I received a telephone call today on my personal mobile and it was a rather harried tour guide who  pleaded with me that I prepare a guide for him as he was arriving in 10 mins. I almost didn’t catch who he was bringing through his breathy demand and at that point  I too was quite prepared to demand back that he book in advance! But I did hear right, within his entourage of guests, was the honoured Dato’ Professor Jimmy Choo OBE!

Dato' Jimmy Choo at garden entrance with journalists from UK

What an excitement! Last minute arrangements from state/ Federal tourism meant that Dato’ was going to be following 2 invited media journalists to write and sell Penang in The Daily Mail. Dato’ was recently given the privilege as being honoured as Tourism Ambasador of Malaysia and he did say he had been making more frequent visits back to Malaysia this year to fulfill certain expectations and of course to visit family in Jawi, Penang.

Joseph assisted me to walk them round the gardens in a quick 30 min stint but we managed to sneak a chilled nutmeg juice at the end and thank God we had great weather this morning.

Dato' Jimmy & Datin Rebecca (with Kat)

Dato’ and wife, Datin Rebecca were most unassuming and humble in approach. It was a pleasure to have hosted their short visit this morning and we hope the group will bring back fond thoughts to put well on paper.

As I stepped back into the office, my office ladies commented that they had a good peer at his shoes and he passed with flying colours! (in their eyes) – He must get that all the time mustn’t he?