Kelantan (21/06/2000 - 24/06/2000)
It is always a joy to go to Malaysia by train. Not only that my blood flow will not be restricted(as I can walk about in the train), I do not worry about the 'nature calls' as restrooms are plenty in the trains. Of course, I am comparing taking the train and taking the coach bus.
I booked a 4D 4N trip to Perdana Resort PCB(Pantai Cahaya Bulan) Beach, Kelantan going by night train. I always want to try taking the night train because of the sleeping berth. This trip, I was able to experience it, not a very pleasant one, though.
At 11pm, we went to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to board the KTM train that would take about 12 hours to reach Tumpat. There is the upper and lower sleeping berth. The lower berth will cost more as it is more convenient and comfortable, so to speak. We had one lower and two uppers. I had a hard time trying to sit on the upper deck because the height was quite restricted. If you are wearing size 16 1/2 shirt(like yours truly here), my advice to you, try to get the lower berth. Sleeping in the night train wasn't so much fun, after all ! If your neighbour who just cannot stopped talking, then, you are going to have a rowdy all night long ! On the hand, I saw one lady climbed to her upper berth, closed the curtains and slept all the way. Amazing..
By the time we reached Tumpat, it was about 8.00 o'clock in the morning. We were met by a stocky and quiet man who would drive us to the Perdana Resort. The drive was about half an hour. Tumpat is a small railway station of the northern route of KTM. It is situated in Kota Baru.
Perdana Resort is quite a pleasant place to stay. Looking at the facilities, I reckon it is quite an old resort. The chalets are built quite far away from the beach. If you are looking for a quiet place without much frills, this is the one. Try their ayam goreng kampung(fried chicken) at the Senangin Restaurant. It was nice, though quite saltish.
Since this was a package trip, we were entitled for a sightseeing trip for places of interest in Kota Baru the next day. The next morning, a thin and talkative man picked us up with a van for about 8 people. However, it was only three of us. We were brought to a Buddhist shrine called Wat Photivihan Jambu, outside Kota Baru, to see the statue of reclining Buddha, the largest in South-east Asia. We also went to the border of Kelantan/Thailand custom separated by a small river. Over here, there are lot of imitations of branded goods. Every stall is selling the same thing. Hey.. the air smelled of fish.. very strong indeed. Yes, we were in a fishing village. Rolls after rolls of small fishes were laid under the hot sun. I think this is how they make ikan bilis. There were fries too.. many of them. For some, you probably dare not eat ikan bilis after seeing it. After all, seeing is believing, isn't it? I believe this kind of trip is an eye-opener for my daughter, who is born and brought up in a city.
There is a place in town known as Buluh Kubu Central Market for its scents, sounds and colours of Kelantan. This is hub of activities and trading and shopping. Nearby, you can find The Store Supermarket and Emporium Mydin. Like it or hate it, the big 'M' is there too. Yes, the burger restaurant, MacDonalds. Though, there are not many shopping centres around, it is sufficient to fill your whole afternoon programme.
Return to Homepage
Kuantan/Cherating Langkawi/KL Cameron Highlands Redang P Besar P Sibu Tengah Johor Bahru Sebana Malacca