My Simple Life: January 2014

Cameron Highlands is situated in Pahang, Malaysia. It's one of the more well known Highland in Malaysia. I first went there on my honeymoon, which is quite late for an average Malaysian. Later, I was assigned to work at Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands for 3 months, I get to know the place better and get to see and enjoy the place in off season. I must say, I LOOOVE the place. The weather is cool and fresh. Along the way you could see tea plantation, vegetable and also flower farms.The road leading up there is not that steep and there's a lot of nice view along the roadside. A road trip with partners, family and friends is very encouraged for this trip. it's a place for everybody.

Getting There

The only way to the Highlands is by road. You could either start from Perak (Ipoh) to the junction at Tapah or Simpang Pulai, from Kuala Lumpur to the junction at Sungai Koyan or at Gua Musang (through Karak, Bentong, Raub and G.Musang). Those from Kelantan can take the route from Gua Musang. The standard time getting there from KL (steady driving people, not too slow and not too fast, with no long stop in between) is about 3 and 1/2 hours to 4 hours. The duration from Gua Musang (Jalan Lojing) takes about 1 and 1/2 hours and from the intersection.

Places to Stay

I must warn you my trip to Cameron are claimable so I don't have to travel with tight budget :)

As I tried different Hotels and Guest houses in Cameron Highlands, I have my own favourite ones such as:-

1.Century Pines Resort (usual rate between RM 150-300) - as it is situated just opposite the courthouse where i work, it's the best place to stay. Also lots of drama production like to film their scene there. So you just might run into a filming scene whilst you stay there. I did. They were shooting the drama Adam dan Hawa there although I didn't know the actress then, my Hubby asked the cameraman and he said so.

2. If in case Century Pines is not available, I stayed at Heritage Hotel Cameron Highland (usual rate RM 200-300)

3. Planter's Hotel (last resort) (usual rate RM 150-200)

All these hotels are situated in Tanah Rata, one of the main city there. I never stay in Brinchang although it's closer to the farms and night market because it's unfortunately noisier. If you stay in Tanah Rata you'll definitely have a more relaxed holiday and get more peaceful night sleep.

These hotel rates will be doubled or tripled during school or general holidays so better make your bookings early and avoid the school holidays period if it can be avoided (i.e. if you're not a student or you don't have any school kids yet or not a teacher, I don't see any reason why you have to go to holiday on school holidays)..trust me, all rates in all attractions will increase dramatically, it's ridiculous. Although the Night Market will be held everyday on school holidays instead of every Saturday Night on normal days.

Attractions

The main attraction here is the cool weather, cactuses and strawberries and flowers. The usual things in the Highlands. There's a lot of Strawberry Farms you can visit and they are just off the main road. You can also book the tour from Tanah Rata. The foreigners usually like to take jungle trail in Gunung Brinchang and that kinda stuff. I don't use tour agency so we just go off as we'd like with help from locals. You can check out the Agro Technology Park in MARDI where they plants different types of veggies and flowers and the sell them for a steal. There's also The Rose Valley in Tringkap where it's more like rose nursery and you get to see those pretty flowers in full bloom. But you must not miss the tea plantations. The more prominent one is Boh Tea Plantation in Brinchang and Bharat Tea Plantation easily accessible just off the main road. You only have to take guide during trekking and trailing jungles, for visiting purpose you could just drive around in Brinchang and Tanah Rata because there's where the attractions are.

Necessities

You don't have to worry if you leave anything behind because there's no shortage of shops and convenience stores up there. It's rate is not that high, just average and the place is not that backward although they may seem a little disconnected with people from down below :)

Food

In Tanah Rata, there's food court on the main street with standard parking space and the foods are edible (not mind blowing though)..but I bet the weather will help with your appetites and as you become hungry, the food will taste better :) and in Cameron Highlands is well known for the Steamboat dish but for some reason or other, they elude me..hmm..Also there's food sold in the Night Market in Brinchang. They tastes OK. (p/s: In Ramadhan, the restaurants usually stayed closed and near breaking fast or in the evening there will be Pasar Ramadhan or Ramadhan Bazaar held in Brinchang.)

Photos