua Musang...

“The richest of the rich is the one who is not a prisoner to greed...” - Ali Ibn Abi Talib (R.A)

(A brief stop in the drizzling cloudy afternoon)

Masjid Perpaduan Gua Musang is located at Jalan Kesedar Inn. Not much is written about the history of this mosque. It is strategically located at the centre of town and can be seen from the main road.

(A small mosque in the middle of town)

The New Masjid Razaleigh Gua Musang...

“The best among you are those who have the best manners and best character...” - Sahih Bukhari

(We were here in August 2020)

Masjid Razaleigh is a new mosque in Gua Musang. The nine towers of the mosque resembles the Masjiddil Haram in Makkah and will be a new icon to attract tourists. The mosque was built in 2016 and can accommodate 3,500 worshipers at a time. The mosque is built on the site of the old Police Station in the old town. Masjid Razaleigh, which cost RM32 million, is expected to be opened after the Movement Control Order ends. When it is opened it will be a new landmark to replace the old mosque which is often flooded during monsoon season. 

(Our 2nd visit to Masjid Razaleigh)

(Fully completed but not operational)

(To be opened after the Movement Control Order is lifted)

Masjid Mukim Razaleigh Gua Musang...

“The life of this world is merely enjoyment of delusion...” - Quran 3:185

(The mosque is next to Sungai Galas)

Masjid Mukim Razaleigh is believed to have been built before the 1940s using wooden structures. This mosque is also the main town mosque and the first in Gua Musang before the construction of the Tengku Muhamad Faiz Petra Mosque. The mosque also witnessed the atrocities of communist control of Malaya where a pregnant woman was killed by communist soldiers and buried next to the mosque. After massive renovation and expansion of the mosque more than half a century ago, the grave is now situated in the main prayer room and never relocated. In the past, this grave was fenced and can be seen clearly. On the recommendation of a mufti, this grave was covered with a wooden cabinet so as not to disturb the focus of the congregation who pray in this mosque. The mosque was inaugurated by Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah, the Minister of Finance then and later named after him. 

(The first mosque in Gua Musang)

(A cabinet to cover the grave. Source: Google)

Masjid Buluh Gua Musang

“The bravest heart is the one that stays close to Allah (God), even, when it’s in pain.”

(Ample parking area for visitors)

Gua Musang Masjid Buluh is the first bamboo mosque built in Kelantan. It has become a new attraction for tourists because of its uniqueness and often the choice for travellers to stop for prayers and eat at the nearby food stalls. The sup daging here is quite tasty! Masjid Buluh is located along the Gua Musang - Kuala Krai main road. There is a limestone cave next to the mosque that can be developed into a tourist attraction. Ninety percent of Masjid Buluh is made from local buluh betung and buluh hitam imported from Bandung, Indonesia. It is complete with basic facilities and has ample parking area. More than 50 different species of bamboo trees will be planted around the mosque to beautify the landscape at the same time aims to control soil erosion and buffer strong winds around the mosque. The District Council is planning to build a Rest and Recreation area near the mosque.

(The first bamboo mosque in Kelantan)

(Some areas are still under construction)

(A combination of betung and black bamboo)

(Spacious airy corridor around the prayer hall)

(Limestone hills in the background)

(Separate covered prayer area for muslimah)

Kelantan: Gua Musang unique attractions…

"Seize every day as an adventure and your spirit will soar when you discover the wonderful surprises life has to offer..."

(The remote town of Gua Musang)

From Kuala Besut, Terengganu we drove on the trunk road towards Gua Musang and stayed a night at Goa Inn, our favorite lodging in Gua Musang. We will be driving home leisurely on the Gua Musang/Bentong Central Spine road the next morning.

 

(Gua Musang quiet old town)

Gua Musang is a remote town and not many people would visit Gua Musang as the town has little to boast about. For us it is more like a gateway between Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan. During our recent stop-over we explored some of the attractions around this small town.

1. Masjid Buluh Gua Musang
2. Masjid Mukim Razaleigh
3. The New Masjid Razaleigh
4. Masjid Perpaduan Gua Musang
5. Restoran Kak Zah
6. Gua Musang Old Train Station

Terengganu - Natural Beauty of Pulau Perhentian...

"Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity..." - Joseph Addison

(Schoolmates since the 70's)

The last time I visited Pulau Perhentian was about 40 years ago. It was a camping trip with the 1st KB Scout Troop of Sultan Ismail College. A lot has changed since. 

This time hubby and I joined a few of my friends from Kota Bharu for a 3D2N stay at Coral View Island Resort in Pulau Perhentian Besar. We met the rest at Kuala Besut Jetty Terminal. I was surprised that there was quite a crowd at the Jetty. 

Due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order, the tourism industry nationwide has suffered tremendously. Pulau Perhentian is no exception. The atmosphere in Pulau Perhentian and surrounding islands during the Movement Control Order period was quiet as no tourism activities were allowed, and the residents remained at home in compliance with the MCO. 

When the MCO travel ban was lifted, Pulau Perhentian has become one of the most popular destinations for local tourists. As there are less foreign tourists who are usually the main source of income for hotels and boat operators, tourism on these islands is experiencing a rather slow recovery.

Day 01: 

02 September 2020

(Kuala Besut town centre)

(Waiting for the KB girls at Masjid al-Jamhuriah)

(Kuala Besut Tourist Ferry Terminal)

(A few souvenir shops in the ferry terminal)

(Boarding an early ferry to Pulau Perhentian)

(Ferries leave almost every hour during peak period)

(A little crowded in the boat)

(A beautiful weather and calm sea)

(Fishermen villages at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(A Floating Mosque at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(Barat Jetty Station, Pulau Perhentian Besar)

(A large crowd of tourists at Pulau Perhentian Besar)

(A short break for us after the PKP)

(Various activities to choose from)

(Our lodging for two nights)

(A little early to check-in our room)

(Top most chalets for our group)

(A beautiful arrangement of blue-roofed chalets)

(We have the pool to ourselves)

(Girls just want to have fun)

(Are you ready for a snorkeling trip?)

(Rocky beach during low tide)

(Visiting Perhentian Island Resort next door)

(A resort complete with amenities)

(A secluded private beach)

Day 02:

03 September 2020

Today we spent time enjoying the stretches of white beaches, crystal clear waters and dazzling marine life.

The best way to enjoy and explore the beaches and beautiful underwater world of Pulau Perhentian was to join a private snorkeling tour. We met our guide at the jetty and headed out to snorkeling locations around Pulau Rawa, Serengeh and Tokong Burung. The waters around these islands are well known for their clear visibility, vividly colorful corals and a variety of marine life.

After a moment of underwater panic attack and a few hours of swimming and snorkeling later, we stopped to rinse the salt water from our bodies at Lata Air Berani which is famous for its cold fresh water that flows non-stop out of the crevices of the hills. Later, we headed to Pulau Perhentian Kecil to have a sumptuous lunch at the food-court. We do not have the opportunity to perform our prayers at the floating mosque as we were wet tot he skin. In the afternoon we spent time at the White Sand Beach to relax and watched the beach activities till sunset.

(A choice of activities in store for hotel guests)

(Private water taxis to ferry guests for diving and snorkeling trips)

(The ladies waiting for the water taxi)

(A full day private island tour for our group)

(Wow, the water is crystal clear)

(Snorkeling around Rawa, Serengeh and Tokong Burung islands)

(Clear water and colorful coral reefs)

(Taking a bath at a fresh water spring at Lata Air Berani)

(A lunch break at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(Docking our boat on the beach)

(Rowing boats on emerald colored water)

(A fishermen community on Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(A food court to cater for locals and tourists)

(A variety of mouth-watering local dishes)

(A delicious home-baked cake from friends)

(Celebrating our 41st Anniversary)

(Five inhabited islands in the archipelago) 

(Services provided by many local operators)

(Chalets and hotels at White Sand Beach)

(Having a picnic, drinking cool coconut juice)

(Amazing sandy White Sand Beach)

(Popular with the Mat Sallehs)

(Drink stalls to quench the thirst)

(Beach restaurants serving local and western dishes)

(Rowing boats and canoes for hire)

(Speed boats for islands tours)

(Kids on rowing boat in shallow waters)

(Watching the sunset over the horizon)

(A swing before dinner)

(Staying another night here)

Day 03:

04 September 2020

Pulau Perhentian is not short of good restaurants.

This morning we walked a short distance to the famous Mama Restaurant for breakfast. This restaurant serves local and western food at a reasonable price. It has a relaxing ambiance and a nice view of the beach and ocean.

After breakfast, we packed our bags and boarded the boat back to Kuala Besut.

(Enjoying cool fresh air early in the morning)

(A two-storey chalets by the beach)

(The sun is rising fast)

(A morning walk before breakfast)

(A short walk to Mama Restaurant)

(The floating mosque in the background)

(A nice ambiance, a cafe by the beach)

(Simple breakfast of toasts and eggs)

(Time to board the ferry back to the mainland)

(Feeding the fish at the jetty)

(Follow SOP, masks on, stay safe all the time)

(The end of a wonderful holiday with my best friends)

(Arriving at the Kuala Besut Jetty at noon)