To Cameron Highlands

Traveled a modern, four lane highway as far as Ipoh (a couple of hours) heading for Cameron Highlands.  Stopped at a rest stop and had a “sardine donut”  --seemed an important life experience..  Could have gone for a cup of corn

with various flavorings, or soft ice cream in green tea or black sesame (among others). The excellent toll road took us past many palm oil plantations.

We turned off the highway onto a windy two lane road that snaked up into the hills for some 50 km (~30 miles) to reach the highlands, and then another 25 (15 miles) to our hotel’s town (Tanah Rata). It was dark and raining all the way, making for a loooong and exciting journey.

Glad to have made it, and ready for some dinner, we found an Indian greasy spoon place that apparently caters to tourists with little discernment in dining…oh well, better luck tomorrow.

Next day, better food and an excursion off the main road to the Boh tea plantation. A lovely spot.

  Had tea overlooking the gentle hills of the plantation, and walked a bit, and sat in light rain enjoying the vista.

T and tea

carrying tea leaves to the factory

We left the next day, a Sunday of a three-day weekend, thinking to avoid the crowds whom we thought would exit the following day. But traffic crawled for miles, the sheer number of vehicles way overwhelming the lush and lovely highlands. Note to self and whomever is listening: don’t come on a holiday ever again.  Frustrated with the pace of traffic, we sadly  passed on the opportunity for a side trip to visit a temple honoring  the famous Chinese admiral eunuch Sam Poh, who reportedly travelled as far as West Africa in the 15^th century. The temple doesn't look like much in the guide books, but it’s not every day one has the chance to honor a Chinese admiral eunuch. Ah but your author has since learned that there is more than one Sam Poh temple in the area (and also that he is more formally known as Zheng He. There is one outside Ipoh built into a cave and another here on Penang, reputedly built over his giant footprint..

Past the worst of the traffic, we stopped at another tea plantation and enjoyed a cuppa, with lots of other people. Before heading down off the highlands (um, do we call down here the lowlands?).  On the highway, a billboard advertises “Prunes from California”.  OK.  Prune extract, actually, when I see the fine print.  Another sign promotes Kolej Vokasional.

It takes a mere $20 to fill the tank (28.57 liters/7.5 gallons)  with subsidized gas.