There are many things to see and do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's largest highland resort. Walks through lovely little villages, visits to the butterfly, strawberry, honey bee farms and sprawling tea plantations or meals at the delightful Tudor-styled country inns, are all pleasurable and relaxing activities to be experienced here. You can't beat the weather up here. A few days out of the sweltering lowland heat will surely recharge your batteries.

One other popular activity in Cameron Highlands, actually more of a tradition, is to have tea and scones. This very English tradition dates back to the days when English colonial officers used this hilly location as a cool getaway from the heat of the lowlands. Bird-watching and trekking are also popular activities here.

Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands comprises a series of little townships that include Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. What's more, it's easy to get to. Cameron Highlands lies less than an hour off the main North-South Highway, and is a pleasant, easy 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Beginning at the town of Kuala Krai, the River Cruise winds its way upriver through virgin rainforests to the town of Dabong. As you pass through timeless tropical forests and a number of riverine communities, the secrets of the jungle will slowly reveal themselves to you.

You may catch a glimpse of shy jungle wildlife. Kingfishers, eagles and hornbills are everywhere, along with various species of monkeys. Elephants are known to inhabit this area as well...

Located in the heart of Kota Bharu's cultural zone, the Craft Museum houses many fine examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship. The adjacent Handicraft Village provides visitors the chance to see just how these crafts are made.

Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silver work and wood carving are carried out by skilled artisans. Their products are also on sale at the centre.

A good way to get to know a Malaysian town is to visit its markets, the economic centre of the community. Siti Khadijah Market is named after Prophet Muhammad's entrepreneurial wife. A fitting name for a market mostly run by women.

This market has something for everyone, from fresh produce to traditional crafts and cakes. It is also a slice of life in Kelantan, abuzz with colour, scents and sounds of the local community.

Key Tips:

By all means, take photos, but if you want to take close-ups of the sellers with their vibrantly coloured wares, it's a good idea to ask for permission first.

Pulau Redang, located 45km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, is the largest of a group of nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in marine life. At midday when sun rays penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and fish can be seen.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks: The H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse, which sank here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya. This paradise island is perfect for snorkelling, swimming, scuba-diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited. Berjaya Resort offers a golf course in an idyllic setting.

Key Tips

Pulau Redang is larger and has more activity on it, the two Pulau Perhentian islands are smaller and quieter.

How to get there

By Boat:

Begin your island-hopping adventure by catching a boat at any of the jetties in Kuala Terengganu and Merang. Travelling time to Redang is one hour from Kuala Terengganu and 50 minutes from Merang.

Who to contact:

For more information, please contact Terengganu Tourism Office Tel: +609-622 1433 / 1893

Another place that should be on every visitor's itinerary is Rantau Abang, 60km south of Kuala Terengganu. There, visitors can lie quietly in wait from midnight to dawn to watch giant leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The turtles, lumbering slowly up the white sandy beaches to lay eggs, are a memorable sight.

These giant turtles grow up to 2.5m long and sometimes weigh more than 375kg. Rantau Abang is one of only six places in the world visited by these turtles, from the months of May to September.

These turtles and their eggs are also protected. Their eggs are located and replanted by scientists in incubator centres where controlled conditions can influence the sex of young turtles, helping the species survive.

Pulau Tenggol is another beautiful diving getaway and lies just 45 minutes off Kuala Dungun in the south of Terengganu. It is small - just 3 km long and 2 km wide. However, this doesn't prevent it from being a paradise, especially diving enthusiasts.

The interior of the island is filled with steep, rocky cliffs. This rocky terrain extends from the interior of the island right into the ocean and has created a dramatic 'drop-off' - a sort of vertical canvas of marine life - that divers never seem to tire of.

The Desa Craft is an interesting handicraft centre which showcases songket weaving, brassware, traditional and contemporary batik.

This centre was developed by the Terengganu State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) as part of its effort to promote Kuala Terengganu as a popular tourist destination and as a showcase for the cultural handicrafts that the state is so well known for.