Cat-o-bar-roo

Oooh...how time flies. It was last weekend when we were in Kota Bharu (new spelling = title) and I haven't finished telling stories from there. Better late than never, eh?

Anyway, I think all strays at the market came out in full force to welcome us. And they willingly pose for my resident pawpawrazzi.

I believe this chap had just had his meal of the day that some hoomans kindly gave.

Look carefully. I believe it's a tuxie kitten that this boy was concentrating on, rather than his trade.

Mr "Black-is-Beautiful" has an enviable job....let's zoom out a bit.......

Aaahhh....can we trust him to guard those treasures from the sea?

Black-and-White beauty snoopervising....

She must be salivating at her "chargers" - those delectable dried fish and steamed crackers...

This tuxie won't budge....

...from the front tyre of our rental for the day...

...cheeky! So, we had some drinks at a stall nearby while waiting for HRH to move away...

Angelina's note: We saw a courting couple that deserves an entry of their own...teeheehee...also thanks to HRH Monyet King for coming up with the new spelling of Kota Bharu. His version: cat-o-baru. Our version: cat-o-bar-roo (the last bit shows my Aussie origin). purrr...meow!

When in Kota Bharu....

We were in Kota Bharu to attend a wedding last weekend (see previous posting). We were short on time but still wanted to fit in a retail therapy session. The locals told us the best place to go is what they call Pasar (market) Siti Khadijah. It was about 20-minute drive from the airport, no traffic jam but the streets around the market were mostly one-way, while finding parking was quite a challenge. We found the entire experience therapeutic. We're girls, my Mama and I, what do you expect? Enjoy the pictorial ride.

Ground floor: Wet Market (aka kitty haven)

This is the ubiquitous scene of the market. I've seen this on postcards and calendars. One of its kind.

Most of the traders are ladies. The buyers too. Men are usually in the background.

Yummm....fresh chicken...it's cheaper by 50sen per kilo than KL.

This lady sells keropok lekor, a sort of wet fish crackers made from fish and sago flour.

This lady has more veges at her stall....

....and also these offensive items - turtle eggs!!!

We caught another pawpawrazzi in action!

First floor: Dry Goods

Aaarrgh....my favourite....beef, chicken and fish floss. The Malay name is serunding. The meat is boiled, shredded, mixed with chili and spices, cooked until dry. Heavenly with rice or bread.

What have we here? Apparently, sweet banana chips!

Another local delicacy - sema - made of spun sugar and flour. Don't talk while you're eating it, lest you shower someone else with white bits of fluff.

Huh? Gold coins? No....these are chocolates wrapped in gold foil to resemble the currencies dinar and dirham.

More goodies for kids. Must say I like the packaging ideas. So creative.

Aha! Been looking for them for ages. These very colourful stuff is what we call Beleda - a sort of agar, coloured and dried in the sun. Very sweet yet comforting snack.

Second floor: Non-food Items

The roof of the atrium as can be seen from the top floor.

Any girls' heart will go pitter patter here....

There are colourful batik shirts for men too. Formal wear.

Oooh...so much bling bling....at the bottom row are scarves while at the top row are hand painted batik materials with intricate stones and bead work. Stunning.

Angelina's note:We couldn't show you everything because we didn't have enough time to visit every corner of the market. Pray for another visit. Kota Bharu is about nine hours away by car, an hour by aeroplane, a day by train from Kuala Lumpur. It's a loooooong way for a cat to travel. purrr....meow!