Port Dickson weekend

(The view from Acheh lookout, Avillion)

2009 is a year where everyone in Malaysia waited to see if the recession would finally hit these shores. Companies including mine started cutting costs and streamlining their workforce. Budgets were halved, hiring freezed, and people working extra hours to make up for increasing client demands. Its been a tough year, and what had been my company's annual retreat for South East Asia had been cancelled.

But then, the year didnt end up as bad as everyone had anticipated, and the Big Boss decided to bring all of us out for an offsite trip to Port Dickson!

Located about one hour out of KL, Port Dickson is a small town by the sea. The KL-ites used to flock down here in droves to enjoy the sun, surf and sand. But years and generations of not being civic minded had damaged the waters and the beach. Its not even close to being pristine with soft silky beaches like their sisters on the East Coast, but the hotel we stayed at played it up quite smartly.

We stayed at the Avillion, a cluster of water chalet hotels located on stilts facing out to the sea. Its actually really nice and has some really nice quite lookout points (look for the Acheh lookout) where you are under a tree, under an umbrella, looking out at the sea, hearing the sea and enjoying the breeze without actually touching the water or having sand kicked onto you.


(Balcony in Avillion)

If youre not a social person, each room comes with two deck chairs and a balcony where u can enjoy the view and the sun and sea in your own privacy. They also have a really amazing open air shower with a lookout floor directly onto the sea.


(House on stilts)

For those with families, they even have a petting zoo! and plenty of cute bunnies.


(Baby bunnies!)

So, we didnt do much there ourselves, some team games in the evening, and then we went for dinner at El Cactus, a Mexican restaurant located close by. Then back to the hotel for a giant karaoke session with all office staff before passing out, packing up and leaving the next day.


(Dinner at El Cactus)

If youre looking for a quick retreat to somewhere quite cosy, and breezy, I would deff recommend going back there. I know that I probably would.

http://www.avillionportdickson.com/