Terengganu, Malaysia My Amazing Memories 4 Days

Table of Contents

Introduction

Have you ever thought about travelling to Terengganu, Malaysia? When I travelled here in 2013, it was truly a hidden gem that I never imagined I would ever see in my life.

While studying abroad in Singapore (back in 2013), one of the best parts of that season of my life was the freedom to travel around South East Asia, Australia, Japan and Taiwan.

My friends and I took buses, budget flights, stayed in Hostel s, and took overnight trains. And I am so glad that I managed to see so many places. Today, reliving the memories and my experience visiting Terengganu, Malaysia. And many other countries around Southeast Asia. Looking back now, it truly reminds me how set apart I am from my peers, like how on earth was I travelling around South East Asia so freely in 2013? I love it for me. But I know God is always positioning me in environments to make me a better person always. The memories, the laughter, they will truly live with me forever, and I am so glad I did them.

One of the most memorable was when my dear friend took us to visit Terengganu in Malaysia. I went with a friend whose family lived there, and those few days gave me such a different perspective of Malaysia than the more popular destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Tioman. Today, in this series, I share my memories and experience of visiting Terengganu, Malaysia.

This post is part of my Student in Singapore Travel Series, where I reflect on the trips I took across Asia while studying abroad in Singapore.

About Terengganu, Malaysia

Terengganu is a state on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is also known for the most stunning beaches, traditional Malay culture, and traditional industries like fishing and farming, which have been supplemented by tourism and the discovery of oil and gas.

I went in 2013 for a few days with a few friends, and it was just becoming a more popular holiday destination.

Staying with a Friend’s Family

Instead of hostels or hotels, we stayed with my friend’s auntie and extended family. That alone shaped the trip. This wasn’t a tourist passing through; I was welcomed into a home, treated like royalty, fed local food, and surrounded by family warmth

A 4 Day Itinerary Terengganu With Memories

We spent our days between the beach, going to Kapas islands, watching the locals fish, visiting local swimming pools, and joining in with everyday routines. Some of my favourite moments were simply sitting around with my friends, talking about geopolitical and social issues or norms and sharing laughter even when language sometimes got in the way.

And today, my friend’s auntie runs a local Airbnb in the exact location that I stayed in, and you can stay there by booking via Airbnb here (below are some photos of where I stayed).

If that’s not available, or you want to stay somewhere else, you can also find great stays in Terengganu on Booking.com or Agoda. Here is a map of Terengganu and some hotels to stay close by:

Cultural Norms and Traditions

One thing that really stood out to me was the cultural difference in clothing. Even at the beach or when swimming, it was expected to cover up much more than I was used to. So instead of a bikini in the pool. I wore long shorts and a T-shirt.

At first, it felt unusual, but honestly, I enjoyed respecting the tradition. Travel isn’t always about what you want to do. A lot of the time, it’s about adapting, being flexible and appreciating the norms of the place you’re in. That lesson has stayed with me on every trip since, no matter where I go around the world.

Life by the Water

So much of life in Terengganu revolves around the sea. I remember watching fishermen prepare their nets, seeing colourful boats along the shore, the cruise Terengganu, and even climbing into small vessels myself to cross stretches of water. This was me, a Black woman living and breathing local life in its purest form, and it felt like such a privilege to not only witness but also enjoy every minute of it.

The Train Journey: From Terengganu to Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru

After a few days, it was time to say our goodbyes and depart from what was a memorable experience that I even smile as I write about it now.

Terengganu didn’t have its own train station then (and still doesn’t now), so my friend’s auntie kindly drove us to the nearest one outside the state. From there, we boarded the overnight train Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru.

When we finally arrived at KL Sentral, we were extremely tired, so we didn’t explore the capital as we should have. I still need to go back to Malaysia and do more of KL. KL was our first stop, so we had a few hours to spare before our next train to the south, where we completed our journey in Johor Bahru (JB). By the time we got there, it felt like we had crossed half of Malaysia in just a few days. Can you believe it? Little old me travelling around Malaysia at 20 years old. I absolutely loved it.

What I Learned About the Island in Terengganu

Looking back, my time in Terengganu was less about sightseeing and more about perspective. It taught me:

The importance of respecting cultural traditions.
Travel can be about family, connecting with traditions. and community, not just attractions and famous tourist locations.
Sometimes the journey, like the overnight train ride we took, isn’t just as memorable as the destination.

That I can do anything I set my mind to. During my travels around Southeast Asia, I think I really surprised myself. I was only 20/21 years old and I was hiking up mountains in Tioman, travelling all the way to Japan for 4-hour queues to eat sushi, getting overnight trains and even visiting Terengganu’s hidden gems that I know my younger self could never imagine exploring. You will continue to see more of this as I write about my memories and experiences of travelling around South East Asia.

If I Went Back Today to Terengganu

If I returned to the island in Terengganu now, I’d love to explore more of the nearby islands like Redang or the Perhentians. However, upon reflection, what made that trip special wasn’t about ticking places off a list. For me, my trip to Terengganu was about being welcomed into someone’s home and learning to adapt with respect to different cultures. It was also about living outside my comfort zone and doing things I could never imagine a Black British Nigerian woman would ever do in their life.

Visiting Terengganu Conclusion

Visiting Terengganu back in 2013 was truly amazing. I was literally just thanking my friend for allowing me to be part of her journey. Her and her family really exposed me to a new world. I have travelled to places I can’t believe I hadn’t written about because I thought it was too outdated and the pictures weren’t fancy enough. Today I sit here writing about this to you in 2025, when I travelled here over a decade ago.

I write about my trip to Terengganu because I know people will still find my experience insightful, not only as a Black woman, but also because it’s a part of Malaysia that many still overlook even today. The beauty of travel is that it is evergreen, and even if this post only resonates with one person. I still have the memories written down digitally on MyBreakingViews.

I will continue to share my past travel memories because, between you and me, I really like the idea of having a digital portfolio of all the places, countries, and cities I have been to. And I hope you continue to stay and join me as I relive these memories.

Have I convinced you to maybe one day visit Terengganu, Malaysia? Let me know in the comments and let me know which country you would like to relive with me next.

If you are enjoying the Asian travel series, please subscribe to the blog, and I will be sure you don’t miss one post on this.

As always, speak soon,

MBV x