Traipsing Trengganu

From Kelantan we continued our road trip down the coast to Trengganu, also a first time for me! We had friends in Kuala Ibai who kindly put us up at their home by the beach, and introduced us to authentic nasi dagang - delicious breakfast fare, I must say.

In the capital Kuala Trengganu, Pasar Payang beckoned, also Pantai Batu Burok. There was also our quick foray to see (and buy) batik at the Nur Arfa Batik factory/showroom. The quality of batik in Trengganu is said to be better than its neighbour Kelantan, and I fully concur.

B in the vicinity of Pasar Payang, KT (CNB 1991)

Pantai Batu Burok (MN 1991)

But the highlight was our stay at the Tanjung Jara Beach Hotel (now Resort); the beautiful Malay style timber buildings that won the Aga Khan Award for architecture. The setting was wonderful, and the golden beach, quite flawless.

Welcome to TJBH (CNB 1991)

A & cousin Hazwani at TJBH (CNB 1991)

Awaiting breakfast at the TJBH (CNB 1991)

An early morning pose at TJBH (BB 1991)

Posing with the Aga Khan award (CNB 1991)

The golden beach at Tanjung Jara, Dungun (CNB 1991)

One very dark night, from the TJBH, we were taken to Rantau Abang, to see the giant turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. We were lucky to come across a beautiful one that had just laid her eggs, and watching the behemoth creature haul itself herself down to the sea was a sight not easily forgotten.

A giant turtle heading back to sea (CNB 1991)

We also made it to Tasik Kenyir. It was just a look-see really, as we did not have the time for a house-boat stay on the lake. This largest artificial lake of South East Asia borders the states of Pahang and Kelantan and is a haven for freshwater fishes.

A, Hazwani, Bro AW, B and moi at Tasik Kenyir (QA 1991)

We wanted to spend a night in Pulau Kapas, but we missed the last boat and so had to stay at a nearby lodge in Marang. Believe me, I can still remember the katak (frog) in the toilet and the putrid smell of the pillows. No doubt from the sweat of a thousand backpackers! But Marang beach is picturesque, the locals very friendly; only we were quite sad to come across a dead turtle there, strangled by the fishermen's nets.

B & A (very serious) & the pretty boats of Marang (CNB 1991)

The local children on Marang beach (CNB 1991)

A really sad end to a very beautiful creature (CNB 1991)

1991