Coral Redang Island Resort, Pulau Redang

Coral Redang Island Resort

Pasir Panjang Beach,

Pulau Redang,

Terengganu Darul Iman

reservation@coralredang.com.my

(+60)17 981 6200

(+60)9 630 7110

Sometimes, the best trips are the ones you don't really plan for. Our trip to Redang Island in Terengganu was a result of a moreh session one Ramadhan. Birthdays were coming up and we decided that the least we should do is a fun trip. Two weeks after raya, 8 adults and 2 kids headed to the East Coast and hopped on boats to meet on Redang Island.

  Once you're in Terengganu, you should head to either the Merang Jetty or the Shahbandar Jetty. The speedboat trip from Merang Jetty takes about an hour while the ferry from Shahbandar Jetty may take about an hour and a half to two hours to reach the island. The return boat transfer is included in the full board package offered by the resort so they will ask your preferences; preferred arrival and departure time and jetty. You will only have to pay the Marine Park Conservation Fee and in my case, the Setiu Jetty Access Charge because I took a speedboat from Merang Jetty.

  Also included in the full board package by Coral Redang Island Resort: 

• 2 nights accommodation
• 2 buffet breakfast+lunch+dinner
• 2 boat trips/day for snorkelling (equipments can be rented from the dive shop, less than RM30/day)

Booking

I sent an enquiry via their website www.coralredang.com.my and after they replied, I submitted my bookings. Did two separate bookings because one family has a toddler and they chose the ferry while the rest of us took speedboat. Paid 50% deposit instead of giving my credit card details via email. 

  So, yeah. Booking for full board package could have been made easier.

Location

Pasir Panjang Beach or the Long Beach is the popular stretch of beach with many resorts. If you want somewhat private beach, consider The Taaras or Wisana Village. Personally, I like this location because there are other souvenir shops and restaurants and warung to hang out at.

Rate

Value for money. We stayed in Standard Room and paid RM1160/room for 3D2N. That's like RM290/night per adult including meals and snorkelling. And boat trips from and back to mainland.

Dining

Love the buffet. Different menu every day. We had nasi lemak, pancakes, omelette, sausages and cereal and toast and yoghurt for breakfast. Lunch and dinner were rice with selections of chicken, beef, fish and other seafood. We even had lamb. Then there were fresh fruits all the time. Omg we gained more weight than we did for raya.

Service

The reception team weren't the friendliest but they were helpful (even when it's not their duty like taking photos) and professional. Love the F&B team, they went out of their ways to help us prepare for the triple birthday celebration. They let us borrow their kitchen so my friend could carve a watermelon cake. Yay! The F&B staff were also the ones who suggested places to visit and offered to show us around.

  I must also mention the dive centre staff. The team really took care of us and were knowledgable. The morning session went a little scary after the sea turned rough so suddenly but the staff kept their cool and got everybody back safely.

  The evening session was thankfully sunny and the guide told us spots to go to at the Marine Park. I only wish that we get longer than an hour per session to snorkel.

Overall 4.5 <3<3<3<3< of 5

   Oh, try the massage centre near the lobby. D'Manja has proper outlets in Redang Bay and Laguna Redang but I recommend the open platform right in front of Coral Redang. Love the massage with beach view. The masseurs were good too.

 Our party was awesome! And the resort was the perfect background. We love our rooms even though they are basic. The meals were local dishes and delicious. Pool wasn't huge but still, we love it. The view right in front of the resort, LOVE. 

  Omg, just go already. I wish I am back there.

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang, Kuala Terengganu

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang

Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin

Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu

Simply known as Pasar Payang, it is a popular spot in Kuala Terengganu. Located near Chinatown, this central market is hard to miss. 

Honestly, I am not sure about their operating hours. Search on internet indicated that the market is closed on Fridays but some blogs claimed that it wasn't true. I visited the market in the morning and many sellers especially in the dry grocery part haven't start selling for the day. At night, we saw vendors setting up outside the market. So, I guess it's busy all day long.

Similar to the Siti Khadijah market in Kota Bharu, you'll be able to find clothes, batik, toys, gold accessories, frying pan, cooking pots, fruits, vegetable, serunding, fish crackers and many more here. The market is also famous for the Terengganu songket (gorgeous, handwoven fabric), making it a great place for souvenir shopping.

Wet Market

If you're interested in sampling local food, there is a food court here. Alternatively, check out the local cakes (kuih) at dry grocery section. Serunding (chicken/fish/beef floss) and keropok (crackers) are nearby.

A popular cake seller

Yummy serunding. Recommended.

Unfortunately, they are still selling turtle eggs here. Sucks. Walk ahead. Don't stop.

It was my first visit (I think) to the market and I was quite confused with the layout. I had to get out to find stairs but really there was one in between the wet market and dry groceries on the ground floor. Upstairs are the clothes and batik and the more-appropriate-for-souvenir stuff shops.

Parking available. Sellers were not pushy, very friendly. Expect to spend about an hour even if just to explore the whole market. Oh and wear something comfortable cuz you'll sweat.

Chinatown, Kuala Terengganu

The Chinatown or Kampung Cina in Kuala Terengganu starts near the Seri Malaysia Hotel 

It is an area filled with restaurants and coffee shops, colourful temple, pretty little alleys with cute themes and street arts.

You can walk around Chinatown in the morning to take photos of the many wall arts and come at night to see the lights and enjoy the food. 

Note: To Muslim visitors, there are some non-halal restaurants in the area so check the menu and ask if you're unsure :)

Bbèteng, Taman Tamadun Islam

B'bèteng is right next to Taman Tamadun Islam.

At first, I thought it was a gallery with restaurants and food court but it turned out to be just one... eatery. I visited for lunch so I don't know... maybe the place turns into a full restaurant at night.

Options were limited. I wanted the advertised nasi briyani but they didn't have it in stock so I picked plain rice and lauk instead. The staff were friendly but system was confusing. First, you go to the counter to order your meals. Then, pay at a separate (centralised) cashier counter. Next, pick up your order from the former counter, unless they tell you that they'll deliver the dish to your table.

If you want the rice set however, you order and pay at the cashier but go to the beverage counter to collect your drinks. Confusing I know. Good thing the staff were helpful.

LOVE the breeze. Hate that everything flew away.

Yummy Ice Kacang (shaved ice with peanuts) <3<3<3<3

Rice and prawn sambal <3<3<3<3 LOVE this one

Soup Noodle - average

View & more tables

Taste - Good

Price - Average tourist spot rates (expensive for local standard)

Ambiance - By the river. Excellent!

Overall 3 <3<3<3 of 5

Note: Think self-service and you'll be fine

Kompleks Muzium Negeri Terengganu

Terengganu State Museum Complex

Bukit Losong,

20566 Kuala Terengganu

Terengganu

(+609) 622 1444

Operating Hours

Saturday to Thursday : 0900 - 1700

Friday : 0900 - 1200, 1500 - 1700

Closed on first and second day of Eid Fitr & Eid Adha

Entrance Fee(s)

Local

Adult : RM5

Children : RM2

Foreigner

Adult : RM15

Children : RM10

Note: I'm not too happy about the different pricing for locals vs foreigners but I like that the ticket is actually a postcard! Not the prettiest design but it's better than typical paper ticket stubs that will get thrown away.

As the name suggested, the museum is situated in a complex. It's big and you'll have to walk quite a bit to explore the whole place. The main building and its many galleries is big enough to tire you so come early, bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

Lockers are available near the entrance should you want to keep your valuables.

There is no correct way to explore the museum and the whole complex. Exhibits are all over the place and you might as well stop and see what ever you passed. There is a tram station near parking area but it wasn't operating on my visit. There is also an outdoor exhibition nearby, just opposite the Herb Garden. 

Vehicles

After seeing the cars and plane, I walked past the pretty garden and up the magnificent stairs of the main building to find the ticket booth. 

There are several galleries and halls in the main building. Some of the halls will showcase different exhibition at different time. During my visit, it was a ceramic exhibition. The long-term galleries are:

• Textile Gallery
• Royal Gallery
• Islamic Gallery
• Craft Gallery
• Petronas Gallery
• History Gallery

then there are other galleries that are situated away from the main building like the Seafaring & Trade Gallery and the Fisheries and Marine Park Gallery. They should really install some drinks vending machines over at those galleries.

Batu Bersurat Terengganu

Guess what?

Art Gallery (I think this is temporary exhibition) below Islamic Gallery

Tram looking all pretty but unused

Signage to Tengku Long's Palace, different type of traditional houses, galleries and jetty

Technically, you can take a boat to get here. But the jetty looked... abandoned. 

One of the traditional houses in the complex

Outdoor exhibition near the Fisheries & Marine Park Gallery

Real life boat

Real life boat 2

I was curious but scared to actually step on the boat. Not too confident with maintenance. Plus the boats were on land and I can't swim on land. There was no sign forbidding entry so if you're interested, board at your own risk!

Overall, I like the Terengganu State Museum. It is one of the better curated ones in Malaysia but it certainly could use a little more TLC. The complex already have all the infrastructures, the museum itself is a gorgeous architectural wonder, all they have to do is to take care of it.

Natural History (?) Gallery closed for maintenance

My best friend in the Seafaring Gallery

View from jetty

To properly enjoy the museum complex, I suggest you come bright and early and plan to stay for half a day. Bring drinking water (a must!) or a picnic if you wish. Just make sure you dispose your trash properly.