andrewtc
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My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/01/27 17:04
This journal on my Christmas Trip to Cameron Highland may be late, but I hope it will shed some valuable information based on my experience from a once in a many years trip to the highlands:
Penang to Cameron Highlands = 3 Days/2 Nights Trip = 25 to 27 Dec 2006
Persons: 3 Adults (Wife, Mother & Myself) & 2 Daughters (age 2 and 10)
25 Dec 2005, Sunday
- Depart from Penang Island 9.00am. Fair weather mixed with cloudy sky all the way due to tail-end monsoon season.
- Arrived Simpang Pulai Toll 10.50am. Exit toll turn right at traffic light on north-south old road heading Ipoh. About 500m away is the Simpang Pulai traffic light, turn right again to begin SP-Cameron journey.
- TIP: At the SP traffic light junction, if you wish to have a meal, look out for a tasty Hokkien Mee stall at RM2.00 per bowl, said to be crowded during lunch time. I did not stop as I was eager to continue my journey to CH.
- The start of journey will be greeted with limestone hills and quarries along the way. Not a pretty sight seeing the destruction. The ascend seems to start when we reach a major road diversion. After the roadwork, the road is very steep and curvy with road dividers separating on coming cars. Speed here is about 40 to 50kmh. After the steep climb, the initial speed limit is 60kmh due to sudden sharp corners. Then passing this stretch, the road will be wider and less widing. We saw a few orang asli and their shelters. As we went higher, the mountain scenery opens up as the road hugs along the mountain range. Magnificent views with the mist. I drove leisurely and as we reach the peak, the road flattens and flower and vegetable nurseries comes into view. These are the newer ones and located quite far apart from each other. New to cash in on the tourist trade. Go slow when you approach the downhill T-junction out in nowhere. Straight goes to Gua Musang. The road can get slippery when wet as I make a 90 degrees turn to the right for Kampung Pisang which is about 3km away.
- TIP: Buy Honey Corns at reasonable price at the first nursery & vegetable farm/stall (forgot the name) located on the right as you descend and enter Kampung Pisang valley. Vegetable farms all around can be seen. Honey Corns in Brinchang cost RM2 to 3/corn or RM10 for 3 or 5 depending on the size, quality and tourist season. We had the opportunity on the way back to buy from here at RM1/corn. The tag price was RM2/corn. Many who stopped are actually regulars as I found out and knew what to buy home. We bought 20 corns back, steamed and finished them in 2 days!
- As we passed Kampung Pisang, basically a vegetable growers town, the traffic built up very fast and became a crawl. Up ahead was Tringkap where traffic was bumper to bumper due to ‘Rose Valley’ (entrance fee required) situated on the hill along the main road. There’s only one main road and parking spaces limited. Vehicles are simply parked due to space and visitors are walking on the road competing with cars. The only main road is a single-lane both ways and quite not wide from Kampung Pisang to Kea Farm. During peak season, it all jammed up at tourist places. From Tringkap it was a very slow crawl as we passed may local produce stalls and the best I seen is Multicorp Market (good place to go, take pictures, buy most stuff and it’s free entrance). Passing here, we came to Heng Ee Bee Farm, Butterfly Centre, EQ Strawberry Farm, Equatorial Hotel, Kea Farm and etc.
- We did not stop along the way due to the crawl and reached Hotel Chua Jin in Brinchang at 1.00pm. Check-in at reception facing main road on the left. It’s a one way inner road in front of the hotel. This is the old town area. Parking is limited due to many cars. After check-in, we proceeded to our room at the new block at the back road which is considered the newer commercial area. It is at the corner unit above Golden Wing Restaurant. Looks like Chua Jin is expanding with renovations going on at the next shop lot too.
- TIP: Hotel and CH water can get murky sometimes and it is good idea to bring some bottles of clean water from home for boiling and drinking. We bought Spritzer Water at RM3.80/3.3 litre bottle at a provision shop near YooHoo. For best price on bottled water, we found out it is most reasonable at the ‘supermarket’ (indian family owned) located at the road opposite Chua Jin, main road. Things seems to be cheaper here. For Drinking Water it is RM1.50/1.5litre PET bottle.Spritzer Mineral Water is at RM2 to 2.50/1.5L. Teh Tarik Powder is cheaper at the supermarket than those sold at the Tea Outlet at the plantation. Tourist and local prices are different.
- Our room was located on the 2nd floor was reasonably clean. An Astro channel is available and it is controlled at the old block. At the kitchen and laundry area to be exact.
- TIP: Suggest to bring a multiple power plugs as the room has only 2 power outlet = for portable water boiler and 29 inch TV. The power point for water boiler was not working. So Chua Jin spared us a multi head plug which we had to share with the TV outlet. Bringing your own with extended cable is good if you need to charge your HP, rechargeable battery for Digital Camera, plug in a VCD/DVD portable player, etc.
- For lunch, we had Wantan Noodle and Pan Noodle at RM4 per bowl. Prices here are not quite standard at this price for a single meal but they are generous on the noodles and ingredients. You can eat fill your stomach with just one bowl.
- There was occasional rain now and then but it was bearable. I notice the road from Brinchang heading to Kea Farm/Tringkap route is always jammed. That area is where most of the attractions are including the way to Sg Pals Both Tea Plantation. It is also the way out to Simpang Pulai and the road is narrower. So after lunch instead of joining the crawl, it was logical to head in the other direction towards Tanah Rata. It’s the correct decision as there was less traffic, wider scenic roads and there is one or two short-cut on the left before the golf course. The road signboard to Taman Sedia. We went straight ahead and passed Merlin Hotel which is closed for renovation. It will be a good place to stay once it reopens. At the Olde Smokehouse we turned left heading also to Taman Sedia for the much heard of KHM Strawberry Farm. Is is a large white house on top of a hill slope and the farm is next to each. It not very big but the best Strawberry Jam (RM6/bottle) and Ice Cream (RM3 large) is here. Thinking it is cold it would be crazy to think of ice cream. Instead, as it turned out everyone had double orders. My wife bought many bottles of jam for friends and colleague. Dried strawberry was fresh and very sweet (sweetener added) at RM10 for 3 packs. Fresh strawberry and jam samples are available and we ate a lot of sample!
- After KHM we headed to Tanah Rata about 5 mins away. TIP: I saw my banks there namely Maybank and HSBC. Public Bank is located next to Rosa Pasadena Hotel at Brinching new commercial area.
- We saw T-Café above Merrybrown Restaurant. It is opposite the new Tanah Rata Bus Terminal which is yet to open. It’s a good place to park the car as the parking lots along the main road is usually full.
- We drove to Heritage Hotel and saw Father’s Lodge. Only the wheels did the walking. As it was about 4.00pm then, we headed to Cactus Valley (Adult RM4 & Child RM2) behing Brinchang town. TIP: Frankly, I could have saved that money as our visit on 27 Dec, Tuesday to Multicorp Market (Free Entrance) was much more exciting and with equally many things to see, enjoy, take pictures and have a good light meal at the indoor café.
- After Cactus Valley we returned to Chua Jin to rest, bath and refresh for dinner. As the children were tired, they had a good sleep and we had a late dinner.
- Dinner time 9.30pm at YooHoo was gas-burner type steamboat at RM12/adult. We find it reasonable and did not bargain as it was late. We opted just for 3 adults which the children ate from our portion which was sufficient for all. We were not able to make it to Highlands Steamboat (below Jasmine Hotel), as we were late and the workers was already clearing up for the night.
- After dinner, we walked to the night market (road opposite Brinchang Police Station direction of SP). There is a huge apartment block in front of the night market road. It’s a good place to stay for families if you book early. A lot of Singapore cars there. At the market there is a few notable items: Honey Strawberry (RM1/stick -3 strawberries on a satay stick dipped with honey), Strawberry Ice Cream (RM1/stick – it is like Potong Ice Cream in wrapper and totally different in quality & quantity from KHM which is milk-based), Dried Strawberry in PP plastic packing (RM10 for 5 packs), Honey Corn (RM10/3 to 5 corns depending on size/quality), Purple Cauliflower (higher priced than normal and the seller said colour is natural – I doubt it), Fried Mushroom at RM5/pack, Fried Sweet Yam Balls (it was the best tasting FSYB we have eaten and we bought them 2 nights in the row) etc, etc.
26 Dec, Monday
- Breakfast was at a corner coffeeshop near Rosa Pasadena. 3 bowls noodle and 3 hot drinks cost RM14. At the Brinchang local market, I bough some assorted kueh-mueh sold by a malay lady at a stall outside the market at RM1/3 pieces. I wanted to try Gerai Opah nasi lemak but the time was not to my favor and the kids had to have a nutritious meal.
- Today morning, we planned to go to Habu Boh Tea Plantation and lunch at T-Café for the famous scones and tea. Habu is downhill after Tanah Rata before Ringlet. We passed Bharat Tea Plantation before Habu. Habu Boh Tea used to be closed on Monday but due to peak season it was open to cater to tourist. The scenic trip in took about 15 mins. The limited parking space was packed with local and S’pore cars. The Café and Tea History Room/Video Show was opened but the factory inside was not operating. Usually there is an interval tea factory tour from processing up to tea packing stage. Boh Tea and Coffee packs are sold here at fixed price. At the side behind the factory, passing the superb clean toilet ‘house’, there is a trail up to the peak of the hill.
- It was here at Habu Tea Plantation I had the misfortune to scratch my new car with another parked car while maneuvering out at the steep parking behind the factory. TIP: I filled the just empty 3.3 liter PET bottle with the crystal clean toilet water for boiling later back at the hotel. We are all still OK!! It looks cleaner than the hotel water.
- After Habu we headed for T-Café in Tanah Rata for the much expected – scones, tea and lunch. We were truly disappointed as it was CLOSED FOR KITCHEN RENOVATION. Looking for parking was a problem and we found the best convenient place beside and inside the yet to be opened Bus Terminal opposite.
- In disappointment we headed back to Brinchang and had rice and cooked dishes at restaurant near to YooHoo which is also not far along the same row as Chua Jin main road. TIP: We did not go to Foong Lim (Fun Lam) and Kwan Kee Restaurant due to previous bad review found in the forum.
- After lunch, we headed in the direction of SP/Tringkap towards Multicorp Market, Kea Farm, Heng Ee Bee Farm, etc. Since we already visited Habu Boh Tea, we decided not to waste our time going to Sungai Palas Boh Tea off road along the same route. Rose Valley in Tringkap is similar to Cactus Valley, so we did not go that far. Once before many years ago is good enough.
- First stop was Multicorp Market. It is a must go and entrance is free. Very unique concept of marketing and a sure crowd puller.
- Our second stop was Heng Ee Bee Farm. To me there was nothing to see, except for honey for sale, some flying bees and very steep path down the hill to see what was expected to be bee houses. It would be tiring with my old mother so we left the place shortly after.
- We walked up to the roadside market near Heng Ee Bee Farm and bought some fresh vegetable. An old malay lady there wanting to clear her stock of Honey Corns as it was getting late sold to us at RM10 for 8 corns.
- We ended next at Equatorial Hotel which looked fully developed now with full facilities. We stayed at the 2 room apartment unit during its soft opening in1997 when the hotel block was yet to open. It was a special irresistible package offered by the credit card company.
- At the entrance to Equatorial Hotel is EQ Strawberry Farm. Self plucking with strict conditions. I think it was RM20 deposit with self plucking of having to pluck minimum RM20 at RM40/kg. It is not possible to eat some ‘sample’ while plucking (like free sample at KHM but no self plucking). At EQ, a worker will follow you in while you pluck. The farm is fenced up and sheltered.
TIP: Actually, majority of the attractions in Cameron are sheltered with transluscent geo-menbrance UV resistance plastic sheeting. So worrying about rain dampening your trip during the monsoon season is half solved. For those intending to walk and walk without transport, hats and suntan lotion is highly recommended to avoid sunburn. Umbrella can be a necessity but a nuisance. In the afternoon ,when the sky is clear of clouds, the sunlight can be very biting on the bare skin. I guess it is because the clear crisp mountain air is less polluted and the sun is closer up there.
- Then we headed next to Kea Farm further up. The road in along the stalls leads to Kea vegetable farms located in a valley. The land here used to the very fertile but from what I saw it doesn’t look like that anymore possibly due to over cultivation or pollution. Equatorial is sitting on the top of the slope overlooking Kea vegetable farms. Maybe the discharge from the apartments built on the slope is polluting the once fertile land.
- TIP: Drive in to the other end of Kea Farm Market stalls and drop your passengers. Then take a drive out and park by the main road. This way, the passengers (especially the elderly and children) don’t have to walk in along the stalls for about 150m and walk out again after visiting the many stalls selling fresh vegetables, souvenirs, local produce, etc.
- Dinner time was special. We had boiled vegetable, soup noodles and some food stuff bought from the night market at the hotel room as the kids were tired and it was time for a good rest after a day of sightseeing. It is worth mentioning that opposite Chua Jin new block is a Tom Yam & Ikan Bakar restaurant opened for dinner and operates past midnight. We had the terrible experience of hearing the noisy dinner and supper time patrons especially on this night. The noise was constant laughing and talking aloud. So keep the windows tightly closed for a bearable nights sleep.
27 Dec, Tuesday
- It’s our final day at Cameron. We had late breakfast at close to 11am after packing and preparing to check out later at 12 noon. We had fried noodles sold at a local and western food restaurant end of the same row as Chua Jin main road. Again a plate with a huge serving cost RM4/plate. We ordered 2 plates to share, while my daughter had western food. It is surprising that opening time is flexible. When we were finishing our meal, they turn away unknowning customers and were already preparing to close. It seems it was open only for half a day.
- At the ‘supermarket’ we bought Boh Tiger Brand Tea Tarik Dust at RM9.80/1 kg pack.
- We checked out from Chua Jin at 12.30pm and headed for a final stop ever at KHM for a last fling of strawberry ice cream and bought more jams! and T-Café again.
- We arrived T-Café entrance at 1.50pm. Again excitement turned to pure disappointment as a sign says SOLD OUT and the gate was closed. As we walked away, we met the owner, a Penang originated mid-aged handsome gentleman buying back a few loaves of Gardenia bread. I guess it is for the SOLD OUT customers waiting for their western food upstairs? He told us he was very sorry and could not cope so he had to turn away customers and close early. Our pleading fell on deaf ears. I could understand his situation but what about ours?
- Frustrated I went to HSBC to withdraw some cash and contemplate our venue for lunch. Initially, my wife and daughter entered Hong Kong Restaurant and sat down. It looks empty and to get business, there were 2 girls standing at the entrance with menus ushering for potential customers. Then I walked back in the direction of T-Cafe and decided to change the venue to a Chinese restaurant which tables were almost full. It was a good decision as the food was good and price very reasonable. After lunch as we walked past T-Café at 3pm, I found the sign missing and the gate opened. We took the opportunity to go up and to cut our story short, we waited for 3 scones being freshly baked and hot tea. Sadly, eating the scones did not excite me and it tasted normal like just another type of cookie but taken with butter and cream. The scone is soft on the inside. And the tea was very bland using a dipped Boh Tea bag. I enjoyed better tea with mamak teh tarik or coffeeshop tea. Anyway it was a good experience and regrettably, I doubt T-Café will be on my list next time. I think the atmosphere and taste suit foreigners more than locals.
- We left Tanah Rata at about 4.00pm for our journey home. The road on this day was easy driving being a working weekday in a school holiday. At Kampung Pisang we bought Honey Corns at RM1/corn (tag price was RM2/corn) at our last stop, as mentioned at the start of the journal. Going down seems to be faster and cars behind me were eager to overtake. I wouldn’t speed, as all my passengers were already napping…………… Dinner at 9.00pm at Penang Island.
- End of Journal.
Post edited by: chief, at: 2006/04/07 20:39
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andrewtc
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Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/01/27 17:31
Corrections:
1) On the initial dates, the year should read 2005 instead of 2006.
2) Multicorp visit is on 26 Dec instead of 27 Dec, in case you may read my conflicting dates in the journal.
3) Grammartical and typo errors very much regretted.
Happy Reading!!
Regards/Andrew Chua
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andrewtc
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Re:Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/01/27 18:02
Just found the receipt/writing on food price info at Tanah Rata:
1) May Flower Restaurant: 3 Cooked Dishes, Rice and Plain Hot Water = Cost 25.20 (included 5% Tax)
2) T-Cafe: 3 Scones, 1 French Fries (RM3.50) and 1 Hot Tea = Cost RM12.10
Andrew
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andrewtc
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Re:Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/02/03 17:49
Another interesting note about Brinchang which I could not forget. For the duration of my stay, amazingly I kept seeing one and the same TRAFFIC POLICEMAN IN WHITE from day one. He was almost everywhere but at different times of the day. He was seen performing his patriotic duty directing traffic and not a penchant for issuing summonses even when cars are parked haphazardly everywhere. Tourist really felt welcomed and not intimidated. He was a fine Punjabi gentleman with a turban, wearing dark Tom Cruise sunglasses. A salute to him.
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andrewtc
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Re:Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/02/08 15:11
Chua Jin Hotel which room I stayed has only a 21 inch colour TV. Not 29 inch as mentioned. That was something else......
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andrewtc
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Re:Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/02/21 14:19
I made an impromptu trip to CH on 16 Feb 9.00pm from Spg Pulai and left for Ipoh early 17 Feb morning. It was just a crazy spontaneous decision to drive that extra hour up to CH, as I was coming from Teluk Intan, and stayed the night there instead of Ipoh for business.
Some updates:
1)The major road diversion before the ascend is almost completed as that stretch of road has been straightened and open to traffic.
2) Thinking that I could get an extra low rate for late check-in and early morning check-out as it was low season proof futile. No doubt the were quoting at promo rate, almost half of rack rate, the rates were still high at above RM100. The hotels I checked: Rosa Pasadena (RM128 nett incl 2 BF), Casa Del Rosa (about RM199), Strawberry Park, Century Pine and Heritage. All were rather quite and the night reception could only refer to fixed promo rate.
3) At 9.00pm I took slightly over an hour to reach Brinchang. Traffic both ways was almost zero and the air very cool.
4) I therefore ended up back in Brinchang at Hotel Chua Jin at 11.30pm and paid RM50 nett for a 5-pax bedroom at the old block top floor. The 4th floor looks like a converted roof floor for the extra rooms and it is half cement and plywood walls so it is not noise proof. I met a man who paid RM35 for a room with bathroom/toilet sharing outside. Luckily mine was special as I could lock the extra bathroom/toilet door for access to my room only. The fitting may be abit old as the power plug does not work. TV is wire from an external extension line from a sharing plug outside the corridor. Hot water is gas burner controlled for bathroom and once used may have to wait 15 min to heat up again. Drinking water is just an old thermo flask. Bedding was clean and comfortable. Nothing fancy. Remind to bring a multiple plug for various electrical devices.
5) For breakfast, I intended to head to Gerai Opah famous Nasi Lemak in Tanah Rata but ended up at some food stalls opposite Kavy Hotel. I picked the centre stall that had 2 menu boards displayed. The nasi lemak was delicious. Hot santan rice, tasty sambal, fried egg and some long beans vegetable served on plastic banana plate at only RM2/. Drinks are probably standard priced at RM1.20 for tea, coffee or horlicks. I told the malay lady earlier, I was looking for Gerai Opah and she told me it was at the other end of town and that somebody else had taken over the stall, indicating that it was not the same original Gerai Opah nasi lemak any longer.
6) On the way out of CH, traffic was almost zero. Only a stage bus, some cars, a few CH pick up trucks was all I encountered. On exiting I went to the same place to look for the corns I bought in December. The stall signboard is "NO. 18". It has a vegetable farm behind, a cactus display in the centre rear and nursery at the front left. The vegetable, corns and some souvenirs are on the front right. It was one of the few that had opened early for business as I was the only customer that morning. In Dec 05, it was displayed RM2 for a corn. Now it is RM10 for 6 corns. Anyway I got them without any hassle at the same price I first bought, RM1 per corn and bought a plastic bag full for my family back home. Yummy and juicy they are.
7) Left Tanah Rata at 8.45am, stopover at Kpg Raja and arrived Spg Pulai at 10.25am.
8) Again, traffic downhill was almost zero. Almost reaching the bottom, I saw a Waja police patrol car stopped by the road checking a box truck coming up hill. Even when you may think traffic is very little and it is not the touristy season, police are present on this quite road (especially in the morning).
End
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andrewtc
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Re:Corrections: My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/04/18 19:45
Hail the Chief for correction to my subject year. Thanks again.
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Ivy
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Re:My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/04/19 19:00
Dear andrewtc,
Was the road leading up to CH from simpang pulai way winding like the old road fr Tapah way? My elderly mother gets bad car sickness from the old winding road way up to CH from Tapah.Your journal about your CH trip is so useful and informative that I have printed out a copy to refer when I make the trip in September.Thank you for sharing the information, it's better than the lonely planet book!
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andrewtc
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Re:My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2006/04/20 15:37
Ivy
Yes, Simpang Pulai route is much less winding. SP route also takes you straight to the top end if you look at a map of CH. You will reach Kampung Raja, Tringkap, Brinchang and Tanah Rata followed by Ringlet. Ringlet will be the first town to reach if you start from Tapah. The travelling time is also much shorter to Brinchang and you need not stop halfway to rest and take a breather unlike the Tapah route. You will also get better panoramic views of the mountain range ahead. Equatorial Hotel is in Kea Farm just before Brinchang town from Simpang Pulai route. The recent landslide occurred further up halfway before reaching the top. You should check for any road closures before you depart even if from Tapah route. It is better to travel at daylight as traffic will be extremely low during nightfall and there are no handphone network coverage along this virgin jungle route until you reach the plateau at the top. Will you be driving and how many pax ?? Regards.
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andrewtc
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Re:My X'mas Dec 2005 Trip - 2007/04/23 14:05
It's good to be back.
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