![The River and The Puan Sri [SFTH2]](http://www.malaysia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Tanah-Aina-Soraya-River-146x126.jpg)
“A journey of love back to nature”
Puan Sri Sharifah Sabrina, the woman behind Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Resort
We spent our first day in Pahang at an amazing little place called Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya. It is a forest estate dedicated to the preservation of nature. The owner of this beautiful resort is a beauty herself, Puan Sri Sharifah Sabrina, who was on hand to greet all of us as we made our way to her little green sanctuary.
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![The Best Tour Guide In Malaysia [SFTH1]](http://www.malaysia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Francis-Loh-02-146x126.jpg)
“I never looked back ever since”
Mr. Francis Loh, arguably the best tour guide in Malaysia
On our journey in Pahang, we were led by Mr. Francis Loh, a man who laid claim to the title of the Best Tour Guide In Malaysia. You could sense that he was proud of bearing the title, even though it might carry with it a hint of self grandeur. The truth, however, is that he deserves the title. Hailing from Balik Pulau, Penang, Mr. Francis has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of all things tourism related in Malaysia, and like many other people we met in Pahang, carries nature close to his heart.
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![Stories From The Hills [SFTH]](http://www.malaysia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Pahang-Mountain-View-146x126.jpg)
The greatest treasure that travellers carry home from their journeys are not exotic items and artifacts from faraway lands, nor are they precious metals and gems from the four corners of the world. No, the most valued treasure a traveller accumulates are the stories of the places he has been and of the people he has met. The most famous traveller of them all, the legendary Marco Polo, knew the truth of this, and till this day, he is remembered because he knew how to tell a great story.
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Malaysia is home to a variety of races living harmoniously under one roof for over five decades. Having lived together in communities for so long, it is only natural that we grow to adopt one or two of the customs and practices of other races into our daily lives. Do not be surprised to hear a child using his/her name in place of herself when talking to his/her parents or other elder members of her family. This practice is most common in Malay families as it is considered rude to use ‘saya’ (I or me) when addressing others.
Among the many Hindu festivals celebrated by the Tamil society in Malaysia, most people would be familiar with Thaipusam, which is celebrated in the month of ‘Thai’. Not many would know that prior to celebrating Thaipusam, there is another major festival that is widely celebrated amongst the Tamil communities known as Ponggal. The word ‘Ponggal’ actually means ‘boiling over’ in Tamil. This festival is usually celebrated over a period of four days, making it one of the longest celebrations in the Tamil calendar. The festival is celebrated on 15th January every year and is a much cherished celebration especially amongst the farming community, as usually the festival marks the end of harvesting season.
![Yasuyo And Su Ling’s Heritage Adventure [PW2]](http://www.malaysia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC0066-146x126.jpg)
Yasuyo and I have no actual plans to take a walk along one of Penang’s famed heritage trails today. We had actually decided to spend some time at Little India, which is also in the heritage area of inner city Georgetown, but we did not plan to do a walkabout.
We are on the CAT (Georgetown city’s free shuttle from KOMTAR to the jetty) passing the Cititel hotel on the way to KOMTAR when I suddenly ask Yasuyo if she’d like to visit the tailor to get a custom-made blouse.