By Alice Ching
Saturday January 5, 2008
Cameron Highlands still enchants the visitor.
Our last trip to Cameron Highlands was two years ago, so we wondered: How much has changed? Is the weather still cold and the surroundings green? Would we enjoy ourselves as much?
These niggling thoughts preyed on our minds as we drove up using the new Tapah route.
Sight to behold: Sunset from Mt Brinchang, the highest peak at Cameron Highlands.
Overall, the drive was a pleasant and interesting one. We even stopped briefly at some makeshift stalls manned by the Orang Asli. Besides selling wild honey, wild torch ginger flower and bamboo shoots gathered from the highland forests, the natives also sell an unusual plant known as pokok bulu ayam mas (golden chicken feather tree). The clumps of fine mossy golden hair from this plant are used by the Orang Asli to treat minor cuts and to stop bleeding.
When we stopped for a quick breather at Lata Iskandar, it pained us to see that the tall, shady trees surrounding the small waterfall had been felled, leaving behind an unsightly, scarred landscape. There were construction materials lying around, so we presumed maintenance work was being carried out to “beautify” the spot.
After checking into the Century Pines Hotel, we had an early dinner at the Lakehouse Cameron Highlands. Be prepared to pay KL prices when you dine here, but the grilled lamb rack, cream of mushroom, cream of tomato, spaghetti, fish and chips, and apple pie were well-prepared and worth every ringgit.
The apple pie especially is heavenly. We turned in early that night to catch a spectacular sunrise the next morning.
Morning madness
When was the last time you woke up before the crack of dawn to ascend a mountain to watch the rising sun?
We woke up at six and found our guide, Kumar, ready to whisk us off in the highlands’ favourite “work horse” – the Land Rover – for adventure outfit Cameron Secrets’ famed Morning Madness tour.
The 40-minute ride up Cameron Highlands’ highest peak, Gunung Brinchang (2,031m) was fun but bumpy. It also felt a little surreal because our surroundings remained shrouded in darkness and, now and then, the chilly air sent shivers down our spine.
According to Kumar, Cameron Secrets only accommodate small groups of four to eight people due to the sensitive nature of the environment.
Perfect: Enjoy a cup of tea with scones while looking at this perfect view.
“It also ensures a more intimate, off-the-beaten-track kind of experience. Ninety-nine percent of visitors who pick this tour are Caucasians but we would like to interest more Malaysians, especially nature lovers, to go on this tour. The spectacular sunrise, followed by a visit to the Mossy Forest, is an unforgettable experience and adds a different dimension to their holiday.”
Upon reaching the peak of Brinchang, we climbed up a tall viewing tower to wait for the sun. There was still 20 minutes to spare, but already we were mesmerised – by the spectacular 360° view of tranquil, verdant hills, some of which were blanketed in thick rolls of cottony clouds and others swathed in ribbons of ethereal mists.
Buffeted occasionally by strong, bone-chilling winds, we saw the sun rising majestically between the hills. Yup, the Morning Madness tour certainly gave a new perspective to our Cameron Highlands getaway.
After a quick cup of freshly brewed tea and light refreshments, we drove over to Mossy Forest to go trekking. It was a most rewarding experience as our knowledgeable guide frequently stopped to show us a plethora of ferns, wild orchids, herbs, and other jungle plants along the way.
We even spotted a small baby snake, which quickly slithered away into the undergrowth.
“At least you were game enough to venture on this trek. I have had first-time visitors from a neighbouring country who wore plastic bags over their track shoes to prevent them from getting soiled!” said Kumar, chuckling at the memory.
What did not amuse him was how they discarded the bags on the forest grounds once out of the forest!
So folks, remember the old nature-lover motto: Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs.
Our last stop was at the Boh Plantations Sungai Palas Tea Estate. We went on a brief tour of the tea factory and finished up with a late breakfast at Boh Tea’ria. The picturesque backdrop of endless tea plants on the gentle, undulating slopes made it a memorable breakfast. -- The Star Lifestyle
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