To those unfamiliar with the protocol and titles of Malaysian Heads of State, the Governor of Sarawak and his consort visited the gardens on Sunday 15 March 2009.

The arrival of the Governor of Sarawak

We also had the pleasure of hosting Y.B. Tuan Haji Halim (Speaker, PKR Penang).

They arrived after having come from the Snake Temple and we had the pleasure of their younger family members with us also. Tun, as he requested he be known as, although in his senior years, proved to be young at heart and he undertook to walk the full extent of the gardens.

He enjoyed taking in all the sights and smells and of the lush foliage and he commented how he has and will be cooped in a car all day and is happy to walk despite the frantic scurrying of preparing the official car to carry him up.

But no, Tun was determined to have his morning walk and enjoy his time at the gardens at his own leisurely pace.

Tun learning about our

He had a wander around the Museum and Gift Shop before we treated him to our best cup of spice tea amdist the cool morning breeze and magnificent sea view.

We were honoured to receive an official plaque from the Astana Negeri Sarawak (Sarawak Palace) and in return Tun and consort were presented with gifts from the gardens – Tun was most impressed with his bath salts and was looking forward to enjoying them.

On his down from the Cafe, Tun expressed how much he enjoyed his walk and he extended a warm invitation for me to visit his beautiful state of Sarawak.

Who knows …tea at the palace? I wouldn’t mind.

On behalf of everyone at Tropical Spice Garden, we wish Tun and Toh Puan every happy memory of the gardens and Penang.