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Day 5 and it’s time to leave Sukasuka with a lifetime of memories.

If you’ve followed this series from the start you might remember the story Pak Aziz had relayed about the Western tourists’ encounter with the old Indian rubber tapper. They had come to this part of the world with a set of preconceived notions – in that particular instance, who knew that a menial labourer deep in rural Malaysia would speak such eloquent, educated English?

These two days have similarly challenged my own assumptions – that I need to travel in 5-star comfort to enjoy a holiday, for instance. That I already know everything there is to know about Malay cooking (only to be instantly stumped by the idea of rendang with mushrooms and glutinous rice in monkey pots. Keep an eye out for those recipes in a separate series).

You know how sometimes you come away from a trip feeling like you need a holiday to recover from your holiday? Sukasuka might be the answer.

Our final full day is spent travelling to the famous Belum Rainforest Resort, with a quick stopover at the transit town of Gerik for lunch. Set in the spectacular Belum State Forest, a vast and dense rainforest that spills across national boundaries into Thailand, the resort is a 5-star reprieve for those who have spent days trekking through the wild. Thanks to the wet weather, our planned trek into the forest is called off, so baby Noah and I spend time enjoying my beautiful suite and the infinity pool instead.

Late in the afternoon, we drive up to the town centre for a quick lookaround – unfortunately most of the eateries are shut that time of day – and in the evening, we dine at the huge restaurant at the resort.

I wish we have more time to spend at Belum Rainforest Resort but next morning it’s time to leave for my next adventure as I’ve been invited to Malaysia’s northernmost state by Tourism Malaysia Kelantan. People Express kindly drive me to Kelantan’s capital, Kota Bharu, several hours away, in time for my next itinerary.

After spending 6 days with a dynamic group of people and meeting some wonderful characters, I come away determined to maintain these friendships and am hopeful to see everyone again on another tour.

Pak Aziz and Mak Asiah, thank you again for your hospitality at Sukasuka. Mr. Shaukani, I’m going to visit your home state of Melaka hopefully this year, and I’m looking forward to catching up with you and everyone else there or some place else.  Diana, thank you very much for inviting me on this unforgettable trip and I’ll see you on the flip side

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Tour guide – Mr. Shaukani Abbas (two-time winner of Tourism Malaysia’s Tour Guide of the Year Award) Some photos in this series are courtesy of Mr. Shaukani.

Tour Designer – S. Diana Nasution

Tour Company – People Express Travel, KL

Tour Package – 6D/5N Culture, Heritage and Nature Delight

The post Travel Diary (Part 8) – Belum Rainforest Resort first appeared on Jackie M..

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Seeing as he’s also product engineer for my beloved Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro, I’ve managed to convince AplusK to give me 4 passes (2 x 2) to his exclusive tech talk in Sydney’s CBD at 10am that day.

All you have to do to win one of these double passes – post a picture either on my FB wall –

www.Facebook.com/JackieMFood 

Or tag me on

Twitter – @JackieMSydney

Instagram – @JackieMSydney

Google+ – +JackieM

AND use the hashtag #TECHMyWay

Theme of the picture – Asian Food + Technology – could be something as simple as you using a tech gadget in your kitchen, next to your meal, etc. etc. – fine, I’m not the most creative person but I’m sure I can count on you to come up with something impressive

Competition MUST end Tuesday  February 10 at 11.59am; winners will be announced Wednesday via email or social media. 

Please note passes are for access to the event only; all transportation and other costs are at your own expense.

Watch on YouTube (opens in separate window) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BskFAsjrq80

The post Win Tickets to See Ashton Kutcher first appeared on Jackie M..

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Have you ever visited Malaysia? Thought about it, maybe?

I’ve talked to lots of Aussies at my food stalls over the years. (Contrary to perception I am occasionally approachable. It has been known to happen.)

More than a handful have been to Malaysia. They were there because of work. Or they were transiting elsewhere. Or they have family there – maybe they’re married to a Malaysian.

Some have been to Langkawi or Penang for short breaks. A few backpacked through Malaysia a loooong time ago, in the 70s even.

Still, nowadays when people think Asian holidays, they mostly think Bali or Thailand. Or Vietnam. I’ve yet to visit these places as I write, and am excited about doing so in the next 12 months. But I do know a bit about Malaysia.

I spoke to Mel, the food blogger behind The Adventures of Miss Piggy recently. (Yes, despite my rants about food bloggers I am friendly with some.) She went to Langkawi for a break. While she was there, she visited a pasar malam (night market). She observed that most other holidaymakers never ventured outside the resort.

That seems strange to me. Why fly all the way to Malaysia and not explore?

I guess some just want to get away from it all, and just want to enjoy the luxurious, safe surrounds of their 5-star playgrounds. Maybe they only have a limited number of days and prefer to just relax by the pool.

I totally get that. I’ve been in that mindset. Yet, what would bring them back year after year, short of their total devotion to their favourite resort in Penang or Langkawi?

I’ve travelled to Malaysia four times this year. I’ve been lucky to explore parts of the country that most people never get to see. Tried some foods that I myself had never even heard of. That’s right, not even Malaysian-born-and-bred-ex-Malaysian-restaurateur me.

In the age of Instagram, I see lots of travel photos made up of scenic views and exotic foods. Nothing wrong with that. (Selfies are a different matter – don’t get me started.)

Heck, my trips have often revolved around the topic of food. And I have not been disappointed – Malaysia is right to be proud of her food.

Yet what has really stood out for me in these trips has been the people I’ve met along the way.

Long after all the good food and beautiful scenery are but distant memories, what will stay with me forever are the people I have met and continue to meet in my travels. I’ve realised more and more, that everybody has a story.

But to put things into context, let me start with mine….

 (continues tomorrow…)

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Photos in this post are from my latest trip hosted by People Express Travel, Kuala Lumpur. All rights reserved.

The post How About Malaysia? first appeared on Jackie M..