Cameron Highlands

We set off early in the morning to meet at around 8.30am for breakfast, we took our time and ended up leaving nearer to 10am - off we went on the highway stopping off at Tapah services for some Baskin Robbins.

After that it was time to turn off and start the winding journey up the old road to Cameron Highlands! It's actually the first time I've been there, I've been meaning to go for ages but didn't have chance yet.

Cameron Highlands was founded by William Cameron, a government surveyor while on a mapping expedition in 1885. He discovered a plateau at an elevation of 1370-1700 meters above sea level and was so enamored by the wide area of gentle slopes and plateau land. Cameron’s name was bestowed upon the highland area.

It is crucial to enjoy the journey, not necessarily the place itself. Do remember that when you travel to Cameron Highlands (especially from Kuala Lumpur), you are able to admire the things you see out of your side window. Driving along the North-South Highway is pleasant and to an extent therapeutic. Sitting in a decent car certainly helps to enhance your ride. Here are some tips for you when you go on a road trip to Cameron Highlands (just the basic):

1. Have a meal – not too much, just right.

2. Visit the gents’ or ladies’ before you step into the car.

3. Have toilet breaks at the rest area if needed as you might not know when it might suddenly rain, or if there is a sudden traffic jam which could be for hours.

4. Have a bag in case you throw up in the car, from motion sickness.

5. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

6. As you drive through the winding roads, you need to look straight so you don’t get dizzy. You must stop reading or turning your head frequently.

7. Have a sweet in your mouth, it helps.

8. Take sips of water from time to time as you get dehydrated.

The people in Cameron Highlands usually drive Land Rover to cater for their crops. I caught sight of these beautiful flowers before we headed to a market near Equatorial hotel, Kea Farm. They sold so many strawberry items because Cameron Highlands is famous for its fresh strawberries.

However, I bought one week’s supply of vegetables. The vegetables looked really fresh and they were sold at around RM10 for 7 packets of vegetables. The market also sold a lot of key chains. Other souvenirs include t-shirts. Some other extraordinary plants like blue roses were sold, including color chrysanthemums (besides the usual yellow and white). Not forgetting the ever-famous, succulent and fresh, red strawberries – the icon of Cameron Highlands as well.

Boh Tea Plantation

It was a dangerous, steep and narrow road leading up to the Boh Tea Plantation where oncoming cars share the same one-lane road as you. We were really careful on the way up. It is best to keep horning your car and also have flash lights just in case, to let the cars from the opposite direction know that you’re going towards them. Bear in mind that it’s a winding road, so you may not see the oncoming cars so soon yet.

We stopped at the foot of the tea centre. I went to the toilet and when I came out, everyone disappeared. Perhaps all my friends had already walked up. So, I took a stroll while searching for them and I found a turkey behind the tea plant it very beautiful one in fact. It was a long way up, but it was really fun smelling the aroma of the tea leaves and nature at its best.

It was the end of our trip – although we had hoped for a colder weather (although I had a massive flu). It must be global warming. The weather in Cameron Highlands didn’t feel much different from on-ground Kuala Lumpur.