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Creative kampung life Route: Kota BharuWith this short Malaysia Kampung homestay, you can really experience Malaysia's authentic culture without having to completely back to basics. You’ll stay for two nights in a lovely wooden cottage next to the home of a Dutch family who have been living in this small kampung just outside Kota Bharu for years. Traditional Malaysian culture still plays a large part in daily life here; nearly all Kelantanese are Muslim and strongly value local traditions and ancient crafts are still practiced like kite-making, building boats, weaving baskets and batik-painting, crafting the most intricate details with immeasurable patience. During your Malaysia experience, you can test your own patience during a batik-painting lesson ín the next door neighbour’s tiny workshop. Batik-painting is still done by traditional methods using warm candle wax instead of the mass-production of the batik factories in western Malaysia. You can tell the batik is made using wax by the shimmering colours in the fabric. During your three day kampung trip, your friendly hosts will teach you all about local kampung life and introduce you to many of their neighbours. In your private cottage you can relax and soak up all your new experiences. You can start building your own Malaysia trip using our bite-sized Malaysia tours. Or, alternatively you can take your pick from our range of suggested holidays in Malaysia. Want to combine your Malaysia adventure with a trip to Borneo? No problem. Simply choose from our selection of bite-sized Borneo tours or ready-made holidays in Borneo. |
| Duration |
3 days / 2 nights Departs daily from March - mid October |
Accommodation |
2 nights in a double cottage. Comfort level 2/3 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
£84 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Accommodation with breakfast, batik-painting workshop |
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Transport |
n/a |
Excludes |
Other meals |
Day 1: Arrival Kota BharuMost travellers begin this Malaysia experience after our Cameron Highlands trip, so if you’re arriving in Kota Bharu city by train or plane we’ll arrange a transfer to the kampung for you. Your host Harry lives in a small Malaysian village 10 minutes drive from Kota Bharu city centre. He’s built a couple of small cottages for guests next to his traditional wooden house on the banks of a river. Harry and his family have lived here for years and have become part of the community. They’re very involved in the community life and local village culture.Once you’ve arrived and met your hosts, you can settle into your cottage. If you’re arriving in the afternoon and still want to get a bite to eat, just ask Harry for some suggestions. Further up the road you can get some Laksam, soft rice noodles in a coconut-fish soup. In Kota Bharu there are plenty of restaurants and food stalls. In the evening, you might even join the next-door neighbour Makcik who'll prepare an entire feast for a contribution of a couple of pounds. |
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Day 2: Batik-painting and kampung stayAfter breakfast on day two of this Malaysia experience, Harry will take you to meet the neighbours and show you around the village. Harry knows where the silversmith lives and you'll find tiny workshops hidden behind the houses where ‘keropok’ fish crackers and kites are made. Harry’s next door neighbour has a small batik factory in his shed where he designs colourful batiks using traditional methods. You can have a go at designing your own batik cloth using hot wax while the neighbour tells you all about the history of this colourful art form and the specific techniques he uses.In the afternoon, you can relax on the veranda in front of your little cottage or explore the rest of the village. Take the car or a bike and with a map and directions you can find your own way around. It’s the best way to experience the Malaysian kampung- especially by bike. In the evening you’ll join Makcik the neighbour for dinner again, or even take a cooking course with her. |
Day 3: Departure Kota BharuToday is the last day of your Malaysia experience and after breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to Harry and his family as you continue travelling in Malaysia. If you like they can arrange a taxi to Kota Bharu airport or your next destination, but we can also book a pre-arranged transfer for you. Just let us know in your quote request form.After this trip, you can head to the coast for some time on some Malaysia islands along the northeast coast, chilling out on the beach and snorkelling along the coral reefs. The boat leaves from Kuala Besut, a small harbour town just 1 hour’s drive from Kota Bharu. |
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Malaysia homestay accommodation
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