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Published: February 20th 2006
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hostel in KL
it was actually worse in person! who knows how many spiders i slept with or even ate for that matter! Caution... entry not for children or those of weak stomach!
Yesterday was probably the most fun day i have had thus far! I started the day out going on a guided tour of the northern part of Cameron. It was myself, two karens from Germany, Amanda from Australia and another young chap who didn't speak much. The girls were put in the back and the guys were in front and we started our trip in our "vip" land rover special edition with our humorous tour guide, Kumai. We visited the infamous BOH tea plantation and learned of the rich history of it's modest beginnings to how it became this huge empire that dominates all of Malaysia's tea industry. Us girls got to know each other and had some great laughs.. the ones that hurt your belly and make your cheeks sore! Our morning tea at the plantation was held over a conversation of how the Asian toilets actually work and how in particular the bucket and pail play a roll in the process! We all had our own conclusion to what it's purpose was! Amanda was using it to fill the tank when her BR visits involved a more heavy
hostel in KL2
this was their bathroom/shower. duty disposal and the two Karen's thought it was to clean the toilet (even on the European toilets) and we all worried that there was more to it and we were just lacking toilet knowledge! One thought that continuously came up was if the pail was used to splash water on the user's bum to clean up but didn't understand that if this was so, how come people didn't walk out of the stalls with wet pants. Well, as we all hopped back in the posh land rover, Karen #1 said, "should we ask our tour guide perhaps?" Since earlier in the day he said he knew everything there is to know about Cameron Highlands, we took the statement seriously and went ahead and asked since these toilets were dominate in the town! Kuami started laughing and confirmed our suspicion that the pail was in fact to clean up things--yourself and the toilet! apparently people take off their knickers while in the loo?! seems like a lot of work just to go to the bathroom?! We also discussed the fear of finding ourself having to go, you know what, w/o a European toilet around.. only one of us has actually
BOH
the view were beautiful all round! done the deed and didn't advise us to try it!Another highlight of the tea plantation was the tour where we learned that hand picked tea is actually not hand picked from the fields but in the factory in a little room by a little lady.
Our next stop was suppose to be the highest point of Cameron but was axed b/c there were construction workers working on the road (on a Sunday?!) So we were onto another mountain, called Coral Mountain. Thank God i wore my boots b/c we did some serious jungle trekking up and around and back down this mountain and i was slipping the whole time b/c its just so damp. While on the bush walk (Australian for hiking!) we learned about various plants found in the rain forest and the different uses for each of them. The Germans were a bit slow and it was fun to watch each other get swatted with branches and run into spiderwebs. The summit had a great view and we got in some cheeky pictures. When we were walking back down the Muslims were doing their afternoon prayer and the mosque had a terrible quality speakerphone and the one doing the prayer sounded like a kid!
After we got lunch the Karens went back to the guesthouse and Amanda and I continued on the second half of the tour that explored the bottom half of Cameron. The trip was a bit traitorous and we are both sore today from all the potholes and basically off roading for 2 hours. We traveled to the Orang Asli village and saw some amazing spiders and butterflies along the way. These spiders were as big as our hand..i kid you not! The village on the other hand was sort of a mixed feeling of whether it was a positive or negative experience. We both agreed it felt like we were intruding b/c the adults never came out.. except the chief of the tribe and his wife. The children were also used to receiving treats from the visitors on a daily basis and were somewhat greedy with our gifts. We bought stickers b/c we figured they don't have a dentist and they get enough candy from other visitors and they seemed disappointed. It was still a learning experience none-the-less but we both agreed we wouldn't do it again. Amanda and I had a blowpipe contest, which i lost to.. lack of wind from smoking all those years i guess?
A shower was much appreciated on our return as i knew there were bugs all over me b/c i saw them (but didn't say anything b/c i didn't want to scare her) all over Amanda!
I am not returning to KL for now b/c i had such a bad feeling from the place the one horrible night i was there.. might go back later on, but I'm ready for the beach holiday.. it's also pretty chilly here and i even had to wear thermal underwear under my pj's the past two nights. So I'm ready for hot weather--the beach is calling my name and Amanda and I are gonna hit Penang together and possibly run into the Germans again.. pictures are slow to upload so sorry for the lack of them.. maybe later on tonight!
Hope you are all doing well!
xo
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DeVoSy
non-member comment
wow!
I love your stories! Keep em up!