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Here In My Home

After 50 years of independence, more and more Malaysian had put aside racial issues and live as a peaceful and harmony community. This song is about unity which represent the hearts of all Malaysian that no matter what race you are, Here In My Home we are one and united! This is a song by Malaysian Artistes For Unity featured with 52 multiracial including filmmakers, dancers, singers, producers, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, designers, footballers, activists, celebrities, students and a florist.

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Medan Maziah and Istana Maziah

"Medan Maziah" (Maziah's Compound) and "Istana Maziah" (Maziah Palace) are some of the landmarks in Kuala Terengganu.

Medan Maziah is a small park outside the perimeter fencing of Istana Maziah. Laman Maziah is open to all for leisurely walk and photo taking around the palace compound. Within the park, apart from the usual trees and plants, there is also a small pavilion and a Tepak Sirih monument. As tepak sirih (a small tray used to keep betel nut leaves and its condiments) is a common welcoming symbol in Malay culture, the monument is no doubt a sign of welcome to all visitors of the palace's park.

Istana Maziah is the official Sultan's Palace. Located about 220 meters from the Terengganu river, this is the venue for Sultan's Installation Ceremony, royal birthdays, weddings, conferment of titles and receptions for local and foreign dignitaries. It was built in year 1897 under the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III to replace the Istana Hijau, which was burned down during World War II. One of the unique facts about Istana Maziah was it was built by 20 malay and chinese craftsmens using limestone mixed with clay, coarse salt, egg yolk and honey.

Station 1 : Dataran Shahbandar

Dataran Shahbandar is situated at the riverside of "Sungai Terengganu" and the first station of "Bas Bandar". During the old days, this place was a park where a lots of families used to come for a walk or lovers come for dates. However, it lost its popularity during the 90's. At the end, the government transforms this park into a event field where the citizen can gather. A lots of important events had been held such as the Merdeka Day celebration, Monsson Cup Lauching and Announcement of town's elevation to a city just to name a few. This is also a place where the public can watch the annually Monsoon Cup Competition instead of going to Pulau Duyung.

Within walking distance from Dataran Shahbandar, there are some interesting place that worth visiting such as the "Medan Maziah", "Istana Maziah", "Bukit Puteri", "Pasar Payang" and the "Heritage Bazaar" (opening soon).

Bas Bandar Routes

This is the brochure obtained from TIC (Terengganu Information Centre) about the route of "Bas Bandar". The route starts from Shahbandar Square → Tanjung Bus Terminal → Primula Beach Resort → Batu Burok Beach → Floating Mosque → Craft Complex/Noor Arfa Craft Complex → State Museum Complex → Islamic Civilisation Park (Wan Man Island) → Losong → Kuala Terengganu Waterfront → China Town → Sultan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

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We will journey through Kuala Terengganu with "Bas Bandar" and find out the interesting place, delicious delicacies and special events at each of the station stop!! (To be continued...)

Travelling In Kuala Terengganu...

Have you seen a moving house before? Even better, moving Kampung House... In Kuala Terengganu there's a unique scenery that you can see around the city which are the local buses that converted into a kampung house shape. They are called "Bas Bandar" (City Bus). The services provided are FREE OF CHARGE (up until now and hopefully no changes in the future). It's a HOP ON and HOP OFF concept (just like those in London City type).

"Bas Bandar" is a very good concept as:-

1. Its FOC of course

2. Its cover most of the tourist spot in Kuala Terengganu

Operating Hours : 6.00am till 10.00pm

Destination: Floating Mosque at Kuala Ibai, Handicraft Centre at Chendering, Pasar Payang,
Bukit Puteri, Istana Maziah, State Museum

A new horizon

Batu Buruk Beach

Once a upon a time, there were several sailors travelling to explore a new horizon. As the night came, they came upon a lovely land. Far beyond reaching the shore, they saw a dim light penetrating the silence of the night. Out of curiosity, one of the shout out, "Apa yang TERANG NU?" meaning, "what light is that?" in Malay language. And from this, the lovely land got its name, TERENGGANU!

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There is also another version of how Terengganu got its name...

Once there were a bunch of hunters from Pahang (neighbour state of Terengganu) roving and hunting at "Sungai Terengganu Mati" area of what is now southern of Terengganu. One of the hunter spotted a strange big animal fang on the ground. So one of them ask what kind of fang is this and what kind of animal do it belongs to. No one knew the answer, so one of them shout out, "TARING ANU" meaning fang of something in malay. After few days, they returned to Pahang with deers and sandalwoods which impressed a lot villagers. The villagers say the luxuries hunt and ask those hunters where they get it from. Without knowing the name of the place, they answer, "the land of TARING ANU". Later, the name of the land evolved into TERENGGANU!