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Creative kampung life With this short Malaysian homestay you can experience authentic Malaysian culture without having to completely back to basics. You’ll be staying 2 nights in a lovely wooden cottage next to the home of a Dutch family that has been living in this small kampung just outside Kota Bharu for years. In this region, the state of Kelantan, traditional Malaysian culture still plays a large part in daily life; nearly all Kelantanese are Muslim and strongly value local traditions. This is where 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 kampung homestay, 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 3-day stay in the kampung 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. |
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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 |
£82 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 arrive in Kota Bharu after our Cameron Highlands tour, 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 with homemade bread and fresh eggs Harry will take you to meet the neighbour and show you around the village. You'll find tiny workshops hidden behind the houses and Harry knows where the silversmith lives, where they make ‘keropok’ fish crackers and where they make kites. 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 your little cottage or explore the rest of the village and the surrounding area. 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 at its best 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 BharuAfter breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to Harry and his family. 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 Malaysia homestay in kampung module you can head to the coast for some Malaysia island hopping 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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