Singer in-da-house, yo!!

 Had my dinner in Kota Bharu at this particular restaurant, on my way to the airport and were all confused by the questions by its waiter about "how do you like your 'singer'?"
Blow me down, have no clue whatsoever what's 'singer' (it's definitely not a'singer' as somebody who could sing as we are ordering our drinks and food and we are not actually at any karaoke station).

It actually referred to 'lime juice'. So, the next time you in Kota Bharu, take note ya 'singer iced' would definitely means 'iced lime juice'!!  :)

Uplifted image for Kota Bharu Airport, NOT?

Actually, (as shown by the photo above) I was just referring to the Departure lounge's washroom. The rest of the area for this airport still remain intact without any changes whatsoever like a year ago (but still, Kota Bharu's Airport ergonomic and spatial organisation stands out better in comparison to Kuantan's!) The washroom appear to be in better condition (thanks to the refurbishment of its interior, that is) compare to the last I time I was here which is in October 2011, but I still have a problem with the size of its cubicle which is not design to be 'traveler-friendly'!

Imagine, if you are traveling on your own (without any single soul accompanying), where do you think would you stuck your hand luggage (okay let me be fair - your laptop back-pack for instance)?? There aren't any particular space within the cubicle for you to stash your back-pack without getting it all wet. Those hooks behind the door were not sufficient in terms of size or weight-durability for you to hook your back-pack on. So, what choice do you have?? You can't leave your bag laying around unattended, can't you? So despite having all the glitters for its walls and its new set of basin bowls, it still lack of practicality!! It's a self-reminded for me NOT TO DESIGN as such.

Debouchment into South China Sea

I actually missed the shot. The entire debouchure actually looks far more interesting that this partial shot. So, if you want to take a look with you own eyes, get your butt off to Kota Bharu via air and enjoy the view and that's South China Sea beyond you.

Kota Bharu Central Market is a 'Female market'?

This particular market in Kota Bharu which were made popular by the fact that majority of the trader are FEMALE. Known as Pasar Siti Khadijah, it is located in the city center and it's a one stop center for any tourist visiting Kota Bharu as you can get almost everything under one roof. Of course you would notice a different dialect of lingual used here (I'm a Malaysian but most of the time I do have hard time understanding them..hehe) so, if you could get your local friends to tag along would be better, but if you are on your own, I think it wouldn't be much problem - they're all friendly people and charmingly sweet too! 

I've been here more than 15 years ago, and it hasn't change much except with new coats of paint. It is still as merry as before but me being myself, simply being 'dumb' of not knowing what should I shop for as souvenirs or as appreciation to the local traders. Luckily, I end up buying some 'serunding' (meat cooked in curry gravy till it dries off and shredded for easy consumption)

KL-Kota Bharu-Besut

It's going to be another journey to my project site in Besut, this time around I'll be making my way via Kota Bharu transit-just to make use of the opportunity. I'm logging-in while waiting to board the Firefly. It's the usual full house for all the morning flights as seen from the crowded departure hall. Anyway, I do hope the journey would be smooth, ameen.

View from the air after immediate take-off: thick haze has seen engulfing the Klang Valley

Clearer skyline as the plane leaving Klang Valley behind..and surprisingly  able the see  the moon  above the haze horizon (just below the letter 'z')

love the mountain range - the backbone of Malaya

Kota Bharu :  a clearer skyline

Sent from my iPhone

Retail fascination of Kota Bharu

I didn't anticipate that we (my engineer friends and I) will be going for a shopping spree here in Kota Bharu. But here we are...  

Batik and I doesn't get together very well, as I fanatically goes for solid plain color. I worship BLACK the most! So, I'm more interested at the way the craftsman doing his job rather than those colorful 'batik', and on top of it I'm more interested at his ironing machine which is way bigger than the normal domestic iron. Wow, imagine how much faster I would be able to complete my ironing chores with such iron?! but hey, he said that machine is not for sale!! (serious..I DID  go and ask!)




I purposely snap photo of my engineer 'getting frenzy' looking at these pots and pans and kettles..haha (I was too!! but hey, I'm a shopping dummy, remember) She actually bought a kettle home! and she keeps mumbling about having to drag it onto the plane, after that (it isn't that heavy and it's just the size of 12by12 inch box.. but hey, it's an extra load for her ..LOL!!)

Delicacies of Kota Bharu ?

I was kind of exhausted wit all the travelling and window shopping task (imagine when 3 female engineers/architect gets together during a working trip..can you imagine?). However, we are being lucky to have a personal 'tour guide' for that day, whom personally drive us to where ever we wish to go, and to add on to that, he's pampered us with a treat just before we leave for the airport. 

I never anticipate to find a good 'murtabak' here in Kota Bharu as it is always about 'nasi kerabu', 'nasi dagang' and other sweet stuff. But, this stuff is GOOD. I mean, my travel isn't about searching for good food,  it's always about work, and I usually goes very modest about food (a basic McDonald's meals is fine with me, you know) but sometimes when such opportunity to indulge in good food occurs - it'll be a bonus! 

But, hey forgive me ..I have forgotten to jot down the name of the shop and it's location *doink*

Table accessories

Delicious Murtabak - looks good,eh? YUMMY

Kota Bharu vs Kuala Terengganu

I have been to Kota Bharu before, but this would be the first time I'm flying over to Kota Bharu. Via Firefly, it was only an hour journey - hey, it really saves time and energy compare to the idea of driving up all the way from KL. The Kota Bharu airport is basically small in scale, I would say about the same footprint as Skypark, but still carries the 80s signature interior with tremendous need to refurbish its washroom facilities! I would say - euww!!


Am actually heading for working visit to Besut which is roughly an hour journey from Kota Bharu and it would only be a day trip for me. I was scheduled to fly back to Kuala Lumpur that very evening from the Kuala Terengganu Airport.


Kuala Terengganu Airport!! What can I say - I was struck by the mammoth of its size, I mean architecturally it's a giant upscale mimic of 'terengganu traditional house' as their Airport! Am strongly feels that an airport should not be designed in such manner just to make sure it belong to certain state or country. It was nothing grande for having so 'grande size of everything'! I'm not sure about other people, but I was struck in awe!! This is what we call as 'mammoth architecture'.

Another 'first impression' that I receive was the view of collapsed roof of the Main Stadium right in front of the Airport!!

Kota Bharu in 2008

Kota Bharu in 2008 doesn't look much difference from the trip that I first made with my parents in the late 80's. Perhaps certain infrastructure in the city centre has been upgrade, but it doesn't took away the whole 80's ambience.
I'm not a bargain hunter so, basically I don't know where else to go other than the Central Market known as Pasar Siti Khadijah. However, I don't have anything in mind to look for over there since I'm not a big fan of Kelantanese delicacies  (of which mostly sweet stuff) plus I'm not a big fan of cramp-crowded places, so the only thing we did was taking a tour around the city center on wheels..