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New Straits Time:31 January 2006.
THE Monsoon Cup 2005 put Terengganu in the world spotlight. But the State has always been known for its clean beaches, islands, food and unique lifestyle. Story by SAGER AHMAD
IF you are in Kuala Terengganu (KT to regulars), it is easy to visit many places of interest from the Grand Continental Hotel, located in Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin in the centre of town.
The hotel itself has pleasant surroundings. Located by a lovely beach, it offers a commanding view of the white sand beach, kampung houses, part of KT town, the Terengganu river mouth and also part of Pulau Duyung, an island in the river mouth famous for its wooden boatbuilding industry.
The hotel, painted bright orange, is hard to miss and is visible from far. It is just 20 minutes' drive from the Sultan Mahmud Airport.The rooms are divided into several types.There is the single (twin sharing), studio or triple, together with four suites, a royal suite, a presidential suite and two executive suites.
George Loong, the hotel's general manager would share with you stories (if he is not occupied) over coffee about the colourful guests who stayed at the hotel and about the many places to visit in KT.
He could also share some of the country's checkered history as he was a young boy living in Kuala Lumpur during World War II (1942- 1945).
Grand Continental KT was one of the host hotels for the recently held Monsoon Cup 2005 on Pulau Duyung.
KT itself has many attractions if one cares to spend some time to explore and most of it is within walking distance from the hotel.
KUALA TERENGGANU, March 21 (Bernama) -- The tourism sector is expected to contribute RM2.8 billion in revenue to Terengganu in 2010, more than the RM2.6 billion last year. State Exco for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Za'abar Mohd Adib said the better forecast is based on global economic recovery and the country's recovery from H1N1.
"We expect to receive 4 million tourists this year compared to 3.3 million last year due to H1N1. Some 80 percent were domestic tourists," he said after opening 'Fiesta Bulan Candat Sotong 2010' here Saturday. Programmes lined-up for 2010 include GP Joran Tenggiri Challenge, Perhentian Island Challenge, Monsoon Cup, Kenyir International Trialthlon, Terengganu Masters Golf Invitational, World Gamelan Festival, Kenyir Goodwill Fishing Competition and Sultan Cup Endurance Challenge. Za'abar said about 1,000 people are expected to take part in squid jigging contests to mark 'Fiesta Bulan Candat Sotong 2010' which offers RM277,000 in prize money.
Sultan Mahmud is an airport that serves Kuala Terengganu, a city in the state of Terengganu in Malaysia. The airport is located 15 km from town. In 2008, the airport handled 487,495 passengers with 10,045 aircraft movements.[1]
In January 2008, Malaysian government had approved RM200 million to upgrade the airport to become an international airport. This includes funding to extend the runway and upgrade the terminal of the airport.
On October 11 2008, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-400 landed here on 1456 hours from Kuala Lumpur which makes it the first Boeing 747 to land here.Tourist have no worries to come to Terengganu via plane because we have a full facilities to welcome them. They can use a domestic flight like Malaysia Airlines,Air Asia or Firefly from
Monsoon Cup was first initiated by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his fishing trip in Terengganu. The Prime Minister thought the monsoon season should be used as an advantage to the state and his people rather than being seen as a hurdle. The economic objectives include making the Monsoon Cup a catalyst for development in the state and to create economic opportunities in services and manufacturing sectors related to the event. Among them are hotels, tourism, restaurants, boat-making, food supplies, textiles and souvenirs.
The Monsoon Cup also helped turn the event venue, Pulau Duyong at the mouth of
The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its inauguration and debut as the 50th official event of the Swedish Match Tour (http://www.swedishmatchtour.com/), and serves as the Malaysian leg for the prestigious international sailing event. Dubbed 'The Formula One of Sailing', this professional sailing series was formed in 2000 to unite the world's best match-race regattas under one banner.
The World Match Racing Tour comprises ten events in ten specially selected locations around the world. As the leading professional sailing series in the world, the Tour events are recognized as must-attend regattas on the match-race circuit. The Monsoon Cup for the 2009 offered the second highest prize money in the world (RM1 million) for a match racing event.
The Monsoon Cup 2009 was held at Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, from
The Monsoon Cup is the tenth and final event on the World Match Racing Tour 2009. Twelve of the best match racing teams met on the waters off Terengganu in
This sailing event has ignited interest in match racing and yachting in
The Monsoon Cup's success has helped to create the Korea Match Cup and spurred
ABOUT THE VENUE:PULAU DUYONG
Just next to
At P.Duyung, there are a number of small villages. Evenings are the best time to go as the young children come out to play on the banks. With their kites, they have their inter-village competitions.These kids fight for the reign, to be the 'king of kites'. There is a lot of strategy involved, sneaky tricks and all sorts of espionage going on..
One sneaky way of winning the game is by modifying their kites. The older boys would smash used light bulbs and grind them into fine glass powder. Then they dip the kite string into a glue paste and coat the string with the glass powder. Once up in the air and the string taut, these specially modified kites are used as instruments of destruction. As the kites come together, entwining each other in a tussle, the fine glass is sharp enough to cut through the opponent's kite string - the kite breaks off and floats away as the owner and his group of friends run off to catch the fallen star. The winner keeps the loser's kite and so on it goes.
At Pulau Duyung, traditional boat building is still thriving. Pakcik Haji Abdullah and his group of highly skilled craftsmen have been building these sturdy, seaworthy boats for the Marang fishing fleet for a long, long time now. And amazingly, the boats were built entirely from memory without the use of plans. Not only is he well known in
Now, much of the nearby primary jungle is gone and if there were any cengal trees left, it would be protected and after all, it's too heavy a price to pay for the timber. Yet he continues his work, meticulously putting finishing touches to the beautifully handcrafted vessels, ready to hand them over to the owner where each boat will continue the legacy of Haji Abdullah, Terengganu's finest boatbuilder.
There is a pleasant outfit near Pakcik's place where you can stay for as cheap as RM15 per chalet per night. The set up is basic but its atmosphere, which blends perfectly into the fabric of village life, mesmerise visitors. The owners of the sea facing chalets, believe in the beauty of living with the surrounding, providing the traveller a true feeling of living among the locals. But don't worry if you are unable to find the place, ask anyone on Pulau Duyung and they will be able to direct you to Awi's yellow house. It's best to walk around Pulau Duyung rather than drive. If you get lost, just ask the locals for directions.
Hashim who lives right next to Awi's place makes beautiful wooden models of the old trading ships that used to ply the
These boats are no longer in use except for a few that are used for tourists' cruises in
There is a nice 'palace' in Kota Lama (Old town) built almost entirely of timber. For years, the palace stood derelict, overgrown and forgotten, facing the inevitable doom of erosion exarcebated by the salty sea air. Then one day, it was decided that the palace be rebuilt as it would have been during its glory days. Only the brick and cement foundation is of the original. With the help of historians; local craftsmen got together and reconstructed the timber structures of the palace. Although it is empty inside but the reconstruction gives a good idea to the local architecture of the era. The decorative, perforated wood panels on the top of solid wall panels provide good ventilation and also allows light to seep into the otherwise dark interior. This kind of wood carving involves piercing techniques known as tebuk terus (direct piercing), tebuk separuh (semi piercing) and tebuk timbul(embossed piercing). The wood craftsmen of Terengganu are renown for handcrafting such designs. If you're interested in Malay architecture, the best place to go when in Terengganu is the museum at Losong. The typical architecture of a malay abode entails a porch at the entrance. A balai besar or audience hall became the meeting room where guests and subjects were granted audience. The kitchen, the bedrooms, the wash area, and the dining room have been reconstructed with corridors connecting the rooms. You are required to sign the visitors' book and they don't mind if you leave a donation for the short tour conducted. However, you will not get much out of the tour as the guides speak little English and they hardly know much about the place. But they are extremely helpful in guiding you through the dark rooms and corridors, opening windows for light to come through.
We started the journey from Kuala Lumpur at night.Using Karak Highway , we wound our way down through the many mountains of the Highlands and after 4 hours we stopped at a town called Gua Musang in a small hotel mainly got some rest and refreshment.After an hour’s lunch break we climbed back in to a my friends ‘4x4 (thankfully with him) and made the further 3 hour drive to the coast.
We arrived safe and sound, were shown where to get on the boat, had our tickets checked, paid the mandatory RM5 conservation charge and clambered on board a large speed boat with about 8 other sun lovers.
The journey was a bumpy one to say the least, and everyone had to shift up towards the back of the boat and the driver so the poor people at the front of the boat could stop
We were stopped by a man standing outside the first hotel (Shari La Resort) and were told that they had a room available for RM50 per night . So we jumped at the chance as we didn’t fancy a walk along the blistering hot sand with our humungous back packs.
The room wasn’t great (quite dingy), but we had our own bathroom and it was clean enough so we decided to call it home for the next 4 nights.
We made our way down to a little bay by the side of the resort, at around 6pm, and couldn’t wait until the next day for a swim so decided to jump straight in to the crystal clear blue waters of the Perhentians and cool ourselves down. There isn’t really an awful lot to do on the Perhentians, apart from snorkelling/kayaking/diving/swimming and sun bathing, which is good for us as we wanted a nice relaxing, which is coming along nicely.
Coral Bay was peaceful, a small bay with about 3 places to eat which mainly did a fish BBQ every night with tables and chairs placed along the beach. There are a few shops which are little shacks also along the beach with basic things to buy like suncream/postcards etc.
Food here does seem to be slightly more expensive than the mainland, but I guess they can up the price by a couple of Ringgits per meal/drink as there isn’t anywhere else you are going to be able to buy it on the island!
Our time on Coral Bay really was a matter of waking up at around 10am, getting breakfast then heading to either one of the small bays or the main beach for swimming and snorkelling, getting some dinner in the evening and sitting the the resorts lobby in the evening.
We managed to walk over to the other side of the island to the larger beach (Long Beach), in around 5 minutes along a dirt track which has had the surrounding jungle cut back to make it easier for people to get across.
Our first view of Long Beach was brilliant, it seemed alot breezier there than at Coral Bay and obviously it being the large area was a much longer beach with more shops/chalets and dive schools.
We left Coral Bay on Sunday and made our way by taxi boat (no cars or roads on either island) round to the Southern part of the island to a small resort (Petani Beach) which we had booked up at the end of last year. Lucky we had, as it is fully booked throughout the next few weeks and people are turning up each day on boats asking if there are any chalets going.
It is absolutely beautiful here, no photos either of us take will really ever do it any justice. Forget 5 star resorts, this place is perfect. Our chalet is set back a few metres from the beach and there are only 5 chalets in total which .The food here is the best we have had yet in Malaysia, with different specials every night (BBQ’s/buffets/freshly caught fish) which makes things more interesting and so much nicer than having to pick from the same menu every night.
There are hammocks all along our part of the beach (the beach has another resort called Impiani right at the other end) strung up by rope to the many coconut trees. We have both found our perfect hammocks and have spent the last few days in them reading whilst going snorkelling and today we went kayaking over to Perhentian Besar (Big Island).
The water here is so clear and blue its only when it gets really deep you cant see alot, but we have both seen beautiful fish and coral. Phil even spotted an octopus which he quickly swam away from as it looked a bit scary!!
Diving is something that I have always wanted to do and feel very lucky to finally be doing it at last, may there be many more dives around the world to come! So another blog will follow once we have been diving and we can let you know how our adventures of the deep went.
Hope everyone at home is well, it feels as though we have been away forever but infact it is only 2 short weeks, but I really luv Terengganu…the destination you will never forget.
Umbut mayang di umbut
Umbut dengan jala-jemala
Ulit mayang diulit
Ulit dengan puterinya satu
Puteri satu berbaju serong
Puteri satu bersanggul sendeng
Puteri satu bersubang gading
Puteri satu berselendang kuning
Ulit mayang di umbut
Ulit dengan jala-jemala
Jika sambut mayang disambut
Sambut dengan puterinya dua
Puteri dua berbaju serong
Puteri dua bersanggul sendeng
Puteri dua bersubang gading
Puteri dua berselendang kuning
Ulit mayang di umbut
Ulit dengan jala-jemala
Jika sambut mayang disambut
Sambut dengan puterinya tiga
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Ku tahu asal usul mu
Yang darat balik ke darat
Yang laut balik ke laut
Nasi kuning hamba sermbahkan
Pulih mayang ku pulih
Pulih balik sedia kala
Ulik Mayang featuring presentation seven princess cure people was interrupted. There is two versions namely bodies of men version play 'sepak raga' and version a group of fisherman before one from them affected interrupt.
According to history record, seven the princess hails from Bukit Puteri which always become villager focus ask for help cure sick person through spell, call and incantation. This dance hails from Terengganu.
Ulek Mayang available today already experienced change including mythology element deleted.
Boat On The Road?
Share RM10,000 for programme winner fishing 'Boat on The Road' in Kenyir Lake, Terengganu in 7 to May 9 this doubled with offer RM20,000 of the Terengganu State Government to participant who acquire dragon fish (Arapaima gigas).
The three days programme sponsored by TV3 and Unit Joran Berita Harian with State Government cooperation Terengganu intend to assist promote sport fish in the lake the and new various products tourism there.
To achieve the programme, Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said, handing over contribution RM150,000 to part finance his sponsorship cost to Berita Executive Director and Operasi Editorial Media Prima, Datuk Ahmad A Talib, in Sultan Mahmud Airport (LTSM) here.
State government previously offer RM10,000 to angler succeed to raise fish from the Amazon purportedly escape to Kenyir Lake, to avoid it breed and threatening local fish species.
“Anyone who managed to the dragon fish accept RM10,000 and in conjunction with his this programme prize elevated to RM20,000,” he said.
Also present at the media conference State Secretary, Datuk Mazlan Ngah; Industrialization Committee chief, Perdagangan and Environment state, Toh Chin Yaw; Tourism committee chairman, Kebudayaan, Kesenian and Warisan state, Datuk Za'abar Mohd Adib, and Editor Lidah Pengarang Berita Harian, Kamal Ahmad.
Ahmad said, programme fishing the scheduled to be held in Sungai Mandak, Kenyir Lake and enforce arrest concept and last. Target species was toman fish and sebarau apart from opportunity acquire kalui, catfish, and Tapah.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said, the programme expected involving 150 to 200 participant board 50 four-wheel drive (4x4) who did convoy from Sri Pentas, Kuala Lumpur to Kenyir Lake in 8 o'clock in the morning, 7th of May this through Kemaman and Dungun before entering short cut to Iron Hill then Kuala Berang direct Kenyir Lake.
Programme 'Boat On The Road' organised in conjunction with Jelajah Joran TV3 release's slot scheduled to be on air May's middle.
“TV3 and Berita Harian very flattered because great leader such as Datuk Ahmad Said like join and leading this convoy expedition. We very proud of that state government willingness give cooperation and contribution to achieve this programme.
“We believe this programme will help Terengganu Government promote Kenyir Lake and Terengganu as destination fishing very attract in this country,” he said.
In related development, Ahmad Said tell every participant charged a fee RM250 to enjoy accommodation package in resort, dinner party and souvenir. Participant also enjoy meal seven times eat on boat most furnished satellite television broadcast.
“This programme not till fishing but enjoy holiday and food dish quite enjoyable,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR:10 apr Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) will organise programme 'Boat On The Road' - convoy about 30 to 50 four-wheel drive headed for destination fishing expect to choose Terengganu or Perak as his destination in 7 to May 9 this.
The programme held in conjunction with Jelajah Joran's new programme broadcast supposition on air in TV3 during 13 middle week this May.
To achieve the programme, angler having four-wheel drive invited to participate the expedition going to take off from Sri Pentas, Major Urban Damansara on 7th of May. Berita Executive Director and Operasi Editorial Media Prima Berhad, Datuk Ahmad A Talib, said the programme expected draw more 200 participations from angler group which owns own four-wheel drive and boat.
“In expedition take place three days two tonight, participant will be doing activity fishing at destinations already selected by chance to win the prize handsome contested,” he said in media conference in News Room, last Monday.
He said, the programme participant also exposed with concept environmentally friendly such as practice arrest and last for each fish fished in the competition.
Also present Penerbit Eksekutif Jelajah Joran, Zainal Ariffin Ismai, publisher and Jelajah Joran announcer, Nasir Yusof and Pengurus Projek Berita Harian, Mohd Mizal Hasbullah.
Meanwhile, Nasir said, Jelajah Joran supposition his release on 18th of May forward during 30 minutes. It will be catered audience with various tips and ethic fishing.
Destination they more focused on fresh water location such as Kenyir Lake and Hutan Royal Belum apart from in Laut irrigation China Selatan.
The expedition participation open to people having four-wheel drive (4x4) and boat. Per team consisting of two to four angler.
Information on expedition could be obtained in Joran insertion future apart from on Facebook or contact Zainudin Ismail (Umbai): 013-3310166 or Osman decrepit: manjoran@yahooo.com or 016-6359023.
KUALA LUMPUR: Six sponsor participate hand over sponsorship overall worth RM27,000 as commitment on convoy and fishing competition proposal Boat On The Road from TV3 Sri Pentas to Kenyir Lake, Terengganu from tomorrow until this Sunday.
The sponsor was Tourism Malaysia, Universal Fitness & Leisure Sdn Bhd (UFL-Coleman), TCE Tackles Sdn Bhd, Boat Explorer Sdn Bhd, Outworld Pro Gear and Super Best Power Sdn Bhd
Sponsorship commended to Pengarang Kumpulan Berita Harian Sdn Bhd (BHSB), Datuk Mior Kamarul Shahid in News Room here, yesterday. Also present, Timbalan Pengarang Kumpulan BHSB, Mahfar Ali.
At the function, Tourism Malaysia sponsor cash and hamper worth RM12,000 handed over Bahagian Pembangunan Industrinya Director, Zulkifly Md Said. UFL-Coleman on the other hand sponsor recreation hardware including tube boat, cold light and box worth RM5,000 represented Urusannya Director, Datuk Radha Krisnan.
TCE Tackles Sdn Bhd which represented Pengurus Pemasarannya, Micheal Tan hand over fishing equipment sponsorship worth RM3,000. A fibre glass boat worth RM3,000 on the other hand sponsored Boat Explorer Sdn Bhd handed over Urusannya Director, Mike Thien.
Outworld Pro Gear company on the other hand sponsor 15 waterproof bag worth RM1,500 to make participant prize. Sponsorship handed over Pengurus Programnya, Khairil Yusree. While Super Best Power general manager (M) Sdn Bhd, Kamal Mohd Noor, hand over pack coffee drinks health worth RM2,500 to be distributed to participant.
Convoy and Boat On The Road fishing competition organised Unit Joran Berita Harian and TV3 in conjunction with promote 13 Jelajah Joran episode display fishing act in a few deep hollow nationwide, including Kenyir Lake, 5 o'clock in the afternoon from 16th of May.
The three days event get cooperation Terengganu Government help finance part of his cost when provide allocation RM150,000 because the programme also promote tourism sector in largest artificial la
Medan Maziah was originally a part of the Istana Maziah’s compound. A sizeable had been turned into a beautiful landscaped garden. There is a gigantic replica of betel leaves canister or tepak sireh which symbolizes the half-forgotten betel leaves eating era of the yesteryears.
[YAB Dato' Ahmad B Said,The Terengganu Menteri Besar]
Warisan Pesisir Pantai town is exact translation may be granted to capital city of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu which owns historical heritage, natural craft work and natural treasure.Famous State with fish crackers, songket and the silk and turtle able becoming place world renowned tourism if nature product and asset promoted best possible.The 'Beautiful state, culture attract' theme was once reference several years ago indeed fit and in accordance with his society and natural beauty.The islands beautiful already well-known at international level, among them Perhentian Pulau, Redang Pulau and Kapas Island.Lasir waterfall's beauty in Kenyir Lake become tourist attractiveness to artificial lake. Realize uniqueness and privilege be in Terengganu, Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Negeri Terengganu (MTPNT) holding various activities to make the state between main tourism location country.
The Menteri Besar Of Terengganu YAB Dato' Ahmad Said, saying throughout this year, various events conducted in effort promote Terengganu.He said, all the event will oriented on tourism including sports tourism, agro and homestay."Outside society including indeed already foreign tourist know to indahan island, Kenyir Lake, flora greenness and fauna be because Terengganu between prime destination if they travel to Malaysia," he said when contacted Berita Minggu, recently."Tourism event which held in this time more variation aim introduce products produced local community."Previously, we less concentrate manufacture of local product through annual event organizer such as Pesta Terengganu, but now during carnival will be held various products exhibition booths and sales local through government agency, private and individual involved with state's tourism sector," he said.
INTERESTING FACT
1. Kenyir Lake - Man-made largest lake in South-East Asia built to generating power electric. This lake as wide as 2,600 sq km and contain 340 small island.
2. Perhentian Island - Most interesting island in Malaysia. There is two frequent island visited by tourist namely Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar . Privilege both this island was his clean coast and water clear. Those who want to this island can settle in Perhentian Island Resort.
3. Redang Island - The most popular among scuba fan because his clarity of water. Lodgings attract among them Berjaya Redang Beach Resort and Laguna Redang Island Resort.
4. Kuala Terengganu - You can cause family walk in Waterfront, shopping batik product in Pasar Payang and see various events prepared by state government.
(KAMPONG
Built by the Chinese immigrants from southern part of the mainland
