Kota Bharu, Kelantan : 13 Oct 2012

Today, Rocker57 & I embarked on our 3D/2N "cuti-cuti Malaysia" to the east coast of Malaysia. We will visit Kota Bharu (KB) in Kelantan, Kuala Trengganu (KT) in Trengganu & Kuantan (KTN) in Pahang. All 3 towns are capital in their respective states, in case you didn't know.

We have both visited these 3 places many times in our course of work. For me, I've always flown to the former two places while driven to Kuantan mostly alone (work) or with Rocker57 on the bike/car. I particularly chose to revisit KB & KT as I've not spent 'real' time whenever I was there. 

Prior to our departure, I'd done some 'homework' to check out best places to eat. So....with my 'hot' list in hand & pre-booked accommodations, we departed from Subang Jaya at 8.30am in our car. Car??? Why not on ZacBoy (our super touring bike)??? Simple really!! It has started to rain daily and we are 'resting' to prep our arduous ride to Krabi on the last week of October. Yes! You heard right, we will be riding some 800km (one way) to Krabi non-stop!!! Read more about it after we have return from Krabi. For now, let's focus on KB/KT/KTN ya.

Rocker57 drove from Subang Jaya to Raub via Karak Highway, then detour into Bentong & then Raub. At Raub, there were at least 2 alternative routes to KB but we stuck to our guns on sticking to the one stated in our GPS. I took over the wheels from Raub to Gua Musang. I had the unfortunate luck to drive on a treacherous, hilly,  bad & wet road conditions. It was all sunny when Rocker57 drove...so UNFAIR!!! 

At 3.30pm, we arrived at KB. It took us about 25-30mins to locate our lodging location as the signage was too small and not noticeable. HUH? Why so difficult to locate a hotel, you say? Well, we opted to stay "kampong' style instead. We booked ourselves for a night's stay at Pasir Belanda (translated to Dutch sand). Why the name "Pasir Belanda"? Well, because the operator of the kampong resort is Dutch, duh!!! 

Here's a bit of the background of "Pasir Belanda"

Signage at side of entrance. Notice the website???

Entrance into Pasir Belanda

• Original kampong house and land belonged to an Englishman named Dato Howard Foster Biles (1916-2003). He was the senior supervisor of the Kelantan palace when he retired, perhaps hence the 'datukship' similar to 'lord or duke' in the UK. When he passed on, he left his assets to his gardener. So lucky!!! (the final part of info I gathered from a source when I was there)
• Gardener then leased the entire plot to the Dutch couple, Harry & Annemieke Mulder in 2006. They have two sons Jesse and Abel. Unfortunately I never got to meet them as they were away in Cameron Highlands for their own vacation. By the way, we were the only patrons there on that particular day :)    YAY...all to ourselves!!!
• Over the past 6 years, Harry has built 7 kampong chalets and about a year ago added an extra touch....a swimming pool....can you beat that?!?!?! ...A swimming pool in a kampong!!! How cool is that??? Very cool-lor!! 
  
  What I liked about Pasir Belanda :
  
  
  
  
  

  

  All the 7 chalets...ours on the extreme right...Semi-D, mind you!!!

  
  

  

  Units opposite our Semi-D

  

  The playground & tree house

  

  The miniature yet functioning swimming pool overlooking the greens

  
  
  

  

  Magnificient isn't he? And see how the hen bow to him!!!

  • The entire plot of land is clean, well maintained, quiet and so serene.
  •  Added features such as a miniature swimming pool, swings, tree house, gazebo, volleyball court and a fountain are a plus point. Making it so inviting and homely. Not forgetting a shaded parking garage fit for 3 cars!
  • There is air-conditioning, water heater and coffee & tea making facilities in the room. Bath & facial towels are also provided together with shower foams. Pretty complete, on par with 3-4 stars hotel. NOT BAD!
  • The beds are comfortable and the comforter provides good & comfy sleep.
  • Harry even installed an insect stopper brush at the bottom of the door to prevent creepy crawlies from entering the room. Awwww...so detailed thoughts!!! 
  • Nestled within a true kampong just 4km from KB!!! Awesome!
  • Awaken by the beck and call of cockerels!!! Different tones at different hour...so refreshing for city folks.
  • At night, I hear the crickets below my room....better than counting sheeps. Didn't you know??? Crickets are pretty monotonous!!! It helps you to fall asleep faster!!! Really! LOL.
  • Harry contributes to the economy of KB by employing staffs who resides within the kampong itself! His out-sourced chef is a 'makcik" (commonly known as auntie in Malaysia, though not related, we seem to address elders as aunties and uncles!! Strange but true) who lives behind his kampong house!
  • Harry and his wife actively promote Pasir Belanda to his countrymen. Elan; Pasir Belanda's staff informs me that summertime in the Netherlands is the busiest for them as they are fully booked for the 3 entire months from June-August. Monsoon seasons are low peak seasons. Most of the guests are foreigners, we are the few exceptions :)
  • In fact bookings are for a minimum of two nights but we managed to squeeze in only for a night! Thanks Harry for accommodating us. We appreciate you making lee-way for us :) 
  • Harry breds beautiful showcase cockerels for competition!!! Check out the pictures. Oh, Harry is so 'naturalised'!!!
  • From what I heard, Harry speaks Bahasa Malaysia fluently and he puts many locals to shame as he can also converse in the local Kelantanese dialect!! WOW!!! Am impressed what he has done in his 6 years in Kelantan and two plus years in Penang prior to his moving to KB. Kudo's Harry!!    
   
  
• What I didn't like about Pasir Belanda
  
  • The blood suckers!!! Mossie aplenty, so remember to bring some mosquito repellent!!
  • No Astro channels except for Harry's own private residence. Awww....
  • No latch inside the room, hence I didn't sleep well entire night...phobia of intruders! That's the price to pay for living in the city where crime rate is high.
  • DO NOT leave your patio lights ON!!! It attracts insects at night! I learned a hard lesson for leaving it on. Next morning, a dead dragonfly being eaten by ants just outside our chalet door. Eco friendly you say? But I believed the dragonfly hit our windows while seeking for warmth in the cold and rainy night and it died as its wings were broken and unable to fly again....sigh.... :(
  • difficult to sight the signages leading into Pasir Belanda....its too small!!! Either change the size or change the color to attract attention, please!!! 
  • Beds a bit too small (for me that is)
  • no ceiling fan! It would be more eco-friendly with ceiling fan as well as maintain authencity of a kampong house in the 60's & 70's, don't you think so?
  • A tad pricy for kampong chalet but reasonable for foreigners, perhaps? 
• Name : Pasir Belanda Resort & Travel Sdn Bhd
• Venue : Kampong Banggol
• Contact : info@pasirbelanda.com 
• Tel : 09- 7477046 or 017 -9340817 
  
  
  Apart from Pasir Belanda which was my highlight for the day, the other attraction was dinner. A unique way to grill free range chicken. Apparently, they grill the marinated chicken in coconut husks. The chicken was so tender and succulent; very unlike "kampong" chicken which is normally tough in texture. The condiment that complements it was made of bird's eye chili, cooked bean paste, garlic & coriander. The chili was delectable yet so spicy, it numbed our mouth! Serious! ...Ooohh, I do missed these organic chilies. Can't assist you in the venue of the restaurant as we were taken there by Rocker57's colleague and it is in a kampong with no road signs!!!  By the way, the restaurant's name is Restoran Kulim...somewhere in one kampong in KB.
  
  

  

  Coconut husk grilled chicken with its condiments.

  
  That's a lengthy one from me for now. Check out what happens the next day where I had the most delicious breakfast apart from my regular favourite dim sum & western breakfasts, of course!!
  
  Keep on reading and sharing my blog ya...thank you!! Until tomorrow....HASTA LA VISTA, BABE!!!