Visit Terengganu

On the 25/10/2008 - 27/10/2008, me and my family went on a trip to Terengganu state. Its just a family activities. All of my family members went to the trip, my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparent. I don't know how many times i've been there already. It has been twice this year.



Terengganu is situated in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia, and is bordered in the northwest by Kelantan, the southwest by Pahang, and the east by the South China Sea. Several outlying islands, including Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Redang, are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 12,955 km². The people of Terengganu generally speak Terengganese Malay, which is distinct from standard Malay and Kelantanese Malay, except for those in Besut disrict and Perhentian Islands who speak Kelantanese.



Driving by car with friends or the loved ones can be pretty much an interesting trip. Aside from the greeneries that can be seen through out your journey, the fresh air and unpolluted countryside can offer a soughtful experience. Once you get to Terengganu road, the beautiful beaches and blue waters welcome you.

KL to KT (approx. 455 km): 2 option the coastal road or Jerangau Jabor

Highway 2 KL (Gombak Toll) on Karak.
Highway and continue with East Coast Expressway to Kuantan exit.
Highway 3 Kuantan exit to Kuala Terengganu (Coastal road to Kemaman, Dungun and Kuala Terengganu)(223km).
Highway 2 KL (Gombak Toll) on Karak Highway and continue with East Coast Expressway to Kuantan exit.
Highway 3 Kuantan exit to Bukit Besi (20+km) - turn left.
Highway 14 Bukit Besi turn off to Dungun/Ajil (114km) - turn left.
Highway 14 Dungun/Ajil to Ajil/Kuala Berang (42km) - turn right.
Highway 14 Ajil to Kuala Terengganu (35km).



My trip begin from Kuala Lumpur on the 24/10/2008. Before going to Terengganu, we were taking a break at my grandparent house in Kuantan as a randevous point with my uncles and aunts. After finishing class at 9.30 pm, my family came and took me from campus and went straight to Kuantan. We arrived at Kuantan around 1.30 am. Everybody also arrived that night.

The next day, we all went for a breakfast and then headed straight to Kijal. In Kijal is where we stay during our visit to Terengganu. Its not far from Kuantan, around 1 hour drive. The name of the hotel is Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort.





Wake up to 800 acres of natural greenery overlooking a breathtaking 7.6km private beach leading to the the scintillating South China Sea.

Apart from offering panoramic views of the sea, the spacious and well-appointed guest rooms are beautifully furnished, with a comfortable bed, either twin size or king size, and equipped with an array of modern amenities and facilities.



You also can enjoy the spa. Situated on the grounds of Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort, with a beach front of white sand stretching a lavish 7.6 km and an impressive 80-feet high 9-storey atrium, the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa gives you an unparalleled opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and rediscover your essential vitality.



While enjoying ancient Javanese massage treatments such as The Queen Massage and Royal Heritage Massage, you can also opt to expand your treatment sessions using our high tech spa equipment. Or you could just unwind your body with our lulur body scrub, Merapi Mud Body Mask, and other holistic Royal Spa treatments. Feel what it's like to be pampered the royal way!

You also can play golf. The par-72 18-hole championship golf course consists of the Palma and Rimba Nines. Being a resort course, it is designed to allow golfers to play a relaxing game. But rest assured it is difficult, challenging and the monsoon season plays havoc with the club selection and your score cards. Even professionals found the going difficult on this golf course, especially on the Rimba Nine. The 15th 480 yards par 4 is particularly a jinx hole for pros. Professionals found that after playing well on 14 holes, they fumbled very badly on the 15th dropping 8-10 strokes.



Another interesting hole is the par 3 181 yards 4th which requires a full water carry to the green. A one wood should get you on the green safely. If short you land in the pond, overclubbing will land the ball into OB. The hole is a popular hole-in-one during tournaments.

The par 3 150 yards 14th is not difficult by any measure but it's certainly one of the most scenic holes. The green is set out on the beach surrounded by the longest beach bunker in the country, which during the monsoon becomes a water hazard. At the Awana Kijal Golf Course, you are invited to enjoy the scents, sights and atmosphere of the relaxing beach, courtesy of mother nature. All while having an invigorating round of golf.

Upon arriving, all the kids are getting excited to swim in the swimming pool. So the activity during that day is swimming. We all went to the swimming pool. Its been awhile since i have swimming too. I am taking the chances to brush up my swimming skills. I never attended a swimming class before, but i know how to swim. It must be a gift.



I swam for 2 hours that day. My leg are starting to get cramped. Then we went back to our room. We rest for a while, then we went out for dinner.

The next day, Sunday, 26/10/2008, we all woke up early in the morning and prepare for the trip to Kuala Terengganu. It takes around 2 hours of driving from Kijal. Kuala Terengganu is the largest city as well as the state and royal capital of Terengganu state. Places of interest include Chinatown, Pasar Payang (Central Market), the Sultan's Palace, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong.

We all went to the Pasar Payang. There are many thing people are selling in Pasar Payang especially the cloth, and Kain Songket. The cloth and Kain Songket sold is very high quality and its a local production. The Kain Songket may ranged from RM200 - RM1000.







I didn't buy anything though. Nothing caught my interest. I just look around the items sale. There are many people there from all over Malaysia. Even foreign tourist went there to shop for local products.

My Pak Ngah with his fanily


My grandparent


Pak Cik Lan with my cousins


There also many delicacies sale there. Many unique and exotic delicacies. It ranged from the traditional delicacies of Terengganu, the keropok lekor (fish crackers),
to the turtle egg. The turtle egg are eaten by tearing the egg shell. The shell is very soft. It tastes kinda salty and sandy. I really meant 'sand'y.

Keropok Lekor (Fish Crackers)


Many traditional delicacies


The turtle egg for sale to eat...


After a while in the Pasar Payang, we went outside to the new bazaar in front of the market. We went to the roof, and enjoy the view from above.







Around 3 pm, we return to Kijal. Upon returning, the kids once again wanna go swimming for the last time in the swimming pool before we return to Kuala Lumpur the next day.

Terengganu is a very interesting place to visit. There are many beautiful places around Terengganu. Since I don't have all the time to visit all these places, maybe next time I will go there. Come and Visit Terengganu. Malaysia holiday, everything is here in Malaysia.