I’m not in the mood of blogging but I still wanted to post something nonetheless. So, photo time!
I caught this at Kuala Terengganu (tag). Batu Burok beach if I’m not mistaken. The wind there was so strong that there were small waves forming in a pothole filled with water. Nevermind the sea waves!
I had great expectation for this photo when I first shot it. I actually invested more or less 15 minutes to shoot that particular wave. Yet, once I got back to my desktop, it’s hard not to feel disappointed with the result. Too much noise; dull colors. Sigh…
Despite that disappointment, Kuala Terengganu is a cool little city. Not quite large, enough people and has a pretty slow lifestyle. More importantly, it’s way more walkable than Kuala Lumpur.
A lot has changed since I last visited Terengganu more than a decade ago. A turtle sculpture that used to symbolize the town has been replaced with a giant replica of batu bersurat. What is batu bersurat?
I’m not sure what its equivalent English noun for it (inscripted stone?) but I have a picture of it. I saw it at a museum here in Kuala Lumpur a couple of months back. It’s the oldest artifact with Jawi writing on it.
Suffice to say, it’s an important historical artifact. But I still miss the giant turtle sculpture.
New development projects are also in place. I strongly feel that some of the projects should have been done years ago. But PAS government that controlled the state apparently didn’t do their job when they had the chance to prove themselves. Despite my reservation for Barisan Nasional, at least, BN is doing their job to promote economic growth.
Also, huge barriers are being constructed at the mouth of Terengganu River. I had a chat with a local about it and he said the project is essential to protect the city from sea surgepp/s. I was so interested in the barriers that I climbed up to Bukit Puteri, a hill near the river mouth and observed it from above.
Though it can’t be seen from the photo, the barriers are in great length. The river mouth right now is almost completely covered. I think there is a better way to protect the city but since I lack knowledge in hydrology as well as civil engineering, I shall refrain from criticizing. I’d sound like a fool if I were to comment too much on it.
But in all, I like Kuala Terengganu, especially the wind. The people there are a bit conservative for my liking but I’m convinced the wind could blow the conservatives away from me.
p/s – Newmont gets its way.
JAKARTA, Feb 16 (Reuters) – The world’s biggest gold miner, Newmont Mining Corp., is paying Indonesia $30 million to settle a civil suit over pollution, but will still face criminal charges in a case closely watched by foreign investors.
The episode first started way back in 2004.
pp/s – I might have meant tidal or storm surge. (Back)
One reply on “[729] Of Kuala Terengganu and raging South China Sea”
wow look at the granites in the first picture!
and yeah, there are better ways of protecting the river mouth than using barriers. But no one ever listens environmental engineers/ hydrologists if they are really set on doing something- look at what happened to New Orleans.