PATRICK Song is feeling disappointed. “I had expected more local participants,” said the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) advisor for the recent Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge. Instead the contestants were mostly foreigners, especially Singaporeans.

Song said: “It is good that many foreigners are taking part as it means the event has achieved some international recognition. However, I hear locals are shunning it because they consider it too prestigious and expensive.”

Song, a tour operator in Labuan, is known to have given tourism in Labuan a boost in the last 11 years by organising the hugely successful Labuan International Fishing Tournament.

So how does Song unwind on his holidays? With fishing thrown in of course.

Tell us about your most interesting travel experience in Malaysia.
I love them all — jungle treking/boating/camping/fishing up the Ulu Batang Ai in Sarawak and diving and fishing in the Spratly islands.

Have you ever had a really bad experience travelling in Malaysia?
When MAS lost my luggage, which included my fishing equipment. Luckily, they were found in Kuala Lumpur and were delivered to me in Kuching the next morning.

What type of holiday do you prefer?
Something which incorporates leisure, fishing and a bit of adventure. A pure rest/sleep and vegetate holiday is too boring.

How best to you unwind on your holiday?
Food, glorious food, eat and eat and sleep and see new things.

Who do you usually go holiday with?
My wife. A holiday only lasts for a short period but memories are forever. What is the use of memories if we cannot share them with someone?

What can’t you leave home without when you travel?
Camera, fishing rod, Visa card, Master card and Amex card... in that order.

Which is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia. Does it also give you the best holiday memory?
Sabah and Sarawak for adventures and attractions... macam macam ada.

What or who do you miss most when you go away on vacation?
My cats — Spotty, Whitey and Yellowie and my dog, Whau Whau. My cats check into a cat hotel at the Labuan Vet Clinic when I go on an extended holiday. RM5 per night per room, including breakfast... not bad, eh?

What do you hate most while travelling?
Mobile phones but they are a necessity. I normally carry a satellite phone when I go on adventure travels in case of emergencies.

Where next would you like to go?
I want to explore the source of the rivers going into the Bakun Dam in Sarawak.

Where would you recommend your friend to go?
If he is into adventure travel, fishing and eating, then, he can just sit next to me and we will have a hell of a time. If he is a more sedate type, I would recommend resorts in Sabah like Sutera Harbour and Nexus Karambunai. If he likes shopping, then it’s Kuala Lumpur.

What was the best thing you bought on your travel and where?
Actually, it’s not something I bought. It was given to me by a fish... no joke. I caught a big red snapper in the Spratlys and when I got it on board, it spat out a grey white pearl of 1.5cm. I kept the pearl and released the fish.

What was the best food you ever tasted during your travel and where?
Oyster omelette and goreng pisang in Penang, live steamed prawns in Sabah, and Sarawak laksa and kolo mee in Kuching.

Are you a compulsive traveller or do you follow your budget and itinerary carefully?
I don’t travel on a strict budget. As long as I don’t exceed the limitations of my credit cards or get a call from the bank manager, I’m OK. I like to be flexible and impromptu.

Any advice or tips for travellers?
The most important thing is to be prepared for anything. Be streetwise especially in new places.

Any comment on Malaysian tourism, places of interest, services, etc?
We have not even scratched the surface of the tourism potential in Malaysia. Much of the tourism potential for Sabah and Sarawak has not even being explored yet.