Back From the Land of Lightning

I just returned from Kelantan. The word 'Kelantan' literally means 'the land of lightning' in Malay language.

Kelantan is renowned for its Wau kites, batik clothes, fish crackers, kain songket and islands. It is perhaps the most original 'Malay' state as it once belonged to the Langkasuka empire and is the best place to experience rich Malay culture. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelantan) I was in Kota Bharu to attend a regional conference on molecular medicine and since it was a short trip, I don't really get to tour around or experience the culture to the most.

The Sultan Ismail Airport

I stayed at the conference venue Renaissance Hotel for 3 nights.

Comfy bedroom

There's a medium shopping complex just next door. I went to the food court there to hunt for dinner around 8++pm and found that most of the stalls were closed. I realised shops in Kota Bharu closed pretty early and there are Jawi writings on almost all sign boards. And the stall that I ordered food from even has the PAS leader Dato Nik Aziz's portrait hanging up high. I think he is indeed very much respected by the Kelantanese.

Mee Hailam for dinner

I'm not sure if we have this brand in Kuching?

I didn't manage to get to visit the biggest Buddha statue in Malaysia, the Pasar, the KB shopping mall, join the tour visiting batik factory etc. Luckily the conference banquet invited performers from the Tourism Kelantan to do some cultural dances, or else I would have felt I have never been to Kelantan.

The is the dance normally performed for the Royalties. Movement is slow, music rhythm slow too. Strong Siamese influence are observed on the costumes and dance movements. There are a few other dances like Zapin and Joget which are more lively because they are folk dances from the people.
Dikir Barat. I think this is the best that I've seen so far. Very energetic, lively and spontaneous. Not like the one we used to see long long ago on TV singing 'AIDS merbahaya, Aedes pula mengancam manusia...'
I managed to buy some Wau shape key chain for myself and also keropok ikan at the airport though. So at least it's a compensate for myself.