In Asia it is hot, very hot, and if we remove some exceptional case (Hanoi), we have lived for six months with an average of 25 or 30 degrees and a sticky humidity. So, when we read that in Malaysia there is an area lost by the mountains, tea plantations, strawberries and with fresh air and temperatures that do not rise to 20 degrees, we have not thought twice: Cameron Higlands here we go.
Arrived in the city of Tanah Rat We have started looking for a tour to visit the area, but go, after a few minutes and see the circus they have assembled we have no doubts, we go to a plantation for free. The next morning we caught a local bus that left us about 2.5 kilometers from the plantation where we arrived walking between tea fields and accompanied alone by the sun ... a nice ride.
The landscapes are fabulous, cool weather and arrived at the village where the plantation workers live we have found a playground, and of course, we have not been able to resist the temptation to climb the swing. We were dancing until a woman left her house and yelled at us: BABIES! Of course, we apologize believing that the woman wanted to tell us: "old fat guys, get off the swing that you have no age for that." But he called us again when we were leaving and insisted with the BABIES ... well let's see what he wants ... we enter his house and surprise! It was a nursery. Two twins of a few months and a beautiful girl gaped at us, and suddenly the face of a newly raised child appears from a hanging bag, as he would have another 5 or 6 hanging silk worms. A very funny time.
Returning to the Guest house, we tried to hitchhike, but we were not successful, will it have been Roby's monkey shirt? So again by bus and to eat Indian in the village (how good is Indian food please!).
Accommodation. Where to sleep in Cameron Higlands?
It is best to stay in the town of Tanah Rata. We did it at the Daniel's Lodge. Double room 35 MYR, small but clean, with common bathrooms and a very pleasant relaxed atmosphere.
Transport. How to get to Cameron Higlands?
From Penang it cost us 38 MYR by minivan. It took about 4 hours. The prices are the same in all agencies. You can also book a bus on the web www.easybook.com with the tour: from Penang Komtar to Tanah Rata. It leaves at 08:00 and takes a little less than 5 hours. The price is 40MYR. To get there, there are many Rapid Penang city buses that depart from “Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal” and stop at the “Komtar Bus Terminal”.
Visit to the Cameron Higlands plantation for free:
Local buses leave from the Tanah Rata bus station at 8.30 am 10.30 am and 12.30 pm They leave two km from the plantation Sungai Shovels Boh, you have to say you get down there. It costs 3.5 MYR. Walking is about 45 minutes, on a pleasant walk. On the way back, buses are taken at the crossing to the plantation, or further down in a market. They pass at 13.40 15.40 and 17.40. Important: these schedules you have to check the day you arrive ... in Asia things change very fast and these schedules may no longer be valid.
You can also ask in one of the many agencies for a half-day or full-day excursion. Compare between several what they include and prices. There is an option to visit, in addition to tea plantations, insect farms, flowers, cacti, strawberries ... but it did not attract much attention.
