Justean
Visitor
|
Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/14 16:28
Hi all,
Recently, I made my maiden trip to CH. Of all the days, I chose the CNY/Maal Hijrah 5-day holiday. Frankly speaking, it wasnt planned that way. Initially, I just want to stay at home during this holiday but the wife want to balik kampung and her's is quite, quite far from here (KL). So, to "pujuk" I decided to take her and our baby to somewhere nice (read: nearby). Initially, I chose Fraser's Hill but being a super peak season all the hotels/resorts/chalets/inns etc were fully booked. Darn!!
Then I saw this nice ad in the newspaper about the newly opened "inland beach resort" in PD. Priced at RM188 for two which include b/fast and dinner. I thought it was a good deal. So, I called up to book and managed to get a room. Unfortunately, when I told my wife she was against it. Ok, ok, my mistake, I should have known.It the wake of recent Tsunami disaster who could blamed her.
So, cancelled that trip.
So, we thought... since we still want to go ahead with our holiday plan where else can we go. CH came up... actually the place has came up in my book many, many times but due to a few problems -- i.e too far and have to climb a long winding roads -- I've not given it much consideration. At least not till now.
So, decided to do online search. As it is now Tuesday (Feb 8) i did not give it much hope in securing any rooms. Found this website and really, really thankful of the hotels' contact numbers that it provided. Called up almost all hotels in the list but as I mentioned earlier ... no hope.... all fully booked so couldnt secure any room.
ALmost given up hope. Till I called up the Cameronian Valley Inn. The Indon lady who answered the phone was quite accomodating. She told me that the inn does not offer any advanced booking only "first come first serve" basis.
What a luck!
Ok... still a risk but at least now we have a chance of getting a room.
So, on Thurday morning around 9am we started our journey to CH.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/14 16:36
9am
Started our journey from KL. Took the PLUS hiway. Since I havent had any breakfast decided to stop at Rawang R&R. Unfortunately, too many people, I could not get two seats. So we ended up tapau the food and decided to continue with the journey.
WHile, driving my wife decided to spoon the food to my mouth..so that we can still continue our journey (and I can fully concentrated on the road) Romantic eh 
Want to make stops at other R&R unfortunately even the smaller R&R was packed with people taking breaks from their long journey.
SO we decided to continue...
About 1050am we reached Tapah toll booth and exited.
The sign says to turn left if you want to go to CH or turn right to the town.
We turned left.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/14 16:45
11am
The journey upwards was quite uneventful. Mainly, because this time around I decided to follow the flow, not rushing and just enjoy the scenary. After all, Im goin there for a holiday.
Saw a lot of orang asli stalls -- selling quite a few exotic and err, weird stuff. Didnt stop coz decided to stop only on the way down later.
Also saw lots of stray dogs and orang asli houses.
The scenary was quite nice and the further you go up the more cooler it became.
Passed a waterfall about half the journey. Cant remember what it called. Lots of cars parked at the road shoulders so the traffic was down to a crawl.
During the climb some motorists were bit of impatient so you know, they will attempt to overtake you... luckily most managed to do so without any incidents.
The driving locked to about 40-60kmph. So based on this time we would be arriving there within one hour. Btw, from Tapah to Ringlet is about 57km.
About two third of the journey we have to tail a bus... so yo can imagine how excruciating slow the already slowed journey was at that time. Thank god we managed to overtake the bus at some point later.. safely, i might add.
At about 12pm we reached Ringlet.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/14 16:53
12pm
Dont really know what to expect as this is our first time to CH.
The Ringlet town that we passed on the way to Tanah Rata was quite small and looked unorganised.
The road was quite narrow and there are a lot of constructions going on.
We passed the lake... a bit dissappointing. Why? Coz I hope to see a clear blue lagoon or something similar but we were greeted with a murky "teh tarik colour" water, instead.
I also dont' see any activities (water-based) on the lake.
As we reached the Tea Shop overlooking the Bharat Tea Plantation the traffic again was reduced to a crawl.
As I mentioned earlier, the road was quite narrow and most decided to park dangerously their cars on the road shoulders.
Decided not to stop there in the mean time.
We then continue our journey to Tanah Rata.
(Will have to continue this later as I need to go back now.)
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/15 14:29
20min later
Since it was our first time in CH, we dont really knows the way to the Cameronian Valley Inn. Was hoping to reach Tanah Rata and find out.
As we about to enter the town, we were caught in a traffic jam. As the car was moving slownly managed to see left and right for any signage to the place. Luckily, we saw it as we were about to go into the town centre. The place is actually way behind rows of shops and unfinished buildings and an apartments (cant remember the name).
When we arrived there, I immediately went in to see the Indon lady who was maning the place at the time. She was quite accomadating when I asked a bunch of questions and request to see the rooms.
The room with sharing bathrooms (two bathrooms for every four to six rooms, i think) cost about RM100 each. While, the one with attached bathroom cost RM130. Quite pricey about 2.5x higher but hey, this is the peak season and beggar cant be choser (since didnt booked anywhere else). Discussed with wife and she wanted the one with attached bathroom as expected.
Frankly I was hoping to stay in CH for two days but paying 2.5x higher for the second day put me off. So, we decided its going to be just a day and will try make the fullest of the experience.
Paid the lady and we went into the room to unpack. Since it is already noon decided to get something to eat.
Ever since I watched a tv series on Channel 9 called Destinasi Budget where the host when to CH and one of the activity he did here was tasting a dish called "tea and scone" I've been meaning to try one.
SO no surprised, that was the first thing that I ordered. It cost me RM8.50 for a pot of tea and 2 scones with jam, butter and cream.
Verdict: Quite...hmmm, not as I expected. Maybe I put my hope too high. I ended up only eaten half of a scone. Maybe, I should try it in the morning next time. Who knows?
Decided not to have any heavy lunch afterward.
For the time being, outside the sun shined very brightly... so, decided not to go out at the moment.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/15 14:38
230pm
Went out.
The first place that we went to was the Raju's Strawberry Farm. Drove all the way up and parked near stall selling some strawberry-based dishes.
But b4 that we visited the strawberry shacks to see err, some strawberry plants. We were quite dissapointed when they only allowed us to go to two-line partitioned area. Here, we only got to see strawberry flowers and un-ripe fruit. On the other sites of the partition we could see that the trees were producing some nice juicy red fruits. So, how to take picture like this! Very, very dissapointed.
So, we went to the stall and ordered fresh strawberry with cream and strawberry milkshake. Both, are highly recommended!! Really, really nice.
On the way back we wanted to check out the Rose Centre and Brinchang but we couldnt managed to find parking. Soooo many cars.
We did however, found a spot near the Multicrop. Went there for a while but since there are too many people decided not stay for long. We are looking for t-shirts but couldnt find anything that we like.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/15 14:46
430pm
On the way back initially we planned to visit some of the cool looking English-designed chalet/inn/hotel but because the traffic was quite bad, we decided to go straight "home".
We decided to stop in the town to see whether we could find any good t-shirts.
First we went to the archade (shops and foodcourt) nearby. Found a nice t-shirt/pant for our son. Cost about RM16. We also bought some "Blue Valley" tea. According to the seller, the tea is only available here as the production was quite limited.
Then we we around the town. Nothing much to see and we finished in just about 20min or so.
We went back to the foodcourt. Wanted to eat there but our son was already in his sleepy mood (read: making faces, crying before going to sleep) And since we didnt bring his stroller we decided to tapau the food.
Went back to our room.
(B4 I forgot after registering the Indon lady gave us the CH map. So, we really knows our way around after that.)
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/15 14:56
630pm
Decided to lepak outside. The Inn provided this nice cosy lepaking area with benches and chairs and reclining chairs etc.
Im still hungry even after already eaten our tapau foods. Wife was puzzled by that. I on the other hand blamed it on the cool weather.
The weather was nice and cool with a bit a breeze. Brought our son out as well however we have to wrap him in extra clothing so that he wont catch a cold or something.
Looked at the menu and ordered a plate of Fried Rice. Surprisingly foods around here (not only at the inn but also in town) were quite affordable -- I mean it cost the same as back at home. Unlike say, at Fraser's Hill or Genting.
The plate of fried rice costs RM4. We didnt order any drink as we intend to make full use of the empty teapot (from scone&tea that we ordered earlier). We used it to make the strawberry-flavoured tea that we bought earlier.
We the fried rice came, we were quite surprised to see that it was a lot. It took both of us to finish the serving. Thank god, we only ordered one plate. (Initially, the reason was to try one first to see whether any good).
Boy, it was quite good. It turned out the Indon lady that maning the inn is also the cook.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/15 15:01
Good nite
Initially, I wanted to go out afterward but the 3hrs driving (including the uphill climb) plus the jalan-jalan afterward took toll on me0. SO, I was really, really tired.
Additionally, who want to go out in this cold weather where you can tuck nicely under the blanket with your loves one, right
So, after watching the news, I decided to call in early.
The wife was quite worry how our son copes up with the cold weather.
But, he slept peacefully that night.
Guess, Like father like son
(I too like cold weather.)
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/24 14:38
Was super busy for the past few days so couldnt update this "site".
Anyway, here goes...
The next day
Woke up around 9am. Thot of ordering the Inn's fried rice but then decided may as well went out to get something to eat.
Initially, wanted to go to the nearest restaurants/food court but when I saw not many cars on the road at that time, decided to go all the way to Brinchang. Perhaps, can find parking space this time.
The journey was a breeze as there weren't many cars. Took me about a few minutes to arrive there. Refuelled at Shell and then found a parking space near the food court.
Checked out the souvenir shops nearby. Thank god, found one selling cheap t-shirts. (2 kid tee for RM10, one kid tee for RM6 and an adult tee for RM10).
Went to the foodcourt. BOught Nasi lemak with side dishes and teh tarik for two. CH never ceased to surprise me! All in all it cost me the same amount if I were to buy at lowland. Meaning not as expensive at some other highlands.
Went back to the Inn.
At first, thinking of going out as it is only 10am. But, the wheather is sooooo nice, so we decided just to stay in the room till it is time to check out.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/24 14:43
12pm
TIme to check out. Took our stuffs and put them in the trunk. Ask the Indon lady in charge to take our pix in front of the Inn and then off we went.
Decided to go to town to find Strawberries and other stuff to bring back.
Thot of visiting the Tea Shop but was put off by no parking. Too many people parked at the roadside.
Just move slowly downhill and decided its is time to go back anyway.
Did make two brief stops -- at one of the orang asli stall and at the waterfall (just to check out the scenery).
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Justean
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/24 14:47
Conclusion
Overall, we were quite satisfied with the entire but brief experience. Perhaps, we didnt go to many places in this maiden trip but this is mainly because we plan to come back again, soon. Yup, you heard it right, soon. But this time around we will make sure that it will not be on Super peak/peak season. So that we can stretch our budget (with cheaper rental) further. We also plan to bring more family members on the next trip.
And, next time we will definitely visit some of the places that we missed earlier 
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Tony
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/02/28 17:04
Hi,
Good to hear that you enjoyed the trip up to CH despite the crowd during CNY. Next time plan it during off peak so that you can take you time to explore CH at you pace and not be bothered by the traffic and the crowd. Strawberry Park do have off peak promo rates which they advertise in the papers from time to time. Tried package twice and it was worth the money paid. I hope to bring my wife and baby boy up there this December. Maybe this time I will stay in Heritage Hotel.
|
|
|
reply | quote |
Shrini
Visitor
|
Re:Trip to CH during the combo new years - 2005/03/03 14:44
Hi Justean,
I am planning for CH this week end , Can u please reply me on my email kshrini@yahoo.com
with ur contact number
I am from Spore and i m here for a short stay in KL for a project
So please reply
Cheers !!
Shrini
|
|
|
reply | quote |
|
Forums