BATU BURUK Gang Reunion!

Batu Buruk Gang reunites!

A week after our trip to Kuala Terengganu my good buddy Vinodh invited me to a mini reunion with mates from our former high school. We were holding this get-together at SOULed OUT in Sri Hartamas, and with that in mind we booked a room at The Signature Hotel nearby.

We drove to Sri Hartamas and had lunch at Nasi Kandar Pelita then drinks Starbucks as we whiled the time away before checking into The Signature Hotel to check in. Be sure to catch the upcoming video of our impression on this stylish abode.

We settled in and at six in the evening I bade Cat goodbye and walked the short distance to SOULed OUT. I was supposed to meet up with Vinodh, Krishenjit (Kris for short) and Deva for drinks, while Soh will be coming over later. Alas at the very last-minute Kris caught the Influenza B and had to sit out this session.

Vinodh was already seated by the time I got there, and Deva joined us soon after. Soh completed our group half an hour later. We spent the next six hours or so catching up on old times over a round of Mojitos, then accompanied by a bottle of Mr. Walker’s finest Black Label as well as several servings of finger food.

Kuala Terengganu (KT for short) was where we grew up. Life was simpler and sweeter then; I harked back to the time when I would ride my red racing bicycle absolutely everywhere with my best buds; tennis practice every evening with Vinodh, Kris and Deva at our school courts; 'football' matches at every opportunity before and after school which meant kicking a tennis ball around the basketball court, both Soh and I were the regular goalies; football on the beach at Batu Buruk (our gang’s namesake), running on a sandy beach saps your energy in no time, believe you me.

A bittersweet longing for things or situations of the past, nostalgia is interestingly enough made up of words that bring the meaning homecoming (nóstos) and pain/ache (álgos), and it sums up what we all felt as we reminisced about old times.

All done with the bottle of whiskey we topped the night off with a pint of Heineken before adjourning to Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Hartamas, a short walk away for supper.

We made plans to meet up again at Soh’s establishment in Jalan Imbi next month, this time with Kris as well. We bade each other goodbye as Soh and Vinodh headed back to the car park at SOULed OUT which Deva, and I walked across the street to The Signature Hotel.

We would meet up with Deva again the following morning after breakfast at the rooftop bar. We all took the elevator up to our floor and bade our farewells. Cat and I then began packing up and checked out at ten in the morning.

Stay tuned as we gather again in July. We will be on a short sabbatical before resuming our adventures in August, as we visit the state of Sabah for the first time!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

The Signature Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/unGH1G7GkF7LWbqFA

SOULed OUT Kuala Lumpur - https://maps.app.goo.gl/MybVvfusw32K137y7

Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Hartamas

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFzZ2s45AQzrevPw8

The SIGNATURE Hotel Hartamas

Batu Buruk Gang reunites!

A week after our trip to Kuala Terengganu my good buddy Vinodh invited me to a mini reunion with mates from our former high school. We were holding this get-together at SOULed OUT in Sri Hartamas, and with that in mind we booked a room at  The Signature Hotel nearby.

Brendan was busy assisting his friends with an open day booth at Multimedia University in Cyberjaya so we were on our own this weekend.

We had lunch at Nasi Kandar Pelita then drinks at Starbucks before making the short drive to The Signature Hotel to check in. Set amid restaurants and shops in the affluent Desa Sri Hartamas neighbourhood, this upmarket hotel is 1 km from the E23 motorway and 5 km from the Publika Shopping Gallery. Modern rooms feature flat-screens and free Wi-Fi, as well as microwaves, minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Studios have sofabeds, kitchenettes and/or washer/dryers, while apartments add separate living rooms. There's a rooftop cafe with skyline views and a terrace, plus an infinity pool and a sundeck. Other amenities include a gym and a chic granite-and-timber lobby lounge. 

However since we were only staying for a night we would not have the time to enjoy all the facilities and amenities save for breakfast at the rooftop cafe.

Speaking of which the following day Cat and I awoke at eight and headed up to the lobby for breakfast. The modest buffet spread cost us RM28.00  (approximately USD6/EUR5) each which was adequate enough to fill our peruts. After breakfast Cat and I headed up to the room and began packing up before checking out at ten in the morning.

Thus ended our staycation at Hartamas. We will be on a short hiatus in July before resuming our adventures in August, as we visit the state of Sabah for the first time!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

The Signature Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/unGH1G7GkF7LWbqFA

Weekend in HARTAMAS: BATU BURUK Gang Reunion!

Batu Buruk Gang reunites!

A week after our trip to Kuala Terengganu my good buddy Vinodh invited me to a mini reunion with mates from our former high school. We were holding this get-together at SOULed OUT in Sri Hartamas, and with that in mind we booked a room at The Signature Hotel nearby.

Brendan was busy assisting his friends with an open day booth at Multimedia University in Cyberjaya so we were on our own this weekend.

So today at lunchtime we drove to Sri Hartamas, and with a couple of hours till check-in we decided to have lunch at Nasi Kandar Deen Bistro. This restaurant was very familiar with us since it used to be known as Restoran Safiz Corner, a place we used to frequent. However the inability to find parking space meant that we spent twenty minutes on a merry-go-round.

We eventually found a spot along Jalan 23/70a and then went on a stroll in search of lunch. We finally settled on Nasi Kandar Pelita and had:

• white rice with Fried Chicken 
• white rice with Pepper Chicken 
• 1 hot Nescafe
• 1 Iced Lemon Tea 

Lunch came to RM32.75 (approximately USD7/EUR6), and by the time we were done it was two in the afternoon. We then walked over to Starbucks to while the time away and ordered:

• 1 Raspberry Blackcurrant Frappucino
• 1 Mango Passion Frappucino

for a relatively low price of RM17.50 (approximately USD/EUR4) as we took advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free offer.

At three we headed back to BiBi and made the short drive to The Signature Hotel to check in. Be sure to catch the upcoming video of our impression on this stylish abode.

We settled in and at six in the evening I bade Cat goodbye and walked the short distance to SOULed OUT. I spent the next six hours or catching up on old times with my old hometown buddies, dubbed the Batu Buruk gang. Be sure to catch our upcoming video of my reunion with the crazy gang.

The following day Cat and I awoke at eight and headed up to the lobby for breakfast. Be sure to catch the upcoming video of our modest breakfast at their rooftop cafe.

After breakfast Cat and I then began packing up and checked out at ten in the morning.

Thus ended our staycation at Hartamas. We will be on a short hiatus in July before resuming our adventures in August, as we visit the state of Sabah for the first time!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EmCH9fgFxrdB7Nff9

Nasi Kandar Pelita - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4yNmGawohaougM1b7

The Signature Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/unGH1G7GkF7LWbqFA

SOULed OUT Kuala Lumpur - https://maps.app.goo.gl/MybVvfusw32K137y7

Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Hartamas

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFzZ2s45AQzrevPw8

KT to KL: Hai Peng Kopitiam • 450km in Time-Lapse!

Going home!

We made it a point to wake up early and so were up at 6:00am. We showered then packed our bags and were out of the Airbnb by ten to seven.

We then drove the short distance to my late Aunty's house and made sure the main water supply's stopcock was turned off.

We then began driving to the Kuala Terengganu Toll Plaza only to realise that we had forgotten to refuel.

We doubled back and fueled up at the Petronas station in Pasir Panjang then resumed our drive.

By the time we drive past the Kuala Terengganu Toll Plaza it was almost eight. We all felt a little sleepy and so made a pitstop at the Bukit Besi R&R for a potty break to freshen up. We then spotted a food truck selling beverages so I had a cup of piping hot coffee.

We resumed our drive along the East Coast Expressway before exiting at Kijal. We continued on and eventually arrived at Kemaman town at close to ten.

We parked BiBi at a municipal lot and walked across Jalan Sulaimani to have breakfast at Hai Peng Kopitiam where we ordered:

• 2 packets of Nasi Lemak
• 2 sets of Toast 
• 2 sets of Half Boiled Eggs 
• 1 large mug of Coffee 
• 1 Iced Lemon Tea 
• 1 Iced Milk Tea

We also took away:

• 6 packets of Nasi Lemak 
• 5 sticks of Pulut Panggang 

that came to a grand total of RM59.00 (approximately USD13/EUR12).

We resumed our drive at a quarter to eleven and drove past the Chukai Toll Plaza at 11:00am back onto the East Coast Expressway.

We again felt a little drowsy and so we made another pitstop at the Maran R&R to freshen up. The last leg of the journey was uneventful and by the time we got to our condo it was a little past two in the afternoon.

Apart from the occasional weekend sojourn we will not be filming until our next big trip in August to a Malaysian state that we have not been before. It is nicknamed "Land Below the Wind" (Negeri Di Bawah Bayu) as the state lies below the typhoon belt of East Asia and never battered by any typhoons, except for several tropical storms, so please stay tuned!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Lim Sian Tian - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wdj3HUfvjq8qcR1x5

Hai Peng Kopitiam - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qeuDCL3Mvm1eehG27

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Fond Farewells: The Final Reveal!

Final reveal!

We picked you up again after coming back from our food spree. Cat busied herself with laundry while I had to contend with the voluminous amounts of footage of the past five days.

We had brought along a goodie bag of chocolates for Vinodh and his mother, but were not abel to hand it over to him last night. At six in the evening we drove out of the Airbnb headed to Vinodh's house in Taman Jaya and dropped off the goodie bag. I even had a chance to pose for a selfie with his mother.

We bade them a fond farewell with a promise to return soon, then headed to my late Aunty's house one last time to check up on things. As promised we also made a walkthrough of the entire house to show you the results of the 14-hour spring cleaning efforts of a few days agon.

We also made sure each and every switch was turned off, every curtain drawn and window closed. We then turned off the electrical circuit, locked up and made our way back to the Airbnb.

There will be a parade later tonight in the vicinity of the Airbnb which meant that traffic back to the Airbnb could potentially be gnarly. We were therefore eager to get home as soon as we could, so we were not able to chit chat with Heng our awesome neighbour as we bade him a fond farewell as well.

We will probably be ordering take-outs tonight so this will be our last video of our penultimate day in Kuala Terengganu, for tomorrow we head back home!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Lim Sian Tian - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wdj3HUfvjq8qcR1x5

KT Joyride Part 2: My Old Home • Adnan Keropok • Gerai Kuih Gong Kapas

Joyride Part 2!

We picked you up again after having lunch at Nasi Minyak Wan Sebanun. We were planning on going on a small shopping spree at a Keropok stall as well as a sweet cakes stall a little later. With it being Friday and all businesses closed for prayers we had time to burn so we decided to head to my old home in the suburb of Bukti Payung.

We drove southwest along Jalan Kuala Berang for about twenty minutes before arriving at the tiny town of Bukit Payung. I took some photos and footage of my old home along Lorong Haji Sidek. Truth be told my family and I stayed here only briefly but in that short space of time many good memories were formed. I was thirteen at the time, and I remember getting chicken pox that required a week's quarantine.

We eventually moved away since my parents could not cope with the (then) long commute to and from Kuala Terengganu.

It was nice to reminisce for a while as I tried to remember the house as it used to look.

We then turned back and on our way back to Kuala Terengganu stopped by a housing estate that my other late Aunty used to stay. We drove down Lorong Taman Tasek 2 but for the life of me couldn't recall which house was hers.

Oh well, we resumed our leisurely drive and headed to Adnan Keropok over at Losong. We missed this Keropok stall so went a little overboard since we eventually settled on.

• 5 packets of Keropok Keping
• 10 packets of Keropok Lekor
• 10 bottles of Lada (Dipping Sause)
• 10 packets of Keropok Sira Berlada (Sweet & Spicy Fish Crackers)

Our haul from Adnan Keropok eventually came to RM180.00 (approximately USD38/EUR35).

We then hopped back into BiBi and drove to Gong Kapas in search of sweet cakes. We arrived at Gerai Kuih Gong Kapas and were in luck since the stall was just opening for business after Friday prayers. If it were up to us we would bought every single cake on display, but we prudently settled on:

• 
  
• 2 packets of Kuih Akok
• 2 packets of Seri Kaya (with and without glutinous rice)
• 1 packet of Rojak Betik
• 1 packet of Laksam Kuah Putih
• 1 packet of Roti Jala
• 2 packets of Jalur Emas
• 1 packet of Popiah Simpul
• 1 packet of Cream Puff
• 1 packet of Chocolate Brownies
• 1 packet of Kuih Tepung Pelita

for a grand total of only RM70.00 (approximately USD15/EUR14).

Be sure to catch our upcoming post of our final night in Kuala Terengganu!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

My Old Home - https://maps.app.goo.gl/cqZWBUAZuqqHiH6X9

Taman Tasek Bukit Payung - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJCUrEiuGJ9zYBku5

Adnan Keropok - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Umy6ca2aT5rDppFXA

Gerai Kuih Gong Kapas - https://maps.app.goo.gl/gEKxBqr2DJ9cAHpw8

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

KT Joyride Part 1: Pantai Batu Buruk • Nasi Minyak Wan Sebanun

Joyride Part 1!

After the 'strenuous' drinking last night that continued into the wee hours of this morning we awoke at half past nine mildly hung over.

We were facing some issues with the Airbnb's Magnetic Card Power Switch in that it needed several attempts before the aircon could work. Worse still the aircon power switch insert could not detect the spare aircon magnetic card.

The host arranged for an electrician to visit the Airbnb at 10am today, so we were standing by. Sure enough Apik the electrician turned up at the doorstep and upon closer inspection he found a 5 sen coin lodged in the airconpower switch insert!

Now both the aircon magnetic cards worked, and we thanked Apik for his help. We then got ready to head out for an early lunch nearby. We drove out of the Airbnb at twenty to twelve only to find our intended lunch destination, Restoran Singgang Budu closed.

With nothing else in mind we then drove to Pantai Batu Burok where Brendan got down to take some photographs, by which time we decided to give Restoran Chuan Kee another try. To our dismay despite it being only twenty past twelve Chuan Kee had already ran out of its delectable Chicken Rice.

After that we tried Restaurant 388 nearby at Kampung Tiong to find it also closed. We then resolved to give Restoran Singgang Budu another try. No such luck.

However across the street was Nasi Minyak Wan Sebanun which appeared to be open for business. We turned around and parked right beside the stall, and promptly ordered three Nasi Minyak with Beef Gulai as well as a round of drinks.

Our lunch came to RM31.00 (approximately USD7/EUR6).

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of our leisurely drive to my old home!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Restoran Singgang Budu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/dCofRrW9sSQ7JMw7A

Pantai Batu Burok - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mm8BzxVcy3n1SM836

Restoran Chuan Kee - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz431XQnVzeaoik67

Restaurant 388 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/puBULXpAQMvvFcqw6

Nasi Minyak Wan Sebanun (Ladang)

- https://maps.app.goo.gl/puBULXpAQMvvFcqw6

Warung NORAZILA Chabang 3

Nasi Minyak!

We picked you up again as we awoke from our afternoon siesta. With nothing planned we bounced around a few options before deciding on an old favourite coffee shop in Chabang Tiga.

We have a very long history with Warung Norazila dating back to the days when we used to live in Kuala Terengganu.

Being a fully-bred Terengganu boy it is my assertion that the Terengganu Nasi Dagang is the one true king, while all other variants mere pretenders to the throne. 

I grew up on a lot of things, but the one dish that I identify the most with my childhood is Nasi Dagang. In my prepubescent days I only need to head to the local market for my regular fix; any roadside stall worth its salt will serve the Nasi Dagang (wrapped in banana leaf) on any given morning.

Later in life the Nasi Dagang was not so plentiful, and I would usually head to Simpang Tokku to a shop located directly opposite the Shell petrol station for my fix. The Nasi Dagang stall that I frequented was run by a pair of sisters with identical protruding front teeth (the sisters were however, not identical twins. They were not even twins, come to think of it.)

We moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2002 and came back every now and then, and each time we made sure Simpang Tokku was high in our list of places of interest. Then a few years ago the unimaginable happened; the sisters stopped selling their Nasi Dagang at Simpang Tokku!

Faced with the prospect of going through life devoid of my Nasi Dagang I began an earnest search for the sisters with the protruding teeth. Searching long and hard (bless the internet) yielded several clues and clear indications, and on our very next trip to Kuala Terengganu we found Warong Norazila. Apparently the sisters ran both the Simpang Tokku and Kuala Ibai stalls up until a few years ago and have since retired. They let go of the Simpang Tokku stall and left the Kuala Ibai stall in the hands of their successors (nieces and other assortment of relatives).

We recently read online that Warung Norazila had revived its stall in the original spot in Simpang Tokku, which was where we were heading to dinner. We arrived at half past six and promptly ordered:

• 2 Nasi Minyak with Beef Gulai
• 1 Nasi Minyak with Chicken Gulai
• 1 Nasi Kunyit with Ikan Tongkol
• 3 Iced Teas
• 2 packets of sweet cakes 

for a grand total of only RM41.00 (approximately USD9/EUR8).

We then received an invitation from my old friend Vinodh to have dinner with him at a restaurant very close to the Airbnb. Since we already had dinner we agreed to join him and his merry gang of wine tasters for drinks later.

We left Warung Norazila at half past seven and went in search of lip balm. We eventually found a pharmacy along Jalan Sultan Ismail. We then proceeded to my late Aunty's house to drop off the flip flops we got earlier in the day, as well as check up on things.

We then drove back to the Airbnb and walked a short distance to Restoran Ocean where we were meeting Vinodh and his friends. For the next four hours we chatted and caught up with old times as bottles of spirits kept us company. We broke off at one in the morning then walked over to Ali Spices Restaurant right next to the Airbnb for supper.

A thosai, cheese nan and a bevy of drinks later for RM16.50 (approximately USD4/EUR3) we headed back to the Airbnb to retire for the next.

Breakfast tomorrow is in the balance, so perhaps we will pick you up for lunch instead?

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Warung Norazila Chabang 3 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zWiEwudt9SafNs7W7

Restaurant Ocean - https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTCRHs634F3tKuvL6

Nostalgic Drive + Running Errands: • SMSS • SATU • Mr DIY

Nostalgic drive!

We picked you up again after our breakfast at Kak Pah.  From there we took a leisurely drive along what in our minds is the prettiest part of Batu Buruk.

However as the drive progressed we realised much has changed and the quiet stretch of beach has been commercialised, with a large square in its centre.

We then continued driving onto Jalan Negara headed to my old high school, Sultan Sulaiman Secondary School. It has been 38 years since I graduated and while some things look different, for the most part everything else seemed strangely familiar.

Done with my little trip down memory lane we drove out of my old school headed back to town. We made our way to the local water services provider, Syarikat Air Terengganu or SATU for short. While I parked and waited in BiBi Cat went in to check on a notice we received yesterday about an unpaid bill.

She managed to sort things out and we then drove a short distance to a car wash nearby. The car wash was impressively modern and spacious, and for only RM20.00 (approximately USD/EUR4) BiBi was refreshed.

We then drove to a hardware store, Mr. DIY to pick up a few cleaning items that included a mop, buckets and pails, detergent, hand wash, padlocks and other knick knacks. The provisions came to RM196.90 (approximately USD42/EUR39).

We then spent an hour or so at my late Aunty's house to sort a few things out. While Cat mopped the living area a few rounds I busied myself replacing the rusted old padlocks that secured the back of the house.

All done we headed back to Mr. DIY to purchase a few flip flops to be used around the house later, and before we finally made our way back to the Airbnb to rest up.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of our quest for authentic Laksa as well as Laksam!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Syarikat Air Terengganu (SATU) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/R3VHT76MmrNy8QySA

Car Wash Warisan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xyYBwRE1HyV4sv6v9

Mr. DIY - https://maps.app.goo.gl/kjsBKJM6pKUuanrU6

Lim Sian Tian - https://maps.app.goo.gl/RB8FUkAz3pFYv7jB8

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Nasi Dagang KAK PAH

Nasi Dagang!

There was a debate raging about which Nasi Dagang is the best in Kuala Terengganu. In our minds there is no such thing as a 'better' Nasi Dagang, just a case of it being different, but equally good. While Nasi Dagang Atas Tol has a sweeter gravy and better presented, but we still thought Kak Pah's gravy held a slight edge in terms of authenticity of taste. It can be surmised from various opinions that my generation still prefer Kak Pah, while the younger set were inclined towards Atas Tol. Does it boil down to the 'sweet tooth' factor?

After the 14-hour spring cleaning of yesterday we slept in and awoke at 9:00am. An hour later we left the Airbnb and drove the short distance to Nasi Dagang Kak Pah. We then promptly ordered:

• 3 plates of Nasi Dagang Ikan Tongkol (Mackerel Tuna)
• 2 Iced Lemon Tea
• 1 hot Nescafe 

for a grand total of only RM25.00 (approximately USD/EUR5).

We then hopped back into BiBi and went on a drive.  Be sure to catch our upcoming video of our drive down memory lane!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Kak Pah Nasi Dagang - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pX4qDYxgcfX81qSQ8

Spring Cleaning: 14 Hours in 30 Minutes!

Spring cleaning!

We awoke at half past seven and left the Airbnb at twenty past eight. Brendan decided to sleep in so it was just the two of us this morning.

We drove to my late Aunty's house, parked BiBi there and walked a short distance to a breakfast stall nearby, Pok Ceq Corner.

Here I had 2 packets of Nasi Lemak with Fish while Cat had the Nasi Berlauk. As we had breakfast Heng our neighbour and his wife joined us too. After breakfast we picked up Heng's tab, so another 2 packets of Nasi Lemak and a round of drinks for the four of us came to only RM22.00 (approximately USD5/EUR4).

We then walked back to the house, Zuhdi and his cleaning crew of three men soon arrived at 9:30am. They began work upstairs and only managed to complete the cleaning by lunchtime.

In that time they accumulated a large amount of trash which then presented us with a problem. How do we dispose of it?

Thankfully our neighbour Heng put us in touch with Jenny who promised to send a lorry over to collect our trash at 2:30pm. 

Zuhdi and his cleaning broke off for their lunch break at 1:30pm while we ordered in via the the Grab food app. We were excited to find our old favourite Minang restaurant at Jalan Banggol and promptly ordered:

Nasi Ikan Keli Berlada for Cat

Nasi Daging Rendang for me

2 Iced Sirap Limau

1 hot Coffee

 

for a grand total of RM40.90 (approximately USD9/EUR8).

The lorry arrived at about the time Zuhdi and his cleaning crew returned from lunch. Due to the large pile of trash accumulated the lorry had to make two trips, so the cost including labour to load the trash came to RM450.00 (approximately USD96/EUR88).

At about the same time the electrician Seng (also referred to by our neighbour Heng) turned up to fix a faulty light fixture that caused the electricity to trip each time it was switched on. This cost us RM30.00 (approximately USD/EUR6).

Zuhdi and his cleaning crew worked until it was time to perform their dusk prayers, so they broke off again for dinner and returned at a quarter to nine. Soon as they returned it was our turn to have dinner, this time our meal was off-camera as we were pretty much knackered by then.

They finally completed their work assignment close to 11:00pm, meaning that we had spent a gobsmacking 14 hours today overseeing the cleaning process.

Be sure to catch our upcoming videos of our hunt for Nasi Dagang and Laksa as well as Laksam tomorrow!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Pok Ceq Corner - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5cbQYP7mdNHApFMU6

Lim Sian Tian - https://maps.app.goo.gl/RB8FUkAz3pFYv7jB8

Pantai PENARIK: Ombak Pantai • QM Celup Tepung

Pantai Penarik!

We took the scenic route along the coastal road and soon arrived at the restaurant Ombak Pantai at a quarter to twelve situated right on the beach of Pantai Penarik.

We we enjoyed the scenery and had a simple early lunch of:

• 2 plates of Fried Vermicelli 
• a plate of Fried Yellow Noodles
• a skewer of Sata
• 30 sticks of Keropok Lekor
• a bevy of fruit juices and drinks 

for a grand total of RM69.50 (approximately USD15/EUR14).

We then resumed our drive to Kota Bharu where we met up with my cousin Emily to catch up with each other and discuss matters pertaining to our late Aunty's estate.

Later in the evening we drove back to Kuala Terengganu, again taking the scenic route where we found ourselves back at Pantai Penarik. Seeing as Ombak Pantai was packed we decided on another Celup Tepung (various deep fried seafood dipped in flour) restaurant. 

This time around we decided on QM Celup Tepung Pesisir Pantai for a quick bite of:

• Fried Yellow Noodles 
• Maggi Mee Soup
• 2 sets of the Keropok Lekor (12 sticks per set)
• 1 Ikan Kembung ICT (Mackerel dipped in flour and deep fried)
• A round of drinks 

Our quaint dinner by the sea came to RM37.00 (approximately USD8/EUR7).

We then resumed our drive and finally arrived at the Airbnb at 10:15pm.

We hoped to retire early and be well rested since a big day awaits us tomorrow as we had a 9:00am appointment Zuhdi of Terengganu Cleaning Services. Please stay tuned!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Pantai Penarik - https://maps.app.goo.gl/s4Bs9JyC5WrpK4jg6

Ombak Pantai Restaurant - https://maps.app.goo.gl/BpuUn5T9PGL6VrTQ8

QM Celup Tepung Pesisir Pantai - https://maps.app.goo.gl/F9DxzGFy5cTUF3To7

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

KOTA BHARU Day Trip

Kota Bharu!

We picked you up again as we began our day trip to Kota Bharu. We planned to meet my my cousin Emily who was a lawyer and also the administrator to my Aunty's estate was planned. 

Several matters related to our late Aunty's estate needed to be discussed so we thought we might as well do it face to face. Also on the cards was a pitstop at Pantai Penarik for an early and quick lunch.

Our picturesque seaview lunch at Ombak Pantai out of the way we resumed our drive to Kota Bharu, and arrived at Emily's office at ten to three. She hopped into BiBi and took us to her favourite coffee shop, Kedai Kopi Khuan Heong Yan.

The next two hours or so went by off camera as we caught up with each other and discussed matters relating to our late Aunty's estate while feasting on a variety of local sweet cakes.

We finally bade Emily farewell, dropped her off at her firm and made our way back to Kuala Terengganu.

At Emily's suggestion we took the coastal road back via Tok Bali through Penarik again. Here we decided to have another quick and simple meal before making our way back to the Airbnb. Seeing as Ombak Pantai was packed we decided on another restaurant, QM for dinner.

We then resumed our drive at 9:10pm and after an hour or so made it back to the Airbnb.

Please stay tuned for our upcoming video on Pantai Penarik where we had lunch AND dinner!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

H.S. Lim & Malik - https://maps.app.goo.gl/WXtAzJKjqnvoVzib6

Kedai Kopi Khuan Heong Yan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nnMLXVebbkCoVT6e7

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Warung SURIA

Terengganu breakfast!

Knackered by yesterday's shenanigans we slept in and awoke at eight.

After running an errand or two we finally headed to breakfast at Warung Suria, a roadside coffee shop along Jalan Persinggahan near the Primula Hotel that sold mostly local delicacies.

As soon as we arrived Brendan took a seat while we headed to the buffet styled serving area and promptly ordered:

• Nasi Dagang with Fish for Cat and I 
• Nasi Dagang with Chicken for Brendan 
• a hot Nescafe 
• 3 Iced Lemon Tea

Together with 20 pieces of Kuih Boom our first breakfast in Kuala Terengganu came to RM36.50 (approximately USD8/EUR7). Sustenance received we then hopped back into BiBi and began our drive to Kota Bharu.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video of our day trip to Kota Bharu as well as our daytime and nighttime pitstops at Pantai Penarik!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Kuala Terengganu - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoLSjge7Lj5Vf4T39

Warung Suria - https://maps.app.goo.gl/smWCa7T3iG92jkza8

D'PERAHU Seafood

Terengganu seafood!

We awoke from our slumber late in the evening and after freshening up made our way down to the car park. 

We first drove to my late Aunty's place to make sure her gate was not "straddled and met up with a neighbour who empathised with our plight. He too felt that Vivienne and husband was too much, and offered his advice on how to handle the matter.

We bade Heng farewell and headed to the Petronas station in Batu Buruk to refuel and noted that the 466km drive consumed RM86.78 or 40.36 litres worth of petrol (approximately USD18/EUR17). This meant that BiBi gave us 11.54 kilometers to the litre, which we thought was fair.

We then headed back to our dinner destination, D'Perahu Seafood.

In all honestly we could not recall if we had been here before, but we have been to the various seafood stalls here many times before. With ample parking and abundance of choice this area nicknamed "Benteng" (which literally means fortress) has been our firm favourite when seeking seafood in town.

We were rather early so had D'Perahu Seafood almost all to ourselves. We perused their menu and eventually ended up ordering:

• Ikan Jemuduk (Giant Trevally) Bakar Berempah  
• Sotong (Calamari) Telur Masin 
• Tomyam Ayam 
• 2 plain Omelettes 
• 4 White Rice
• Blue Lemon Mojito
• Lemon Lychee Mojito
• Mango Mojito 

for a grand total of RM116.00 (approximately USD25/EUR23). After our sumptuous dinner we went on a leisurely drive around town before making our way back to the Airbnb to settle in for the night.

Be sure to catch our next video of the following morning where we have traditional Terengganu breakfast at a stall just a five-minute walk away from the Airbnb!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ljh8VkBD6Ek86o5E6

PETRONAS Batu Buruk - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CxfTK9NViVZWTaNL8

D'Perahu Seafood - https://maps.app.goo.gl/t2vCsE4r4N5P4awLA

AIRBNB: Pangsapuri Ladang Tanjung

Seaview Apartment!

Feeling deflated but not defeated we decided against refueling BiBi and headed straight for the Airbnb we booked to freshen up, gather our strength and compose our thoughts.

The host described her home as "A charming, well-equipped and thoughtfully designed modern sea view apartment located in an enviable, prime area of Kuala Terengganu city centre with a variety of cafes, shops and restaurants close by. Situated in a newly built apartment close to the mall; KTCC Mall (just across the road), Shahbandar Jetty to Redang Island (4 min drive), Terengganu Drawbridge (5 min walk), Sultan Mahmud Airport (10 min drive), and Pasar Payang (5 min drive)."

We received our check-in instructions earlier in the morning, followed it to a tee and after keying in the passcode we walked in.

Home for the next five nights, we'll let our footage describe to you the unit we booked.

The spacious and cosy 3-bedroom unit was well appointed and had everything we needed. With a view of the sea this Airbnb is recommended.

And oh, by the way the Airbnb cost us RM360.00 a night (approximately USD71/EUR76) so it was not as cheap as we would have liked it to be, but we decided to live it up a little.

We then settled in then took a long nap, waking up late in the evening. Be sure to catch our next video where we have a traditional seafood dinner nearby!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Deru Residence - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ljh8VkBD6Ek86o5E6

A Series of Unfortunate Events!

An abandoned home!

After our sumptuous lunch at On The Way Kopitiam we made our way to Jalan Sultan Ismail and to a house left behind by my late Aunty. She passed away (of natural causes) a couple of years ago. She lived alone and her house was left unattended in the time since her death. We made a solemn promise to visit and straighten out her house and see if we cannot make it a home once more.

We last visited the house in November 2021 but were not able to put in motion our plans to give her home a proper cleaning.

This time around before coming we contacted a local cleaning company, Terengganu Cleaning Services to task them with the spring cleaning project. A fee was agreed and Zuhdi the proprietor promised to turn up tomorrow.

With that in mind we went to my late Aunty's house to provide Zuhdi with an exact location. However as soon as we arrived a big ugly black SUV bearing the registration number CEV83 was parked in front of the house, straddling the gate.

We made a call to the offending neighbour Vivienne who informed that the vehicle belonged to her husband. The culprit soon moved the vehicle but not before I gave him a stern talking to.

We then went about our business ascertaining the state of the house to discover that both the lights and water had been turned off! We quickly made a call to my cousin Emily who was a lawyer and also the administrator to my Aunty's estate.

She owned up to the fact that that she had overlooked to keep up with the utility bills of the house. In hindsight we should have checked all the faucets and power outlets before jumping to the conclusion that it was disrupted or disconnected?

I quickly called Zuhdi to inform him that we had to postpone our appointment tomorrow to Wednesday (the day after) while I sorted out the water bill. We will need to settle the water bill with Syarikat Air Terengganu (SATU) first thing tomorrow morning, and hope that it gets reconnected within the day. Meanwhile my cousin Emily will work on re-activating Aunty's electricity supply which has fallen dormant.

If all goes well Zuhdi will commence work on Wednesday morning instead. Deflated but never defeated we hopped back into BiBi bound for the Airbnb.

Footnote: The following day our first order of business was to visit the Syarikat Air Terengganu (SATU) to settle my late Aunty's water bill. We paid the bill and learnt that the water supply was not yet disconnected. We were also advised to lodge a report if the water supply to her house was disrupted for any reason.

We then drove to my late Aunty house to test both the lights and water, and to our relief both were not disrupted nor disconnected. It seemed that the faucet at the porch was facing a blockage, all other faucet in the house was fine. We also switched on the circuit breaker and found all light fixtures in order.

We then called Zuhdi to confim our appointment for tomorrow morning at 9:00am.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video where we check into an excellent Airbnb home called DERU!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Lim Sian Tian - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hSNJPrUfSWdSZKHN7

ON THE WAY Kopitiam

A change in plans!

We picked you up again as we headed to our lunchtime destination.

We kid you not, in our minds Chuan Kee serves the best Chicken Rice ever! Yes, we may be biased but we've had Chicken Rice many times before at many different restaurants from many different states, but nothing holds a candle to Chuan Kee.

As mentioned in our previous video about Chuan Kee when Cat and I first got married in 1998 we stayed with my parents, just several hundred meters away from Restoran Chuan Kee. It was our default destination every Friday (Terengganu’s weekend) after Mass. It seemed like yesterday that we left Kuala Terengganu, not 20 years ago. 

As is the case the moment we arrive in Kuala Terengganu Restoran Chuan Kee will be our first port of call. Alas by the time we arrived Chuan Kee was closing up. No worries, it will definitely be bookmarked for another time.

Our plan B was none other then the restaurant called "On The Way". A short drive away it was located along Jalan Bandar Baru at Kampung Cina, Kuala Terengganu's very own Chinatown.

We arrived knowing very well that we would order our customary:

• Laksa Kuah Putih for me
• Laksam Kuah Putih for Cat 
• Laksa Kuah Merah for Brendan 
• side orders of Rojak Betik and Fries 
• 3 Iced Lemon Tea
• and 1 Juice Jambu Asamboi

Our first meal in Kuala Terengganu came to RM68.00 (approximately USD14/EUR13).

With lunch out of the way we drove to my late Aunty's house to share the location with Zuhdi of Terengganu Cleaning Services with whom we had an appointment tomorrow morning.

Be sure to catch our upcoming video where a series of unfortunate events unfolded!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

On The Way Kopitiam - https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrNk9TanW7sUxV6y7