THE drive from Kuala Lumpur to Simpang Renggam in Kluang, Johor was long and fraught.
Exhausted and hungry, words cannot describe our elation when a welcoming stretch of bright lights herald our arrival at Kellypojawani Event Cafe & Guesthouse.
Two attending staff members approach as soon as our vehicle comes to a halt beside a sturdy wooden fence bordering a cluster of three traditional Malay houses on stilts that encompasses the Kellypojawani homestay experience.
Checking in procedure is brief but also in strict conformance with the Health Ministry's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
While showing us to our unit located at the far end, a staff member comments that we are fortunate to make prior reservations as the houses are fully booked until the end of the month.
RIGHT FOOT FORWARD
"Guests love the authentic kampung ambience this place offers," he declares while handing me a coconut shell ladle filled with water from an earthen jar by the foot of the stairs.
"It is an essential Malay custom to remove your shoes and wash your feet before going up into the house," he details before advising us to start the ascent with our right foot.
We soon find ourselves in a spacious living area tastefully decorated with a good mix of traditional fixtures and modern amenities.
The ample windows and strategically positioned doorway encourages natural air movement, making the interior cool without the need to switch on the air conditioner.
The decor in our rooms bears close resemblance to the ones in the living room.
Once again, the presence of wooden walls exude a warm comfortable feeling rarely experienced in modern hotels with concrete walls while the floor to ceiling windows with adjustable shutters offer unobstructed night views of the rustic Simpang Renggam countryside.
Kellypojawani is also popular with out-of-towners who flock here for wedding and reunion ceremonies, retirement and birthday celebrations or just to escape from the rigours of city life.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Dinner time, we adjourn to the cafe next door.
Lucky to get a table overlooking a neighbouring oil palm estate, we spend time waiting for our food by enjoying the view of silvery moonlit palm fronds gently swaying in the cool night breeze.
First to arrive are the drinks. The popular Kellypojawani Cafe ice cold apple asam boi does not disappoint.
Refreshing and thirst quenching, it certainly helps to work up an appetite just at the exact time when the food arrives in quick succession.
Minutes into the meal, we are pleasantly surprised by a courtesy call by co-owner Khalidah Muslimat who makes it a point to personally welcome all guests on arrival.
Together with her elder sister Nur Hazwani and close relative Nor Fauzah Baijan, Khalidah established Kellypojawani some four years ago.
Back then, the women faced scepticism as many villagers were unsure that their business model would work in a laidback rural setting.
"No one would come. The plan is bound to fail. You will lose all your hard earned money and face financial ruin," Khalidah echoes the voices of doubt from the past aloud.
"The three of us steeled our resolve and soldiered on. Today, the fruits of our labour and hardship are here for all to see," she declares happily before revealing that plans are afoot to increase the number of homestay houses and the inclusion of a sizable swimming pool within the proposed complex.
After dinner, we make a quick walkabout to enjoy the tranquil kampung surroundings.
Sleep will come easily tonight and tomorrow will be a new day for us to start exploring Simpang Renggam and its neighbouring towns.
FAST FACTS
Kellypojawani Event Cafe & Guesthouse
Lot 315, Jalan Sekolah 1, Kg Sahari,
86200 Simpang Renggam, Johor.
TEL 019-7550613 / 019-7088849
EMAIL khalidahmusumat0613@gmail.com
STAY Three traditional Malay houses set amidst the picturesque rural landscape with sufficient basic room amenities. The houses have up to four rooms and a well-equipped kitchen each.
EAT The Kellypojawani Cafe, which opens from 3pm to 11
pm, also doubles up as an event venue in the morning. The cafe highlights traditional Johor dishes as well as popular Javanese inspired selection like nasi goreng markonah, mee bandung gearbox and rojak asma.
DO Head to the nearby oil palm estates and paddy fields in the early mornings and late evenings to take in the tranquil surroundings or explore the little nooks and crannies along the back lanes of Simpang Renggam to uncover interesting village crafts and start a friendly conversation.
GO The nearby Renggam town with its many interesting murals is well worth a visit.
HIGHS Its location that takes you next to the unique rural Johor lifestyle.
LOWS It is a bit far off the beaten track but navigable using mobile navigation apps.
RATES Priced start from RM 222 per night with an additional 10% surcharge for weekends and public holidays. The three houses, aptly named Keranji, Keruing and Kedondong, come complete with cable television and other basic amenities.