| Chiefs Blog - Growing up in the highlands |
|
Although I have been working and living in KL for the last 10 years, I can never get used to living in the city. Whenever people ask me where I’m from, I proudly say “Cameron Highlands” and await the “Wow” response. Most people would only have a few friends (if any) from Cameron Highlands and when they do name someone, I would probably say “Ohh.. I know that person….his his father works here and he drives a so and so…. and they live in the house beside …..” This never stops to amaze them. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone. Even though we don’t know each other personally, we would recognize each other almost instantly.
I consider myself very lucky growing up in Cameron Highlands or more specifically Tanah Rata. It was the ideal place to grow up as we had fresh air, friendly people and most importantly the freedom to roam around unrestricted. There were no gates, no fences… just wide open space. After school every day, the kids from the surrounding area would gather and do what kids do best… play till the sun goes down! Almost everyone in Tanah Rata lives within a 1 km radius from town where news travel faster than the time it takes you to walk from one end of town to the other.
Although Cameron Highlands was considered as a place in the middle of nowhere back then, we were not isolated from the rest of the civilized world. Most of us who grew up here had a good command in English thanks to the British who were here during the war (way before my time). The Convent school which is a remnant of the colonial past was run by the nuns back then and almost everyone in Tanah Rata studied here. Televisions kept us connected with the rest of the world and although we only had 2 channels which starts at 5pm and ends at 11pm, that was the only entertainment for us as there was nothing much to do after the sun goes down. The towns would practically be deserted after 8pm and you could hardly hear anything but the sounds of insects.
That was then....
In the past 20 years, the destruction of the highlands has been in high gear. Over-development, pollution, water shortage and soil erosion are just some of the threats the highlands is facing right now. I wonder how long this will continue before the relevant authorities realize whats happening.
- Chief Comments
(6)
It is just pity that the weather is getting warmer, rain season is going hay wire. Too many transport vehicles. Too many tourists. Traffic jam. If you say that Cameron Highlands is having serious traffic jam in the 70's, people will laugh until stomachache. Many things have changed. I can feel that even the orang asli around Cameron Highlands don't like these changes. The vegetables are so expensive nowadays. Landslides and illegal clearing of land is getting from bad to worse. And the water supply become worse than before. Recently, there was even a phony guave-apple hybrid fruit scam happened in Cameron Highlands. Cameron Highlands never have this kind of agriculture product scam before this incident. Well, I think we just have to accept the reality.
Cameron Highland used to my my favourite place to relax.
I've been during the early 80's. Used to say at the Town House Hotel and Merlin Inn. But now adays everything have changed. Development at Brinchang is so fast.Even got trafic jam especially during public holidays.Hotel rate goes up. Just immagined a budget hotel cas cost RM195.00 per room during Public holiday. The new Merlin Hotel cost around RM1,000.00 per night. Must be crazy ! very expensive.
Have been back a year after my last visit, opted to stay put at Tanah Rata (Cameronian Inn) instead of Brinchang on both occasions. Really enjoy the laid back feel of living in a town like Tanah Rata. Weather is cooling, don't get such fresh air in Singapore. Enjoy long leisurely walks as well, from one end of town to the other. Shops along the main street remains by and large the few. Really hope to be back in the near future =)
Ya, Cameron Highland is the first choice for vacation for me and my husband to be. We enjoy the nice climate there. Really relaxing and enjoy there. We even agree to have our honey moon after get married. Ya!!!! We are going to get married on 22.12.2007........
If I have extra cash to spend or if I need a break from work, Cameron Highlands will be and always be number 1 in my list. It is a lovely and great place to stay with your loved ones. We (my hubby & I) really enjoy Cameron highlands so much and it is reflected when we make decision to buy timeshare with Leisure Holidays just because they own a resort there in Tanah Rata. For this year only I have been there for about 6 times already and there is no single time I regretted in spending my free time there (even though during public/school holidays where there is massive traffic jam). I love to stay in an apartment as I have the freedom to cook for my family (I have 2 kids). I loved to cook all those fresh vegetables when I am in Cameron (I seldom cook in my daily life as I am a working mother) and my family loved it. Actually we did not go out very much and seldom visit all those attraction places in Cameron as our main intention there is to relax and spend quality time with family while enjoying the fresh air with cool whether. Only in the evening we will go out, sometimes to playground (in front of Century Pines Resort) and in the morning we will make sure we will have our breakfast outside, in Tea Café. It is a good place to have a cup of ‘teh tarik’ and scones (even though it is quite expensive) while enjoying beautiful scenery.
I am in love with Cameron Highlands..yes I am.. 
I spent a couple years in Tanah Rata back in the '60s when an American missionary school (Dalat) (relocated from Vietnam) was located there at the Eastern Hotel. Mr. Chua was the hotel owner. Lot's of memories. I remember the winding road, the town, the football field, volleyball tournaments, the nice cool weather, the path to the falls, the Boh Tea plantation, the friendly people and looking for Jim Thompson when he was lost. I haven't been back but would really enjoy a return trip to the Cameron Highlands.
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
