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Monday, March 30, 2015

International School of Kuantan (ISK) tour

The fabulous International School of Kuantan (ISK) in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan

On a quiet Sunday afternoon of subdued corridors and empty classrooms, we were taken on a tour of the new premises of the International School of Kuantan (ISK). 

ISK is located in Indera Mahkota off Persiaran Sultan Abu Bakar, and is situated right beside the Immigration Complex.

Simple directions to International School of Kuantan (ISK) from Kuantan town taking Jalan Kuantan-Sungai Lembing, turning right onto Persiaran Sultan Abu Bakar, and taking the second left where ISK is located beside the Immigration complex

Waiting area at the main entrance of International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Looking down on the waiting area from the 2nd floor at International School of Kuantan (ISK) 

Classic American style lockers line the corridors at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classic American style lockers line the corridors at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

We were showed around a selection of the classrooms, all of them light, bright and spacious with individual desks and chairs. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned and most of them include Smartboards.

IT classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


A selection of students' artwork on display at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

One of the science labs at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

A row of taps in a science lab at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Experiment booth in a science lab at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Science labs at International School of Kuantan (ISK) are even equipped with an emergency shower

My personal favourite, the music room, at International School of Kuantan (ISK), fully equipped with sound proof walls

Music room at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

Lauren tries out the drums in the music room at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

I was intrigued with the Smartboards in the classrooms. They can project what is on a laptop and are also touchscreen. You can also use a special pen to draw on them. There are probably other ways they can be used that I don't yet know!

A Smartboard in a classroom at International School of Kuantan (ISK)





We were also shown the library, a room full of knowledge at every turn. While the shelves are not yet full, books are being added steadily. I was particularly overjoyed to see several shelves packed with National Geographic magazines - my personal favourite!


Fidelia and the girls sitting comfortably in the library at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


Reader's Digest, National Geographic and Time magazines are all available to read in the library at the International School of Kuantan (ISK)


Dictionaries, encyclopedias, fiction and non-fiction adorn the shelves of the library at International School of Kuantan (ISK) with more to come


Girls toilets at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


Boys toilets with urinals at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


International School of Kuantan (ISK) boys showers/changing rooms behind the sports hall. The girls changing rooms are slightly different and in pink

We were then taken outside and showed the cafeteria. We learned of plans to build a futsal pitch and a swimming pool bordering the cafeteria. These are great plans and I look forward to seeing them once they are complete.


The cafeteria at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


International School of Kuantan (ISK) chefs pose for a photo in the kitchen

While I had been amazed by all the classrooms and had already developed a very optimistic and positive mental view of the school, the best was yet to come. 

The hall.

And what an incredible hall it is!

I think my initial reaction was a gasp followed by the exclamation, "What the hell is this!" (pardon my language)


The hall at International School of Kuantan (ISK)

The hall is equipped for badminton, basketball and table tennis. The floor has 6 layers, ideal for preventing sporting injuries, and is soft and comfortable to walk or run around on. There is a stage complete with a full set of lights, speakers and curtains, and all four walls are fitted with sound-proof panels which absorb the sound. Yes, we tried shouting and screaming, and there is no echo! I also played some shadow tennis, pretending to hit some forehands and backhands, to test out the 6-layer flooring. 


The 6-layer sports surface at International School of Kuantan (ISK) is certainly impressive


The stage at International School of Kuantan (ISK). It needs a little more work before it is ready for action


Backstage view at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


Our girls performing on stage at International School of Kuantan (ISK)


Looking down the length of the hall from basketball hoop to basketball hoop at International School of Kuantan (ISK)



What a marvellous school! Now, I was by no means the biggest fan of going to school in my teenage years, but I left ISK on this Sunday afternoon with the overwhelming feeling that "I want to go back to school again!"


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan


Mabiq Restaurant is located in the Tanjung Lumpur area of Kuantan. It is in the Kampung Peramu housing area behind the Yayasan Pahang building.

Parking space can be hard to find as this restaurant is very popular with the local folk.



Extended parking space at Mabiq Restaurant in Kuantan

Mabiq Restaurant specialises in traditional Malay food though a lot of it is rather spicy. And of course, I still have an English stomach. My Malaysian friend was sweating and struggling with one particular spicy dish!

A view inside Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

A view inside Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

A view inside Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Selecting a drink at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Choose from a variety of dishes at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Choose from a variety of dishes at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Picking some vegetables at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Plenty of vegetables at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Ikan Patin (Ikan Pais) being cooked at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

Delicious Ikan Patin (Ikan Pais) at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan

In fact, Mabiq Restaurant started out as a small Islamic school. The restaurant was opened to help provide and finance the school. Nowadays, the school is located in a separate building just down the road while this restaurant has become an attraction in itself.

Four plates of food came to RM30 - not a bad price at all

Mabiq Restaurant's VIP room

Inside the VIP room at Mabiq Restaurant, Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan. As you can see, it is still set up resembling an Islamic learning classroom

Mabiq Restaurant also possesses a meeting room

Mabiq Restaurant is a must-try for a flavour of typical Malay cuisine. It will be a worthwhile experience.