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

The 6-km city

Angkor Wat reflections

“I have wondered all my life, and I have also travelled.The difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment”-Hilaire Belloc.“

Now where was I?”, I wonder.  Oh yes… the 6-km city. Its not everyday I get a free flight and hotel stay with breakfast thrown in. In fact hardly, unless it’s some contests I’ve won.  Lucky charm must have crossed my zodiac star. I was  in Siem Reap with my boss and about 20 delegates from Malaysia for the Annual International Rubber Conference recently. One of the participants suffered a slip-disc at the last minute. Despite some earlier apprehensions as I was the only rose among the thorns, I threw caution to the wind. With so much being written and talked about, nothing is like seeing the place with your own eyes.  Don’t let the “long walk, the climbing, the heat” stop you from visiting this ancient ruins, a UNESCO heritage.  I called it a 6-km city because Siem Reap is such a small place but rich in histories, ancient sites, a shoppers’ paradise and handicrafts. From the tuk-tuk to riding pillion on a motorbike, to taxis or even public bus is at the snap of a finger. The commercial center from  banks, government offices, hotels or restaurants is confined within the 6-km radius. If you are going during the hot season, be prepared with masks or scarves to cover your nostrils. The choke-filled air is quite bad. But if it rains the night before, then going sight-seeing in the tuk-tuk for US$2 per ride or US$8-10 for a whole day, is a breeze. If you intend to enjoy your visit to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, buy a three-day ticket. Some who went there with children finds it a drag. Under the shady trees, there are rows of stalls selling local coconuts or drinks to quench your thirts, food for your growling tummy or browse through the many well-crafted silk tablecloth, shirts/T-shirts and souvenirs if you need to rest your tired legs.In the outskirts, besides Angkor ruins, there is the Tonle sap (Floating lake), a heart-wrenching experience for me, the silk farm, Land Mine museum and the Cultural village. Besides these, the town has many things to offer :the National Museum, Royal garden, Asia craft and gems center along the Pokambor Ave. Many food stalls lined the roads. If you are in the vicinity of National Museum , drop in at the Borey Sovann or Chaopraya restaurant for your food. Most tourists take their meals here. There are a variety of choices, from local to western food for US$2.99 to US$5.99. From the Angkor Holiday hotel where we stay, it was walking distance to the Centre and Old market. After 8.00 pm. you can visit the night market where you find more handicrafts and souvenirs. Along this same street, Sivutha Ave, there are some night spots such as Jasmine Angkor or Blue Wave bistro for karaoke or enjoy a few drinks watching scantily clad dancers.

And don’t forget to taste their French loaf. One of the best. Can be found in most of the food stalls. That must be a legacy inherited from the French, who occupy Cambodia in the 19 Century.

 

  

       

Bas reliefs on the South-West gallery

boat people in Tonle Sap, “Floating Lake”

Raya in Tawau

      

Tawau is a coastal town on the south-east coast of Sabah. There are a mixture of migrants from Indonesia, majority Bugis.  Despite sounding like some backward state(sorry for the pun), we visited Semporna with its famous floating restaurant, pearls and fishing wharf. It is a  gateway to the numerous islands, in particular Sipadan island.  We were cautioned  against going for safety reasons unless we get a tour guide.Aside from that, we visited their Palong houses,wooden stilt houses on water at Tanjung Batu(the name was derived from the hills with rockfalls). It has made a Chinese man into a millionaire. The hills are still standing.  

Many families have been living there for years. Despite their “unhealthy way” of doing business, most of the houses are well-maintained and furnished and the people live peacefully despite many who are migrants, having made their home here years ago.

   

On our way back from Tg. Batu, we enjoy the breeze of the sea, with a fantastic view of the Perairaan Toulson, an entry & exit point for those from Indonesia which is about 10 minutes drive from Tawau town.

 Our hosts  feted us with their local specialties, namely soto(chicken soup served with nasi impit, chicken meat, fried peanuts, cutlet and coriander) and gado-gado, a mixture of blanched & fresh vegetables, eaten with sate sauce.

 Tawau town boasts of the famous Central market where there are fresh seafood and assortments of cheap, dried and wet foodstuffs and their Sabah kopi with tongkak asli(not ali). Then there is the famous Sabindo Seafood Court Centre where you can feast your palletes with fresh prawns, sotong, fish…….at very reasonable costs.

One thing is sure. Fresh and cheap seafood. Tawau lives up to its name.

 

Enchanting Malaysia-Tioman Island

 

Mersing Jetty, Pahang.

 

My colleagues and I cruising to Maritime Park &Pulau Renggis for our snorkelling experience

For R5 you can camp here, surrounded by sand and sea and sunshine while enjoying a round of drinks.

Bearing with one another

When friends heard who my travelling companions to Chiang Mai were, they cant believe their ears. Wah! cannot be so cham ah. Look at them(omit the handsome 75 yr. old mat salleh, 46 years in Chiang Mai). Arent they charming and sweet, cannot become Jeezebel overnight, can they? We are bound to see each other idiosyncrasies day by day. I guess we all got to know each other better - good or bad, time will tell. From toilet to eating to sleeping habits, our likes and dislikes, kiam siap or chin chai…cheong hei or slow winded(got such word?)…. Cannot or susah to berak, also tell. But this one we have in common - I know driver cum tour guide sings to entertain tourists, but because he so handsome(sorry no photo) 4 old ladies became overnight Sudirman, Teng Lee Chin, Abba, Tom Jones. We sang our hearts and lungs out and got him entertained instead. Not only did we tip him well, we even paid his one night stay. Pity leh, seeing him and other drivers curled up in the vehicle. When he runs to open your door each time you step out of the vehicle, how do you feel? Never been treated like a VIP except this once. Even our husbands have forgotten their manners.

this hotspring takes 15 mins to cook eggs,dont used it as a sauna. probably end up like burnt meat.

Sa-wat dee

Expected to be met with “Sa-wat dee” upon my arrival at Chiangmai airport, I got only a firm handshake! So much for brushing up my Thai. Great places, cheap and good food and shopping? no need to say-lah. For those who intend to travel further north of Chiangmai, go and rent a car. For 1000 baht a day, you get a very comfortable car, 2000 baht for a 9-seater van with a driver who will take you wherever you want to go. Petrol is on you. Its really worth it. Just to travel in Malaysia your toll will costs you more than that. Oh, there is no communication problem - what they cant understand - try hand, head and body signs. It will definitely do the trick. To bargain, the seller punched his price on his calculator, you punched yours. No need to talk. When you order your food from the stalls, dont just point this,point that. You could be asking “What is that?”, to them it means “I want this one, this one and this one”. All three plates will be served on you in quick succession.

this picture taken at night bazaar. good place to put up your tired feet. Supposed to close at 10.00 p.m but look at the crowd..business is good!

Traveller’s quirks

Going on a trip can be a “pane” and “bane” thing, esp. when you have a lingua problem. Some say”you either have it or you dont”. I guess I dont. The last trip to China, I tried to master some common words. You should hear how  my conversation with the sales staff turned out - like rojak!!!!  mingled with manglish…… After my return, I looked up a centres so I could brush up my pin yin. Cant find time to slot in.  From 8-14 Nov. I will be in Chiangmai and will not be  blogging unless I can get hold of the internet. These are the few words I think will suffice for one who is teruk in her lingua.

 Hello(sa-wat dee)

Thank you(Khorb koon)

Sorry(khor toat)

Delicious(a-roi)

How are you? (sabai dee mai)

I am fine. (sabai dee)

How much is this?(ra ka thao rai)

 

 Looks like fun?……..

3’s not a crowd

the 3 pretty ladies found an innovative way to hide themselves from the blazing sun. this picture was taken during my trip with a  group of ladies to road less travelled- Country View and Recreational park in Jeram Besu, Pahang. We were unaware this beautiful place existed in our very own Malaysian soil due to lack of publicity. Activities incl. water rafting( a milder version compared to those who have gone to Kota Kinabalu), jungle tracking, flying fox n abselling, ulu dong waterfall, 4-wheel challenge, visit to the waterfall, Kerling cave, tau fu n groundnut factory….. many more.

website: http://www.crpadventure.com

sorry unable to load more pictures….

Quirks of Malaysian drivers at tollbooth

If you have been on Malaysian road as often as I do, this would sound familiar…..The continuous flashing of the car lights?. This irate driver accelerated as he approached the tollbooth behind me while I like every conscientious driver was doing just the opposite –slowing down. What is it with these guys? If they are not flashing their lights, they are flashing their….”little brother”. We ladies flashed if we have nice things to show off. Like we flashed our 24k diamonds on our little middle finger, our super ACURA RSX 2006 on the road, our36-24-36 statitics.

They do the same at traffic lights. You could be following a driver who drives like he owns the whole road or behaving as though he’s on a sight seeing tour of our beautiful highways. I could walk faster than he drives. See!See! as soon as he spot a traffic light turning yellow, swoosh…. he changes from a saint to a hell-rider to beat the red light.

If you are forced to choose between life and death, that required immediate action. But definitely not this lorry driver. He makes a snap decision to change lane, cutting in front of me without warning, forcing me to apply my emergency break. Why? Just because of a pretty face in the tollbooth. As he rolled down the glass window and poke out his head, he is all nice and smiley putting on his gentleman manners exchanging pleasantries as though he just found his long lost girlfriend! Hey, this is no place to make a date.

One weekend while returning to Klang from Seremban , this tanker driver drove thro’ a no-entry lane for payment and got stuck between two toll-booths. Fortunately the tollbooth operator escaped in the nick of time before one of the booth came toppling down. So we got stuck in a long jam while highway operators ran helter skelter searching for fire extinguishers in the event fire break out.