Lost in Tambun, Sipping Tea in Cameron

Lost World of Tambun,Ipoh

No matter how many times I told myself I hate those long and winding roads but each time my company organizes a trip there or my sister-in-laws say, “JOM, Cameron Highlands? I’ll be the first to grab an overnight bag and jumped in. 

Is it the fresh air and mystical mountains, sipping hot tea  or the night market stalls with its mile long yummy food and fresh produce from the farm? I just love Cameron Highlands.

In July during our company’s trip, we made a short stop at Lost World of Tambun via the Ipoh,Sg. Siput toll, if you are taking the NKVE expressway, before we headed for the cool mountains in the later afternoon.  Akin to Sunway Lagoon Theme park, Selangor,  we were lost for words. Besides screaming our heads off with the rides, the indoor free train gave us a good view of the parks and its surroundings.

 

hotel cum apartment, overlooking the Cactus farm with night market just across the rooad

With the newly completed  Simpang Pulai exit where the road was  less winding, it took us only another two hours to reach our hotel cum apartment in Brinchang. The rain had just stopped, casting a thick mist over the mountains and a night market business in full swing. We couldnt wait to don our sweaters and jackets and had a great time bargaining for farm produce and eating delcious finger-licking food.

Bird’s eye view of Brinchang town

The next day, besides the cactus farm, we visited morning market and the bee farm and came away with some really good, pure honey. Take a tablespoon of pure honey, add some warm water and squeeze in some lime juice. It’s my mother’s  traditional cure for sore throat. It works wonders. Heading down home, we stopped at Tanah Rata, sipping hot tea with scones and watched some of our colleagues walked the tea trail .     

Cactus farm with self-picking of strawberries n greens

a good place to relax after a tiring walk

Sipping tea, overlooking the tea bushes

rows and rows of lushes tea bushes

 

  

 

 

A-night at the backpackers

Roughing out(thats what my two fellow travelers will say) at the backpackers is not everyone’s cup of tea, esp. if one is so used to the comfort of a hotel plus service. But with food and fuel hike at its peak, my suggestion to put up at the backpackers during our trip to Brisbane sounded like a smart move.

The first sign that it was not a smart move came from the cab driver. Before dropping us off, she shook her head with disapproval and asked us repeatedly whether we would like to go someplace better. We shook our heads and take what the devil has to offer. 

We were left to drag our 20kg travelling bag up a flight of stairs to the reception and check-in counter. An American African, called himself Moses greeted us with a wide smile and a set of white teeth.

  

 

    

 

Pretty nice looking right? Some travelers have been staying in this place for months, working for 3 hours daily to get their free stay. We were given a quad-sharing room,  just next to the reception.  There were two double-decker bed, that comes with mattress and pillow. If you need a blanket, just another AUD1.00. Especially with a fan just above your head, you need more than just a blanket to keep warm. 

A British girl, about 20 years of age was there before us. She left a visible shilling in the middle of the bed, slightly covered with a piece of her clothing, trying to test our honesty. We likewise kept our suitcase locked at all times. With all the going-ins and out and people talking in the wee hours of the morning, we hardly slept a wink. By then we had to be up to check-out and catch our coach to Gold Coast. 

Imagined us being picked up by some handsome young whites!!! Honestly, some young guys invited us for a night out when they found out we were staying at the same backpackers. If we were 20 years younger, hmmmmm……….. Anyway, I love Brisbane: the Botanical gardens, the famous Story and Victoria bridge where its opened to pedestrians; the Queenslander Clubhouse, the Treasury building, walk the famous Roma street or ride the free City Bus shuttle….. One day is too short to enjoy everything Brisbane has to offer. Definitely going back there again.

          

 

 

 

 

Boats anchored at Victoria harbour

          

  A Nepalese house nestled within the Cultural & Arts Centre