Despite having to endure the ill effects of jet lag due to a 12-hour flight from her hometown in Denmark to Kuala Lumpur, Sofie Mai Schmidt Dyrby remains on cloud nine.
The 17-year-old Danish lass, who will be representing her country in the coming 16th Miss Tourism International 2012 pageant, is looking forward to experiencing the Malaysian culture.
“I feel tired from travelling but this trip is so worth it.
“I cannot wait to taste the food and visit this country’s historical buildings,” she added.
“The weather is lovely here and everyone is extremely friendly and warm,” said Dyrby, who is on her first trip to Asia.
She was among 56 other finalists, who went for a bridal gown fitting session at Anovia Bridal House in Jalan Bagan Jermal, Penang, on Saturday.
Dyrby is slated to participate in the bridal gown fashion show, which is part of the pageant’s list of events.
The event was part of the pageant’s official visit to Penang, organised by the state government.
Among other activities which were lined up for their visit was a heritage tour around the George Town heri-tage enclave and a visit to the state museum.
Penang-born Miss Tourism Malaysia Jun Yong, 20, said: “I cannot wait to show the other finalists the George Town heritage enclave, which is also a Unesco World Heritage Site.”
She said: “For me, the pageant is a good way to promote goodwill and friendship.
“It brings all of us together for a common good cause.”
The finals for the 16th Miss Tourism International pageant will be held at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa on Dec 31.
Miss Tourism International president Datuk Danny Ooi said this year’s pageant saw the largest participation from five of the world’s continents to date.
Also present were state Tourism Development Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang and Miss Tourism International 2011 winner Aileen Gabriella Robinson.
