KELANTAN
1987: PENGKALAN KUBUR TO TAK BAI
Pengkalan Kubur, a small coastal town in Tumpat District, Kelantan, bordering Tak Bai in Narathiwat, Thailand across the estuary of Sungai Golok.
In 1987, there was no bridge joining Tak Bai dan Pengkalan Kubur. The residents of both border towns cross the river by boat or ferry.
Ref: Zulheimy Maamor: KD Panah, 14th Squadron Patrol Craft (1987).
GUA MUSANG, KELANTAN
Gua Musang is located in Southern Kelantan, bordered by the state of Pahang to the south, Terengganu to the east, Perak to the west and Kuala Krai and Jeli of Kelantan.
My first experience with Gua Musang was in 2012, on the way from KL to Kota Bharu for our events at Ketereh. The journey was filled with anticipation as we drove through Route 8, which is still under construction with a 40 km/h limit and red-white barriers. Two federal routes intersect here: Route 8 to Kota Bharu north and Route 185 from Simpang Pulai/Cameron Highlands to Kuala Terengganu.
Gua Musang, with its stunning limestone hills and rich cultural heritage, left a lasting impression on me. I remember stopping to admire the breathtaking views and the unique rock formations that seemed to tell stories of the past.
Since then, Gua Musang has held a special place in my heart, and I look forward to returning to explore more of its hidden gems.
The RnR Gua Musang is now famous for durian – Gua Musang is the original home of the Musang King (Mao Shan Wang) cultivar, called "King of Durian".
On 11 August 2018, Yayasan Jantung Malaysia organised Health Screening at Kg. Pos Brooke Lama, Gua Musang, Kelantan. The village arch entrance with Jalur Gemilang decorations and Orang Asli wood carvings. The village is in Jajahan Kecil Lojing, Gua Musang.
Pos Brooke is not one village but a cluster of 18+ villages with 523 households and 2,320 Temiar people, the largest Orang Asli settlement in Gua Musang.
Ref: Zulheimy Maamor: 2018 - Ipoh/Gua Musang/Cameron Highlands.
PASAR KHADIJAH, KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN
Photos of my memories at Pasar Khadijah in 2012 and 2016. Only in 2018 there are no photos. Located in the heart of Kota Bharu, it was opened in 1985 as Pasar Besar Buluh Kubu and was renamed Pasar Siti Khadijah in 1997 by Menteri Besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
It was named after Khadijah bt Khuwailid, wife of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., who was a successful businesswoman herself. Fitting because this market is famously dominated by women sellers, earning it the nickname "Pasar Wanita" (Women's Market).
NASI ULAM CIKGU, KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN
A Kelantan legend, located at Kampung Kraftangan, Jalan Hilir Kota, Kota Bharu, just a short walk from Pasar Siti Khadijah.
The building is originally a Kelantanese wooden kampung house with an attap-style roof. It is a popular spot in Kota Bharu. The founder is a former teacher (Cikgu). Listed as one of the 33 Best Family Restaurants in Kota Bharu.
PANTAI SENOK @ PANTAI NAMI, BACHOK, KELANTAN
Kelantan's most viral beach spots right now. The real name is Pantai Senok, nicknamed "Pantai Nami" because it looks like Nami Island in South Korea.
Located at Kampung Senok in Bachok District, Kelantan, about 16 km from Kota Bharu. They are Casuarina trees / pokok Rhu planted in neat rows to prevent coastal erosion and flooding.
MASJID BEIJING, RANTAU PANJANG, KELANTAN
The official name is Sultan Ismail Petra Silver Jubilee Mosque, located at Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. It was initiated by Allahyarham Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, former Menteri Besar of Kelantan. The mosque resembles the 1,000-year-old Niujie Mosque in Beijing, China. It was constructed in 2005 and inaugurated in August 2009.
RUMAH HIJAU / GREEN HOUSE, RANTAU PANJANG, KELANTAN
One of the most photographed stops on the Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang road, right after/before Masjid Beijing. Owned by Hjh Wan Sabariah Bt Wan Ali. It's a working food production house that became a viral photo spot because of the colour. If you like dodol (as in my photo), a classic chewy palm-sugar dodol, it's usually the bestseller for bringing back to KL plus the serunding.
MASJID JAMEK RAZALEIGH
Located at Gua Musang, Kelantan, a mini replica of Masjidharam Mosque in Mekkah, it was built in 2016 to replace the old Masjid Razaleigh and was opened to the public in April 2022.
JAMBATAN SULTAN YAHYA PETRA
A major bridge in Kota Bharu crossing the Sungai Kelantan. Construction began in 1965 and was completed in 1967 by Kien Huat Private Ltd, a family firm of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong.
The riverbank on the right of the photo is the Kampung Sireh/Tanjung Mas area, with small fishing boats moored.
TERENGGANU
1987: PULAU BIDONG
Patrolling the area of Pulau Bidong in 1987 with KD Sri Negri Sembilan. Officially opened as a refugee camp for Vietnamese refugees on 8 August 1978. About 250,000 refugees passed through Pulau Bidong from 1978 to 1991.
It is officially closed on 30 October 1991, as the remaining refugees moved to Sungai Besi Transit camp in KL and were then repatriated. Final repatriation was 28 August 2005. Today, it houses the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Marine Research Station.
1987: PULAU PERHENTIAN
A place to rest and relax after several days of conducting EEZ patrol duties with RMN Patrol Craft in the South China Sea. RMN patrols were covering the east coast for Vietnamese boat people moving toward Pulau Bidong.
Pulau Perhentian, off Besut District, about 21 km from Kuala Besut jetty. In 1994, it was declared part of Pulau Redang National Marine Park.
Today, it is famous as a diver's haven and protected marine park. Coral view, Perhentian Island Resort, etc.
1996: MASJID TERAPUNG, KUALA TERENGGANU
Officially Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, officially opened in July 1995 by Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah. The first real floating mosque in Malaysia, located in Kuala Ibai, about 4 km from Kuala Terengganu.
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2015: TAMAN TAMADUN ISLAM & MASJID KRISTAL
Both are located at Pulau Wan Man, Losong, Kuala Terengganu. Masjid Kristal was built in 2006-1008 inside the Taman Tamadun Islam. Taman Tamadun Islam was created to house Masjid Kristal as its centrepiece, which includes Monument Park with 22 replica mosques such as Masjidilharam, Masjid Nabawai, Alhambra, etc.
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2015: STATE MUSEUM OF TERENGGANU
Located at Bukit Losong, Kuala Terengganu, it was founded in 1996 and acclaimed as the largest of its kind in Malaysia.
9 main galleries—Natural History, Textiles, Royal, Crafts, Petroleum, Islamic, Historical, Fisheries & Marine, and Seafaring & Trade. It also houses the original Batu Bersurat (Inscribed Stone) from 1303 — the earliest evidence of Islam in the Malay Peninsula.
2015: PASAR PAYANG & BAZAR WARISAN
Pasar Payang, located at Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin, built in the 1960s, my photo in 2015 was of an old building. The new building complex was completed in 2024.
The Bazar Warisan, which is directly in front of Pasar Payang, was built as an extension shopping complex.
Pasar Payang in 2015
Pasar Payang in 2026
2015: PANTAI PENARIK, SETIU
Also known as Pantai Rhu Sepuluh, it is a famous beach because it is not affected by aggressive development.
We stay at Pandan Laut Beach Resort during our event at University College Bestari at Setiu.
Along Pantai Penarik, there are dozens of stalls selling the Udang Celup Tepung, Maggi Telur Sotong, Nasi Sup, etc.
2015: KAMPUNG LOSONG, KUALA TERENGGANU
Kampung Losong, Kuala Terengganu, is the birthplace of Keropok Lekor, Terengganu's most famous snack, that chewy fish sausage, fresh fish meat blended with sago flour and salt, hand-rolled into long sausage shapes.
The Sariah Ismail's stall was among the pioneers and became so famous that her frozen keropok is now sold all over Malaysia and even overseas.
BATU BUROK BEACH
The most famous beach in Kuala Terengganu, about 1 km from the city centre, stretching along the South China Sea coast. It's not really a swimming beach, currents are strong and swimming can be dangerous. People go for picnicking on mats, watching the sunset, sea breeze, etc.
It's considered one of the best beaches in Kuala Terengganu city for families and a popular place for strolling, especially in the evening.
MASJID 8 KUBAH
Located at Kampung Lapan Kotak, Jerteh, Besut, Terengganu, about 8 km from Bandar Jerteh. The official name is Masjid Al-Muttaqin, but it is better known as Masjid 8 Kubah or Masjid Russia, as the 8 onion domes are inspired by St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Built in 2017 through public donations plus an initial RM500,000 from MAIDAM (Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu). Capacity can accommodate about 500 congregants at one time.
PULAU LANG TENGAH
Located between Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian, about 40 km northeast of Kuala Terengganu, 22.5 km from Tanjung Merang Jetty. Accessible by ferry from Merang – Summer Bay Jetty Mangkuk is the main gateway now.
Activity: Snorkelling & diving, island hopping, etc.
KUALA TELEMUNG
Inland gateway town – everyone stops at coming off LPT. 2. Located at Hulu Terengganu district, about 20 km south of Kuala Berang. We stopped here for petrol on our way to Kuala Berang.
Kuala Telemong is famous because the LPT2 (Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2) highway alignment had to be diverted to avoid the grave of Wali (Saint) of Tok Ku Pulau Manis, whose real name is Sharif Abdul Malik Sharif Abdullah, an ulama considered a wali (saint) who died in 1736.
Local people say that heavy machinery broke down or workers fell ill when trying to clear the graves, so the engineers finally chose to lencong (divert) to avoid the graves of the Wali.
Makam 12, the graves of 12 warriors of Terengganu who died in the 1928 anti-British uprising. Because it's inside the mosque compound (Masjid Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong), the LPT2 exit and the Telemong interchange road had to be curved around it.
HENTIAN REHAT PERASING
2017 – one of our favourite R&R and the most talked-about R&R in Malaysia for 2 reasons: the design and the ghost stories.
Located at Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu, near the border of Pahang and Terengganu. This is among the R&R that was listed as one of the top 5 most haunted R&R in Malaysia. There are many hauntings shared by drivers who stopped and passed by this R&R, such as the woman in a black robe with no face, whistling sounds inside empty toilets, a voice of a woman singing while changing a baby diaper, but toilet empty and many others.
Because of the location is surrounded by thick forest, it was a former communist mass grave area during Emergency at Perasing stretch according to local oral stories, and it's very isolated at 2-4 am with no other buildings for kilometres.
KUALA TERENGGANU DRAWBRIDGE
The Jambatan Angkat Terengganu, also called Ghetok Congek Tranung. The first drawbridge built in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It was opened to public in 2019.
Tower drawbridge is 638 metres in length while its 76 metres bascule can be raised & lowered using conterweights to allow vessels to pass. Its connects Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus - carries motor vehicles, pedestrians.
The 4 towers with sky-bridges inspired by London's Tower Bridge, but with Terengganu motifs.
Memorable photos from my time in Kelantan and Terengganu capture the essence of these vibrant states, showcasing their rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm-hearted people.
In Kelantan, I remember the bustling atmosphere of Pasar Siti Khadijah, where the colorful stalls overflowed with local delicacies and handmade crafts. The smiles of the women vendors, proudly selling their goods, created a lively backdrop that truly represented the spirit of the market.
Gua Musang's limestone hills provided a breathtaking view that I couldn't resist capturing. The unique rock formations, coupled with the lush greenery, made for an unforgettable landscape that I still cherish.
Moving on to Terengganu, the floating Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah stood majestically against the backdrop of the sea. The intricate architecture and serene surroundings made it a perfect spot for reflection and photography.
At Pantai Penarik, I snapped photos of the pristine beach, where the gentle waves kissed the shore. The vibrant sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, creating a picturesque scene that felt like a dream.
Each photo tells a story, a moment frozen in time, reminding me of the beauty and culture that Kelantan and Terengganu have to offer. I look forward to sharing these memories and more as I continue to explore the wonders of Malaysia.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
17 October 2026: 8:16 p.m.
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