Cameron Highlands... a breeze of fun....

I always told myself that when things bogged me down big time like stress at work or had too much things on my mind or even if I felt a little cranky, I would take a short break, step outside, change my environment and just chill out for a while. And so I did....this time I chilled out at Cameron Highlands with the family. Who have not heard of CH, right? It is probably the most notable highlands get away ever as far as I was concerned. I must say that CH has not failed in its beauty, it's British heritage goodness, the easy going chills and refreshing air.

However, strawberries, scones, apple pies, strawberry tarts, masala tea, dark tea, golden blend tea , chicken pies, strawberry cheese cake, lemon cake, oranges, vegetables, fruits and a huge dose of fun plus laughter filled the days with family. Sight-seeing and jostling with people over food, drinks, spaces and fruits seemed very impolite but needful -only to get the best of food, the best of view or the best scenario possible. I kinda sound more kiasu than the already ultra-kiasu Singaporeans!

Anyway, be rest assured that my manners, my personality and my humble nature are still intact despite all the hustle and bustle of jostling done. I guess, I am very thankful to be able to travel with Errol & family whom I have regarded as family all these years together with other wonderful "families". This time I had Wei & Jade plus MIL and the two fun loving children, Ryan & Ashley following us for the trip to Cameron Highlands. To me, it is always good to travel with family and start introducing places of interest to Wei & Jade. I hope they have enjoyed the trip with us as all of us really wanted to give them a good time in CH.

We arrived in Cameron Highlands after an arduous drive of turns and ascending hill slope maneuvering from Simpang Pulai, passing towns like Kg.Raja, Kuala Terla, Tringkap, Brinchang and soon, Tanah Rata and Royal Lily Apartment which was our accommodation for the two nights. The air was refreshingly cooling and a temperature of 19degrees Celsius greeted us. Honestly, I wasn't particularly interested in where we were sleeping but rather where we were going. Ryan & Ashley seemed excited enough and it warmed my heart because I really wanted these two tiny delights to enjoy a good time with their Ironman (me) and their favourite Ku Mah (SLing ).

This time, our first destination we visited is the Cameronian Valley observation deck near Bharat Tea Plantations. We sampled their famous, Masala Tea and Cardamon Tea delight. This was the great start as scones and strawberry cheese cake opened up our palate for many wonderful times ahead. We wanted to take the children down to the tea plantations but our attempts were thwarted by passing drizzling rain that fell that afternoon. Then it was off to Kea Farm to get the vegetable goodies for our own creation of steamboat bounty. By this time, it was raining cats and dogs but we waded through the sweltering heavy downpour and managed to get our vegetables and headed home for our steamboat preparations. I guess, the preparation was a whole load of fun and the fellowship was marvelous. Food was aplenty and we really had a great time together. That night , we decided to get out to Tanah Rata town and get filled up with our favourite coffee brew from Starbucks Tanah Rata, of course. So many young people (visitors ) there and even after we left the place at about 12.30pm, guests were still streaming into the place. Guess, there are still many people who will NOT sleep at that hour, huh? Interesting, isn't it?

The next morning, it was breakfast at Uncle Chow Kopitiam and what a breakfast time we had. The proprietor, Mr. Chow is a very interesting, bubbly, smiling and good mannered man indeed. He certainly lightened up our day there while the morning sun was a welcomed sight indeed. Uncle Chow uprooted from his place in KL and moved to Cameron Highlands 8 years ago and started out with this kopitiam serving local breakfast fares with a twist of charm and smileys. It was fun and heartwarming talking to this man and I really enjoyed my conversation with him. He even recommended us a nice local place for dinner that evening which we went and found it to be good too. Then , it was off to Boh Tea Plantation at Sg.Palas. The road was narrow but tarred. The sights were spectacularly green and the breeze was good.

We truly enjoyed the platform experience at the Observation Deck and also the educational tours at the tea making facility. I soon realised that the tea making machines were really amazingly old yet still functioning in churning out tea leaves by the tonnes. Raju Strawberry Farm was next and we managed to get a taste of their famous chocolate strawberry ice-cream delight. Then, Wei & Jade, MIL and our tiny tot friends had to leave us as Ryan was picking up a fever. We were sad to see them leave as there is so much more to see and do but I guess, i is the best thing to do looking into the situation they are in.

The rest of us then headed out to Restoran Kumar to settle our crave for Indian food. As we were quite hungry, we wolfed down our food rather rapidly. Then after some rest, we decided to hit The Lord's Cafe. This was truly the gem cafe amongst the places we have been. The strawberry scone, apple pie, chicken pie, lemon cheese cake and regular scones were such a delight. The place was terrifically rustic and had great ambiance. Really love the whole experience there! We then went off to Big Red Strawberry Farm for some wonderful experience of feast for the eyes especially on the flowers, cacti plants, vegetables and strawberries, of course! We took lots of photographs and soon, it was time for dinner at one of the recommended restaurant as mentioned by Uncle Chow. He was right - our dinner consisting of salted egg calamari rings, dragon beard vegetable, salted vegetable soup, marmite pork ribs, minced meat tou fu plus bittergourd with sliced pork belly were heavenly nourishment for a cold chilly nite.

By this time, news of the imminent passing away of Errol's uncle in Kluang made us realised how fragile life can be each day. Midway through our slumber in the 17 degrees conditions, SLing and I were awakened in the wee hours of the morning by some hysterical shouting of some schoolgirls who were staying in one of the units. O God! What a ruckus it was but soon, sleep had evaded me. By 6.00am, my eyelids could not and would not shut and I was dead awake to face another day. As Errol and family needed to be back in Melaka and to facilitate another journey to Kluang, we checked out from our apartment early and we went on separate ways. We still wanted to visit some places and get some fruits and food stuff to take home. SLing and I headed towards Strawberry Park Resort ( supposed to be our honeymoon place when we first got married but we did not make it! Our wedding dinner cost wiped us out la...! hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa....... )  Copthorne Hotel , formerly known as Equatorial Hotel and some nice places to have some photographs taken and the we headed to Kea Farm to get our strawberry, corn and some fruits.

When we finally reached home that evening, it was such a wonderful break and I missed Cameron Highlands the minute I stepped into my home. Somehow, holiday breaks does this to you and messed your mind up big time, right? I learnt a lot of invaluable lessons this trip while my joy was enormous seeing Wei & Jade plus the two children joining us for the trip. Errol & Jessica plus the two girls, Josephine & Jocelyn were wonderful  especially the selfies activity and the fun at the various places of interest.

I could get used to opening a small bakery and cafe at Cameron Highlands if I get that opportunity. Afterall someone commented a long time ago that I have baker's hands. Would I succeed if I opened up a cafe there? Honestly, I wouldn't know but it is a great thought though.....I guess, it is not so much of the money to make or whatever, it is just the simplicity of life that I am after. BTW, most shops/cafes closes up at 3.00pm or 4.00pm in Cameron Highlands.

Yeah,  I like the cool, breezy and chilly weather up there.......yeah, sometimes, these are just screen savers in our life as the reality is not too far away. Great holidays with great family and great family friends. Looking forward to the next trip..........