a terengganu getaway.

Annisa spent the Deepavali weekend here in Terengganu. It was something that we had planned since June, but due to work and our conflicting schedules, she was only able to make a trip here this month.
I have Mr Sunshine to thank for giving me permission to stay and spend time with her while she was around. :)
I drove to pick her up from the airport on Thursday night and it was my first time driving there on my own from where I stay. I was obviously excited about seeing her but I was also very nervous about driving her around since I am not really familiar with the roads in KT.
I am so used to being driven around KT. Hehe.
I was also worried about the weather as the monsoon season had just started.

But it did not turn out that bad, as a matter of fact I think I did a pretty good job being a tour guide. Hehe.
We checked in at Primula Parkroyal Beach Resort, Batu Burok. After checking in and freshening up, we headed to A&W Batu Burok to have waffles. It suddenly started raining heavily. And I will never forget what happened after that. We were sitting opposite each other, we had already finished eating and were talking when I noticed water flowing towards us. Ann saw the look on my face, turned her head back and looked at me."BANJIR !
Ok, so actually the first thought that came to my head was TSUNAMI ! since we were by the beach and faces of my loved ones started flashing in front of me one by one. Haha talk about overreacting !
I freaked out, and we jumped off our seats. The staff there were pretty relaxed about the whole thing, even when we saw a little snake in the flowing water, the manager just stepped on it to kill it ! That must be something they go through on a regular basis ?
We ran out of the place, the water outside was up until our calves ! Ann was calm enough to drive us back to hotel and luckily enough we managed to find a parking spot which was not in the basement level. Alhamdulillah, we were back safe in our hotel room, on higher ground. :)

The beautiful Sultan Mahmud Airport. :)

On Friday morning after a hearty breakfast, I drove us to Mesra Mall, Kerteh which was about two hours away from KT. We had initially planned to watch a movie but decided it would be a waste of time (we wanted to talk more rather than sit in a cinema for a couple of hours). So, we just walked and lazed around the mall.
We spent most of our time in Starbucks exchanging updates on our lives.

The view as soon as we step out of our hotel floor lift.

The view from where we had breakfast.

Sleepy me at breakfast. 

Focus, Melissa, focus.

Mesra Mall !

The lovely Annisa ! :D

My Starbucks Ad. :p

In the evening, on our way back to KT, it rained again. Allah was so kind to us that day because when we stopped by Teluk Bidara, Dungun, the rain stopped !
Ann's face was lit up the whole time we were by the beautiful beach. Me, on the other hand was acting like an old grumpy lady, giving her disapproving stares whenever she wanted to go nearer to the water. Haha.
FYI (for those who don't already know), I absolutely love beaches but I am petrified of the sea especially at this time of the year. And I can't swim. :)

I was not lying when I said I loved beaches.

I would not go near that rock with those huge waves hitting it. 

:)

After an enjoyable time at the beach, we headed to drop by the picturesque Tanjong Jara Resort, Dungun to snap photos and use their ladies room. Hehe. The place was so divine, we were hesitant to leave. We made ourselves at home, really wished we could have spent a night there, but that would burn a gigantic hole through our pockets. Hehe.

The entrance.

We reached KT just after Isya', we walked around Dataran Shahbandar and Bukit Puteri before having a late dinner at the Waterfront.

The night market had just ended when we arrived.

The Tengku Zaharah Mosque a.k.a Masjid Terapung.

A replica of the historical Batu Bersurat.

The following morning, we skipped the hotel's buffet breakfast and stayed in our room to talk and listen to oldies on Ann's notebook. We checked out just before 1100 hours and headed straight to a shoe shop to find myself a comfortable pair of sandals as the ones I brought were a pain in my huge a***. I got myself a pair of comfy and pretty Fuschia coloured Scholl sandals ! Then we had brunch at Pizza Hut and gave the delicious Extreme Cheesy Pizza a try.
We walked around Chinatown and Pulau Warisan where they were having a fishing contest. We were annoyed at the men who were staring at us as though they've just seen ghosts and making weird sounds while they were at it to attract our attention. Ergh.
The people here stare. A lot. 

Chinatown !

How pretty is this building ?

Notice the dark clouds above ?

Ann having a blast !

Me feeling rather unstable on this thing. Please take note of my pretty fuschia sandals. Haha.

Well, we got over that and I drove us to Taman Tamadun Islam, then Masjid Kristal and then State Museum.

 Yes, my a*** is that huge, thanks. :)

 Ann with her Taman Tamadun Islam passport. 

The Crystal Mosque.

There was an exhibition on venomous animals at the museum but it was nothing fantastic.

Terengganu state museum. 

Ann loves snakes !

We made a stop at Losong for some keropok lekor.

I drove us back to Kuala Berang to pick Mr Sunshine up so that I won't have to drive home alone at night after dropping off Annisa at the airport.
The three of us then headed to Riyaz Heritage Resort, Marina and Spa, Pulau Duyong for dinner at The Verandah. That was the third time Mr Sunshine and I dined there, but we never actually got beautiful shots like these:

Cantik takkkk ?

My chaperon for the night. Hehe.

After two days of being excited tourists, we sent Ann off at about 2100 hours that night. :(
All in all we had a superb time ! It was a much needed break for Ann and myself. Alhamdulillah.

All photos credits to Annisa's super camera. :)

But that's not it, I have more great news to share !
Marc will start working at Sime Darby Foods effective November 16 ! Alhamdulillah. :)
I know I will be sounding like a broken record but I am super proud of him !!! :D

Ok, I've gotta get ready for bed. Gotta work tomorrow.
Enjoy your Sunday, people !

xoxo