toofmek
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CH years ago - 2005/11/11 17:41
I am not a CH resident. My first visit was in 1975 on a school trip in mid Dec. I remembered that it was freezing cold on the bus up due to the wind (we don't have Ac then  )in the afternoon. Reaching at 5pm we were so cold that we had to run on the spot despite wearing Jackets(Being a skinny at 108lb at 5ft6 in jeans didn't help). We even had to run to our lodging in Brinchang. I don't think anayone took a bath that night, and we were freezing despite sleeping 6 to a bed. I remembered the residents all had rosy cheeks. (Thats how they tell the tourists from the residents then....You know, one price for locals and the other for outsiders)
We only stayed one night as there was not much to see, except to experience the free outdoor AC.
The only things to buy then was oranges9Were they sour then!!!} and flowers and dried flower buds
My second trip was in 1987 in August with my wife. we drove up along the old road from Tapah. I, the driver almost got myself carsick.Luckily, the obligatory pit stop at the waterfall prevented that. The stalls had expanded then with the shoploy near the waterfall. The weather was pleasantly cool there.
We took a second pit stop at the lake. The water was green then with few ramshakle stalls. The view was pretty then. A green lake with a green field beside it. The weather was was slightly cooler, but definitley warmer than during the 70s(being better padded with my wife's cooking may be the factor).The drive further up becomes cooler. There was a small stall beside the Bharat tea plantation run by an Indian man who served the most fragrant fresh tea with milk in plastic cups for 70sen.
There was a lot of construction going on between T.Rata and Brinchang.We checked in one of those hotels above a sundry shop for Rm20 due to budget constrains. Definitely not recommended for Honeymooners and those with young children. The walls were of a single sheet of plywood which does not reach the ceiling. The baby crying next door all thru the night and what looked suspiciously like dried snot on the blanket kept us up.
We checked into Kowloon Hotel which was undergoing expansion. It was very clean and comfy for Rm40. we slept thru the second nigh tand awoke to our wakeup call the next morning, by a pile driver behind the hotel.....no loss there...always wanted to try there, alarm clocks dont work for me no more.Anyway, they were decent enough not to work evenings.
We had breakfasts at a coffee shop along the same row as the hotel which served surprisingly good char siew mien at reasonable prices.Less rosy cheeked people around on account of the warmer weather, so they find it difficult to see who is local and who is not, so what the heck they charged everyone the same, and everybody is happy...I think.Maybe the large number of outside construction workers is also a factor
The farms then grow their crop right onto the road shoulders. I remebered contemplating on raiding the humongouly huge radishes they grew on the road shoulder where the entrance of Eq Resort is not, and no one to jaga.......but we didnt, I swear.
The experimental chillies were so big (14 inches long) that they weighed down the bushes they were on. Strawberries were available only at the only strawberry farm above Merlin and cost their weight in gold.
I remember we were in the Merlin's Bar in front of a cozy roaring fire when 3 young locals just barged in shivering and warmed their hands there, and then turned around and planted their behinds in front of the fire. they left after being warmed. It was that cold.
In Sept. 1998 , this time with 2 young ones and the in laws in tow, we stayed at a bungalow rented by a friend. it was nice and we get some mist there in the morning, but overall, the weather was not as cold,(The extra padding afforded by my wife's cooking may be the culprit). the radishes by the roadside have disappeared, being turn into a walkway to Equatorial resort. Strawberries were common, though still not cheap, and other stuff like fried potatoe balls and chempedak were making their appearance. The Stalls at the Kea farm has expanded. My wife had a ball at the stalls leaving me in charge of the kids, so I bought them ice-creams (it was that warm).
On the way down we stopped at the lake, the waters of which looked like teh tarik.We still managed to have some fun flying kites there.
Further down, my wife managed to persuade some oran asli to part with 3 big bunches (about 300 strands) of petai for Rm30.I in the car but my mum in law was with her. I think they wore down the poor chap, and manged to persuade him that he was dead tired and might as well go home.
You can guess that my house toilets smell like some poison gas manufacturing lab for the next few weeks
Since 2001, we were there every year, and I have noticed that the weather is only balmy in the mornings and evenings, quite hot midday, and cool at night. CH is still my fav holiday destination, more so with the new SP road.But my preteen kids do not share my view, but then kids nowadays think nothing is cool without a game control in their hands(personal opinion-kids don't get mad
Sorry that I had been rambling, but then this a synopsis of my visits to CH over the past 3 decades.
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tony
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/11 17:54
Hi,
I will be heading up there with my family this coming December for my "annual pilgrimage" to CH. I have been going up there since my 1st visit in 1999. Sure wished I went up earlier when the weather was so much cooler then. That is why I head up there at year end nowadays. May is not a good time as it is when they have their annual fertilizing activities which attracts flies. Can't wait to get out of Klang valley. 
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Qss
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/12 16:49
Know what? When I was in Cameron Highland this Hari Raya holidays, I had sunburnt on the back of my neck and forehead. And that was just from going to the Kea Garden market on 6 Nov morning!!
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bijin
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/15 11:28
I'm oso experienced that sunburnt on my face while i'm walking down from Brinchang to Tanah Rata..
Sunburnt.. is what i never expected will happen in CH.. 
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Lew Chieh Chee
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/15 13:05
Toofmek,
What an experience you having there, I been there since 1993, and from the time, I return atleast once a years, I noticed physical changes more then weather, maybe the weather is the way it's to be since then...the first time I heard about Cameron Highlands was when my brother went there some years ago... think is 1993, from the time in my mind Cameron like some place very far away to European country as I never heard the name, my brother got buy some dried flower and some butterfly, scorpion souvenir..and my first time there was invited by my friends which her father was working for Pejabat Pertanian at Brinchang. Mr. Chiang. I remember back in 1993, their backyard was a farm and we pluck the fresh Strawberry for free, and at night we start up a camp fire with barbecue behind the Pejabat Pertanian, it was the happiest time I had...and since then I return every year, mostly I travered alone, with bike, car or bus...just need to be there each December... to refresh my good memory for Cameron..can see from then, Building been rushed up and changes like for every month...still it's my favorite...hope that it'll not be another sad story to tell after 30 years from now as like for Toofmek...all the best for Cameron Highlands.
Lew
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Lew Chieh Chee
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/15 13:07
Sorry the time my brother was there is 1983..for the record
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SinChee
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Second Home
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Re:CH years ago - 2005/11/15 14:03
I believe you can get sunburnt any where, as along as you're exposed to the sun ray. I don't think because it is cooler you get less of it.
Unlike now, back then, CH have a bit more trees to provide the natural shelter. Thus, less exposure of the sun.
Rgds
SinChee
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sweetlinki
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Hainanese Chicken Rice - 2005/11/15 15:27
Are you guys very sure that the best Hainanese Chicken is found in Ipoh and not in Cameron?
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chiehchee
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Re:Hainanese Chicken Rice - 2005/11/21 13:19
Sweetlinki,
Why? you found it some where in Cameron Highlands, Tanaha Rata? the one with mamak restaurant? tell us then...
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Jay Lee
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Re:Hainanese Chicken Rice - 2005/12/05 14:02
Don't ask me why but I've had the wonderful opportunity to live there for a short period way back in the mid 70's. CH was serene, no hustle bustle, everyone knew each other more or less, a handful of westerners living there, even remembered Sister Anna of SRK Convent Tanah Rata, a French nun.
Am just sad to see the serenety and cosy nature of CH disappear slowly due to messy over development, unappealing landscape changes and expanding population. The friends I knew have all but almost disappeared as time and life goes on.
CH has a forgotten colonial history when the British were our masters. I've found on the internet, various pictures depicting life in the 50's and 60's. Thanks to the internet that these valuable historical pictures (note they are personal and copyrighted) see the light of day.
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montana
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Re:CH years ago - 2006/01/23 12:40
In 1975 as a kid, it was cold. stayed in tanah rata and there was thick mist in the late afternoon! Always looked forward to afternoon tea with scones then. Thick jungles.
1997. Stayed Heritage Hotel. Nice and cool surroundings. Lots of insects.
2001, freak weather. Rained hard and temperatures plummet to 15-16C in the night. Noticed barren slopes
2002, Can feel the ambient temperature has gone up. Noon time around 28C just like the lowlands except with that occasional weak cool breeze.
More barren slopes for housing. New schools at the corner of the main road just after Brinchang town.
Lots of flies. Now is that due to the fertilisers or the heat?
Not sure like to come up here anymore. just too warm and too crowded now.
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Lin
Visitor
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Re:CH years ago - 2006/06/06 19:24
Toofmek,
Whoa... that was some memories. The last time I was there was 1991 and this time round, I am going back with hubby and 2 young kids. Looking forward to the nature walks, plucking strawberries (is possible)and tea plantation. Don't get that in Singapore. My only headache now is accomodation cos still can't confirm which hotel to go for (confused by too many different hotel reviews). Most likely to stay at Equatorial. Any comments?
Thanks
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Ryan Lee
Visitor
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Re:CH years ago - 2006/12/20 21:31
It's still cool in cameron.
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chiehchee
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Re:CH years ago - 2006/12/21 14:39
Hi LIn,
Stay at Brinchang for the passed 04/05 Christmas, try Equatorial Christmas Special Buffet, sure you'll love it.
Jay,
My brother went there some 30 years ago, and I see the differences from the picture shown...you got any 60/70's photo to show us? will be happy to share your experience....
Sincerely,
Lew
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