We finally had our long-overdue family holiday. In fact, it’s our 1st one since we became a family of 4. We went to Terengganu (Kg. Merang – the Redang jetty town to be exact) for 3 days with stopovers at Kuantan, Tanjung Jara, Kertih (for McDonald’s) and Kuala Terengganu (KT).
We left KL at 9am and only arrived at our hotel, The Aryani, at 8pm after our various stopovers and getting lost in between KT and Kg. Merang (my fault – I can’t read maps).
Here are some pictures:
1st stop – 3-hours at Kuantan
We arrived at Kuantan at 12noon and ended up having economy rice in Kuantan Parade because we thought that would be the best place for us to locate a baby room to change the kids’ nappies. Bad idea – our numerous requests for the whereabouts of a baby room were met with blank stares. In the end, we just changed Braedyn at some corner of the mall and Shayanne in the car.
Since daddykhong used to spend his family holidays at Hyatt Regency Kuantan, Teluk Cempedak, he decided to visit the resort to see if it has changed. And changed it has…..because smack right beside Hyatt Regency Kuantan is…….of all things……
A MCDONALD’s DRIVE THRU.
Well, it’s comforting to know that America spreads its wings very far. Next year, Starbucks will probably open next to it’s American brother and maybe our fishermen can have their Latte before casting their nets into the sea!
Our driver with the kids at Teluk Cempedak. He’s sitting on a McDonald’s bench of all things!!!!
Myself and Shayanne on the same beach. And no, we did not pay someone to rid the beach of rubbish!
Braedyn saying “I want my McDonald’s jagung!” *Sigh* This boy is going to break a lot of girls’ hearts.
Braedyn, “I’ll do anything mum asks just to get my jagung, including weird poses”.
In the end, we did not give McDonald’s our business because we had to get on with our drive and also, we did not drive all the way to Kuantan just to give McDonald’s our business.
There was something very interesting in Kuantan Parade which we both haven’t seen before. At a corner of the mall there were rows of booths with a door and a glass panel. From afar we could see 2 people in each booth doing something. Immediately daddykhong said, “Aha, in Kuantan you cannot be caught kissing in public so the mall provides Kissing Booths!!!” LOL!! We rushed towards the booths and on each door there was a sign which stated “Max 2 orang sahaja”.
“See, told you so. So conservative, they don’t even allow three-somes”, whispered daddykhong.
Anyway, it turned out the booths were karaoke booths and are very popular amongst the Malay youth in Kuantan. In each room there is a TV, songlist, 2 stools for them to sing (or kiss) to their hearts’ content.
2nd stop – Tanjung Jara Resort
Ah, what a wonderful place to spend our 1st night. There’s nothing better than paying obscene amounts of money for a showy place owned by some rich fella with a prosperous mole on his face (and I’m not referring to Puah Chu Kang!).
Did you know that children under the age of 3 years old are banned from Tanjung Jara because YTL is afraid that their screams will spoil the mood of the other residents? Not only that, kids 3 years and above must undergo some sort of screening test at the front door before being deemed fit to be a guest at the resort? I’m serious, that’s what daddykhong told me when I suggested that we stay at Tanjung Jara. So I guess we’ll just have to wait till the kids are older and capable of passing the screening test before we can stay there.
For now, we can only afford a stopover to look-see…..
Clockwise from top left: 1. Our driver deciding which kid to throw into the water first with Shayanne thinking “NO..not me!” 2. A view of one of the many pools at the resort. 3. Braedyn, “If I drop my pants for the camera, will you give me jagung?” 4. Dinner on the beach
Final stop – Kuala Terengganu / Kg Merang
The drive from KL to Kuantan wasn’t that bad and the same can be said for the Kuantan-Tanjung Jara stretch. However, it was the Tanjung Jara to KT drive which was tiring and the KT to Kg Merang stretch (which is about 45 minutes if you know the way and 2.5 times that if you don’t).
We finally arrived at our hotel at 8pm and here are some shots…..
Main building at Aryani where we have our meals
Internal shots of our villa (before Braedyn gave it a makeover). Should have taken some “after” shots.
Shots from the villa. Our private outdoor sunken bath is at the top-right.
More pictures including a matchbox I have not seen for years
Braedyn and Shayanne watching TV
The resort compound. When there are only 20 villas, we have all the space to ourselves.
Braedyn’s first encounter with the beach and waves
Our driver teaching Braedyn how to swim
Clockwise from top left – 1. Aryani’s swimming pool 2. Shot of the pool from the dining area 3. Main reception area 4. Entrance to dining area.
Braedyn scouting around KT Central Market for turtle eggs on Day 2. Saw lots of them for sale but we didn’t buy any. Shame on those selling them.
Overall it was a great trip. The locals there were relaxed and extremely friendly. We didn’t get any funny looks from anyone even while having dinner at a roadside stall in the middle of nowhere. Such a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of KL life. In fact, we liked it so much that we decided to go for another trip during the year-end holidays. We’ll be off to Avillion PD in November. Daddykhong booked the rooms 2 nights after we returned from Terengganu.
And now, some entertainment from Braedyn….
The hotel really look posh. Hmm, must make a trip to Terengganu next time. So, what’s up with the jagung? LOL!
What an awesome outing! I want to come too next time. Everybody looks so happy to be out and about. You look fantastic!
We should organise a trip for everyone.
Well! What a nice holiday for the kids.
You both are great.
wow the place look very nice leh….must cost a bomb hehe..
It was Rm400 a night. Well worth it because something similar at Tg Jara would be 4 digits and above.
children under 3 not allowed? so par pai…
eh the cili match box so long never see edi
but yr rooomm…..very nice…
Allowed, allowed. Daddykhong is very good at making up stories.
oh wow! (BIG sighhh) sooo cool that you guys got to have a great holiday! jealous laaa though. hopefully husband will switch off his negative-thinking-thoughts soon and we can all go for a holiday (in my case, my husband’s obsessed with saving money for Gibran and future kids. whyyy can’t we have a short holidayyyyy anyway!!)
It wasn’t that expensive anyway. Daddykhong also likes to save money instead of going on holidays but after seeing how much fun the kids and I had, he’s now a changed man
What a wonderful holiday
I like the little hats on the kids 
Wow, i didn’t know Tg Jara is that strict…hmpph. Actually we were planning to go there after reading about it recently 
No lah…..the Tg. Jara story was made up by daddykhong as an excuse to not go there. He’s too thick-skinned to say he can’t afford it!!!
i am sure it was a good break for both daddykhong & mummykhong..
wuahhh! The villa looks really great leh!
Yeah, I heard The Aryani is good. But a friend told me that it’s not that child-friendly. Is it true? You guys sure look like you had a lot of fun!
Btw, below 3 years old not allowed to stay at Tg. Jara resort? Ridiculous! But so is the price worrr? Haha! I’d rather go abroad than to pay for such a price. LOL!
And yeah, what’s up with the McD’s jagung????
p/s: Hyatt Kuantan isn’t what it used to be before. Stayed there a few times while we were visiting Irwan’s late grandparents. And the McD has been there since I followed Irwan’s family back to Kuantan 5 years back.
Well, there are no ramps for strollers if that was what your friend meant. Also, since there are more foreigners there than there are locals, I guess kids will just disrupt their holidays.
Braedyn always looks forward to having jagung at McDonald’s. After finishing his jagung, he will go to their playland. That’s his routine.
Wow, I have never been to Terengganu, looks like it is time to plan a trip there.
It was my first time as well. You should go. It’s very different from the hustle and bustle of KL.
look like u r at bali lei !!! so nice the resort .
nice holiday. the resort looks fabulous. bet you had a great time. nice photos too.
Daddy Khong doesn’t want you to pester him to stay in Tj Jara that’s why he invented that ‘story’ of having children screened. They welcome kids ler.
Last year, we brought Zara who was 1+. http://mytwogirls.wordpress.com/2006/02/04/tanjung-jara-moments/
This year, we wanted to go again during May 1st, but cancelled eventually, as their price has increased, and it becomes even more unaffordable. And they didn’t make any fuss when I said I’ll be bringing a 2+ and few month old baby there.
Aryani is nice.. heard lots about it. But the distant.. eeeee.. maybe some other time.
That was a very fun vacation!!!! I’ve drove up to KT before and went diving in Redang but have not stayed in any villa in that area before.
Brae looked soooooo happy playing with sand! How I wish Darrius can share his beach tools with Brae hor???
The resort looked awsome too!
So… when are you coming to the northern island again???? I’m going back on 2nd of Sept.
Tanjung jara & Aryani I always want to go. Nice place.
hehehehe..after read the Tanjung Jara “rules” on kids below 3 cannot go in and above 3 need to do test! hahahah i msg my friend ask her is it true ar..because she also went there..she said no wor..so i told her about ur case..i only realise it is a make up story by daddy khong!..LOL! I thought Tajung Jara like Datai in Langkawi, kids below 2/3 are not allowed.
Thanks for sharing, i mean the photos..nice nice
Sorry for making you confuse…(must piak piak daddykhong for making up the story)
Wow, a great holiday for everyone..
Btw, I have a simple tag for you.
http://judychow.blogspot.com/2007/08/blogging-tips.html
wah..very nice place, some more, the hotel…iciban!
Have been your silent reader all the while. Really respect you all can take care of 2 kids without external help like maid or inlaws. Now, can even bring them out for holiday..salute..salute… sometimes i just wonder why i cannot do it even though i only have ONE little monster…
Thank you. You get used to it after a while.