Tucked within the serene, verdant folds of the Berjaya Hills,
The Chateau rises majestically,
Inviting and enchanting onlookers with its alluring French medieval air.
From its position of command,
the surrounding buildings pale in blurred comparison.
As its turrets rise in praise of meticulous architecture and intricate masonry,
barn swallows, swifts, myriad-coloured butterflies and bats,
circle and glide, unafraid, enjoying flights through uncluttered mirrored corridors.
Exuding warmth, winsome charm and hospitality,
The Chateau offers refuge, relaxation and rejuvenation,
Relieving weary minds and over-stretched bodies,
overwhelming senses with its candle-scented organic spa,
offering camera-ready landscapes with a gentle cascading fountain,
a spectacular orchid walk of fame and a rose garden with fragrant blooms.
These opulent and many other outdoor splendours serve to
uplift spirits, calm senses and eclipse drudgery, pains and hurt.
Amiable and able staff invest noble efforts to uphold
The Chateau’s standards of goodwill and excellence.
Scented spacious rooms, tastefully decorated,
Views from balconies and windows to awe and captivate,
Breakfast offerings a-plenty, fit for nobility,
Buffets with dishes of blended balanced harmony,
Sweet supper surprises quietly tucked into rooms after dark,
Certainly win votes that the caring goes beyond one’s luck.
Such were the impressions and memories captured at
The Chateau weekend, shared with an esteemed group of writers.
We role-played, brainstormed, drenched ourselves with exercise and laughter,
engaged endlessly in threads of WhatsApp chat and banter,
shaping plans to reach out to a wider community of senior writers
with stories to tell and a willing hand to pen
for a treasure trove of tales, woven from minds and hearts,
to be valued, remembered, told and shared with the world.
Written by Sarah Abedi
Third Prize Winner
My Malaysia Poem Category
Jasmina Awards 2019
Note: This a reflective piece written after the weekend stay at The Chateau, Bukit Tinggi together with the other winners of Jasmina Awards 2019. Click HERE to view pictures from the magical weekend.