They say the road to Ringlet is scenic, but today, the sky is as dark as the shadows. Sitting on the back seat of an old-fashioned car with two strangers, I was prying where the driver would take us. Tonight's unexpected road trip is courtesy of a stranger-turned-friend. Our driver is a priest whom everyone calls Father in the main settlement of Cameron Highlands called Tanah Rata. Ever since I developed a love affair with solo traveling, meeting strangers and joining them on the road to nowhere became my habit.
As the car pulled off by the roadside, a bizarre site was unveiled to us that are unexplored by many tourists. The extensive stretch of the flower field lighted at night mimics a movie scene of a fiery city against the towering mountains. The yellow lights imitating flames were dancing with the cold wind gracefully overpowering the dark sky charmed by countless stars. The scene is far too powerful for my lowly camera to capture.
Cameron Highlands is perched on the might peaks of Banjaran Titiwangsa in Malaysia. Named after a
British government surveyor William Cameron, this extensive stretch of plateau
is a famous hill retreat for weary tourists who want to escape the heat of the
peninsula's lowlands. As much as I would want to explore it on my own
though, I can't find a bike for rent or a timely public transportation in town. I booked for a tour package which is not really that bad considering
tourist attractions here are scattered at a considerable distance from each
other on the next town.
Tourist Attractions in Cameron Highlands:
The Flower Nursery
With its rich agricultural land and cold climate, The Camerons is a perfect location to grow flowers which makes it a leading producer and exporter of fresh flowers in Malaysia. I got a glimpse of a flower nursery where dahlias, carnations, geraniums, roses, lilies, and vines are grown. But what delighted me more is a quintessential Chinese temple nearby. A perfect spot to capture nostalgic photos with its old, cluttered beauty, Chinese gods made of porcelain and other classic fixtures adorning the tables and paintings of Kings and warriors hanging on the red wall.
The Strawberry Farm
Strawberries are grown locally in the highlands. They are cultivated on bag-and-drip feed system. Nothing so special about their strawberry farm but I enjoyed the tasty strawberry cake and shake sold there while the rest are busy buying their strawberry jams and teas.
The Honey Bee Farm
Visitors
can actually learn about bees and how they produce honey. Found lots of
souvenir items, foods, teas and jams made from honey sold here.
The Markets
The market is where fresh produce from the farmland are sold at reasonable
prices by the locals. The best time to visit though is during weekends
when it is loaded with fresh vegetables.
Time Tunnel
An
excellent way to understand and get a glimpse of the heritage of Cameron
Highlands is by visiting this memorabilia museum, said to be Malaysia's first.
Highlights include photos from post-war era, 1,000 nostalgic artifacts
reminiscent of your inner child and the corner about the famous Jim Thompson,
man behind the famous Jim Thompson Silk House in Bangkok who mysteriously
disappeared in The Camerons while on vacation sometime in 1967.
The Sam Poh Temple
A
bigger and newly renovated Sam Poh Temple (Buddhist temple) is standing on a
high elevation offers a bird's eye view of the serene town dotted by
Tudor-styled apartment buildings and hotels. Inspired by oriental
architecture, the temple is divided into 2 big halls containing huge
golden statues of Chinese warriors, deities, and Buddha and surrounded by
temperate climate flowering plants.
Tudor Style Hotels and Apartments
Highly influenced by the British colonial period, The Camerons is now
well-known for mansions celebrating everything British. A number of
hotels and apartments have sprouted ever since the road to the hill resort was
developed sometime in the 1930's. Most famous mansions are Moonlight
Bungalow where Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared, the posh Lakehouse
and the charming Ye Old Smoke house. The flood of heavy tourism has
caused significant developments and changes especially in Brinchang town, the
once lush rolling hills use mainly for agriculture are now covered by
infrastructures and apartments for sale and rent.
Trekking the Mossy Forest and Gunung Brunu
Hidden
in the confines of the massif of Cameron Highlands is a mossy forest
reminiscent of fairy-tale movies. The evergreen forest abundant with
ferns, vines, lichens, orchids and pitcher plants can be reached by day hike to Gunung
Brinchang. At the end of the walk tourists can climb a trail to The
Cameron's highest peak - Gunung Irau.
The Tea Plantation
The
tea plantation is the main attraction of the highlands and it is included in
every tour package. We were welcomed by rolling mountains turned into a
vast river of lush green tea. The view is serene and walking in between
the extensive tea plants with the cool air is a calming experience. Later
on we were toured into the tea factory where they introduced the tea making
process to visitors. Visitors can enjoy a cup of tea or buy the packed
teas at the charming shop and bar beside the tea factory of Boh Tea Plantation.
One
can't help but notice the blue green roofs lined up in one area of the tea
plantation. These are houses built for the modern day tea leaf pickers in
Cameron Highlands. I expected to see locals picking tea by hands but our
guide said, it's kind of old fashioned already and impractical, so the tea
pickers uses hedge-cutter like machine with a cloth bag trailing behind over
tea plants instead. Father said the tea pickers are migrant workers from
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The
tea plantation is indeed a majestic sight to behold but standing with
strangers-turned friends on the edge of the hill overlooking the
flaming-city-like-scene at night is more surreal. The night that
made me realized that there is contrast in every destination, and there is
beauty in each contrast.
How
to Get to Cameron Highlands: There
are 5 express buses a day from Kuala Lumpur (4hr); the last trip is at 3:30 pm.
Where
to Stay: Father's Guesthouse,
Kang Travellers Lodge and Ye Olde Smoke House
Where
to Eat: Ye Olde Smokehouse,
Rosette (Western Foods) and Kumar Restaurant (Malaysian and Indian dishes)
Where
to get a relaxing massage after the trek: Princess Salon (look for Mr. Ray)
About
the Author: Gael Hilotin is a female solo traveler. Her (mis)adventures are documented in her
blog The Pinay Solo Backpacker.
