Magical Trip
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Simply Wonderful & Magical - 2005/08/16 15:36
Finally, I was going to Cameron Highlands in early July for four days three nights. I had been looking forward to this trip for more than two and a half years. Before that I never take any annual leave or going on vacations during public holidays. As for Chinese Lunar New Year, just like everybody else I went back to my hometown with my family, eat, sleep and drink and it was not really a vacation. This CH trip is really significant to me, I felt like a dead person given a second chance to be alive! It might sound exaggerated and ridiculous, but this is how I feel regarding my wonderful trip to Cameron Highlands.
It was a typical beautiful morning (before the arrival of haze from Sumatera), the sun was round and bright, the sky was navy blue and the birds were chirping jovially on the trees. I was driving on North South Highway with a very exciting feeling. Finally I could go on vacation alone without all my friends or relatives bothering me and look at the face of my grouchy superiors at least for a few days. I exited the highway in Bidor to enjoy some food at the most famous coffee shop in Bidor that sells the famous chicken biscuits and other local delicacies (Pun Chun). After my sumptuous meal, I continued my journey toward Tapah.
When I reached Tapah town, I just follow the road sign to enter the winding mountain road leading to Tanah Rata. It was a soothing and touching sight for me watching the orang asli along the winding road leading an easy, relaxing life by staying in some of the unique aborigine huts along the roadside or with their babies tying up in the sarong and pampered the child in arms with her loving husband. Of course I was also amazed by the majestic view of the green Boh Tea Plantations in Habu and Bharat Tea Plantations along the way. I even stopped by The Lakehouse near Ringlet and hoaxed a hotel staff to take a picture for me at the inside and outside of the hotel (which actually you cannot do that according to its hotel policy, unless you stay there).
But before I even knew it, I was already reaching Tanah Rata. The sky was a bit dark, but the highland breeze was refreshing. The cool wind touched my face with the majestic sight of mountains and trees. I took an early dinner around a quarter past three in the afternoon before I check into my accommodation. I had a nasi lemak set at Marrybrown because I could not decide which store to patron. After my early dinner, I went to my uncle’s apartment at the Heritage Hotel to settle down my luggage and other stuff. I had a light nap before I went for some sightseeing.
When I woke up from my light nap, it was already 5:30pm. There was a downpour when I was asleep and the sky was getting dark. Along the way to Brinchang, I visited a nice gothic cottage The Smokehouse Hotel and the typical English phone booth beside the hotel. I also took a picture of a nice and typical Dutch style mansion situated at the roadside (God knows who the owner is) before I reach the town of Brinchang. It was Friday night. I still can remember there was a pasar malam in the centre of Brinchang in my previous trip to CH (around twelve years ago). But when I reached there, I was told that the pasar malam had moved upward, nearby Brinchang post office and situated opposite the police station. Yeap, it was the same old pasar malam! It was full of tonnes of fresh colour vegetables and flowers. The prices of goods were not as cheap as twelve years ago, but the variety of stuff are pretty much unchanged. But I only planned to purchase flowers and vegetables for friends and family on the last day of my journey in order to make sure it’s fresh. After that, I went back to the apartment and tucked into the warm blanket and enjoyed a good night sleep.
I woke up around 8:30 in the morning, I never felt so refreshing before, no disturbance from my housemates or siblings, no alarm clock blipping. It was marvelous! It was a bit chilly though, but I quickly brushed my teeth, washed my face and rushed to the only coffee house in Heritage Hotel to enjoy my wonderful buffet breakfast. Finally, I did not have to get food for my friends, girlfriend, family and other people. I did not have to become servant for other people! HAHAHAHAHA! I could eat my breakfast in whatever way I preferred, slowly and relaxing without anyone to rush me or tell me what to do (especially my mum will scold me like hell if she knows I eat my cereal in coffee and milk mixed with sugar)!
After a very satisfying breakfast, I got into my Proton Iswara and off I went by referring to the informative tourist map of CH! First, I dropped by the MARDI agriculture research centre in Tanah Rata, with a mere RM2.00, you can visit and get in touch with all kinds of flora in this wonderful place. The abundant and colourful, tall gladiolus, the bright and massive lily flowers, bunches and bunches of red succulent strawberry fruits at its plant. Even anthurium flowers and many kinds of herbs were growing well here (watch out for the bees especially when you are near the flowers). Grapevine with bundles of grape, even some tea trees were planted here. But least not forget the mascot of CH, the beautiful big roses (as big as my face) with its smell similar to bandung drink. HEHEHE….. just kidding! Of course, I visited its souvenir shop and its “try to be” English garden (but the flowers were nice and beautiful).
After my heart contented visit to MARDI research centre, it was time for me to relax for a while. I went to a typical Indian coffee shop in Tanah Rata along with the post office and HSBC Bank, the lady boss was very warm and friendly. She greeted me with a big smile and asked me nicely for my order and even always lookout for my needs during my meal. I was so please with her attitude and service; I greeted her with a warm and big smile too. Oh, of course I had a warm and nice teh tarik with a yummy roti sardine.
Follow by the wonderful brunch at the coffee shop; I visited the Cactus Valley in Brinchang during the less crowded lunchtime. Just pay RM4.00 per person, you are able to see and feel the apple trees, grapevines, peony, camellia, roses, peach trees, red and big tomatoes hanging on vines and of course many kinds of interesting and gigantic cactus etc. It was worth a visit especially for people like me who has suffered from R&RVD (Rest & Relax Vacation Deficiency) for quite sometimes.
A delighted stroll at Cactus Valley also led me to dreamland. I felt tired and went back to the apartment for a light nap. I woke up around 4:30pm. I felt a bit blur and thinking of spending some quite moment at a quite place. I followed the map to the waterfall park nearby Taman Sedia. I think it was called Robinson’s Fall if I am not mistaken. I stood on the bridge stretching across the river, listening to the orchestra played by crickets, birds and other animals with the soothing sound of the waterfall brings me into the realm of peace and serene. It was really a big enjoyment for me (especially no girlfriend or mother to nag me all the way). HAHAHAHA!! Sorry girls!!
It was night time. The cool highlands wind and my grumbling stomach reminded me for a warm and nice dinner. I drove to Brinchang and I had my meal at the corner steamboat shop nearby the only mini market in Brinchang. I only paid 18 ringgit per person but I got tonnes of really fresh vegetables and seafood with two glasses of Chinese tea. It was worth the money. Instead of the duo flavour steamboat (Tom Yam & Chinese herbal soup), I requested the shop owner to fill up both sides with tom yam only. This is the only place where I can eat as much Tom Yam as I want without perspires profusely. After I finished my dinner, I went to the pasar malam to buy all sorts of local tidbits for my supper e.g. sweet potato balls, steamed maize, strawberry, tempura vegetables etc.
Since I bought along my portable VCD player with me, I watched a horror Thai movie alone in an apartment in the cool highland night together with the tidbits I bought at the pasar malam in Brinchang. After the movie, I tucked myself again in the warm comforter and dreamed my way to paradise.
“Wake up, wake up!” This was what sun ray told me. I forgot to close the window curtain and the warm sun ray shined into my eyes to make me sober again. It was 9:30am in the morning, birds were chirping and the poinsettia tree in front of the apartment was full of red, radiant leaves. Although it is only July, but it deeply reminds me of Christmas. Instead going straight for my breakfast, I took a stroll around the Heritage Hotel for the crisp cool air. I grabbed this wonderful quiet opportunity to rethink and recall all the bits and piece of my life recently to make some self assessment. After some self reflection, I continue my journey to seek “antidote” for my hunger. Yeah!
Today, I will saviour my taste bud for some local delicacies instead of the typical continental buffet breakfast. I went to a roll of Malay stalls beside the bus station in Tanah Rata for breakfast. I chose a roti canai (prata) stall managed by a sweet old Malay lady (I forgot the stall name) and some of her assistants. Her warm and sincere smile attracted me to her place. I ordered two roti telur and two cups of hot teh tarik, her dhal gravy and sambal belacan were fantastic. She even frequently refilled her delicious dhal gravy for me even without me asking for it! The great thing was the whole meal only cost me RM5.00++ only (I could not recall the exact amount).
Today I will drive all the way up to Sg. Palas to visit the famous BOH tea plantation and its processing plant. I never expect that Sungai Palas is even way passed The Equatorial Resort and the Kea Farm. I was very lucky because when I arrived at the reception place of BOH tea plantation, I was just in time to join a group of strangers accompanied by a lady attendance to visit the processing factory. She introduced the history of BOH tea plantation, the old machines imported from Ireland, the tea fermentation process and how to grade the tea. Without denial, it was an education trip for me and of course I asked one of the strangers in the group to help me to take photos among the tea tree bushes. Although the external guide that led the stranger group told me that all tea leaves or powder are packed in Selangor (I stay in KL), but I still could not help it but to buy a few boxes back to my family and friends.
Eventually, I stopped by at the road side market in Kea Farm beside Equatorial Hotel to do some “surveys” first before I buy any flower or vegetable for my family members and friends back home. Needless to say, I bought some steamed Japanese type sweet potatoes, big steamed maize, vegetable tempura and strawberry with whip cream for dessert. I also bought a few bottles of pure honey back to Kuala Lumpur. By the time I realized it, I did not have to eat anymore lunch due to over consumption of dessert at Kea Farm. So I took a nap in the apartment before I decide my next step to explore Cameron Highlands.
I woke up and I felt refreshed, but outside was raining like cats and dogs. It was around 4:30pm and the dark clouds already overshadowed the sky. Instead of switching on the TV, I gazed outside the balcony. I saw the clouds floating all over the mountains and disappeared after the rain had stopped. Maybe you think I am a bit restless, but I really enjoyed gazing the shadows of the clouds brushing over the hills according to its contours and it was a very soothing sight for me.
Eventually I still switched on the TV and the image of a modern European flower and vegetable market in the show reminded me of a place I have not visit yet. A flower and vegetable market after Brinchang that comes with a chromed gated strawberry farm at the side of the market (I do not know the name of the market). I reached the place around 5 something and it was still open. Instead of looking at the beautiful flowers and souvenirs, I quickly opted for the sandwich and a nice cup of hot coffee because the breeze was a bit too cool after the heavy downpour.
I went back to the same shop in Brinchang for the steamboat and went back for an early rest in the apartment. I only slept after I watched a VCD movie. Wake up bright and shine, it was 10 in the morning! Today is my day to go back to Kuala Lumpur, I quickly go to Kea Farm again after my breakfast to do my so called “shopping list” (all the items in the list were requested by friends and family). None of the item in the list is what I want. After I bought all the items, I went to the Sam Poh Buddhist Temple in Brinchang to make a safe journey prayer. I took my lunch at Marrybrown and I went back to Kuala Lumpur around 1:10pm. For me, this is simply a wonderful and magical trip. 
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