Homestays in Johor, Malaysia #tourismjohor #visitmalaysia #travelblogger #explorejohor

When I was a kid, my grandma and I used to go back to Penang for Hari Raya (Eid) while my parents stayed back in KL. Hmm...didn't realize how weird that is until I write this. 

Anyway, we used to stay in my great-grandmother's kampung wooden house built above the ground on cement pillars in Ayer Itam among the more modern houses inhabited by our mostly Chinese neighbours. During the monsoon season or heavy rainfall, the area would be flooded and we would make paper boats to float outside the house. We were lucky that the waters never came indoors.


We had rambutan and mango trees and a big yard at the back. (It looked much bigger when I was a kid.) In the later years, my grand-aunt built a shed at the side of the house to rear pigeons.

There was no toilet in the house itself but there was one attached to the back of the house. We made sure to do all big and small businesses before we went to sleep at night to avoid going out in the darkness. We used to bathe with nice, cold water using dippers to dip into the cement water tank inside the bathroom. 

The house had two levels. My grand-aunt who took care of my great-grandma who was very alert till her passing in her 80s, slept upstairs. During raya, my grand-uncle from KL and his children would occupy the upstairs by sleeping on mattresses laid out on the floor.

The rest of us would usually sleep on mattresses on the ground floor. It was really quite fun. We would wake up to the sounds of cockerels and the smell of coffee being brewed by my great-grandma. Mind you, she wasn't the affectionate sort but she did her great-grandmotherly duties well.

I loved dipping the thickly sliced bread (sold by the rotiman (breadman) on his motorbike) in our coffee for breakfast. This was waaaaaaay before kopitiams like Papparich and Old Town White Coffee became popular.

Photo credit: vkeong.com

Last weekend, I was delighted to find out that Johor Tourism launched the DesaStay Programme where 32 villages in Johor have been identified as locations to host homestays. The programme was officiated by the Johor Menteri Besar, YAB Dato' Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin on 30 July 2016 at Kampung Parit Tengah, Batu Pahat Johor.

Homestays allow visitors to rent a room from a family or to rent the whole home for a short stay so that visitors can fully integrate into the Johor and Malaysian culture and to learn the Malay language as intensively as possible. Staying in homestays are also usually cheaper than staying at a hotel.

Not only will visitors get a taste of how it's like to live in a village, the villagers will also have an opportunity to sell their goods and services and learn what people outside of their village have to offer. 

You don't have to stay the night if they don't want to. You can even opt for half day packages.

Kampung Parit Tengah, Batu Pahat
I visited the homestay below which is 10 times bigger than the house in Penang but some of its elements like the windows and the upstairs area brought back fond memories.
Teratak Selari Bonda is the biggest homestay available at DesaStay Kampung Parit Batu Pahat


Bedroom one downstairs

Bedroom 2 downstairs

Stairs leading to the upper level

Windows upstairs overlooking the courtyard 
The upstairs
The main hall downstairs
To find out more about the DesaStay at Kampung Parit Tengah, Batu Pahat, Johor, you can contact Encik Maulana bin Hj Hassan at 019-764 4712  or Encik Sukran bin Ariffin at 019-766 6400.

For more information about the other homestays that are part of the DesaStay Programme, please contact the Johor Tourism Information Centre at (+607) 223 4935, (+607) 224 9960 or (+6 07) 224 1432 or email info@tourism.johor.my.

Website: www.tourism.johor.my

Here's some traditional music to entertain you while you dream of your next holiday to Johor









Comments

  1. Kampung stays really aren't my thing though I don't mind the experience once in a while. Am glad to see that you had a great time in Johor recently.

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    Replies
    1. I think it's nice to get out of the city once in awhile :)

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  2. The Kampung stay look like very relax and i wish to experience it !

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  3. Never stay in homestays before it must be a very great experience! The place looks clean and huge! :)

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  4. wow...stay in natural!!!never try it before!!!Would like to try it out!!

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  5. I like natural place and it suit for gateaway. Enjoying the scenery while try on their local delight.

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    1. It is! And yes, usually food in kampungs is prepared with much love :)

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  6. I love the kampung style of staying. Will bring my children there to experience instead.

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  7. I have lived in kampung before but this is pretty nice.... would surely check it out when am in Johor

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  8. Beautiful kampong environment! I would love to stay in such places.

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    Replies
    1. Yup it's a different feel to things :) Everything is more laid back

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  9. I would like to explore the homestays in Malaysia one day to experience the beauty of local cultures :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm not so much a fan of homestays but this one looks good

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  10. homestays are in trend nowadays.. comfortable, affordable and clean .. most importantly, very homely

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    Replies
    1. Yes, must have clean bathrooms, beds and no creepy crawlies too!

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  11. Kadang-kadang, suasana tinggal di desa dan kampung, lebih dekat dengan hati kita... :)

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  12. I love that Kampong style as you are totally away from the hustle bustle of busy city life.

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  13. Oh wor, I like the rumah papan house for your homestay. Looks small but they have the most friendly people and neatest bedroom we need =D

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  14. Kampung style is always refreshing look.

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    Replies
    1. Indeed it is..getting out of your comfort zone builds character LOL!

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  15. love the different look. there are so many undiscovered places in Johor that worth exploring.

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    Replies
    1. Yup, it's great that they launched this DesaStay programme

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  16. love the kampung style setting of the whole place, feel really connected with nature

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  17. love the artistic angles and pics of the homestays, makes them look homely and indeed a welcoming place to stay

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! As long as they can maintain the homestays well, then all will be ok

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  18. woah! that is an amazing stay. unlike the usual hotel we stay. looks close to the nature and artful.

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  19. Wow~ Seem you guys had a blast there! Their homestays are unique.

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  20. I didn't had the chance to experience this sort of environment since young as I was born and raised in KL just like my parents. But reading how your home was in Penang.. It reminded me of my late grandma..missing her loads... thank you dear for this post. Will definitely consider going here when I am on a holiday at Johor..

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