This is the first time for 爸爸 and I going up Cameron Highlands after many years. We're taking the Simpang Pulai exit after our breakfast. As we're going from Ipoh town, we didn't see the signs leading to Cameron Highlands. Luckily we have GPS. If travelling from North-South Highway, perhaps the road sign is there. There seems to be more vehicles travelling down from Cameron Highlands than going up on this Monday. It was raining lightly somewhat, and misty at the valleys. Here's why valleys are misty: http://www.rcn27.dial.pipex.com/cloudsrus/mistnfog.html. The turning branching to Blue Valley and Cameron Highlands is quite sharp, so have to be extra careful and slow there.
First stop - Watercress Valley
As our apartment is not ready yet (check-in time is 3pm), we went for lunch and quick tour. We came here for fresh watercress dishes upon recommendation of our good friend. There's set dishes and ala carte'. We ordered Set A with 3 dishes & soup (RM48) and additional dish of "3-type mushroom stir-fry". 姐姐 loved all the food and soup, 弟弟 liked the egg . The drinks are watercress inspired, like honey watercress (RM4/glass). In addition to cooked dishes, folks can buy fresh watercress too. They plant other types of veggies too but looks like visitors not able to go where the vegetables are. However the dining area has good view of the watercress "ponds". P/S: Parking is right by the roadside.
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| Watercress Valley |
Both children declared this place is their favorite place. Girls will be girls, but 弟弟 always want to follow 姐姐 and her interests :) Please be careful as the lanes are really narrow, and some area on the ground is wet and slippery from the rain/watering of plants. And remember to watch out for thorns on the rose bushes. Don't worry if it rains here as there's roof covering. Entrance fees is RM4/adult and RM2/child. Parking also right outside along the road. We bought children's gloves from the vendor outside (RM5/pair), later just realized they sell it cheaper at the markets (RM4.50 or less depends on your bargaining skills).
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| Flowers hanging from the swing is called 高跟鞋花， the red wooly flower is 毛毛虫花 |
EQ Strawberry Farm
We came here because it's the nearest and most convenient as we're staying at Equatorial apartment. Pick your own strawberry is RM20/500g (one tray). Just for the fun of it. We came after 5pm and we're the last ones there. Like everyone said, it's cheaper to buy from the markets, and the strawberry picking is just for experience.
Dinner and Brinchang night market
We went for dinner at Brinchang. We chose OK Tuck Restaurant, having their steamboat for two and additional plate of fried yee mee (RM35 - steamboat for two, total bill RM51). The amount of food is too huge for us with 2 adults and 2 children. The children didn't like the steamboat, we ordered chicken soup and herbal soup for the steamboat. The steamboat is so-so, veggies are fresh of course. We didn't finish the food. Now when travelling with children, learn to order less so the adults don't have to choke on the additional food that children didn't finish.
After dinner, we went shopping at Brinchang night market. During school holidays, they have night market here daily from 6pm to 10pm. It wasn't very packed, maybe due to light rain. One side is more of veggie stalls, the other side is more of food, fruits and knick-knacks. As it's cold in the apartment and I forgot my bedroom slippers, I bought a pair of Angry Bird slippers (RM10/pair). We also bought the so-called "apple guava" to try (RM8/2 fruits in a pack) as 弟弟 wanted more after sampling it. The aroma of ayam percik is delicious, I just had to go back the next day to try it as too full on the first day.
"Apple guava" sounds like a hoax to me, and true enough, it's just guava partially preserved in green colored syrup. See photo below with the children eating them (I felt bad as it is not good for children ya).
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| Outdoor photo is at EQ |
Day 2 - Boh Tea Plantation (Sungai Palas)
Woke up early for our visit to Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation. Everyone told us the road leading to this place is super challenging. It's true! First the main road leading there is a steep uphill corner (have to be very careful not to miss it). On the way, even with not-so-many cars, it's a game of give-and-take otherwise everyone will end up stuck. The most challenging moment is when there's a big bus from the opposite side. Do not try if your driving skill is not up-to-par :) The stress is definitely worth it for us passengers as we get to enjoy the scenic views along the way. Tea plants everywhere, so beautiful!
Upon reaching visitor parking, you can choose to park here or drive up further to the tea centre. However do note parking up further is very limited and it's more windy road ahead. It's just a short 5-10 mins scenic walk uphill via a windy little tar road, or through a path surrounded by tea plants.
We went for short factory tour. Children didn't have the patience to hear the explanation, so we just zipped through. There's also a video room about history of Boh, again they have no patience to sit through.
The cafe! Fragrant smells tentalises as you walk past. There's the scones set that I've been wanting to try (RM8/set). We had both Palas Supreme and Bukit Cheding tea (RM4.30 for small pot with tea leaves, top-up hot water RM0.50). The tea is fragrant and a nice welcome on this cold morning. We prefer the Palas Supreme as it is milder (we are not tea drinkers). Children shared a slice of chocolate cake (RM6.50) happily. We sipped tea while a downpour came and went. Very good view of the tea plantation from the viewing platform. The cafe had glass windows all around for everyone to enjoy the stunning scenery with their meal. Oh, the uncle behind our table had nasi lemak (RM3.50 per pack from menu), in fact quite a lot of folks had nasi lemak. Wondered if it is nice since so popular?
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| We went down the path to get closer to tea plants on our way down |
Ee Feng Gu (玉蜂谷) Bee Farm
This bee farm is just a skip away from the steep road to Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation. This is convenient stop for those staying at EQ. There are ample parking during our visit. We visit the Bee Farm to show children how bee is reared. But they were disappointed to see the "boxes" instead of real bee hive. Give this a miss if not interested in bees or honey. There are flowers everywhere for the bees but I've had enough of flower shots. And no, I didn't do a bee close-up.
We had lunch at restaurant at Brinchang, not very sure what it's called. 姐姐 insists she wants noodles as she was too full to eat yee mee from dinner last night. I had chicken & char siew rice and 弟弟 had fried rice. A simple meal, we wanted to keep it light to ensure our tummy have room for dessert later.
Tanah Rata tour - Sam Poh Temple, Hutan Lipur Parit Fall
Initially we wanted to visit the Orang Asli Village, but do not trust the GPS as it led us to a small, lonely road. 姐姐 say to skip this and go to Sam Poh Temple instead. The temple is so new and clean! We went for simple prayers.
Children beria-ia wanna see waterfall in Cameron. Imagine our surprise when we found Hutan Lipur Parit Fall waterfall :) The water is murky and the place only had a few picnickers. There is no real path to the waterfall except a big leap to the river bank. 爸爸 took off his slippers and half-carried the children one by one to feel the river water. Children say it's icy cold! And 姐姐 didn't appreciate the mud at all, and just tingled her feet on the water for a millisecond :) 弟弟 manage to stand on the mud for a while for us to take a photo. There's a group of men fishing and panggang their catch nearby.
Food, food and food
Next is dessert time at Strawberry Moments! I had the strawberry strudels (?? i think this is the name, RM7.50), and children tried fruit salad (RM8.90) and a custard dessert (not sure what's the name, RM6.90). Hm... kind of over-rated, not sure if the cakes are better? Looks really nice though.
After dessert, we stop-by Brinchang night market, only 5pm already a lot of stalls are open. I just had to get the nasi ayam percik and children asked for more noodles. The strawberries we picked from yesterday were "frozen" in the fridge. Still, the children finished them. Should have just left them outside at room temp. Since we had such a huge afternoon tea, we had late dinner at 8pm to avoid the crowd. Although, there is not much crowd at all. Dinner is at Restaurant Mountain House Charcoal Steamboat. Wow, this is the best steamboat we had here. The veggies are good, found later they serve organic veggies. The soup base is good too, 鸳鸯 is herbal with tomyam. Even the children who didn't like steamboat loved it here. If you want the soup to boil slower, put the lid on the funnel. This time we only ordered steamboat for 2 person, with chrysenthemum tea only comes up to RM36. Definitely delicious and must-try at Cameron Highlands. Just a couple more tables after we finished dinner, even though only 9 something.
Kea farm market
There are two famous markets at Cameron we heard. One is the Brinchang night market, the other is Kea farm morning market. All sorts of brick-bat and especially veggies/fruit stalls. We got our stash of strawberries and veggies here. 爸爸 also bought a big stash of potatoes, sigh. He better cook them, not me :)
Cactus Point
A quick stop here just to bring children to see cactus up-close. No entrance fees for Cactus Point but need to pay if go to Cactus Valley, though I've not been there so not sure if there are more things to see.
We had early lunch at 唯一大牌档. Food is pretty good and economical. As it's still early, 爸爸 tried to look for the Orang Asli Village again. We followed direction from GPS but navigation stopped in the middle of the road. There were several small lanes but we just don't want to explore anymore. There are no road signs to show we are at the correct location. Not sure if the place moved.
Bharat Tea Plantation/Cameron Valley Tea House
Since we're still early, I wanted to try scones from Cameron Valley Tea House. Funny how the GPS try to bring us to Brinchang again when we are quite sure the place is after Tanah Rata. Finally switched off the GPS and went beyond Tanah Rata town. There are signs of Bharat Tea Plantation along the road. 爸爸 say if we reach Bharat Tea Plantation and still no sign of the tea house then we will stop looking, which is a fair deal. In the end, Cameron Valley Tea House is actually operated by Bharat Tea Plantation, what a big round we took to find it! It's just by the roadside, about 5km from Tanah Rata town using the main road. Again, ample parking space as not much visitors.
We ordered scones set (RM12), strawberry cheesecake (RM7.50) and brownies (RM8.50). Nice view from the tea house and glorious food! Tea is Cardamom Tea (RM10 for small pot, no tea leaves in the pot as already prepared by staff and not available to top up with hot water), it has one type of spice. The other house tea had several spices, since we prefer light tea, we had Cardamom. It's still full of spice flavour, we prefer the Boh's Palas Supreme. Probably some tea drinkers might like the Bharat tea with spices. Tea plantation walk is just a skip from the cafe. So we took more photos there. The Cameron Valley Tea House overlooks a brilliant tea plantation. So if not prefer to drive all the way to Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation, can give Bharat Tea Plantation a visit. Of course, the scones are not to be missed.
Later we realized there is another Bharat Tea Plantation near Kampung Raja, that's why the GPS keep asking us to go via Brinchang. Same type of tea plantation by the roadside, not sure if there's a cafe. Since it's raining we didn't stop.
Kellie's Castle
The rain accompanied us down Cameron. Only 4pm when we reach Simpang Pulai, so a brief stopover to Kellie's Castle. It's about 10 km drive (maybe more?) after Simpang Pulai toll. Entrance is RM4 for adults, children below 6 is FOC. Cannot miss it as it's just one straight road ahead after big signboard mentioning Kellie's Castle. Found out later Gua Tempurung is also nearby if we had time to visit. Maybe next time.
We had 老黄芽菜鸡 for dinner at Ipoh. Surprise that both children like it, when they didn't during their previous visit. Taste buds change, for sure.
Our thoughts and experience
Our trip to Cameron Highlands was planned 3 months earlier. Still we had to miss ballet lesson in addition to extra music classes in preparation of JMC graduation concert. But it was worth it to travel during not-so-peak period. The restaurants were not packed, neither was the local attractions. According to 爸爸, Cameron is just one main road, if you don't venture off you will arrive at the major towns like Brinchang and Tanah Rata. He is very nice la, bring us to all the places no matter how far. Most people will say there is nothing at Cameron, depends on what the expectation is. We enjoyed the relaxing trip, except when it rained rather heavily on our last day there. Of course, don't come looking for night life :D The weather during this time is between 18-20 degree C, and a little rainy, but didn't stop us from enjoying the main attractions. 姐姐 was cold most of the time as her clothes are the summery type, but 弟弟 totally enjoyed the cool weather. Unfortunately it was not only cold, it was damp as well. One thing 姐姐 is busy flicking away flies everywhere we go.
Our apartment didn't have any microwave for us to heat food... sigh. The flooring is too cold and we forgot to bring bedroom slippers. Ended up buying more slippers from night market to prevent walking on cold floor. The cleanliness level at EQ apartment could be improved, but no big complain since we didn't expect it to be spanking clean. Luckily they just refurbished the room, otherwise dare not think of its' cleanliness at all. No TV for the 3 days we were there as they are upgrading their system and it will be down for one month. There's just basic setup, nothing special at the apartment, although they really need to work on cleanliness. Nowhere near the apartments I stayed during US trip. Wish our local service apartments and hotels can be as clean.
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| View from the balcony |
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