9/25/2005 02:41:00 AM|||The Zen Master|||Apparently the latest ad campaign of the Malaysia Tourism Board has won a number of awards. To be exact:

Tourism Malaysia won four gold and one silver international awards for its advertising campaign at the prestigious Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards 2004 competition in New York.

It's certainly been effective at getting my attention. Not only do I unconsciously sing along to the mesmerizing song that plays on my television at least once an hour, but I was even compelled to plan a trip there for my upcoming National Day vacation. I leave next Saturday for Singapore, where I'll meet up with my old friend A.F., who works for the government and lives, I'm sure, as exciting a life as can be found on that tiny, tidy, island--though we'll see when I get there. After a couple of days evading the strong bamboo cane of the law in the land of road-pricing and regulations that ban the sale and import of chewing gum, I'll hop across the causeway to the mainland: peninsular Malaysia. As of now, I plan to take the train to Kuala Lumpur and then possibly the famed "Jungle Train" up to the country's northeast corner, where I'll catch the ferry to Pulau Perhentian to meet up with my friend from Beijing, A., her boyfriend, and his friend for a few days of relaxed semi-luxury on some of the world's most gorgeous beaches. The other option is to head to Penang Island, for the colonial city of Georgetown and some other, also fabulous, beaches. Obviously, I'll try to write while I'm there, but for now, I thought I'd share the magic of this series of commercials with the world at large.

For small quicktime videos of the intoxicating propaganda that flashes on my screen at least twenty times a day, visit the Malaysian Tourism Board's website. The first one, "International - Culture, Beach, Eco," is my favorite. If the lyrics to my latest favorite song are enough to satisfy you, and they won't be--once you see them I'm sure you'll be compelled to watch the ad to hear the enchanting melody--here they are:

Everything I've wanted, all that I've asked of you.
Everything I've dreamed of, it's all coming true.
So stay with me (with me), as we walk hand in hand.

Malaysia: Truly Asia,
The mountains and the sea.
Malaysia: Truly Asia,
It's calling out, to you and me.
Malaysia: Truly Asia.

Irresistible, isn't it?|||112758798652309268|||Malaysia: Truly Asia