it will rain soon

A drive through the main street in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

A storm is approaching, adding an intense mood to this border town. A narrow section of Sungai Golok separates the town from Thailand. For an outsider visiting the first time, the feeling is noticeably edgy.

Yeah Yeah 1.0 album:

Rantau Panjang town, Kelantan.

Rantau Panjang town, Kelantan.

A small town with a duty-free zone in Kelantan, separated from Thailand by Sungai Golok. Very popular for foodstuff, clothing and household wares.

This is Rantau Panjang!

Yeah Yeah 1.0 album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidstella/sets/72157639667027683/

don’t worry, be happy

A few months after I was retrenched, my friend Tham took me on a 10-days 2,500 km drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and various places in Selangor.

We call this Yeah Yeah 1.0 vacation. I am getting the album updated before Yeah Yeah 2.0

Yeah Yeah 1.0 Album (updating):
www.flickr.com/photos/davidstella/sets/72157639667027683/

cross border

Malaysia (left side) and Thailand separated by Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang.

Rantau Panjang is a bustling border town about 40 km from Kota Bharu, Kelantan. It is separated from Thailand by Sungai Golok (Golok River).

This rustic town has a duty-free zone popular for its Thai foodstuff, clothing and housewares. Not a sleepy town, the atmosphere here is generally intense.

everyday is a new chapter

Couple and family.

Couple shares a common interest.. and taste in fashion. A man shares with his child, a morning at the market. New chapters are written everyday.

memories do not become absolete

Old kerosene lamps.

These lamps used to light up the nights but are now a vivid reminder of the days gone by. This communal seaside Rungus village is now served with electricity, clean water supply and telecommunications.

every sunset is different

A sunset is best shared with someone.

Tanjung Aru Beach is hugely popular among tourists as well as locals. It is especially congested on weekends. Not quite the place to go for a dip, but there are many eateries and a bar or two. A great place to watch the sun go down the horizon.

the backyard

the backyard

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. This is the backyard of the village. I counted 30 steps, from the back door to the beach.

We brought along a folding table, some chairs, a grill, seafood from Kudat market.. we had a gorgeous dinner and time there.

welcoming committee

welcoming committee

A welcoming committee on this windy and deserted beach! How cute! Strong winds blow the rain clouds onshore. The rain passed quickly and we spent the rest of the afternoon preparing our BBQ dinner on the beach.

the chicken won’t cross the road

the chicken won’t cross the road

Simpang Mengayau.. at the northern-most tip of Borneo Island. My friends Apain & Jermaine brought me to their Rungus village.. about 3 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu. This seaside village is a rustic, charming place and community.