Name: John Nisted
Home country: Australia
Industry: Health and Fitness
Marital status: Married with 1 daughter (8 years old)
What brought you to Malaysia?
My wife Janet and I, and our daughter Vivien, came to Malaysia in October 2011. We came here for a change of scene and to experience a totally different lifestyle, having never experienced living outside of Australia.
What were your impressions of Malaysia before you came?
I remember doing a project on Malaysia many years ago in primary school, but other than that, I had very little knowledge of Malaysia other than it was predominantly Muslim and somewhere near the tropics. I also recall one of our past Australian Prime Ministers in the 90s calling the then-Prime
Minister of Malaysia “recalcitrant,” which caused quite a diplomatic row. I now regard Malaysian lifestyle – particularly living in Penang – up there with the best.
If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be?
The cacophony of fireworks at Chinese New Year, the aroma of fresh herbs and spices emanating from a hawker market wok, and the sweetness and texture of a perfectly ripe mangosteen or mango!
What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia?
I dislike the bureaucracy, the lack of footpaths, and the littering.
Name three typical weekend activities you enjoy.
I like playing touch football on Sunday mornings, having a cheap and cheerful meal at the local hawker market, and visiting local attractions or attending festivals.
What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia?
This is a hard one! For one of the best banana leaf sets in Penang, the Arati Vila Indian Restaurant at Tanjung Bunga is hard to beat. For the location and ambience, I like the bar by the beach during happy hour at the Shangri-la’s Rasa Sayang, Batu Ferringhi.
Are most of your friends Malaysian or expats?
Friendships have been formed with an eclectic mix of both Penangites and expats, with a definite bias toward the expat crew when it comes down to a social drink or three.
What do you miss most about your home country?
I miss my family, old friends, the diversity of wildlife (the sound of kookaburras first thing in the morning), and uncrowded, wide open spaces.
