Chiang Mai in Thailand is a popular Malaysian tourist hangout. The cooler Northern city ia a popular with tourists from all over. It even has “winter” during November to February but no snow. When I was young, I keep hearing about pretty girls from Chiang Mai and people would bring back colourful handicraft umbrellas as souvenirs.
Now that I am an adult, I have a pretty friend on social media from that city. Gajeab Ketsala (@gaa_jeab on IG) is not only a homegrown beauty but happens to work at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, a Chiang Mai hotel popular with Malaysians and Singaporeans. It is at downtown and is a conveniently located hotel. According to Gajeab, it is near the night bazaar and there are many halal restaurants in the area.
Around 15 years ago, I was sitting on a park bench in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Sensing I was a tourist, a young girl of maybe 13 or 14 years old, in school uniform, approached me. I was initially apprehensive as there was always a kid peddling something on the streets at that time. She spoke very good English.
She: Which country are you from Sir, if I may ask?
Me: I am from Kuala Lumpur. Do you know where that is?
She: Malaysia! I like geography.
She: What is your country’s GDP last year?
Me: [Coughs] What??? I honestly don’t know as it changes every year. So sorry.
Me: Why are you asking strangers all these tough questions?
She: I come from a very poor family and I know I will never afford to travel. Meeting foreigners and asking questions is my way to travel.
[An awwww moment that brought tears to my eyes]
Me: Wait. Please sit here and wait for me. I’ll be back.
She: OK. Don’t be scared as I won’t ask you any more tough questions.
I dashed across the street to a bookshop visible from where I was sitting. Wanted to buy her a coffee table book of my country but couldn’t find one I like. It got me thinking, I should carry a lightweight paperback on Malaysia in my backpack when I travel. It may be the best souvenir or memento to give someone genuinely interested in my country. Unfortunately, she had no internet access then or I would have given her my blog or website address where she she can see thousands of pics.
A dog in Saigon
I went back to Saigon subsequently in 2008 and later years. Happy to see the country developing and progressing tremendously in economic terms. I saw this dog and many pet shops. Pet shops and pedigree breeds are an indication of how affluent a society has become. I am sure the school girl got her chance to travel. Lessons for me: Always be curious but humble and be grateful because we can afford or have the chance to travel.
I was just talking via WhatsApp to my Cambodian friend who traveled by bus with me to Saigon from Phnom Penh. I wanted to know the name of the hotel we stayed in as it had a PC in the room for internet access. Great for editing your pics on the go.
Since he also suffered from amnesia, we made some surprising headway. At least, he remembered the street in between sips of Angkor Beer. It was the Khmer New Year.
The hotel was on Phạm Ngũ Lão Street where the cross-country bus stopped. There are like a million hotels on that street now.
Time to introduce another local hotel. Muar has an exciting new boutique hotel in town. Muo Boutique Hotel is a new hotel that opened a few days ago. Tastefully refurbished from an old shop house, it appears classy, painted in white.
Muo Boutique Hotel.
I was introduced to the new hotel in Muar, Johor by my long time Muar friend Yusof Noi or Ms Noraini, the former headmistress of Muar Convent. She spent a night there and had only good things to say. Guests can go the rooftop which will be an alfresco cafe when ready. One can view Muar River from up there. Norani is seen here in a selfie on the roof with the Muar River behind.
Selfie On The Rooftop
The hotel has a mamak restaurant downstairs serving local fare. The famous Muar breakfast satay shop and famous 434 coffee outlet is not far if you venture out on foot.
I first thought MUO is an abbreviation but it is not. According to Noraini, Muo is how Murians say Muar. Haha. I like Muar as it is charming small town with nice food, people and many places of attraction. Noraini was one of my local guides when I visited the last time. The other guide being Christine Yeow Cher Yuin. I stayed at the Elite Hotel, opposite Sam Kee. Happy to know there is now another accommodation option in Muar.
