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� Pulau Duyung � Seberang
Takir Fishing Village �
� Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque (Floating Mosque) � Crystal Mosque �
Pulau Duyung
Kuala Terengganu was once a port-of-call for spice traders in early 1900s.
Traders and seafarers started requesting and using boats made specifically
in Pulau Duyung. This led to its reputation as a centre of traditional
boat-making industry. Never compromising on quality, these master
craftsmen have taken as long as two years and more to complete vessels
with painstaking detail.
 Most
are made of the hardy local hardwood species, the chengal, preferred for
its durability. In fact, the quality and durability of boats made by Malay
builders in Pulau Duyung have attracted many owners from Australia, New
Zealand, the US, Canada, England, Denmark, France and Italy. The vessels
constructed range from row boats to deep sea fishing boats and luxury
yachts for overseas clients. What is fascinating is that the builders work
from memory and experience rather than blueprint and many of the boats are
dovetailed and pegged rather than nailed. One can stroll from one workshop
to another to see these craftsmen at work.
Pulau Duyung, gets its mane from the word "Duyung" which means Mermaid.
Legend has it that mermaids had "landed" on the island in the past.
Nevertheless, the island is synonymous with boat making and expert
builders who inherit their skills from their forefathers. In the early
80s, there were some 30 boatyards on the island. Now there are only four.
From the headland of the island, a Chinese village with wooden stilt
houses can be seen. It has been recognised by the World Monuments Watch in
its listing of 100 Most Endangered Sites.The island has a thriving dried
salted fish and crackers industry. On Friday evening (from 16:00 to
21:00), Pulau Duyung houses a great night market.
It is easily accessible by the Sultan Mahmud Bridge, or for those who
enjoy using sea transportation, it takes a five-minute boat ride from the
Kuala Terengganu waterfront.
Visit Rating -
Seberang Takir Fishing Village
Another village that is a 5 minute boat-ride away is Seberang Takir.
Looking across the river, you can see a throbbing fishing village with
women going about their daily chores. This is Seberang Takir.
 There
are frequent riverboats to the village and can be taken from the
Terengganu Ferry Terminal, just round the corner of Jalan Bandar. On
reaching Seberang Takir's jetty, head for Kampung Hujung Tanjung. Here,
the families of this village are mostly involved in some form of cottage
industry to supplement their lifestyle.
From batik printing, keropok lekor and prawn cracker making, drying fish
in the sun to packing it for export. You can also catch the fishermen
coming in with their catch in the early afternoons or late evenings.
Visit Rating -
Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque (Floating Mosque)
The striking whitewashed Moorish-inspired house of worship set
on the estuary of the Terengganu River seemingly floats on water, hence
its nickname, �the Floating Mosque".
 Built
in 1994 on the estuary of Ibai river, the choice of for the mosque's
location is an excellent one: the open horizon with spectrum of colours
spattering the sky as the background, the mosque's joyous reflection in
the murky-blue water, and the white sandy beaches stretching luxuriously
along the shore. The idea of building Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque at
Teluk Ibai in Kuala Terengganu came from the late Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi
Billah Shah. He named the mosque Tengku Tengah Zaharah, taken from his
beloved mother�s name. Combining Moorish and modern architecture, the
pristine white, plain and unadorned mosque makes an unpretentious
architectural statement, yet bold and strong at the same time.
Visitors are advised to wear attire that cover the upper body down to the
knees when visiting mosques and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter
during prayer times.
Location : Kuala Ibai, about 7 km
from the state capital.
Visit Rating -
Crystal Mosque
Situated at the Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man (Taman Tamandun
Islam) is the majestic looking Crystal Mosque. With the river setting in
the front, it is largely made of glass with 4 crystals located up the 4
minarets.
 Besides
the Crystal Mosque, the park also houses replicas of buildings related to
Islamic Civilizations all over the world.. Among the featured replicas are
the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem), Taj Mahal (India), Al-Hambra (Spain),
Kaylan Tower (Uzbekistan), Kudus Minar (Indonesia), Samarra Mosque (Iraq),
Sulayman Complex (Turkey), Shaikh Lotfullah (Iran), Xian Mosque (China),
Qol Sharif (Russia), and Qairawan (Tunisia)
Visit Rating -
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