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Published: June 24th 2009
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After a long 4 1/2 hour bus ride, twisting and turning around the interior of Malaysia at 140km/h we arrived in Tanah Ratah, one of three small towns, which collectively are known as the Cameron Highlands. We settled into Twin Pines Hostel at a whopping RM25 a night for both of us. At this point we really considered ourselves backpacking. That afternoon we grabbed some local Indian food and planned out what we were going to see. We ended up booking a full day tour (RM60 each), which promised us a jam packed day of jungle trekking, a tea plantation visit, plus strawberry farm, butterfly farm, reptile and insect sanctuary, and a local Aboriginal tribe visit etc. With not much nightlife in Tanah Ratah, Sarah and I read and got a good night sleep.
Fortunately, our tour ended up just being Sarah and I, quite a good deal at RM60 each. Our guide was the sweetest old man, who was born and raised in the Cameron Highlands. In Malaysia they force retirement at 55, so he retired from working at the local HSBC Bank, took a couple of years off and then started doing local tours. We began the morning
driving up to one of highest peaks to get a good view of the surrounding jungle. From there we drove along the mountain side to the 'BOH' Tea Plantation, where we took a short tour of their factory and tried the local brew with scones in the tea house. It was virtually impossible to take a bad picture. The tea plantations are lined up in rows that hug the rolling hills and are soo green, they almost look unreal.
After the tea plantations, we headed to the reptile and insect sanctuary and the butterfly farm. It seems that every creepy crawly bug here is about 100x the size of those back home. We held rhino beetles and scorpians and were able to view from a distance tarantulas, snakes, lizards and frogs. Next door at the butterfly farm, there was a wide range of colourful butterflies all willing to stop long enough for us to get a good picture.
From the butterfly farm we drove onwards to the strawberry farm, where there were rows of covered potted strawberry plants. The climate in the mountains is perfect for growing strawberries, however, they are covered to protect them from the torrential
down pours during the rainy season. Sarah and I were able to pick 2kg of strawberries for only RM24. At this point we were midway through the day and took a short break for lunch at a Chinese restaurant.
In the afternoon we drove down past Tanah Ratah to the Aboriginal Longhouse. This particular longhouse was just off to the side of the main road winding around the mountain into the town. The Aboriginal man that showed us their way of life, claimed to be Michael Jackson, and was dressed in their traditional dress, which was basically next to nothing. It appeared that now they would wear western clothes, but of course to have a truly authentic experience he was dressed in what would have been worn. "Michael Jackson" took us just off the road into the neighbouring jungle, pointing out plants and describing their various uses. At points he wanted us to try some wild leaves and what not, our guide was more than apprehensive and told him that we had had plenty to eat for lunch! We made our way deeper in to the jungle to a water fall, where Michael showed us how to use a
blow pipe. A long hollowed out piece of bamboo that they insert small wooden darts into, laced with poisonous toad skin, used for killed wild animals.
We made our way back to the longhouse, where we were invited inside (we literally thought we were going to break through their thatched floor) for some wild boar stew. So as not to be rude, we obliged and tried some of their homemade cooking. Interesting to say the least, one mouth full was enough for both of us. Michael proceeded to bring out some bamboo mallets used to bang on to a larger piece of bamboo with small holes cut out of it. The effect was quite pretty, almost sounding like cross between a drum and an organ. Michael began to chant and dance around (remember wearing next to nothing). I was conscripted to play the instrument with a young girl and Michaels younger brother. They must have been pleased with my musical ability, because next I was requested to dance around, following the rhythmn of Michaels brother. Sarah Hall, also joined in and played the bamboo instrument, all while thinking, what the hell have we got ourselves into.
Last but
not least, our guide drove us to a Chrysanthemum farm to take a look around and take a few "snaps". We ended the day at the local night market, which is usually only on the weekends, but because it was school holidays we were lucky to be able to enjoy it during the week. We ate chicken satays (RM 0.50 each), bbq corn on the cob, tempura battered shiitake mushrooms and sweet corn crepes, all for under RM5 each!!!
We were absolutely exhausted after our Cameron Highlands tour and hit the hay early. We had booked a bus for the next day, to head to the Perhentian Islands.
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