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A taste of ‘kampung’ life
Rozana Sani, NSTP
July 28, 2008



THE Petronas Twin Towers, F1 track in Sepang, Genting Highlands, Malacca and Penang often top the must-see sites for tourists to Malaysia. While these are arguably some of the most popular attractions, they do not exactly give tourists an insight into who Malaysians really are. Besides, not all travel budgets can accommodate such an itinerary.



On that premise, 43-year-old Shahruddin Mohamad Nor took the initiative to set up a local homestay guide targeted at budget travellers looking to experience a more traditional lifestyle in the country, in particular the kampung.

“I started Malaysia Backpackers Destination and Homestay (http://yourhomestay.blogspot.com) two years ago. My main aim is to promote homestay or rural tourist destinations that may be suitable for backpackers around the world to visit. Subsequently, this will help expose youths of the world to the Malaysian culture,” said the Putrajaya-based Government officer.

He explained that to take part in a homestay programme means to be “adopted” by a family and treated as a member of that family for the duration of the stay. Participants can immerse themselves in village activities such as wear traditional attire, go fishing in the rivers, play kites with the kids, eat simple local food, and observe local customs, just like how locals would go about their day.

The Malaysia Backpackers Destination and Homestay blog currently enjoys an average of 30 to 50 unique or loyal visitors daily.

Other than posts on the various homestay programmes available in the country, the blog features online hostel and flight booking.



“I intend to make the blog more interactive. I plan to integrate maps and demographic information on the homestay locations for tourists. Ultimately, I hope to turn the blog into a Malaysian homestay knowledge bank,” Shahruddin said.

He is optimistic that traffic to his blog will increase significantly once those plans are put in place.

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Visit Desaku Homestay, Kota Bahru, Kelantan

Desaku Homestay is a guest house. The name "Homestay" denotes the home-like atmosphere of our guest house. We do not host homestay programs at Desaku Homestay.

Some people like to stay in the city. Some prefer the serenity and quaintness of a secluded village. Desaku Homestay offers peace and quiet kampung environment. Located three kilometers from the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, we offer clean rooms at affordable prices for the budget-conscious traveler. Our homestay is suitable for layover for tourists coming from or going to Pulau Perhentian.


Desaku Homestay is also located near the historical beach Pantai Dasar Sabak.

Room Rates:

1.Double Bed + Double Decker = RM 80.00
2.Double Room (has 2 double beds) = from RM80.00 to RM 90.00
3.Standard (has 1 double bed) = RM 50.00


Facilities :

1.Ample and well-lit parking space
2.Guest kitchen
3.Satelite TV (Astro) in the common area
4.WiFi Internet connection


RESERVEATION:
Khairul Hakimin (Manager)
Telephone: +60 19 999 4920

Desaku Homestay
Lot 935, Kg Tebing Tinggi
Batu 7 1/2 Jalan Sabak,
16100 Kota Bharu,
Kelantan.

WEB : http://desakuhomestay.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/lang,english/

A Taste of Life as a Farmer - Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani, Sekinchan, Selangor

LOCATED about 15km away from Sekinchan in the northwest part of Selangor, Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani offers a unique getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The traditional village, which was established in the early 1800s, not only boasts picturesque padi fields but also welcomes city folk and foreign tourists to experience the lifestyle and traditions of the local people under the Dorani Homestay programme.

Many villagers start off the day as farmers on their padi fields and attend to their vegetable farms and fruit orchards in the afternoon. At sunset, they go to the nearby mangroves to catch crabs and snails.


VIDEO


ACTIVITIES
Under the homestay programme that is run by the villagers, visitors can have hands-on experience in everything related to padi, sleep and eat with their foster families and learn about the villagers' culture and tradition.





The programme promises a memorable experience as one communicates with the villagers, who are mostly of Javanese and Banjar descent and share the unique nasi embang in a huge tray.

Visitors would also be able to watch the traditional kuda kepang performance, zapin dance, Javanese wayang kulit and gamelan musical performance by the younger generation of the village.

MARINE PARK
Besides the homestay programme, the village is expected to attract more tourists once the first phase of the RM30mil marine park is completed at the end of the year.



The facilities include a 200m jetty for 114 small boats and five yachts, three rows of shophouses, floating seafood restaurants, a boat clubhouse, 13 chalets, a cultural square, an amphitheatre and a pedestrian bridge.

RESERVATION
For more information, call Abdul Rahman at 013-607 7025 or +603-32410846
Address:
Kediaman Haji Ahmad Jamiran,
Kampung Parit 1,
Sungai Haji Dorani,
45300 Sungai Besar, Selangor.

Mr Villa Homestay, Kedah

Bulan Jun 2006 adalah tarikh mulanya MR VILLA HOMESTAY beroperasi. Pelanggan pertama kami ialah 8 orang pegawai dari RTM Selangor yang membuat liputan SUKMA XI yang berlangsung di Kedah dan sejak dari tarikh itu MR VILLA HOMESTAY sentiasa dilanggani sehinggalah sekarang. Saya amat berterima kasih kepada pelanggan masakini kerana citarasa mereka telah berubah memilih untuk menginap di “homestay” yang lebih selesa, bersih dan aman seperti tinggal di rumah sendiri..

Sokongan dan cadangan-cadangan yang diberikan oleh pelanggan dari masa kesemasa telah dipenuhi, dan MR VILLA HOMESTAY telah menjadi pilihan utama pelanggan-pelangan tempatan dan juga dari luar Kedah.

For Reservation,
Phone : 604 - 771 3832
Mobile : 013 - 431 6629 (Rahim)
013 - 525 4115(Maria)
Email : mar@mr-villahomestay.comAlternative
Email : jabkes2000@yahoo.com
Website : http://www.mr-villahomestay.com/index.html
No 17 & 37, Jalan Desa Seraya 9/3, Taman Desa Seraya, Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah (Lencong Barat),
05400 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman.

Homestay Kg Relau, Kedah

Pekan Relau is a small traditional Malay rural township tucked away in the Bandar Baharu district which lies in the Southern part of Kedah Darul Aman. Bordering Northern Perak and Southern of Seberang Perai, it takes visitors only 45 minutes to reach the destination from Penang and 15 minutes from Parit Buntar in Perak. Its uniqueness is in the location itself. Surrounded by lush green hills with unspoilt natural beauty hence giving the town the extra edge over other rural locations of Kedah.

The Homestay Programme of Kampung Relau, is registered with the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism of Malaysia and manage by company called Sri Impian Recreation. Under this programme visitor are put up with their 'adopter' family throughout their stay. The company had selected 24 houses where visitor could be accommodated. The house are equipped with all facilities and basic amenities such as water and electricity. Some of the houses have built-in wells. The Homestay Programme offers visitors a unique and invaluable experience of a life time. It also has a large scale of camping site to whom that like the nature. It can support about 200 person at certain time.

Wall Climbing/abseiling
Canoeing Lake
Performance of traditional cultural shows:
The Malay Wedding
Kompang (hand held drum)
Nasyid (rendition of religious songs)
Dikir Barat
Boria
Traditional Malay Cooking

For reservation, kindly contact :
Sri Impian Holidays and Recreation Sdn. Bhd.
70, Jalan Jawi Jaya 1, Taman Jawi Jaya, 14200 Sg. Bakap S.P.S., Malaysia
Tel : 04-5825858, 013-4351520, 04-5824122, 012-4883620