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Cameron Highlands 2004
"Hello Cameron!"
Set out from Butterworth in our car at 8 am and had a short break at one of the highway rest stops.
Non-stop driving till we reached Simpang Pulai, the newly opened route to Cameron Highlands. From the highway, turn right and drive a bit further to a traffic light where you immediately turned right.
After the junction, the road just goes on, like it leads to nowhere. Made us quite nervous and we stopped for directions. Yup, we were on the right route.
An easy drive like the road to Genting. Saw huts along the way, either the orang asli's or settlers. Also saw a few orang asli walking along the road but not selling anything.
At places where the hill water flows out, people stopped to collect water in large containers. Perhaps they lived nearby.
It wasn't as cool as we hoped and there was a lot of carbon monxide in the air with the constant flow of traffic, mostly visitors coming down from Cameron or commercial vehicles.
The new route leads to places like Blue Valley, Kampung Raja first before reaching Brincang. There were many farms, perhaps too many beside the road and spoiled the look of the place. The road side stalls made it look untidy too.
Reached Brincang about 40 mins after we began from Simpang Pulai, definitely a big shave off the travelling time on the old road.
Brincang town was practically filled with hotels. Lots of traffic as it was the school holiday but being mid-week, it was still alright.
We continued to Tanah Rata, our destination. Phoned our guest house, Cameronian Inn, for directions and found it easily enough, just 5 mins walk from town.
After lunch, drove to Brincang. Stopped at Healthy Strawberry Farm. Actually a kiosk where they sell very good strawberry ice, strawberry jam, fresh strawberries which you can have with cream and potted plants.
Visited the market square before making our way back to Tanah Rata. Just in time as it rained. Rained right on the dot at 3 pm on both days we were there.
Dinner at an untidy Chinese restaurant (two doors away from Hong Kong Restaurant) but the fried noodles were good. Overall, we found food at Cameron quite expensive but you get better value and a better choice at Tanah Rata than Brincang.
After dinner, strolled along the main street to shop for a guided tour. The Rafflesia was blooming! But the guided tour was too expensive, RM150 per person.
In the end, Rani at Cameronian Inn helped us book a half day tour in a 4WD to take us around, RM40 each.
Freezing weather at night.
"Mossy forest etc"
Next morning, the guide, a nice young man called Alvin came at 9 am sharp.
First stop at Butterfly farm. Then an
exhillarating drive up and through Sungai Palas estate to the Telekom tower which is at the highest point of the Brincang Hill. Passed quite a number of hikers, mainly foreigners.
Lovely view from the top. On the way down, visited the mossy forest.
Next was the Boh tea factory with its lovely smell of tea. A very short guided tour and we stopped at the tea house for sandwiches (good), nasi lemak and fruit infusion tea on the hill terrace. Poor service due to the lack of workers.
Since we had time to spare, Alvin stopped at Kea Bee farm. Nothing special and we didn't buy any honey either since there are plenty on sale back home. End of tour.
Checked out of guest house early and stopped at Cactus Valley before departing. Cost RM4 per adult to enter. Many plants to see, including apple trees with fruits on it. Good for photos.
