Kota Bharu
KB is a very conservative town. There are designated areas for men or women to sit on the streets, and separate lineups at grocery stores for men and women.
Here is an example of the separate seating areas seen from our hostel. The women are at the top right corner, the men at the bottom left.
And one of the many signs letting us know where we could or couldn't sit.
While in Kota Bharu, we learned a lot more about Malaysian culture through the Kota Bharu Cultural Center.
We got to take part in the drumming.
Watch the Malaysian version of Thai boxing.
Watch the boys play takraw.
See the confusing Malaysian marble game that only women are supposed to play.
And at night we came back to watch a three hour shadow puppet show that was only spoken in Malay! It was more interesting to watch the show from behind the screens than from the front.
And one more thing about Kota Bharu- its main night activity is the very central and busy night market, that is filled with vendors selling all sorts of cheap food. All around the outskirts of the night market lurk many HUGE rats- but who can blame them!
