Kuala Terengganu is located at on at the east coast of the peninsula at the mouth of the Sungai Terengganu river. It’s the capital of the state of Terengganu which forms together with Kedah and Kelatan the heartland of malay culture. KT is good stop for one or 2 days before moving on along the eastcoast or towards the National Park / Tasik Kenyir. There are also day trips available to Pulau Rendang (Island) and Tasik Kenyir (Lake)

Pulau Kapas is a small island located only about 6km off Marang in the east coast state of Terengganu (about 1h north of Kuala Terengganu). It has quite and relaxed atmosphere because it is bypassed by the majority of the backpacker circuit looking for a more remote place like the Perhentian Islands. Pulau Kapas only get fairly busy on the weekends when locals come to island. There are a few good snorkeling spots around the island. All accommodations and beach are on the west coast facing the mainland. The west coast is the weather side has no sand beach, only rocks - it can be reached after a short walk through the jungle. Pulau Kapas shuts down during the monsoon season between November and February.

A Famosa

Massive fortress that was built by the portuguese in the 16th Century.

The fortress was built because Commander Albuquerque of the Portuguese fleet believed that Melaka would become an important port linking Portugal and the spice trade from China. At this time other Portuguese were establishing outposts in Macau (China) and Goa (India).
Now there is only one gate left. The fort changed hands in 1641 when the Dutch beat the Portuguese. The dutch renovated the gate in 1670 which the logo “anno 1670” inscribed on the gate’s arch. The fortress changed hands again in the early 19th century when the Dutch handed it over to the British to prevent it from falling into the hands of Napoleon’s expansionist France. The English then distroyed the fortress in 1806, only because of the Intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of Singapore) a small part could be saved.

The government announced in 2007 that A Famosa will be rebuilt. A Famosa rebuilt