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Flag of Sabah, Visit Malaysia 2014 Logo, Flag of Kelantan |
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Clockwise from top: Air Asia Check-in Counter in BKI, Departure Gate, The very first flight from KK to KB!, Three quarters of the Wolfgang super excited!, Then we remembered it was still way too early in the morning., Aerial view of Kelantan. Photo Source: Rungitom & Ah Bing |
Upon arrival at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Terminal 2, we were given a warm welcome from the minute we stepped off the plane. We had the honour of flying with Yang Mulia Dato' Seri Tengku Dr Zainal Adlin Bin Tengku Mahamood, who is the friendly Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, and was seen joking with some of the (cute) stewards.
Here's a breakdown of our trip to Kota Bharu:
Where
To Stay:
- Hotel Perdana ¶¶¶¶¶
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Clockwise from left: Our room, The exterior of Hotel Perdana, Bathtub in room, View from our room, Toiletries provided, Personalised welcome letters |
The newly-renovated Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu stands in the heart
of the city centre, is within walking distance of Stadium Sultan Muhammad ke-IV
and strategically located within a commercial district, where you can easily
access government offices, shopping areas, hospitals and local attractions. The
hotel is only a 15 minute drive from the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport.
Tel: +609-7459999 Fax:
+609-7488855
Address: Hotel Perdana Kota
Bharu
Jalan Mahmood,
15200 Kota Bharu,
Kelantan, Malaysia
Available on Agoda: YES
Personal Review: Beautiful hotel, well taken care of (hopefully they maintain this, as it's actually newly renovated), comfortable beds, helpful staff and love the water pressure (important when you need to wash long, thick hair like mine haha)!
- Renaissance Hotel ¶¶¶¶¶
Situated in a prime location in Kota Bharu, the Renaissance
Kota Bharu is within easy reach of the Central Business District, the airport,
shopping areas, restaurants and entertainment.
Tel: +609-7462233 Fax: +609-7461122
Address: Renaissance Hotel
Kota Sri Mutiara, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra,
15150 Kota Bharu,
Kelantan, Malaysia
Available on Agoda: YES
Personal Review: An older hotel, but has a real cosy feel about it.
- Min House Camp
The bee / honey gallery. We arrived pretty late, so photo-taking wasnt exactly optimal outside! |
Dormitories by the riverside,
built around native flora and fauna, Min House Camp offers 2 day 1 night
packages (additional nights optional) during which you will experience river
cruises in a traditional boat to collect clams, firefly-watching after dark,
local music and traditional costumes, make traditional handicrafts, traditional
meals, a unique bee gallery, homemade honey and more.
Tel: +6013-9225440 Fax: +609-7652440
Address: Min House
Camp Lot 440, Kampung Pulau, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
Available on Agoda: No.
Available on Agoda: No.
Personal Review: Only went for a visit, not to stay so can't honestly comment on the rooms, but food was good, and the whole experience was definitely unique. I enjoyed going down the river, even though there werent many fireflies due to the full moon. They light up the river banks like Christmas trees!
What
To Do/See:
- Historical
·
Kota
Bharu Tourism Zone by Trishaw
All these sites are within walking distance of each other, so we just took the trishaw to our first location.
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Before we set out: Ashman from Air Asia was in the trishaw just behind me! |
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Riding past Sultan Ismail Petra Arch. Cool fact: trishaws are known as "teksi" here, whereas the normal taxis are "kereta sewa". |
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First stop: Tambatan D'Raja Kota Bharu Observation Tower. Directly overlooks the sea. |
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War Museum (Memorial Perang) aka Bank Kerapu. |
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Islamic Museum |
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Merdeka Square aka Dataran Merdeka |
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Masjid Muhammadi - State Mosque of Kelantan |
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Istana Jahar - Muzium Adat Istiadat Diraja Kelantan |
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Group photo with all the participants and the lovely trishaw drivers! |
2 2.
Cultural
Traditional Shadow Play has long
been a part of Kelantanese culture. As with most traditions though, it’s also a
dying art, with cinemas, TVs and the internet taking over the popularity vote
when it comes to drama.
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Clockwise from Top: Pak Daim showing us his gallery; Character designs; Old to New - Star Wars Shadow Play!; Works of Pak Daim |
With a dozen musicians and several
puppeteers behind the screen, shadow play is truly an underappreciated art
form. The puppets, which are made from animal hides, are intricate pieces which
take time and skill to bring to life!
·
Dragon
Boat Temple, Tumpat
Also known as Wat
Maisuwankhiri in Thai, it is when looking at the temples that you really start
to notice the influence of the Siamese, being from just across the border.
Constructed around 400 years ago, it spreads over 4 hectres and is located in Kampung Bukit Tanah. It also houses lifelike sculptures of a monk who passed away and the gold-leaved body of another well-respected monk.
Constructed around 400 years ago, it spreads over 4 hectres and is located in Kampung Bukit Tanah. It also houses lifelike sculptures of a monk who passed away and the gold-leaved body of another well-respected monk.
·
Reclining Buddha Temple
Wat
Photivihan houses the largest reclining
Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. Coconuts are also available for the thirsty
traveller.
·
Masjid
Jubli Perak (Masjid Beijing)
A mosque that looks like a temple
– what? Combining Chinese & Uzbekistan architecture, this unique house of
worship symbolises that Islam is for all. A universal religion, regardless of
language, culture and ethnicity.
Yep, that's me in a hijab and jubah - how do I look? =) |
·
Cultural
Centre – Dikir Barat Show
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Clockwise from Top: This kid has a bright rap future!, The Tok Juara leading the performance, Flexible Dancer was part of the show, Us taking a bow after joining in the performance. |
Dikir Barat is a type
of musical performance, performed with a few traditional background
instruments, and a large group sitting cross-legged on the floor forming a
chorus. They are led by a tok juara,
who is the master trainer of the group, and who will chant self-written pantuns (poems), usually about current
issues and sometimes satirical, while the chorus will chant the words back to
him, all the while clapping in unison and performing rhythmic body movements to
bring energy to the performance.
We got to take part in this
performance, and let me tell you – it’s not easy! We were all squirming under
our cramping legs, hands feeling numb from all the clapping, and keeping in
time with everyone else was just not happening. A really fun experience though!
·
Che
Minah Songket
Songket is a
handwoven piece of fabric made on an old-fashioned loom, and usually uses gold
or silver thread throughout the pattern. This intricately woven fabric has
always been a symbol of prestige and wealth, and is mostly worn on special
occasions such as weddings or high society dinners.
It takes 2 weeks – 6 months to
finish a piece, and cost anywhere from RM200 – RM7000 and above! Unfortunately,
songket is yet another dying art as
not many young people are interested to learn how to weave; the makcik we met is already 86-years old,
but don’t get me wrong – she’s still going strong!
Address: Cik Minah Songket
S/I-350, Kg. Penambang,
15350, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Operating hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm daily
Phone : 09-7481616 / 09-7441616
S/I-350, Kg. Penambang,
15350, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Operating hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm daily
Phone : 09-7481616 / 09-7441616
·
Wau
Maker in Kg. Badang
A Wau, or Wau Bulan, is a
national symbol of Malaysia, and can be seen on the flipside of the old 50 sen
coins. It’s another intricate art: the crafting of these uniquely-shaped kites,
some a lot bigger in size than a grown man!
We had the chance to visit Pak
Shafie, a wau-maker who has been
designing waus in his workshop for
decades. From the shaping of the bamboo frame, to the beautiful designs of the wau face, many hours and skilled handiwork
have been put into each one.
3 3.
Scenic
·
Kampong
Laut (Serunding Cottage Industry) by Boat

Serunding is
basically meat floss, and can be made with either beef, chicken or fish, then
mixed with spices before being put into a big “cauldron” (not really, but I’m
not sure what the mixer is called haha) to be processed to little powdery bits.
Can be eaten alone or as a condiment for other dishes!
4 4.
Shopping
·
Nordin
Batik
Batik is a hand-painted fabric,
usually colourful and inspired by flora and fauna found around Malaysia.
·
KB
Permai Silverware
Intricate handmade designs are
what make silver so popular in Kelantan, and after watching a little bit of the
process in the workshop behind the store, I’m definitely more appreciative of
this precious metal, which unfortunately my body seems to reject. =(
·
Wakaf
Che Yeh Midnight Bazaar
Definitely something fun to do at
night, Wakaf Che Yeh opens til gone midnight with an array of stalls selling
clothes, food, and other stuff.
·
Rantau
Panjang Free Duty Zone
About an hour’s drive from Kota
Bharu, Rantau Panjang is where the Thai immigration is – cross a small river
and you’re officially in Thailand!
The free duty zone is a
bargain-happy market, where you can buy clothes, bags and other items. We
didn’t explore much since it was raining, but we did get to try Aiskrim Baba: all sorts of jelly, nuts,
corn, bread (?!) stuffed into a little cup, then topped with ice cream and
sprinkles. Wasn’t too keen on the ice cream covered bread!
·
Pasar
Siti Khadijah
The biggest market in Kota Bharu,
Pasar Siti Khadijah sells everything from fresh fish and poultry to beautiful fabric!
The centre dome provides sunlight to the whole market, and goods are sold in
categories over three floors.
·
Keropok
Cap Kapal
Witness how keropok lekor and fish crackers are made, and even sample some
before you decide to buy!
Address: Keropok Kapal Laut
Lot 343, Kampung Kedai Buloh,
Jalan Kuala Besar,
15350 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Lot 343, Kampung Kedai Buloh,
Jalan Kuala Besar,
15350 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Where To Eat:
- Breakfast
·
Warung
Pok Mat, Kuala Besar
Famed for their Sup Kepala Ikan (fish head soup) and Teh Tarik Madu (honey pulled tea), the
owner, Pak Mat has worked hard perfecting the recipe that has been passed down
for generations.
·
Kopitiam
Kita
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Clockwise: Exterior of Kopitiam Kita; Various bihun; Various nasi; Roti Titab; Char & I with the owner, Mr Wong, Photots of some VIP patrons - including Dato' Siti Nurhaliza! |
Address: Kopitiam Kita
No. 4357-A, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Taman Desa Jaya,
15000, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Phone: 019-981 0888
Opens 7:30am to 1:00pm
No. 4357-A, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Taman Desa Jaya,
15000, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Phone: 019-981 0888
Opens 7:30am to 1:00pm
- Lunch
·
Yati
Ayam Percik Restaurant
Situated on Jalan Long Yunus, the ayam percik is definitely one of the
best in Kelantan! Served with Nasi Kerabu,
this charcoal-grilled, marinated chicken will definitely get your taste buds
tingling. Nasi Kerabu is basically
steamed white rice with a special sauce and vegetables on it.
They also sell a variety of
different kuih here. I’d suggest
buying some as, at the time, I was so full I couldn’t be bothered to look, but
upon trying some of the ones that Ah Bing bought on the bus, regrets abound!
They were SO good.
·
Nasi
Ulam Cikgu Restaurant
Nasi Ulam is
actually steamed white rice with a variety of mainly salad dishes, aka mostly
veggie. The main attraction of this dish is the budu, a sauce traditionally made with anchovies, salt and tempoyak (fermented durian).
- Hi-Tea
High tea with a view: Our first taste of traditional Malay kuih was set with a backdrop of the sun setting over the Kelantan River. The kuih served are usually very sweet, and not too long ago were only available to the royal family or people of status.
·
Perdana
Hotel
Live teh tarik demo behind the array of kuih prepared for us. |
·
Renaissance
Hotel
Served in the ballroom, JKKN put
on a traditional dance performance while we treated our sweet-toothes with kuih and cakes. Tom and I even got to
dance a little with the dancers! My favourite was definitely the peacock dance
though – the dance was so elegant, while the costume was just mesmerising!
- Dinner
A popular two-storey restaurant
for holding functions in Kota Bharu, New Horizon Restaurant is located along
Jalan Pasir Mas-Salor. Serving fusion cuisine, I have to say the tom yam is a
must try – they definitely learnt how to make this famous Thai dish well!
·
Captain-T
Restaurant
Shaped like a ship, Captain-T
serves fresh seafood steamboat in an air-conditioned room with a captain’s
wheel!
Address: Captain-T Restaurant,
PT 247, Jalan Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra, Seksyen 17,
15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Opening Hours: 4:00pm to 12:00pm
Phone: +6016 203 5763/+6016 412 5763
PT 247, Jalan Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra, Seksyen 17,
15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Opening Hours: 4:00pm to 12:00pm
Phone: +6016 203 5763/+6016 412 5763
Kota Bharu Must-Knows:
Capital of Kelantan, East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia, Bordering Thailand, South-East Asia
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Weather: Like throughout Malaysia, Kota Bharu has a tropical climate, so can be quite humid and sunny, but it also rains throughout the year.
Time Zone: GMT +8 hours
Language: Mostly Bahasa Melayu, but it can also be quite different from the way it's spoken in Kuala Lumpur or Sabah, so don't be surprised if you hear words you can't understand, even if you are usually fluent in the language!
Electricity: 240V, 3 pin plugs.
How To Get There:
Air Asia flies directly from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Kota Bharu, Kelantan (and back) 3 times a week. You can check flight details at www.airasia.com.
More info: Kelantan Tourism Information Centre or their facebook.
Overall, Kelantan is worth a visit, and a 4 day 3 night trip can pretty much cover all you need to see to get a feel of what Kelantan is really like. If you have to choose 3 places to really experience, I'd have to say the songket-making demo, wau making demo and wayang kulit are the 3 most unique. Clean, friendly, and cultural, when doing your rounds of Visit Malaysia 2014, don't miss out on this border-state!
*Big thanks to Air Asia, Kelantan Tourism Board, and MATTA Kelantan for inviting us on such a memorable trip! Also thumbs up and a wave to Mr Saiful, our tour guide who made the trip that much more interesting and hilarious!
Til next time,
Calista xx
I'll be taking the cue to utilize my hoodie as face protection from now on! Also, you looks so kewt~ wearing hijab!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! It was fun.. Really dont know how they do it on a daily basis though - it was so hot! =O
DeleteSounds like you had a good time! I traveled through the area too and found so many great things to do I made a webpage for it! http://kotabharuhotel.com/kota-bharu/
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was great, really loved it.. I was quite surprised at the amount of things to do and places to explore! =)
Delete