Desaru Coast's Raya Open House

 

After two years of lockdowns and uncertainties due to the global pandemic, this year’s Hari Raya celebration returned with a vengeance and for many, it was a major celebration to make up for lost time with family and friends.

 

Traditional Malay dancers perform up close
to guests in the Big Easy, The Els Club

It was no different at the Raya Open House gathering hosted by Desaru Coast.

 

When I received the invitation to this Raya event held at The Els Club, I did not hesitate to accept because I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and beraya with my friends at Desaru Coast.

 

Looking back, it was March 2018 when I was part of the media invited to witness the Recruitment Party arranged by Desaru Coast.

 

At the Raya Open House with
Stephanie Saw [Left] and 
Roslina Arbak [Right]

There I met with Karina Ridzwan, Executive Vice President, Group Legal and Secretarial & Group Human Capital of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd.

 

Fast-forward to July 2019 when I was part of the grand celebration dubbed the Ombak Festival as Desaru Coast was officially declared open by His Majesty the Sultan of Johor.

 

While I was at the Riverside for this festival, I had the privilege to meet with Stephanie Saw, Group Chief Executive Officer of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels.

 

Among other things, she told me that she had plans to arrange for my books to be placed in the rooms of The One&Only Desaru Coast to enhance the guests’ stay experience in this super luxurious property.

 

My Johor Stories in 
The One&Only Desaru Coast

When the global pandemic reached our shores in early 2020, not only were the nation’s borders closed but local travel was suddenly limited to only 10km distances.

 

As travel conditions gradually improved, inter-state travel was finally permitted and people who were longing to travel, started to travel locally and discovered local attractions that included the exciting destinations in Desaru Coast.

 

In December 2020, when a friend and her daughter took a much-longed-for-break at The One&Only Desaru Coast, she was thrilled to see My Johor Stories book in their room and sent me a WhatsApp message from her staycation to let me know.

 

I was simply overjoyed and quickly sent a message to thank Stephanie because she had kept her word and my books were in the resort villas for the guests’ reading pleasure.

 

Live music entertainment
provided by angklung

When travel reopened again in 2022, my cousin and his family returned from East Malaysia for their Chinese New Year reunion with family in Kuala Lumpur.

 

After a good family bonding time, he and his wife left their children with the grandparents and headed to The One&Only Desaru Coast with a group of friends.

 

When my cousin and his wife checked into their room, they were pleasantly surprised to spot my book inside.

 

He did not hesitate to send me a photograph of my 2017 MPH Non-Fiction Bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage, along with a query that said something like, “Can you see something familiar in our room?”

 

Freshly grilled beef and chicken satay

It was rather amusing because part of his stay then included telling his friends that the author of My Johor Stories books in their rooms, was his cousin.

 

[He also confirmed that Book Two, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People, was in his friends’ rooms.]

 

On my drive along the Senai-Desaru Expressway to the Raya Open House, I looked forward to meeting with General Manager of Group Corporate Communications at Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels, Gowri Mohanadas, and Roslina Arbak, Managing Director and CEO of Desaru Coast Destination Resorts, both of whom I last met for a My Johor Stories live event dubbed, Storytelling by the Sea.

 

Say, "Hello!" to Alice Er and her son, Steve,
who run the Desaru Fruit Farm

On arrival for the Raya event held at the Big Easy in The Els Club, I was delighted to see that the welcoming committee waiting at the lobby, not only included Gowri and Roslina, but also Stephanie.

 

With the hosts dressed in smart Malay traditional costumes and live music provided by angklung, a musical instrument made of bamboo tubes, the event was throbbing with a traditional Raya mood.

 

In the wide selection of festive food were sections for appetizers, main course items and dessert with an outdoor section for grilled items like lamb and satay, as well as noodles like Mee Rebus and Laksa Johor.

 

The live music had a break when traditional dancers took over the entertainment by performing cultural dances throughout the dining hall, up close to the guests.

 

Among the familiar people I met at the Raya event were the family who runs the Desaru Fruit Farm, Mrs Alice Er and her son, Steve Er.

 

It was my privilege to share the Desaru Fruit Farm story in My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People along with stories on people not only in Johor Baru but also in Johor districts like Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Macap, Kulai and Kelapa Sawit.

 

Receiving my Lucky Draw prize

The Raya festive mood continued to prevail as Gowri kicked off the Lucky Draw.

 

She invited key personnel from the properties in Desaru Coast – the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort, The Westin Desaru Coast, and The Els Club – who sponsored the prizes, to draw out the guests’ name-cards from an acrylic box.

 

With all eyes and ears focussed on the Lucky Draw, there was much cheering and clapping as prizes were being presented to lucky guests, one after another.

 

It was a pleasant surprise to suddenly hear my name being called out and a memorable Raya for me to receive a prize sponsored by The Els Club. Yay!

 

Thanks very much Desaru Coast and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 2022!