May 19, 2010, Wednesday www.thestar.com.my
MIRI: It is worth going to Malaysia although it is a 14-hours-flight from Christchurch, New Zealand to Miri in Sarawak to participate in Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010.
Twenty-year-old, Emma Nicole Mcdonald, in unison with 32 others in the tourism beauty pageant agree that Malaysia is a wonderful and beautiful country. Mcdonald is in Miri vying for the Miss Tourism Intercontinental title in the pageant organised in conjunction with its fifth anniversary as a city.
To reach Miri for the pageant, Mcdonald flew from Christchurch to Auckland in New Zealand and then boarded another flight to Kuala Lumpur and to Miri. Although it is a 14-hour journey from New Zealand to Miri, she is well compensated by her wonderful experience during her brief stay here for the pageant.
“I did some research when I found out that I was coming here. I learned that Malaysia is gorgeous and a wonderful pace. Right from the people to the food, shopping, climate and culture, everything sounds perfect. I am really excited to come here,” said Mcdonald, when met by The Borneo Post.
The kiwi was mesmerised by the hospitality shown and reflected by the people she met prior to the May 20 grand finale which is to be held in Miri Indoor Stadium here. “We feel welcomed and safe here as the people are friendly and helpful which reflects their good hospitality.”
The beauty therapist felt that the good hospitality of the people would be the best attraction for tourists to visit the city, apart from its cultural and natural attractions.
“I feel I don’t want to go home. The whole place is just beautiful … the green … the people … everything is so lovely. I will promote Miri and Sarawak to my family and friends back in New Zealand. I am sure that they will love to be here,” said Mcdonald who visited Bintulu and Sibu as part of the activities and programmes of the pageant.
She was impressed by Sarawakian culture, especially of the Ibans, following a visit to a longhouse in Niah Miri which she said to be almost similar to the Maori. Another similarity between New Zealand and Sarawak is nature which is still intact and untouched. She, however, said the attractions in New Zealand and Sarawak are unique and special in their own ways.
To a question on why she joined the pageant, Mcdonald said: “I love to be a role model for people of my own age. I love to travel and this is a good opportunity to meet people from all around the world. If I win this pageant, I hope that I can promote my country and Miri to people from other parts of the world.”
She also said both Miri and Sarawak are still unknown to the people back in New Zealand and other parts of the world, adding that they need more exposure and promotion.
Meanwhile, Kelly Louise Maguire from Australia, who chose to go to Malaysia instead of China, said: “My agent gave me a choice to either go to China or Malaysia to represent my country. I chose Malaysia because I think it is a very beautiful country.”
The 23-year-old student and model said she heard a lot of amazing stories about Malaysia from her friends who came on holiday.
“I wanted to know more about Malaysia because it looks and sounds like an amazing place. I think this is a great opportunity to see what everyone has been talking about.”
She was impressed by the people whom she said were friendly and always smiling.
“This is really funny as it doesn’t really happen back home as I come from a big city where people are busy and don’t really look at each other. Here the people say good morning … how are you? … hello … thank you … it is so beautiful.”
Maguire felt very much at home here after meeting a number of Australians working and living in Malaysia.
She feels that there is a strong connection or tie between both countries with the establishment of the Sarawak campus of Curtin University of Technology in Miri.
“I met a lot of Australians and this makes me proud because people of my country have already known how beautiful this place is. I will always cherish and treasure this wonderful experience,” she added and promised to promote Miri among the people in Australia.
“I have a couple of Malaysian friends in Sydney. I came to know about ‘laksa’, ‘satay’ and beef ‘rendang’ from them and I love them very much. I think the connection is the multi-culturalism in both places … we have a whole choice of different cultures,” said Maguire who studies journalism.
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