Animal lovers: Vanessa Tevi (left) and Gloria Tneh petting a horse at Horse Trails.
AFTER a gruelling month-long training schedule, six lucky finalists of Miss Universe Malaysia 2015 had a chance to enjoy themselves during a wellness retreat to The Chateau Spa and Organic Wellness Resort in Berjaya Hills, Pahang.
Clad in weather-appropriate clothes and super high heels fit for beauty queen finalists, the girls were brought on a tour of the French-inspired resort.
After some oohs and aahs as they were taken around the luxurious resort, the six were taken to Berjaya Hills for a chance to taste fresh vegetables straight from the organic farm.
Sugeeta Chandran said she enjoyed the visit to the organic farm as she is a vegetarian.
“It was a fun experience as we could try the fresh vegetables. The lettuce had a slightly bitter taste while the corn was sweet,” she said.
The girls were also brought to Horse Trails where they took photos with horses.
Next up on the itinerary was a visit to Colmar Tropicale, a medieval French-themed village 2,700ft above sea level amidst 80 acres of rainforest, where the finalists posed for more photos.
The finalists had a packed schedule during their retreat to The Chateau.
After the bone density and body composition test at La Sante, a European-concept spa, the finalists embarked on an hour-long session of kick-boxing.
Loud music filled the usually peaceful resort and the girls looked fierce during the fitness session.
Many of them enjoyed the workout, particularly gym buff Kelly Jagan.
“I love working out, but I don’t really like kick-boxing. However, having the session outdoors in this cool weather has changed my perception. Perhaps, I would even take up kick-boxing soon,” said the 25-year-old model.
The girls were treated to the spa’s signature massage — a combination of Swedish and shiatsu massages that took about 75 minutes.
Many were impressed by how the massage helped relieve stress after the intensive training to become the next Miss Universe Malaysia 2015.
For 23-year-old actress Pauline Tan, the massage helped with her aching shoulders and feet from hours of walking around in high heels.
“The service at La Sante was impeccable and the therapist was professional. I felt relaxed after the massage,” she said.
The two-day-one-night trip ended with a trip to the Japanese Village where the girls tried on Japanese traditional clothing — the yukata.
Pageant fans can catch the aspiring beauty queens in action in a series of “webisodes” that includes the intensive training sessions, preparations and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage on Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation’s official YouTube channel (MissUniverseMsiaOrg) from the second week of February before it continues on 8TV in mid-March.
The Miss Universe Malaysia finals will be held in April and the winner will have the opportunity to travel abroad to represent the country at the international competition later this year.
She will also receive a cash prize of RM48,000 and sponsored prizes worth over RM100,000.
For more information, visit www.missuniversemalaysia.com.my