The Story Behind Our Malaysia Trip
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Did you know that The Table Less Traveled was an idea inspired by a trip to Malaysia? But that’s not where the story starts.
My dad grew up in a large family in Malaysia and I was raised hearing stories of their rambunctious childhood in Borneo, like the time my uncle put a firecracker in chicken poop and it exploded all over the freshly-painted house.
When I had the opportunity to visit Malaysia with my aunt and uncle in my early 20s, I jumped at the opportunity. It brought to life so many stories I was told growing up. They walked me around the now dilapidated home where the six siblings were raised, the school where my grandparents taught, the local market where my grandma shopped, and the town they called home.
I had a particular fascination with the cuisine of Malaysia, especially “pulled tea”. On many of our trips to the market, I would watch the shopkeeper pull long pours of the tea from one cup back to the other, at least 3 feet high each time, which created the perfect amount of froth. They’d top it off with sweetened condensed milk making it the perfect morning beverage since I wasn't (yet) a coffee drinker. My auntie's friend said the name of the drink was "Teh Tarik", or "pulled tea".
Over the various visits to Malaysia over many years, I learned that Malaysia has its own language when it comes to coffee and tea drinks. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in exploring their new, varying, and multi-cultural cuisines. The food in Malaysia is one of a kind since it represents the blending of so many cultures, predominantly local Malay, with influences from Chinese and Indian cultures.
In addition to my family’s hometown and local market, we explored the surrounding areas - from river safaris and eco-lodges in the rainforest to scuba diving off of a resort built on stilts in the middle of the sea. But of course, my strongest memories are of visits and long chats with my relatives’ school friends with whom they stayed connected.
We stayed at their homes, ate at their favorite local joints, and enjoyed each other’s company. It made Malaysia real for me. It wasn’t just a place to visit. Instead, the connections with locals and friends made it feel like home. They treated me as one of their own and invited me in.
Years later, when I was considering a career change, Malaysia stood front and center in my mind. And it wasn’t just because my aunt and uncle suggested I should start a tour company focused on food.
I chose Malaysia for our first trip because I saw it as a destination with so much to offer, but it often got overlooked. It was a place where I felt my family’s friends would willingly open the doors and welcome visitors, eagerly sharing their experiences and a reality that most travelers never get the chance to see.
When I started TTLT, Discover Malaysia was the first trip I ever hosted. All these years later, the reasons I want to host travelers in Malaysia still ring true.
Join me on our Discover Malaysia Trip and deep dive into the adventure of a lifetime. From experiencing the wildlife of the country’s eastern and western regions on jungle cruises and rainforest treks to experiencing local life as we shop in markets for tropical fruits and dine in family homes, to learning about Malaysia’s diverse cultural melting pot the best way we know how - food!
Written by Annie Sim, Founder, CEO, and Discover Malaysia Tour Host
Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.
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