Pulau Duyong a Seafarers’ sanctuary

by Sean Augustin on 20 Dec 2006 The Terengganu Heritage Bay Club should put up a huge sign saying 'Welcome to Pleasantville'.

Like the film of the same name in which nostalgia interwines with the modern, THBC is flanked by villages in Pulau Duyong.

Though it’s new, it complements the surroundings rather than lord arrogantly over the smaller houses. And as it is the home to the Monsoon Cup, you get modern yachts sailing past fishermen’s wooden boats. And people in smart uniforms walking alongside villagers wearing terendang (traditional headgear).

And if they would like that feeling to linger into the night, there’s a long boardwalk near the marina that would fulfil that desire. And the fact that it’s far from the hustle and bustle of the city, making for peaceful evening yet, at the same time, close enough to get a colourful look of the city by nightfall.

Constructed in 2005 to coincide with the inaugural Monsoon Cup, the building features 58 guests rooms comprising nine units of the Perdana suites, two units of the duplex bungalows, two units of the executive suites and 12 units of executive deluxe suites.

The rooms are cosy, with some equipped with kitchen, plasma TV and a DVD home theatre system as well as fitted with a private bath and balcony.

There is a clubhouse with a viewing gallery, offering guests a royal view of any sailing race or a marvelous sunset.

The Ulek Mayang Restaurant, the club’s principal F&B outlet is able to seat about 160 guests and has a balcony where one can dine and catch the sea breeze.

Then there are the poolside bar and Terengganu House lounge where you can relax and enjoy refreshing drinks.

If you love sailing, the club would be a haven as it has a marina with full facilities for power, fuel, water and other marine provisioning. It can dock 32 boats.

It is the first fully-equipped and fully-managed marina on the East Coast.

Next year will also see the setting up of a spa, gym and a water sports centre, offering guests activities such as water and jet skiing.

Long before the Monsoon Cup, sailors from all over the world have come to Pulau Duyong to see the traditional art of sailboat making, which still thrives there.

Sailboats made by the island craftsmen are of such high quality that they are greatly admired by seafarers from as far as Africa.

Pulau Duyong master boat-builders are a rare breed indeed. Well-known names include Ali Ngah and Embong Salleh who have passed their skills to current shipbuilders like Hassan Ali and Abdullah Muda whose clients include those from Australia, New Zealand and European countries.

Pulau Duyong is just a couple of kilometres off the Kuala Terengganu shore. It is 10km from the Kuala Terengganu airport and 5km from the city centre. You can drive there (follow signboards in Kuala Terengganu) or take a boat at the Shah Bandar jetty. The boat ride takes less than ten minutes.

To read the full story
http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/Destinations/20061219144419/Article