Memorable gathering

By V. Sivaji

It was down memory lane for some 140 staff members of the former Royal Casuarina Hotel which is the Impiana Hotel in Ipoh nowadays.

They got together to catch up with colleagues and friends who had moved on to other professions.

Some had also retired as the group ranged from employees way back to 1985.

Sounds of laughter and cheer were heard as many of them had not seen each other for so long.

They used to work together at the iconic hotel in the sales department, finance, front office public relations, management, food and beverage , security, engineering and housekeeping departments.

Syed Fazni (left) with Zulkarnian

Back in the days, the Royal Casuarina was “the hotel” in town with most of the corporate  government and private sector events being held there.

The busy hotel was buzzing with activity and vibrancy as there were also live bands at the Ascott Lounge and a disco (Palm Groove) which was popular with guests.

Many times, party-goers from Penang and Kuala Lumpur descend on Ipoh to check out the nightspot..

Among the organisers for the Hari Raya gathering were Zulkarnian Zaharuddin, Norlian Zaid and Azri Hashim.