AN INTRODUCTION TO KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA
The
drizzle turned into a heavy downpour while I and my travel buddies were at my
favorite beach in Boracay Island, Puka Beach - swimming and having our drinking
spree. We took shelter on one of the
rock formations as I checked my mobile phone.
There was an invitation to visit Malaysia two days after. After minutes of contemplating, I said YES.
Who am I to resist such an honor to be invited?
But
where in Malaysia? In a state named
Kuala Terengganu. I honestly haven’t heard of Kuala Terengganu. Have you?
On
the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur being the reference lies Kuala
Terengganu. The state is facing the
South China Sea and situated at the estuary of the Terengganu River. It is predominantly a Muslim state. With such demographics and topography, it
surely became one of my most memorable trips to date for this year and a new
discovery of Malaysia.
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| THE HAZE AT KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
The
clarity of the sky has been obscured as soon as we landed in Kuala Lumpur
International Airport from Manila. In
what I thought was a smog, my travel buddy Edgar said it’s the haze caused by
the wild forest fires in Indonesia. That
is how ignorant I am of current events.
As
expected, the thick haze reached Kuala Terengganu. But the said condition will never be a
hindrance for discovery though panoramic view is partially altered.
Kampung Cina (Chinatown)
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| WELCOME TO THE CHINATOWN OF TERENGGANU |
Merchandise
of all sorts are expected to be peddled in a Chinatown. But as we stroll along the paved and bricked
roads of Kampung Cina, what was
retained to my senses was the colorful shop houses of covered walkway,
interesting installations and street arts all worth the stop for photography.
Each
alley seems to convey a particular message in the form of graffiti, scribbled
artistically and prominently on the narrow alley ways. We entered the Chinatown through the Turtle
Alley or Lorong Penyu, imparting the
message to passers-by of marine turtle conservation. Colorful mosaics were a treat to the senses
and definitely a good photo opportunity.
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| THE COMMANDMENTS FOR MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION |
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| THE ENTRANCE |
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| COLORFUL MURALS |
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| CHILL IN ONE CORNER |
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| A POPULAR GRAFFITI IN CHINATOWN |
Discovering
the town on foot is rewarding since every detail and façade is equally
interesting. The Chinese accents of
temples and arches are a mainstay though with a touch of Malaysian arts.
Kopitiams (literally means coffee shops), cafes and
restaurants serving mostly Chinese local delicacies dot the streets of Kampung Cina.
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| AN OPEN SPACE AT KAMPUNG CINA |
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| VENDORS AT THE CENTRAL MARKET |
If
you are looking for shopping malls in Terengganu, you’ll be disappointed as
there’s none. But equally interesting
than shopping malls sans air-conditioning and modern interiors is to witness
the local culture at the Central Market, making the market an inevitable
tourist attraction as well.
Lake Kenyir
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| AT ONE OF THE MANY ECO-TOURISM SITES THAT SURROUND KENYIR LAKE |
There
is nothing much to do in the city center itself for days. Interesting locations are on the outskirts
and the rivers that surround. Majority
of my stay in Terengganu was at Lake Kenyir, the biggest man-made lake in
Southeast Asia, which of course deserves a separate post.
Lake
Kenyir is a popular eco-tourism destination that may more or less encapsulate
my entire stay in Kuala Terengganu.
Crystal Mosque or Masjid
Kristal
Located
at the Islamic Heritage Park on the island of Wan Man, a grand structure made
of steel, glass and crystal was our destination one night before dinner. We were at one of Terengganu’s famous
landmarks – the Crystal Mosque.
Though
I envision the mosque to be more picturesque on day time, some say it’s even
grander looking at night with all the changing colors of its façade
complemented by the stillness of the waters that surround.
What to Eat?
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| THE CRYSTAL MOSQUE |
Chinese-Malay
cuisine is a given in Terengganu. But
there is one local delicacy that originated in the State of Terengganu, Malaysia. It is Lekor
or Keropok Lekor, a traditional Malay fish cracker snack also known for
many names such as fish sausage, fish stick or fish fritters.
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| KEROPOK STUFFED WITH CHEESE |
We
were given the privilege to try one that is stuffed with cheese. It tastes really good. After the snacks, we made on ocular of the
establishment that serves keropok, particularly
observing how the same is produced. Keropok is usually made by grinding fish
or vegetable into paste, mixing it with sago
and deep-frying it. The dipping
sauces is an added factor as well to the whole keropok experience.
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| THE MAKING OF KEROPOK |
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| KEROPOK UP CLOSE |
Terengganu,
Malaysia is truly a revelation on my part.
To the Philippine market and perhaps other nationalities, it may not be
known and famous as Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu, but it has a distinctive
character that sets it apart from the iconic nations of Malaysia.
Apt
for its slogan - a Beautiful State and a Beautiful Culture.
Special
thanks to Tourism Terengganu and media coordinator, Gaya Travel Magazine
Malaysia for making this trip possible.
Trip is conjunction with the 10th Anniversary celebration of
Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation.
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