YeahβΌοΈ From the recent travel ππ to Terengganu π²πΎ, SiennyLovesDrawing π©π» had an exclusive privilege to meet ππ» & have a short chat π£π€ with the founder of Terrapuri Heritage Village, Mr Alex LeeΒ π¨π»βπΌΒ He is a Chinese Peranakan, born & grown up in Marang, Terengganu π²πΎ
She π©π» is gonna sharing π©π»βπ»πβπ» here about all she π©π» has learnt from her chat π£π€ with Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌaboutΒ the ups β¬οΈ & downs β¬οΈ in pursuing his passion β€οΈ towards the conservation & restoration of Terengganu traditional Malay architecture π‘π He π¨π»βπΌ has proudly told that he loves π each old houses π‘π that he has collected thus far & each 1οΈβ£ is unique to him with a story behind respectively π
Questionβ: Can you spot SiennyLovesDrawing π©π» in below photos πΈπΈ album? She π©π» was having a nice ππ» pre-dinner chat π£π€with Mr Alex @ Sesayap Courtyard, Terrapuri Heritage Village during her recent stay
Ha…Ha…She π©π» actually thought that Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌwas anΒ architect by profession. Mr Alex has confirmed that he is a tourism industry player with own tourism businesses in guest house π‘ , boutique hotel, dining π½π΄, cafe βοΈ, tours, souvenirs (batik) ππ etc.
Guess whatββοΈ
Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌ1οΈβ£st started to learn about guest house π‘ renting (i.e. used his grandpa π΄π» ‘s 2οΈβ£ shoplots π’π’) at his young age π§π» with initial intention to save for his education fund π¨π»βπHe used to drawing βπ»π¨πown brochure to selling the rooms at bus stations ππ & received great responses from many backpackers π«ππ¬back then. He π¨π»βπΌalso learnt how to package his room with simple breakfast βοΈπ₯ͺ, yes β , he can cookβΌοΈππ»
Ended up he π¨π»βπΌ continues his tourism business till now without further study βπ¨π»βπdespite in years between 2006 to 2008 with a cross road π for his choice, whether IT vs heritage, nature & culture. Obviously he π¨π»βπΌhas chosen the later. Ha…Ha…He has shared in his IG (refer above πΈ) recently that he wants to be a Youtuber (IT) now (2019) being inspired by his youngest son π¨βπ¦, a famous gaming Youtuber
Also she π©π» is gonna sharing π©π»βπ»π about her wonderful overnight π΄π€π in Kubang Jela house π‘ in this village.Β Hmm…A night ππ stay just too short, personally she π©π» recommends for a 3οΈβ£D2οΈβ£N to appreciating the layout of an inspired 17th century Terengganu Palace π as an great ππ» output of restoration the Terengganu Malay old houses π‘π of at least π― years & above, as well as its peaceful village surrounding π
π― years meaning easily at least with 4οΈβ£ generations before Mr Alexπ¨π»βπΌbought the old houses π‘π Some of the houses π‘π were once belong to the royal families ππ WoowβΌοΈπ² He π¨π»βπΌhas shared thatΒ 30 years ago, a full Terengganu old house π each cost of RM30K to 40K approximately π
How about nowββοΈ
He π¨π»βπΌ estimates RM300K & above each old house π at current. He π¨π»βπΌ has no βΒ intention to resell any of his Terengganu Malay old houses π‘π collected, though he π¨π»βπΌ was being offered with great ππ» prices π±π°couple of times in the past π
Hmm…Does Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌregretββοΈ
Personally SiennyLovesDrawing π©π»can confidently said “No β” from her observation, Mr Alex’s achievements from Terrapuri Heritage Village & chat with himπ£π€ about his journey
WhyββοΈ
You will be impressed as Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌis very knowledgeable & passionate β€οΈ in what he is doing for Terengganu old houses restoration & conservation π‘π
Over the years, he π¨π»βπΌhopes to continue & enhancing his project as a tourism products, currently he π¨π»βπΌis running this Terrapuri Heritage Village as a boutique hotel resort space π‘π Owned a museum cafe dining π½π΄ (with advanced booking πβοΈπ±for event etc.) & an upcoming Terramalai, a collection of traditional Malay houses π‘π from all over the states in Malaysia π²πΎ &Β will be based in Batu Rakit, Kuala Nerus district of Terengganu π
After bought each houses π‘π, all will be dismantled & then rebuilt. All Terengganu old houses π‘π were built without β a single nail π¨, it’s using the traditional “tebukΒ pasak” aka peg & joint technique with theΒ help from the professional skillful Malay carpenters aka “tukang rumah” in Malaysia π²πΎ ‘s national language π
He π¨π»βπΌemphasised few times in his sharing “We have to always go back to our own root. Culture is so beautiful & unique not to be shared to next generations πΆπ»π§π»π§π»π¦π»π§π»“
He π¨π»βπΌhas shared that he was struggled π’βΉοΈπto communicate, convince the house owners π¬π¬π¬ to sell π±π°their houses π‘π to him when he 1οΈβ£st started his heritage collection. Reason being he is a Chinese Peranakan, not a Muslim ββͺοΈ He also proudly shared that he speaks fluent Terengganu Malay & this has helped a lot π
Once he π¨π»βπΌhas indentified β the old house π that he is interested, he willΒ slowly get to know the local house owner 1οΈβ£st. He is very persevere in his collection passion, he patiently kept visiting, communicating π£π€ Then, after knowing him better & appreciate his passion β€οΈtowards the Terengganu Malay old houses π‘π, the house owner will sell their old house to him π±π° eventually
Guess whatββοΈ
There was an old house π that actually took him 15 years β π‘Β after many many communications with the owner π£π€Β WowβΌοΈπ² It’s named as Rumah Pulau Bahagia in Terrapuri Heritage Village & yet to be ready as guest villa currently βΊοΈ
Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌhas actually collected the old houses π‘π for 18 years (all being dismantled & stored at the backyard of his parents π΅π»π΄π»house, on top of stones & covered with zinc to protect the chengal wood) before he bought this 4 ha land in 2005 which surrounding with islands ππ΄ & Setiu mangroves wetlands (Safe from tsunami π & chance to view fireflies π«β¨at night) in Kg. Mangkuk
He π¨π»βπΌwas discouraged ππ»by family members & friends π«ππ¬ at the beginning that he shoud invest in other investment & not β in restoration project. Also not in Terengganu as the location πthat he has chosenΒ β π
Restoration requires for a long time frame & huge sum of money π°π΅ to maintain. He actuallyΒ π¨π»βπΌsold off his luxury cars ππ & properties before just to continue this restoration project. No anyΒ β bank loan/ Government grant has obtained becasue this is a non profit/ business investment π‘π
His passion β€οΈ in Terengganu old houses π‘πrestoration that motivates him to continue his journey till now, future & never end π
Questionβ: Do you spot a smiling π craving in below photoπΈββοΈ
Terengganu Traditional Malay Old Houses π‘π
From her chat π£π€ with Mr Alex, she π©π» has learnt that the balance βοΈ is important in Malay belief, hence the height & wide of each house π‘ is required to have good ππ» ukiran rumah aka house π measurement as it also meant for good ππ» feng sui. To Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌ, life is a balance too, not just about making money π°π΅
The houses π‘π built with high legs to protect from flood & with aims to scard away the animals ππ¦π
The stairs (i.e. “tangga” in Malaysia π²πΎ ‘s national language) to each Malay house π must with an odd numbers eg. 3οΈβ£, 5οΈβ£, 7οΈβ£ etc.
She π©π» has learnt that there is meaning for Terengganu house π gate. She was told if you have bad intention (e.g. to rob the house owner) when you step π£ into the house π , you may end up unable to see the house gate to exit thenπͺ
Generally, the Terengganu Malay old houses π‘π are with beautiful ππ wall craving, Islamic βͺοΈ influences, more to flora designs, some stupa are more towards Buddhism β© No β devil craving motives
There are 29 houses π‘π in this Terrapuri Heritage Village since 2012 i.e. 20 houses π‘π have been restored as guest villas & the remaining 9 houses serve as the resort reception, courtyard, spa, meeting room, library etc. βΊοΈ
Actually he π¨π»βπΌ has bought π°π΅π― over houses π‘π, only 29 units in this village while the rest serves as spare parts as most houses π‘π bought are only 70% able to be used due to extensively damaged & had rotting wood
Read more via π http://www.terrapuri.com/terengganu_classic_house.htm
Stay @ Kubang Jela House π‘
As promised, SiennyLovesDrawing π©π» is gonna sharing her awesome 1οΈβ£ night stay π΄π€π in this house π‘
It’s 1οΈβ£ of the biggest house π‘ (Super Grand Deluxe) with RM1.2K/night for 2οΈβ£ pax (RM106/extra pax). This house π‘ is named with its place name i.e. Kubang Jela
Read more via π http://www.terrapuri.com/rooms_villas_rumah_kubang_jela.htm
Do click in to her IG photos πΈπΈΒ album posted above to view the beauty of Kubang Jela house π‘
Kubang Jela house π‘ was built withΒ chengal wood & with 2οΈβ£ big roofs. However, Mr Alex only maintained 1οΈβ£ roof due to another was damaged
This house π‘ is meant for triple 3οΈβ£ stay with beds πππ & mosquitoes net, ceiling fan & air conditioning π¬π¨
It’s fully equipped with writing βπ» desk, toilet π½ , hot & cold shower πΏ , a wooden bathtub ππ» , towels, batik sarong, Pandanus slippers π‘, fridge, hair dryer, indoor electric mosquito killer, umbrella π
Also with complimentary π toiletries (soap, shampoo & shower gel) & mineral water bottles.Β You may request for iron & iron board from the reception counter upon of availability β
She π©π» loves π her back to nature stay ππ³π‘without β tv πΊ , radio π» , IDD phone π & wifi connection πΆ
It belongs to the head of the village π³π½ββοΈ where used to host lots of ceremonies e.g. “Pelepas” meaning a traditional ceremony to to let go bad spirits before the stay of a house π
Not just that, it also hosted for many performances, similarily to langkasuka tradition from the old kingdom π i.e. with lots of cultures to influencing both Malay & Chinese communities including the Malay healing π
Ohh ya…She π©π» also has learnt from her stay here to fry fish π crackers with sand, not β cooking oil
Yes β ,Β ancient heritage cooking style ~ so healthyππ»
Do enjoy a vlog πΉπ₯ captured for sharing ya
Advanced booking πβοΈπ±is advisable especially in the months of July & Aug as lots of foreign guests ya π«ππ¬
She π©π» loves π the beautiful beach ππ with tall coconut trees π΄π΄ right opposite the entrance of this resort π‘π
You may opt for visit with a RM22/ pax (min. 2οΈβ£ pax) entrance fee with guided tour, refreshment, coffee βοΈ / tea π΅ 10.30am or 3.30pm to visit this beautiful π heritage village π‘π
Highly recommended ππ»ππ»for 3.30pm, so that you can end your day with a beautiful π sunset π @ coconut trees π΄π΄ beachside ππΒ of Kg. Mangkuk
SiennyLovesDrawing π©π»Β wishes to revisit this villageΒ π‘πΒ again to learn more about the Terengganu traditional Malay architecture π‘πΒ from Mr Alex π¨π»βπΌ, it’s a pleasure to have a chat with him π£π€Β , he loves to share π
Addressπ: Terrapuri Heritage Village, Kg. Mangkuk, Penarik, 22120 Setiu, Terengganu, West Malaysia
Websiteπ: http://www.terrapuri.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Terrapuri/
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