Kedai Kopi Hai Peng

Location:

3753 Jalan Sulaimani

Chukai

24000 Kemaman

Terengganu

Tel: 09-859 7810

Operation: 6.45am - 6.00pm

We were on the trip to Kuantan when we passing this small town called Kemaman. Of course before we embarked on our journey, we already planned to stop by on this famous coffee shop. When we reached the shop, it was packed with its customer, either locals or tourist.

Definitely, we ordered our drinks first. Coffee is a must here. We decided to order their signature drink, hot coffee-o. When the drink is hot, the aroma is more intense compared with the cold coffee. Also, we ordered charcoal toasted bun filled with kaya and butter.

Another item that we tried out is the Tapai, sort of glutinous rice wrapped in fresh leaf. We tried this out of our curiosity as we seldom have this in KL.

The last one we tried was Nasi Lemak. A so called must have when having coffee at coffee shop.

From the setting in the shop, we feels that this coffee shop has been operating for long time based on the setup and decorations. Before we leaving, we bought few box of the famous coffee here. Coffee over here uses imported Columbian beans, which has greater aroma compared to robusta. Maybe this make the coffee here stand out compared with others competitor in town.

Pantai Kemasik

Location: Between the town of Kijal and Kerteh

Along the driving from Kerteh to Kuantan, we were stumbled upon a nice beach. Though we have passed this area few times, but we never make an effort to stop for a while to take a look. By the time we came here, we are pleasantly surprise to see such a beautiful beach that is right in front of us.

Pantai Kemasik (or Kemasik Beach) is facing South China Sea. It is actually located in between Kijal and Kerteh. Because the beach facing South China Sea, this beach is clean and has crystal clear water. There are rocks at the beach, where you can either climb it or take some photo shots.

This clean and picturesque beach is popular among the locals especially during the weekend. It is great for picnic, camping, flying kites or just lounging around the golden sand beach. We saw a big family having their weekend outing over here and setting up the tent as well.

There is a small hut where fishermen will rest and sell some of their catch over here once they are back from the sea. Nearby, one can also view the rustic fishing village at the river mouth.

Fisherman Jetty... Kuala Dungun

Location: Dungun, Terengganu

We stoppped by at the this fisherman's jetty after our breakfast in Dungun. We just wanted to do some photography shooting as part of our memory towards the journey to east coast. Though it was not the peak time where fishermen are back from the sea, we still managed to see some of the fishermen unloading their catch to the jetty.

The jetty is under the care of Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (known as Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia). During our photo shooting, there was an uncle that allowed us to jump into his boat to snap few photos.

We managed to see some fishing equipments looks like an iron net, which meant to be thrown into the sea during the fishing trip. However, we didn't ask in details from the fishermen around the jetty.

Crystal Mosque

Location: Wan Man Island, Kuala Terengganu

Crystal Mosque, also known as Masjid Kristal located at Islamic Heritage Park, first of its kind in the world. The mosque was constructed between 2006 - 2008, and officially opened on 8th February 2008 by 13th Yang Di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu.

This Islamic Heritage Park was the brain child of our then PM of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi. Built on 22.3 ha site of an uninhibited Pulau Wan Man, the Terengganu River estuary, this new landmark is expected to lure visitors around the world, to let one understand better of Islamic world. This park is also known as first Islamic edutainment theme park in the world to showcase the glorious era of Islamic science and technology achievements, arts, architecture, engineering and heritage.

The construction of the RM240 million Islamic Civilisation also house replicas of world famous mosque around the world. Among the replicas are the Dome of Rock (Jerusalem), Taj Mahal (India), Samarra Grand Mosque (Iraq) and many more. However, we didn't enter the Islamic Civilisation Park (Taman Tamadun Islam) as we don't have enough time. Besides that, one need to pay for the entrance fee to enter the park.

It is considered unique as it is the first and only mosque built from steel and glass, hence the crystal-like image.

Pulau Duyung...Traditional Boat Maker Village...

Location: Kg Duyung Besar, 20100 Kuala Terengganu. It is very near to the Sultan Mahmud bridge.

Pulau Duyung, translated as Mermaid Island. However, it is not an island, but instead this place consists of Pulau Duyung Besar and Pulau Duyung Kecil. These 2 peninsulars extend from the mainland and river towards the sea. Particularly, Pulau Duyung is well known for boat-building, not only in Malaysia, but also towards the whole world.

We were told during our visit that the craftmen have been building traditional boats without using masterplans or blueprints. Even that, the orders have been coming in around the world, especially from Europe. The craftmen even told us that it takes years to complete to build a nice boat, especially they really need to make sure that the cengal trees (a hardwood timber also knowns as ironwood) is completely dry up. They will put the hardwood under the hot sun to make sure it is dried up.

During our tour, the craftmen told us that there are 2 orders from KRU Studio (Malaysia local film production). The orders meant for the filming purposes.

However, nowadays it is hard to get the timber as nearby primary jungle is gone. If there were any cengal tree left, it is protected by the law. If one to buy the cengal tree, one need to pay a heavy price for the timber, and subsequently increase the cost of the boat.

Pantai Kelulut

Location: Marang, Terengganu

Pantai Kelulut is located between Marang and Rantau Abang. We managed to discover this beach while on the way from Terengganu to Kuantan. This beach is well known for its natural beauty and serenity. Besides that, there are lot of pine trees along the beach.

This beach is also a preferred weekend destination by locals. Kelulut Beach is unique for its alluring powdery sands that form a remarkable stretch of sand dune.

It is also a picturesque fishing village, welcomes her visitors with tall swaying coconut trees, cool fresh air, an incredibly beautiful lagoon and a fleet of fishing trawlers. Any visitor to the beach will be easily captivated by its natural beauty and simplistic ambience.

Besides the beach, there are stalls around the area. We did stop by and tried out few dishes. Since it was sunny and hot, we decided to order coconut drink. Another dish that caught our attention was the fried ikan kembung (slimy mackerel or rastrelliger kanagurta). This dish really tasty, most probably it was freshly caught by the fishermen.

New Attraction... though....

Location: Gong Badak

We reached Kuala Terengganu as part of our East Coast cari-cari makan journey. So happens that we saw the signboard of "STADIUM" and we decided to have a look on the 'new attraction' of the state. Here we go, we followed the signboard to the destination.

Once we reached the destination, we were speechless. The once mighty Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (named after King) which was recently used for Sukma games, collapsed like that. This stadium was completed for the games with the cost of RM300mil.

Since then, there were lot of news coming out related to the incident. Up to today, we are not sure what is the progress of the stadium of the investigation.

When we reached the location, we were thinking that we are the only 'pat kua' people there, looking at the misery. Surprise surprise, even the local people came all the way to see the damage structure of the stadium. Of course we take our own sweet time to capture the best memory for this.

Hopefully this incident won't happens in future... GOD bless....

Floating Mosque

Location: Teluk Ibai, Kuala Terengganu

This mosque is known as Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque as well, and first floating mosque in the country. Constructed between 1993 - 1995, it was officially opened by the late Sultan of Terengganu, Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah on July 1995.

The idea came from the late Sultan himself, and after it was completed, this mosque was named after his mother, Tuanku Intan Zaharah binti Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja.

The entire mosque covers about 25,000 square feet. The mosque was constructed with a lake surrounding it, with the backdrop of the open South China Sea.

Wat Photivihan

Location: Kampung Jambu, Tumpat

Wat Photivihan is one of the famous Siamese temple in Tumpat, Kelantan. It housing the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Malaysia, and also believed to be the largest in Southeast Asia. It measures 40m in length, 11m in height and 9m in width.

Besides the reclining Buddha, you also may visit the colorful temple besides it. No entrance fee when visiting the temple.

You need to ask the local people here for the direction if you are not familiar here. Road sign leading to the temple is not sufficient. Optionally, GPS will be your best buddy when going to this temple.

Construction work starts in year 1973, and completed in 1979. Some visitors (include my wife and me) surprised to see such a huge temple in this Muslim majority state. However, since the district is near to Thai's border, it most probably influenced by Thai's culture.

U-Lang Corner

Location: Jalan Wakaf Mek Zainab, Kota Bahru

Business Hours: Start selling at about 11.30am

We came here to have our lunch before continuing our journey to Terengganu. What is so special about this little restaurant by road side? It is famous for its Nasi Kerabu, also known as "Khao Jam" in Thai.

This is served with green-colored rice, with the mixture of many herbs. It has sliced onion, sliced cucumber, bean sprout, basil leaves etc. One can choose to have Khao Jam served with fish (ikan kembong) or with chicken.

Besides this, there are few other nice food to try over here. There is asam laksa, but it is different from what we usually have in KL. The gravy almost the same in KL, but the ingredient is different. Over here, the ingredient looks like the "chee cheong fun" that we usually had. We ordered a bowl and try it out... Yummy!!!

Also, we ordered a bowl of "chendol pulut tapai". We seldom have this in KL, so we tried out the taste and it is very nice to have it, especially during the hot day.

Siti Khadijah Market

We came to Siti Khadijah Market as it is a well known landmark in Kelantan. When you mentioned Selangor, you will think of "Royal Selangor Pewter". So do Kelantan, it will always associate with this vibrant and colorful market.

This market is located in the heart of Kelantan. From my search from the internet, it was found the market was renamed as "Siti Khadijah" by chief minister of Kelantan, Dato Hj Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. Formerly, it was known as Pasar Besar Buluh Kubu. Siti Khadijah Market was named after the wife of Prophet Muhammad, Siti Khadijah, a successful businesswoman herself. The market is dominated by Kelantanese women.

When we reached here, it was almost noon time. Many stalls has called it for a day. Since we are here, we decided to buy something over here. After much consideration, we bought 2 packets of "red rice". Before we left the market, we bought longan here to eat during our journey to Terengganu.