Outside the box hospitality in Sekinchan

Many driving past turn back to take a second look at the jutting red rectangles glinting in the sunshine, next to a picture-postcard pretty padi field. It’s a photo opportunity they can’t pass up.– The Malaysian Insider pic by Low Han Shaun, January 9, 2016.

A man in Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor, has taken the concept of homestay to another level by lodging guests in industrial containers instead of the usual traditional village home.

Homestay host Chu Chin Sin, 31, who was born and raised in the fishing village, came up with the idea one day while staring out into the padi fields.

"Kuala Selangor is known for its padi fields, besides its seafood. There is nothing else interesting here.

 "One day I had the thought, why not build something interesting to attract more people here?" he told The Malaysian Insider in an interview recently.

He next set out to order and modify the containers from Klang. It took Chu one and a half years to realise his dream and all of five months to move the containers back to Sekinchan

"I ordered 10 containers from Klang and then installed the fans, piping, wiring – the usual things you need in a home. I finished the job on May 29 and had them individually transported by a trailer here," he said.

The finished lodgings, which cost Chu about RM20,000 in all, even have a mini golf course and trampoline on the roof.

"It doesn't feel like a container. It has air conditioning and the view is stunning when the padi fields are green. I even installed a mini golf course and trampoline on top," he said.

Chu had wished to create something interesting to put Kuala Selangor on the map, but it needed to be within his budget and could be completed within a short timeframe.There is air conditioning and the view is stunning just before the harvest, when the padi fields are green. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Low Han Shaun, January 9, 2016.

"Containers, they're easy to handle. They're cheap, they're handy, you can stack them up or cut them in half and join them. Most importantly, they're environmentally friendly," he said.

He said he wanted to maintain the homestay as a zero technology zone, where his guests can focus on their relationships and not be glued to the screen.

"We are close to nature here. There is no WiFi, no television. Families or friends who come here will be spending time together, having fun. I want them to come here to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city," he said.

Chu said he had plans to add a few more containers and even a swimming pool out back and a 3D art museum.

"I would like to add six more containers, a swimming pool, and that building nearby, which was once used to collect bird nests, I'm converting it into a 3D art museum soon," he said.

Chu's homestay also has buggy services, bicycle rentals, a grill for barbeques and a mini market – all neatly tucked within trim compound where the containers are parked.There are few better places to hole up than a container homestay with a mini golf course on top. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Low Han Shaun, January 9, 2016.

Many driving past turn back to take a second look at the jutting red rectangles glinting in the sunshine, next to a picture-postcard pretty padi field. It’s a photo opportunity they just can’t pass up.

"If you come before they harvest the padi, you’ll see a lush green carpet spread out before you. It is very nice then," he said.

To find out more about Farm Ville Cafe & Homestay, call Chu at 017-206 8666.

- TMI