Experiencing the Village Life

Posted by: andrew william, 12-Apr-2010

A number of us who were born in the 60’s and early 70’s probably grew up in a village environment and eventually came to live in the towns as developments began to concentrate in the urban areas.

For those who have not experienced or those who want to reminiscence the village life again, make a visit to Pasir Belanda in Kota Baharu. A small domestically run resort of 6 chalets, which is run by a Hollander family. They came some 7 years ago and settled in this village designing a chalet resort for those who would like to experience the village life. From the airport, the village is just 10 minutes drive away by taxi.

The Resort

The resort is smack right in the middle of a village. You will love the natural surroundings of kids in bicycle, coconut trees, all kinds of exotic animals including plenty of chickens and cows. The restaurant is a home of another villager next door to the resort. You make a prior booking on what you would like to have for lunch or dinner and the “mak chik” will prepare from her kitchen authentic Malay food with vegetables grown from her huge garden. (They are all organic). Breakfast will be by the riverside at the resort with fresh Holland bread and eggs on request.

A hearty meal cooked by the " Mak Cik"

You can hire bicycles to explore the village, or take a boat ride down the river.

After our arrival we decided to chill out the day and the next in the village. The day after that we hired a car to go to town where we visited the cultural centres and the old palace. Later we asked around for the best “chendol” and was guided to a hawker under a tree and true enough it was the best. Later we met someone there who encouraged us to take a boat ride to the nearby island for the best “serunding ( Meat floss).

We drove to the quay, took the boat and made our way to the factory. We packed some for home and true enough it was very delicious. In that island itself we visited a shadow play puppet maker who is world renowned for his artwork. My nephews had a go with the making of a puppet. We also bought a couple of authentic puppets used for the shadow play for one of my nephews who needed it for his school project.

Shadow play maestro

Later we drove to the beach and had a good rest while watching people playing kite.

My nephews had kite making and batik-printing lessons in one of the houses near the resort organized by the resort management.

If you plan to have a trip there with your family or friends, visit www.pasirbelanda.com