By

Fatin sharmimi binti marzuki

(hope she get well soon) :D
and
Nur faizah binti ahmad

Interesting festivals
MONSOON CUP

30  November  2010  Until  5  December  2010

Monsoon Cup was first initiated by the Malaysian sixth 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
Terengganu River, from a sleepy fishing and boat-making village into modern and
international-class resort and marina and boat repair facilities.

The Monsoon Cup 2005 celebrated its inauguration and debut as the 50th official event
of the Swedish Match Tour, 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 9th
November 2009 to 6th December 2009 start with Asian Qualifier and then Malaysian
Qualifier.

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 Malaysia
from 2 to 6 December 2009 to contest the event. Once again the battle for the
championship trophy will see the top sailing teams in the world pitting their skills against
each other in the last leg of the tour.

This sailing event has ignited interest in match racing and yachting in Asia and also
great interest in the prestigious America's Cup. A majority of the participants in the
Monsoon Cup are sailors that have and will be competing in the America's Cup as well
as Olympic gold medalist.

The Monsoon Cup's success has helped to create the Korea Match Cup and spurred
Singapore and Qingdao in China to be venues for the Volvo Ocean Race and Olympics
respectively

Kenyir Lake International Triathlon 2010

it will be held on 28th march 2008 at lake Kenyir, kuala Terengganu. In this event,
contestants will have to swim for 1.5 km, cycle for 40 km and then run to the finish line
which is 10 km away. Sounds tiring, right? But it is worth it because the winner will be
going home with RM55000 cash prizes.

World Gamelan Festival

This festival will be held from 23 July 2010 until 26 July 2010.  The World Gamelan

Festival features the Malay Gamelan as well as the Balinese and Javanese Gamelan
dances and musical shows. This will allow us to enjoy superb performances by
homegrown talents, selected gamelan groups from schools, colleges/universities as well
as professionals from abroad.

Famous food
Nasi Dagang is a rice specialty of Terengganu. The Dish is made by cooking rice and
glutinous rice together, to which is then added coconut cream once it is cooked. It is
eaten with it's own specially made side dishes of tuna curry and a light vegetable pickle.
Simplicity is its essence.

Famous Mak Ngah Nasi Dagang restaurant at Cendering.

Nasi Dagang or literally the ‘trader’s rice’ which is said is the rice that was eaten by
trader on their business journey Mak Ngah Nasi Dagang, opens 07:00 - 11:00 am.
Best stall to go for nasi dagang is Mak Ngah Nasi Dagang, a little stall about 2km from
Kuala Ibai bridge, by the road of Chendering. Early bird always catches its meal. Nasi
dagang in Mak Ngah’s stall always sold out before 11:00am. Other alternative will be
at any stalls in Kuala Terengganu which offer quite similar taste.
This dish consists of white rice noodle eaten with delicious fish gravy to which coconut
milk, tamarind, onions, pounded chilies, shrimp pastes, bean sprout, long beans and
cucumbers are added. The locals normally eat laksa using their hands.

Traditional food

Satar is an interesting blend of succulent boneless fish marinated in spices, wrapped in

banana leaves and grilled over a flaming charcoal fire. Its sweet taste is tinged with
delicate smell of the wrapping, making it a great appetizer and a healthy snack. .

A popular and the most visible fried snack in Terengganu, the keropok is made from fish
meat grounded to a paste and mixed with sago. Coming in two different forms, the long
chewy ones are called 'lekor', while the thin, crispy ones are called 'keping'. Keropok is
best eaten with its special chili dip.
Lemang is a traditional Malay food cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick. Usually
prepared for festivities such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Haji, lemang is made
of glutinous rice and coconut milk, with salt added for taste. Some lemang recipes add
corn. Lemang is usually eaten with rendang.

Cooked in a mould over a fire, there are two versions of this finger food - the savoury
akok berlauk and the sweet akok. The former has a filling of cooked beef, while the
latter has a generous dose of sugar as an ingredient. It is basically made of rice flour
and coconut milk.

HISTORICAL PLACES
ISTANA MAZIAH
 

Istana Maziah is the official Terengganu sultan's palace. It is located near Bukit Puteri
in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

The distinct deep yellow structure of the Istana Maziah royal palace is hard to miss if
you're walking around Kuala Terengganu. Located right next to Bukit Puteri, Istana
Maziah is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III
in 1897 to replace the Istana Hijau, which was burned down during World War II.

Istana Maziah is the venue for royal birthdays, weddings, conferment of titles and
receptions for local and foreign dignitaries. This distinct building is a product of the
blend between modern and traditional architecture, which reflects the artistic skills of the
Terengganu people. 20 craftsmen using limestone mixed with clay, coarse salt, egg yolk
and honey constructed it. The palace has tall shuttered windows resembling those of a
French chateau.

 BATU BERSURAT MEMORIAL

 

The Islamic Inscription on the Inscribed Stone of Terenggany is a profound statement of

Terengganu's Islamic Past. The Stone, which dates as far back as the early 14th
Century, is known to be the earliest piece of inscription in Malay using the Jawi script
which states Islam as the official religion of Terengganu, along with an Islamic law guide
pertaining to misdeeds and sanctions.

Batu Bersurat Terengganu is the oldest artifact with Jawi writing on it. The artifact proves
that Islam reached Terengganu earlier than 1326 or 1386. It was accidentally
discovered near Teresat River at Kuala Berang, Terengganu, Malaysia by an Arab
trader named Sayid Husin bin Ghulam al-Bokhari in 1899 after a flash flood hit Kuala
Berang.

Kuala Berang is situated about 33 kilometers from Kuala terengganu and it is an

historical place. Kuala Berang became famous when an inscribed stone was discovered
here. The inscribed stone found was the earliest record of Islam in Peninsular Malaysia.
The inscribed stone was discovered in 1899 when there was a major flood in
Terengganu. After the flood, the villagers found a huge stone at the mouth of Sungai
Teresat. The villagers then shifted the stone to a mosque at Kampung Buluh in Kuala
Berang.

In 1902, a gold and tin miner named Syed Hussain bin Ghulam Al Bukhari from Riau -
Lingga and Engku Pengiran Anum arrived at Kuala Berang. They saw the inscribed
stone and brought it back to Kuala Terengganu where they presented it to Sultan Zainal
Abidin, who was then the Sultan of Terengganu. Sultan Zainal Abidin kept the inscribed
stone from many years as no one understood the Jawi writings that was inscribed on
the stone. Thus an Englishman who was working in Terengganu send photographs of
the inscribed stone to history language specialists in Singapore and London. In the end,
the inscriptions on the stone was able to be read clearly.

The inscribed stone weighed about 215 kilograms, 84 centimeters in height, 53

centimeters wide at the top and 27 centimeters wide at the bottom. The thickness of the
stone is 24 centimeters and is made of granite which cannot be easily broken. The
inscriptions are in Arabic - Malay believed to be written on the 22nd February 1303.
Among the inscriptions on the stone are the ten Islamic laws and their punishments.
With the discovery of this stone, historians felt that Islam has reached Terengganu
before the 14th century. The inscribed stone also proved that a government existed in
Terengganu long before Melaka was founded. Even after Melaka was founded, Kuala
Terengganu still remained an important port.

BUKIT BESI

Bukit Besi is a former iron mining town which was closed in the early 1970's. The site
where an old iron mine used to be was filled up with ground water to form the huge
Lake Puteri.
Bukit Besi which is situated in the district of Dungun was once an important and famous
iron mining place in Terengganu. The history of iron mining in Terengganu is one of the
largest iron-mine in the world. The mining industry was handled by Nippon Mining
Company. However, between 1945 till 1947, the mine was taken over by the British and
was sold to the Eastern Mining and Metal Comany in 1949. From 1960, the production
of iron at Bukit Besi began to decline. Thus the Government of Terengganu decided to
close the iron mine in the early 1970s.

Today Bukit Besi is a tourist attraction which is visitors can still marvel at the remnants
of the tunnels, tin plants, and the stockpile buildings, the chimneys of the processing
plants, the pool, the manager's residence and parts of the rail tracks. To those looking
for souvenirs, some raw, unprocessed iron-ore can still be found scattered on the
ground, a stark reminder of one of the biggest iron-ore productions in the world. 

 INTERESTING PLACES IN TERENGGANU

PULAU REDANG

   

Accessible from Merang Jetty in Setiu, a 30-minute drive north of Kuala Terengganu, off
the Terengganu coastline on the northeastern coast is the Redang Archipelago. It is
made up of a few islands namely Redang Island (the largest), Pinang Island, Kerengga
Island, Lima Island, Ekor Tebu Island and Susu Dara Island. This area has also been
gazetted as a marine park and its brilliant underwater world is one of the best in
Malaysia. Meanwhile Pinang Island has a visitors’ centre that houses an exhibition
room, an audio-visual room, a research lab, turtle touch pools and chalets.

Redang Island is indeed one of Malaysia’s most idyllic islands. This tropical paradise
offers pearly-white sandy beaches, sparkling clear seawater, lovely sunrises and
spectacular marine life. Its marvellous marine fish varieties, turtles and huge range of
coral reefs make it a wonderful diving spot and its diverse coral species are said to be
among the best in the world. The five famous dive sites in Redang are Tanjung Lang,
Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Gua Kawah, Pasir Panjang and Batu Mak Cantek. There are
even a few shipwrecks dive sites, offering an adventure for divers.

Apart from diving, beach lovers can also enjoy other activities like swimming,
snorkelling, fishing, boating or sunbathing. You can check in to one of the many resorts
on the island, offering full packages including land and sea transfers, accommodation,
full board meals and activities or room packages only. Bookings can be arranged at any
local or foreign travel agents for a delightful island getaway.

Teluk Bidara Beach

Teluk Bidara Beach is about 2 hours, passing through the oil town of Kerteh, Paka and
Dungun. This is probably the best beach in the East Coast's mainland. You would greet
with a turquoise-blue ocean. The water at this beach is crystal-clear. There is a lanai-
style gazebo where one could climb up for better view of the lovely ocean.
Far ahead you could see the islands of Tenggol and Nyireh, famous for prolific diving
sites. The water is so clean and calms enough for a swimming. Moreover, the beaches
are beautiful and it is an very peaceful.

There is a cave below the end of the hill near the shore where visitors can go in and get
to the other side. You can climb the rocks and get a better view of the coast line.

Driving along Teluk Bidara Beach is a pleasant experience. Along the way, there are
coconut trees shading the road and Malay village houses spotted here and there
between the trees. Straight and sandy coast line is the major attraction for holiday
seekers who intend to tan their skin and have a couple hours of quiet and relaxing time.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHINA TOWN
 
 
  

Chinatown is actually a row of pre-war old building at Jalan Kg Cina. These buildings
are believed to be the residence for the Chinese from China mainland who arrived in
Peninsular Malaysia in the 19th century. Most of the houses are 2 stories, with brick or
concrete structure and wooden flooring in the second storey. Some still keep its wood
carving on the windows and huge heavy wooden front door whereas some were turned
into the renewed modern concrete building.

The colourful long roof has created a unique and beautiful photographing spot for photo
taking especially in evening before the sun disappears from the sky.
These century old building are now sundry shops, local coffee shops, offices for several
tour operators, batik and souvenir shops, restaurants etc. Recently there are people
who buy over the house from the original owners and turn it a ‘swiftlet house’ for their
bird nest business.

Two old Chinese temples, namely Ho Ann Kiong (1801) and Tien Hok Kong (1896)
have been recognised by UNICEF as Heritage Attractions. The local believe that
‘Goddess’ of the temple has given them very accurate guidance and ‘protection’ during
the hard time, therefore there is always worshipers redeem their vow to the God.

  
CHEMERUNG WATERFALL

One of the most famous recreational forests in Malaysia, Hutan Lipur Sungai
Chemerung is also home to the highest waterfall in the country. The dazzling spectacle
that is the Chemerung Waterfall plunges majestically from 305 metres through beautiful
steep rock faces before smashing into the waters below. The waterfall is located about
30 kilometres from Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah.

A leisurely jungle trekking through nature at its best are recommended for adventurers
to go the base of the falling waters where the coolness of the air and the thundering
sound of the waterfalls will soothe the weariest of travelers.

Hutan Lipur Sungai Chemerung can be reached by own transportation or taxi or other
public transportation from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu and then from Bandar Al-
Muktafibillah Shah of Dungun to this place.

Recreational Forest of Sungai Chemerung is located 30km from the city of Al-
Muktafibillah Shah (15-20 minutes drive), or 100km from Kuala Terengganu (1 hour
drive)

Reference

http://www.tourism.terengganu.gov.my
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsoon_Cup