A Round Trip...

...on the Bas Bandar.

Since the 'Bas Bandar' service was launched more than a year ago mad redo1 and the AKSes have been planning to get a ride on it. Unfortunately there were always reasons for the plan not going accordingly.

But on Monday, we were determined to get ourselves on the ride, which is still FREE as the fleet of buses has not been approved by the Commercial Vehicle Licencing Board to be used as a commercial vehicle due to some features on the buses which do not meet the board's guidelines.

Since it was a holiday in kT we had ample time. First, we came quite early when the bus driver informed us that the next service would be at 1.30pm. Thus we went to the Delima Kuning restaurant at Giants first to fill our hungry stomachs.

Then there was the kT Autoshow at the Terengganu Trade Centre, showcasing a number of latest edition cars, SUVs, trucks and bikes from almost all car-makers. A cool RM88k would see mad redo1 travelling up and down the country on a HondaCBR1000, which is something that he really wants to do someday.

Berg on the other hand, wanted to buy a 4 ton truck manufactured by Inokom. Not that she is interested in trucks or vehicles of that kind, but because the purchaser of the truck will be given a free 32" LCD TV. For her, that was a good reason enough to buy the truck.

We knew that by hanging around the autoshow meant we missed the 1.30pm bus trip. Thus we settled for the 4.30pm which gave us abundance of time to hang around for quite a while more.

Finally, we got onto the bus. Of course this was quite different from the normal buses with all the decorations and pictures are meant to put Terengganu arts and culture to the forefront.

There were quite a number of people taking advantage of the free ride to go around and it would be much better for tourism if there is a schedule of the bus service and the route it takes, together with interesting places that it goes through.

Despite the 'park bench' like seats, it did not stop the 'pakcik' from enjoying immensely to the extent that it took him to dreamland. The AKSes could not help themselves from having a giggle after looking at the 'pakcik'.

The bus that we took went through the Waterfront that faces Pulau Duyong, Chabang Tiga and then straight to the Terengganu Muzeum and the Islamic Civilization Park (TTI) on Pulau Wan Man.

The bus stopped for a while at the TTI which gave some of the tourists there the opportunity to take their pictures with the unique bus much to the amusement of mad redo1. But on the other hand, mad redo1 would also photograph himself with the old double decker buses in London if he is given the opportunity.

Then it was time to go back. Berg enjoyed herself very much and certainly the recently added cushion on the bench gave the ride a bit more comfort than I imagined it would be when it first came into service.

The Bas Bandar service offers two routes: to the TTI via the places that I mentioned above and the other one is to Chendering where it will go through Batu Buruk Beach, the Terengganu Palace, Masjid Terapung and Noor Arfa Craft Complex (NACC).

Enjoy the ride!

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Kuala Abang...

...Waving!

On Friday mad redo1 had an assignment in Kemaman. Together with the AKSes and Linda we departed from kT around noon and after an hour on the road our stomachs began sounding their hunger bells. Of course mad redo1 already had a place to stop for a quick picnic on his mind.

It was a place in Kuala Abang, Dungun. For those who do not have the slightest idea of this place, it is just three km away from the famed Rantau Abang and around the same distance to Tanjung Jara. On a warm afternoon the place is just perfect to catch a nap or two (though there is the inherent danger of the nap becoming a long, long sleep).

Luckily the place was quite deserted when we arrived, perhaps due to the fact everybody was at home having meals or at the mosque performing the Friday Prayer (mad redo1 took the musafir option).

The planta rice with tandoori chicken prepared by Linda was heaven. Berg helped herself to at least three servings. It more or less confirmed both of us share that common strand of DNA. Even though he would like to have a bit more but a full stomach could be a hazard for drivers and mad redo1 was not willing to risk that.

So, if you are ever in that area, look out for the place and who knows, it might be the first of many visits there.

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An Evening...

...with the Kambengs!

It was not really out of the blue as Milla already texted me they (she and Mr Kambeng) will be holidaying in Terengganu.

Today she gave me a call when they were about to leave the island. We picked them up at the kT Bus Station. I was caught by surprise with the large number of people in town today, but there were quite a number of things going on actually.

The road in front of the Paya Keladi Business Centre leading up to Pasar Payang was closed and they opened stalls a-la 'upmarkets'. Over at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, a President Cup match involving T-Team was underway.

Of course, there would be the Search's 'Di Awan Biru' concert at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in the evening.

We saw them walking and promply picked them up. Without any specific place to go we just drove around to the Batu Buruk Beach where, you can guess it; there were more people there. So we just proceeded to the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque or more famously known as the 'Masjid Terapung'.

After a few snaps, our stomach began to growl for dinner. To make it more convenient we decided to have it somewhere near to the airport. Of course it would not be the usual 'tom yam' place which sprouted all over town.

Instead we took them to a place where they have this 'Air Buah Gelas Besar' (fruit juice in large glass) in Seberang Takir. But before reaching the place mad redo1 decided to make a detour to Pulau Duyong and we snapped a few shots at the Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort & Spa.

 

Only after then we proceeded to the 'makan' place where Milla had a plate of Nasi Minyak while Mr Kambeng had a bowl of 'laksam'. Of course in between there were quite a substantial number of 'keropok' passing through our esofargus.

With Milla's low tolerance to hot food she had to decline from trying eating more delicacies though in reality it should not be the case as Terengganu food is not known for being hot.

Mr Kambeng was quite good with children and that was the case when he entertained Nina in wrapping the hot 'keropok'. As Yoda would say: "A good father he will become."

Then after filling our stomach to the fullest (well, that was the case for mad redo1 at least) we finally made the move to the airport which was just five minutes away.

Hopefully they had a good holiday over here and meeting us would not diminish the experience. Come again in the future, you all!


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