After a four hour chauffeur driven mini-bus from Kuala Lumpur where we met a cracking couple Kieran and Katie from good old Shaky Wakey, we arrived in Tanah Rata in The Cameron Highlands. After winding through the lush green hills we entered the main street of Tanah Rata and it reminded me of being in the Lake District. Tudor style stone buildings and a quiet main street that was chilly and wet. We checked into Daniels Lodge which we just had to stay in. It is renowned for a huge sign that is placed at the entrance saying ‘F**k the Lonely Planet’. Now I must admit that I find this fact very amusing. Especially when this little fact is advertised inside the Lonely Planet. Maybe they are using some reversed psychology?
 |
| Air-Con & Chauffeur Driven |
 |
| Welcome to the Lake District |
 |
| What a Great Sign & USP! |
The Cameron Highlands is a reprieve from the sweaty jungles and beaches, or just another sticky day where your clothes cling to your body in the humidity of Malaysia. It is an alpine scrape of peaks, green hills, fuzzy tea plantations and waterfalls where the temperature never drops below 10 degrees or rises above 21 degrees. Trekking is a major activity as well as meeting fellow backpackers, as this is one of the major stop overs on the banana-pancake trail.
The first night in a Dutch Restaurant enabled us to enjoy a can of Carlsberg, with the entertaining company of Keiran and Katie. Overall the food was not of a high quality in the little town, but one evening introduced us to take away food Malaysian style. Noodle soup out of a plastic bag. Hillarious and I do not expect you to try that one at home. I won't be doing.
 |
| The riot that is Kieran & Katie. Have that cake big fella! |
 |
| COME ON!!!Soup in a bag, really! |
Carlsberg Lager, Denmark, 4% ABV
Yes I know! Carlsberg has been brewed in Copenhagen, Denmark since 1847 and is a blonde larger with a 4% ABV. Probably one of the best lagers in the world. Not for me but definitely has some great TV advertisements. Personally I found that the Carlsberg was refreshing but bland in flavour. It passes if served so chilled that its taste and aromas are largely masked.
 |
| Who needs to go to Holland for a Carlsberg? |
Our short stay in the Cameron Highlands was all about socialising which was great fun especially with a Barclays Premier League fest! Two live games were enjoyed, where Chang Beer from Thailand was consumed in large quantities while putting the world to rights with some fellow travellers including Kieran and Mark ‘Ersh’ Green. Now I know what you are thinking. I can’t believe he was drinking Chang in Malaysia and not a Malaysian beer. I do apologise for this, but you must understand it was the cheapest beer on the menu and this meant I could consume more without blowing our budget. See! Now I knew you would understand!!! To be honest Malaysian beer doesn’t seem to really exist in any quantity. You are more likely to drink Tiger, Chang, Asahi or Guinness. So far anyway.
The evening carried on without incident until it was actually bed time. In search of some well needed drinking water the bartender who had lost his keys to the fridge gave me a pint of boiling water and said 'let it cool down and you will have drinking water’. Just brilliant, gasping for cold water and I now have to wait until morning to drink it, what next gangs of howling mountain dogs making their way into town for a nightly brawl with the neighbourhood hounds. I am not even making that up and it was pretty scary. The room was bolted up tight!!!
 |
| Look! Kate watching everybody, watch the footy |
Chang Beer, Thailand, Abv 6.4%
Well wouldn't you know. It feels like fate again. After a little research it came to my attention that Chang Beer is distributed by the Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd. It hit the stores in Malaysia in August 2002 and was seen by Carlsberg as a great quiality beer that could be sold at a lower price than its Malaysian friends. Tonight has therefore been a Carlsberg night and highlights my earlier point that it was cheaper and therefore better for my drinking budget. To be honest I am going to once again leave my sampling notes until I actually get to Thailand later in the World Adventure. This way I can keep track of which beers come from which country! That way I can sample and enjoy the beers while brewed in origin with the cuisine they were intended to be consumed with.
 |
| Malaysia's well priced Thai beer. Chang in a can! |
Slightly hung over was how we started our only day in the Cameron Highlands. The place as you would expect is built for trekkers and ramblers, which we are not! Especially with our only footwear selection being flip-flops. We did however give it a good go but just stayed on-piste. We caught a local bus to the next village of Brintang where we were able to visit and sample the local delights.
The area was not our most favourite so far but we had a great day out walking in the mountain air seeing some sights that might not be on the top of your priority list. Never the less they were all a different kind of experience with the region being famous for garden centres, strawberry farms a butterfly farm, bee farm and sprawling tea plantation's.
 |
| Anyone for fresh strawberries? |
 |
| Butterflies everywhere. Pretty little things! |
 |
| Picking my own tea in the hillside |
 |
| We didn't get stung but the honey must be amazing |
 |
| I just couldn't resist taking this picture. |
 |
| The rolling hills of the Cameron Highlands |
One full day in the Cameron Highlands was definitely enough. It was time to move on and our highlights were the awesome views, fresh air, 3 in 1 coffee sachet Tiger Beer mugs, drunk Premier League football, crazy dogs, cool poncho’s and the great people we met including some new travel buddies. Mark from England as well as Carin and Marnix from Holland will be joining us for the next leg. Destination Pulau Langkawi.
As previously stated travelling in Malaysia for backpackers might be expensive but it is just so comfortable and efficient. We got collected from Daniel’s Lodge and had another chauffeur driven, air conditioned mini-bus take us directly to the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal five hours away on the western coast. At least one surprising thing happened in transit. The mini-bus driver had to turn back to collect his passport, which was in his pocket the whole time! I am sorry but that is about as crazy as travel in Malaysia will get. Definitely no more twenty five hour train delays. Bring on the paradise beaches of Langkawi.
 |
| The new gang waiting at Kuala Kedar ferry terminal |
 |
| Boat to Langkawi and the Sun is Shining-Happy Days |
No comments:
Post a Comment