Postcard Perfect!

Tanjung Rhu Resort (TRR) brought back many wonderful memories for both my husband and I. It was the first luxury, 5-star resort that we stayed. We went there 7 years ago, in awe and a little “uncomfortable” of the service that we got from them. Maybe it’s because we were a young couple with a small bank balance then. We could only afford a night stay, and had only one meal at the resort – the buffet breakfast that came with our package! I vividly remember walking past Rhu (french fine-dining restaurant with awesome view), took a look at their menu, and were scared off by their sky-high prices.

Coming back again made me realize how much we have progressed. In a way, it was like walking down memory lane for us, recalling what it was like 7 years ago, when we were still struggling a little more to make a living. My mind stopped momentarily and I can’t help counting the many blessings that I had in my life. I should be contented with what I have….. easier said than done.

This time we paid for the all-inclusive package. We had unlimited access to all the 3 restaurants in the resort – Sands (asian food), Saffron (mediteranean-could not afford the last time) and Rhu, plus the 24 hours in-room dining. I strongly recommend this package, truly value for money – my girls were thrilled that they could have all the chips, chocolates, nuts and drinks from the room minibar, were able order anything they like by the pool, by the beach, in the reading room, in the games room, etc. 

We had a romantic dinner for two at Rhu yesterday as the girls wanted room service while watching the DVDs that they borrowed from the Reading Room. We were lucky to get a table fronting the Andaman sea at the upstairs balcony of the restaurant, and was captivated by the sunset view. Stunning, huh? 

Dining at Rhu was a little hilarious for me. It has lost all the grandeur that it held in my memory, most definitely not in the tier of fine dining restaurants that KL has to offer. Food wise, Rhu was a let-down, but the awesome view more than made up for the food.

It’s Your Birthday, MALAYSIA!

Happy 51st birthday, Malaysia. Do have many many many happy returns, and many many more years of prosperity.

I am often teased by friends for not being Malaysian, most likely due to the fact that I can’t speak “Bahasa Malaysia” the native language. They claimed that I do not “love” Kuala Lumpur (KL) like a native. Wonder what they mean by that.

Actually there could some truth in the statement. I don’t feel a sense of belonging here, even though I have lived in KL for more than 10 years. Why? It could be due to the fact that I spent most of my impressionable years in Australia. I “discovered” myself during my 6 years there. Being so many miles away from home, I had to learn how to cook, handle my household chores, manage my finances, on top of completing my college and tertiary education. It was in Melbourne that I was forced to grow up, and confront adulthood. I struggled, oh yeas I did, but those years sort of “molded” the person I am today – confident, matured and responsible adult! Sounds very arrogant, but true. *sheepish grin*. Melbourne will always be a special place for me, as it was part of my journey towards adulthood memories. Whenever I go back to Melbourne, it was like going “home”, I felt that I belonged – the inner peace is something that I have never felt with KL.

Not sure about the rest of the Malaysians, but my sister and I were not brought up to be patriotic. Maybe its my sensitive Pisces nature at work again, I am more often than not, reminded that I am just a migrant living here. To be honest, Malaysia to me is just a place that I live, a place that grants my family a pretty comfortable lifestyle – one that we cherish and is thankful to have! I sincerely hope that I will find the “at home” inner peace that I have will Melbourne soon.

By the way, what makes a Malaysian a true bred Malaysian? By speaking the native language? By flying the Malaysian flag 2 weeks before Independence Day? By feeling patriotic on Independence Day? By shouting “Malaysia Boleh” all the time?

To me, being a Malaysian means one that owns a Malaysian identity card together with a permanent residence here.