What’s it like in Kuala Terengganu? (Part 1)

 

I’m sure you’re asking “Where the heck is Kuala Terengganu?”  Don’t worry, I asked the same question two months ago as I was looking for a dive center for my Advance Open Water Course.

For starters, Kuala Terengganu is in Malaysia. It is the capital of Terengganu, a sultanate located on the Eastern side of Malaysia.  You can take an hour-long plane ride or a 6-8 hour bus ride to reach Kuala Terengganu, the jump-off point to the different islands known for its white sand, diving, and snorkelling sites.  One of the most popular islands for backpackers is the Perhentian Island, which I heard about 2 years ago when I was in Langkawi.

“Visit  Beautiful Terengganu” is the 2017  theme of the Malaysian Tourism Government and I quite heartily agree, Terangganu is beautiful and a must-visit. So, if you happen to be in Terengganu this 2017, congratulations!  You’re basically hip as this is “the coolest place” to explore this year.  You can check this out Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017 if you don’t believe me.

If you are on your way to Perhentian Islands or would like to dive in one of the islands, a two-day stop in Kuala Terengganu would be great for a rest and a soak in its history, culture and arts.  You’re already there so why not add some neurons along the way right? As a teacher, that’s one of the things I compulsively need.  You can stop by the Tourism Office and ask for maps, bus schedules around the city and beyond.  Tourism Office is quite near the Bus Station, further down KFC that’s located in the corner.

Here’s a list of things I did and wanted to try in Kuala Terengganu:

1. Eat Nasi Dagang

From the taxi driver to my Malaysian friend,  that’s the first thing that they will ask you to try.  If you search the internet, you’ll see a few popular places where you can find this most “sought-after” Terangganu food.  However, as what the girl in the reception told me matter-of-factly as I head off to one of those popular places, it’s all the same.  The food is the same with the eatery in front of the hotel, near the market or in that place praised in the internet – it’s just that one has a bit more serving than the other.

But what is Nasi Dagang?  It’s rice cooked in coconut milk served with fish curry.  I ate Nasi Dagang for lunch for two days and I got two varieties of fish curries – which were all good.  In other words, you need to try different places and eventually you’ll discover which one you prefer.

2. Take the Wooden Bus

Well, not literally! They call it the “Wooden Bus” but there is also a “modern” version.  Anyway, whichever you take, it will give you a glimpse of the different places to see in Terengganu.  There are two routes and a schedule.  You can choose the places you can visit and it gives you some time to really explore the place.  Just make sure you are aware of when the next bus arrives as waiting for 3 hours in one place can feel like forever – unless that’s how long you want to stay.  Just go to the Bus Station and you will find it there.  If not, wait for a few minutes as they do follow a strict schedule.

 

3. Visit the Science Museum

I am an educator and there’s a compulsion for me to visit at least one museum (among other things) whenever I travel.  Known as the Pusat Sains dan Kreativiti Terengganu or Center for Science and Creativity Terengganu.  It’s way out of the city but no worries, you can easily reach it with a breeze and at a very affordable price,  beautiful scenery included.  How?  Easy, take the Wooden Bus.  Well, it’s not literally a wooden bus but it’s a bus that has a scheduled route and stops and one of those stops happen to be the Science Museum.  You have 1.5 hours to explore, try their hands-on exhibits and be basically like a kid again – be curious and start re-learning!  Go ahead, it’s worth it!

 

5. Eat Krupuk Lekong Terengganu and buy this to bring back home as gifts to family and friends.

Okay, I wasn’t really able to try it but I bought 4  vacuum packs (which costs around MYR 20) and weighs about a kilo.  It’s not actually krupuk (or fish crackers) in the truest sense of the word but more like a sausage. A fish sausage is more like it.

 

More things to do and try in my next post – Part 2.