Penang Airport
Took FireFlyz, with promo fare, 2 ways cost only RM114.Although the Kelantan airport is much smaller as compare to Penang airport, it was well kept and clean.
State of Kelantan welcoming you at the Airport
As both of us haven't take lunch, we quickly when to have lunch in Kota Bahru town. Our lunch was beef noodles and the shop was full of people. Taste wise i would rate it as B+. Quite good actually. A few shops next to it, there was an auntie selling Ham Chin Pen. It looks good, I immediately bought 4 pieces, 2 pieces of "salty" taste another 2 with red bean filing.
"Ham Chin Pen" auntie in action....
These "Ham Chin Pen" looks good, crispy and still hot...
After that, we quickly check-in into Renaissance Hotel. Got upgraded room, very spacious and comfortable. :)
Then we embarked a "Wat" visiting trip. Wat means temple in Thai language. Even though Kelantan is rule by PAS government (a conservative Islamic party), you can see non-muslim live here peacefully and many "Wat" build were everywhere, in contrast what many people believe there is stricted of religion freedoom in this state. In fact, I think the number of "Wat" in this state is far more than what other states have.
The famous Reclining Buddha Wat - one of the biggest reclining buddha in Asia.
The Sitting Buddha Wat
The Standing Buddha Wat
The famous Dragon Boat Wat
In between, we stopped at various places to hunt for famous local delicacy in Kelantan. Akok was one of them. My first time tasting Akok, hm.. taste like bread pudding.
The process of making Akok - using coconut husk to burn and cook Akok.
Pieces of Akok ready for sale.... :)
We also have Pandan Coconut - coconut with the smell of pandan or pandan fragrant... it is believe that this type of coconut tree cannot be planted near to other normal type of coconut tree, or else it will lost the pandan fragrant..
As for dinner, we went to a Thai food restaurant, deep into local village which is quite impossible for outsider to locate it. But surprisingly, in that area there are many of this type of small scale-family operate restaurants. Therefore, mostly local patronize these restaurants. The price is extremely cheap compare to big cities. Four dishes (deep fried fish, fried "kangkung", seafood tomyam and stir fried eel) only cost slightly above RM50. That is amazingly cheap!
Delicious Tomyam
One the next day, we went to Rantau Panjang. It is located at the Malaysia Thailand border. There is a free duty area for tourist to do some shopping.
Rantau Panjang at Kelantan, near to Thailand border.
If you are looking for branded goods, look no further, no need go to Las Vegas Premium Outlet Store, Rantau Panjang too has it's own type of premium outlet store. You can easily find LV, Nike, Adidas, Bonia, Timberland, Guess, Coach etc. here, almost 100% alike - imitation goods. :)
Rantau Panjang "Premium Outlet Store"
Another view of the "Premium Outlet Store"
Overall, it was a good experience, no regret went to Kelantan for the first time. Despite the state was painted as under-developed by mainstream media, personally I feel that Kelantan has many things to offer. Therefore, it is not surprising to see there are foreign tourists too at Kota Bahru. The only draw back is the state don't have many type entertainments, especially at night.
If you want to find a slower pace of living, a get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a weekend at Kota Bahru is worth considering. But of course, you must have someone to show you around, or else, transportation to various tourist attractions might be a problem.
KB Mall, one of the modern shopping complex in Kota Bahru.
If given a chance to go to Kota Bahru, I will go again for another 3 days 2 nights stay. What I miss is the inexpensive authentic Thai foods. It will be good if there is more entertainment offer there. :) Lastly, a big thank you to my "brother" for being a good host. :)
Kota Bahru airport has 3 terminals only... #1, #2 and #3, you will never get lost here.
FireFlyz ever ready to fly her passengers back to Penang Island...
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