“My OFW Tour Experience in Malaysia: A Short but Happy Journey to Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hill”

The lead picture was edited by Canva.

I joined a tour for overseas Filipino workers here in Malaysia. It was one of the happiest days since I came here. We were 48 Filipinos on one big bus. From the start, it was fun. We talked, laughed, and shared food. Even if we just met, it felt like one family. We went to Berjaya Hill Resort. It is on a top of the hill and is a famous place in Malaysia. The road was long and curvy, but everyone still enjoyed. Some people sang songs. Some took photos through the window. Some shared stories about work and family. Everyone was full of joy and energy. When we reached the resort, we went to Colmar Tropicale, the main attraction. The place looked like a small French village. The buildings were tall and colorful. The streets were clean and wide. It feels like we were in another country.

My husband, is Malaysian, told me the story. Long ago, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad visited a town in France called Colmar. And the minister liked the place very much. So, with the help of Berjaya Corporation, he built a similar village in Malaysia. Now, many people visit, both foreigners and locals. Since it was Sunday, the place are very crowded. Families with children walked around happily. Couples took photos together. Tourists from different countries carried cameras and bags. The whole place was busy, but the atmosphere was cheerful. Inside the resort, there were many food and drink shops.

Some were big names like Starbucks. Others were small stalls selling simple food like burgers and fries. There were also places to eat and hotels. My friend said she stayed in one hotel before. She told me it was clean, nice, and not very costly. I think one day I want to stay there with my family one of these days. My favorite part of this trip was meeting new people. I met other Filipinos who worked in different places in Malaysia. Some were here for many years. Some just came. We also talked about work, family, and daily life. It feels good to talk with new people who also live and work far from home. We also took many photos. We had group photos, pair photos, and solo photos. Everyone helped each other find good spots to take pictures. The place was so beautiful that every picture looked nice. For me, these photos are not only pictures. They are happy memories that I will keep forever. I liked learning about the history.

The Colmar Tropicale came from a French town. Even in Malaysia, it felt a little like Europe. It was new for me. Time went fast. We walked, ate, and laughed. Soon we went back to the bus. I felt happy and a little sad. Happy because the day was nice. Sad because the trip ended fast. But I told myself I will always remember it. This trip taught me something important. Living in another country is not only work. We need rest, fun, and friends. Sometimes we feel lonely far from home. But trips like this make us feel better. They show us we can still be happy and have friends even if we are far away. For me, the trip to Berjaya Hill Resort was not only to see places. It was a day to make friends, laugh, and learn. I am glad I joined. I will always treasure this trip as one of my happiest days in Malaysia. And now that I’m in my 40’s I made a decision to have a small trip that I can afford on my pocket and save some good memories for the future to look back.