Peter Holzer (71) has always been cosmopolitan and eager to travel. Shortly after recruiting school, he said goodbye to Switzerland for the first time and lived in Australia for four years. There he met his current wife Gin in 1971.
The couple got married in Papua New Guinea, where Holzer worked in a planning office. In 1974 they moved back to Switzerland and built up a living in the flower trade. “We imported cut flowers that were processed into bouquets and arrangements, and supplied department store chains, wholesalers and around 400 flower shops,” says the Blick reader.
The couple worked successfully all over Europe from Switzerland for 26 years and raised their two children here.
A new beginning after a difficult time
A severe blow in the family changed everything. When the couple’s adult son died in late 2000, they sold their business and villa and moved to Gin’s homeland, Singapore, and later to Kuala Lumpur for two years.
The couple has been living on Langkawi, an archipelago with 99 islands in Malaysia, near the Thai border in the southern Andam Sea, for thirteen years. “The death of our son was a difficult time for us and we had to somehow get over this loss,” says Gin Holzer.
“Back to the roots”, a simple life, to recharge your batteries and, above all, rest, is what the couple wanted. They found that on Langkawi. “We lived here for eight years alone in a simple 100-year-old Kampong teak house with a unique view of the sea on the mountain in Langkawi, and we called the place“ Orchid Hill ”.
“We didn’t work for years. We first had to get over what had happened and process it, ”says Peter Holzer. Over the years he has rebuilt the old house on the mountain with a lot of effort and attention to detail and so distracted and occupied himself. «In spite of everything, we felt too young to simply do nothing anymore. I don’t like sitting in front of a beer all day, »says the businessman.
New houses made of old wood
In addition, many Swiss visitors were enthusiastic about Holzer’s converted house, which has also served as a film set several times, and also wanted such a dream home. “Since then we have been looking for old teakwood houses in Java Indonesia and bought them from the owners.” Every piece of wood is renovated, numbered, customs cleared and shipped in containers to Langkawi to be rebuilt there.
So over the years 20 so-called Limasan and Joglo houses came together in two villages on Langkawi, which the Swiss had built. «People from Switzerland, Germany, England, Australia and Singapore live here. Everyone is enthusiastic about these heritage houses, which are made of wood up to 180 years old from the Lawu Mountains or from the oldest council house from the Merapi volcanic crater near Yogyakarta. ” If the owners are not there, the dream villas are rented out to tourists, government officials or celebrities.
Swiss station clock as a souvenir in the house
Holzer has lived with his wife in one of his typical houses in Kampong Paya Mempelam for years. You have two guest houses, a pool with pool bar and garden, as well as a wonderful view over the rice fields.
The famous Cenang Beach is only around 800 meters away. The interior of Holzer’s “Royal Orchid” is modern and of high quality, combined with teak wood and carvings typical of Indonesia and with a half-open bathroom.
In the living room there is a station clock from Switzerland – a memento of the former homeland. The 100-year-old carved wooden wall to the bedroom, which was once part of a grocery store, is magnificent. “It took us almost three months to remove the paint that had been painted over several times and to rework the original wood.”
In the house and garden, the couple is supported by five long-term employees. “We couldn’t manage all of this on our own without support,” says Gin.
Multicultural and low cost of living
From the construction planning to the execution with many local craftsmen, Peter Holzer is involved in all house construction and, with his wife, also takes over the sale and rental of the houses. “We pay decent wages and train the workers. Many of them have been with us for years, ”he explains.
Despite their work, the sporty couple can still find enough time for long bike rides, sailing, dining out or meeting friends. “We haven’t had to earn money for a long time, and the cost of living here is around four times lower than in Switzerland. With 3000 francs a month, you live like a prince here. “
The Swiss also raves about the friendly locals, the diverse Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultural influences, as well as the high standard of living and the good health system.
Last house under construction for retirement
Every year the couple is in Switzerland for several weeks or months and visits their grown-up daughter and four grandchildren, Peter Holzer’s mother and siblings and friends. Because of the pandemic, this has not been possible for the past two years.
“In addition to our visits, we always like to ski in Switzerland. We also have mountains in Langkawi, but no snow, ”says the Swiss. The couple is much more comfortable with the tropical climate than with cold Switzerland. “Even if it is the rainy season, as it is now, it is raining significantly warmer than in Switzerland”
What the couple lacks, besides their daughter and grandchildren in Langkawi, are cervelat and Swiss cheese. “But family and friends from Switzerland always bring that with us!”
Returning to Switzerland is not an issue for the Holzers. You have made provisions for old age. Once again they build a villa on Langkawi with a dream view over the sea, with a pool and garden, where there is enough space for the domestic staff. Then the Swiss couple slowly wants to take care of the successor to the successful company and enjoy their retirement.