Part 2 – One Night in Kuala Terengganu (KT)

18 Sept 2013

Actually we stayed a night in KT just to break the journey to Pulau Perhentian. We booked a family room in a local hotel in town for RM99. It came with one large bed and two single beds and a window. The rate is lower if you choose a windowless room.

We walked around town and visited two places - KT's Chinatown and KT's Waterfront. Wished we had the time to visit more places of attraction but there was just not enough time.

Kuala Terengganu’s Chinatown

Our first outing in KT was to Chinatown, or Kampung Cina.

You can’t miss this place as it is symbolized by many lanterns.   

The Chinese community of KT have their temples, shops, food stalls, restaurants, clan houses and pork market here. 

pre-war shop houses

Some live here too as we saw quite a number of old Chinese shophouses. This place becomes lively during meal times. This is a UNESCO Heritage site.

We stopped awhile to admire an old temple of Chinese guardian deities. It was built by the Hokkien clan in the 1796 and re-built in 1915.

The history of Ho Ann Kiong temple

The exterior - plenty of dragons

An old post-box - really BIG

We took our breakfast in one of the restaurants here the next morning. 

Oil lamp lit in the temple

 

The much respected guardian deities

Kuala Terengganu Waterfront

This is where we had the most delicious keropok lekor. It tasted so fresh and cheap too.

Prawn satay anyone?

The entrance archway to the waterfront.

A fishing boat moored in Terengganu River ..a typical scene in the state as it is primary traditional activities are farming and fishing.

And surprise, surprise ..KT's own I-City.

We watched people ...some fishing, others jogging. There were families, couples, traders and even a nomad couple from Holland travelling the world in their mini-van. 

Sat under this monlight in KT Waterfront

We didn’t venture anywhere else as everything else in town (as far as our eyes could see) was rather quiet and uninviting. In fact many shops were closed and had only a handful of customers. The town sleeps early. 

For dinner, we just packed some food from a restaurant across the street. 

Left Kuala Terengganu early the next morning headed towards Kuala Besut jetty, the exit to Pulau Perhentian.

Tips :-

1. For those staying far from Terengganu, if you drive, especially with children in tow, better to break the journey and get a good night's rest before continuing. 
2. Not much happens after 9pm in KT, so good to get early dinner. 
3. The Chinatown and KT Waterfront are within walking distance of each other.