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Published: June 19th 2011
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28th - After lunch I headed out to the Masjid Negara (National Mosque) but it was closed to non-Muslims. I can't remember St. Paul's being shut to non-Christians the last time I was in London. So I cut my losses and visited the Sri Mahamarriaman temple and then the Kin Cho Hong temple. Next it was the Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque in KL. The doorman, Ahmed, asked me if I'd like to sit and have some water so I did, and he spent an entertaining half hour trying to turn me, he even gave me the Muslim name of Mohamed Amin. That evening I went up to the golden triangle which is the shopping area of town, I found four music shops and not one of them had a uke. By the time I got back to the shop near the hostel they were closed. Oh well, back to my room to get ready to move tomorrow.
29th - Rose late again! That gave me the opportunity to purchase a new ukulele and then I went for the train to the long distance bus station. Unfortunately I caught the wrong train so had to retrace my steps and catch
the right train, only to find all the buses from the bus station I arrived at only service the south and I was headed north! C'est la vie! Caught a connecting bus to the right bus station and was bundled straight onto a coach up to the Cameron Highlands. There was only me and one other person on the bus so I broke out the ukulele, and had a rare old time. The journey was four hours long, the last two on a minor road that wound it's way up and up into the mountains. It was 32 degrees in KL when I left and a refreshing 23 in Tanah Rata. I found myself a room, had tandoori chicken naan for tea and a quick scout round before bed.
30th - I was up early today, intending to tackle Gunung Brinchang, the highest peak in the Cameron Highlands. In KL a fellow traveller told me to hitch a lift whilst here because it was the best mode of transport. So I stuck out my thumb and the first bloke past picked me up. He dropped me off in Brinchang town and I found jungle trek No.1 which leads to
the top of the mountain. It was fantastic! Unrelentingly steep, having to use your hands to climb up tree roots and over fallen logs. Just below the top the jungle cleared and there was a great view over the valleys. There was an observation tower a the top, though the great views were spoilt somewhat by comms towers. I walked back down the road through the tea gardens, hitched back to Brinchang and then hitched again to Tanah Rata. I had a lazy afternoon and after tea booked on a jungle adventure for tomorrow, which cost a tenner.
31st - Up early today for the jungle adventure. We were picked up in a landrover and drove up to a viewpoint above the tea gardens for pictures. We then drove up Gunung Brinchang to the watchtower again. As I was climbing down a French girl was climbing up and I managed to stand right on her head! Hah, one in the eye for Le Rosbifs, and worth the tenner on it's own! We then had an hours trek through the mossy forest, and our guide explained some of the medicinal uses some of the local plants were put to. After
that was a guided tour of the tea factory and a nice cup of char. Then it was a trip to the butterfly gardens with the usual snakes and giant insects. Back to the ranch for a shower and then spent a good hour with a Breton called Jaques who gave me some good pointers for Penang.
1st - Another day in the hills, this time with two German lads who teach English in Vietnam (go figure). We went to Robinson falls and then climbed another mountain called Bukit Beremban. Went to a local halal place for tea (I think I upset him when I asked for a beer) and then to Daniel's lodge where I definately did get a beer. It pissed it down so I had a couple more until it stopped. Booked a transfer to Penang which leaves at 7am so another early night.
2nd - Up early for the minibus to Penang. The driver was like an F1 driver, he really knew his racing line and treated every car in front of him as an obstacle to a podium place. All the way down all I could think of was that I wanted my
bike! in Penang I found a lovely hostel that was brand new, she even gave me the room cheap because they hadn't finished renovating. I had an air conditioned nap and then went for a mooch round. I had a look round the old British colonial quarter and Fort Cornwallis, which was first constructed from timber in 1786, the current brick & stone fort was completed in 1810. I also visited the Khoo Kongsi, a mix of chinese clan house (for the Kong clan), which was really amazing. After tea I found a bar with the match on, ended up drinking till the early hours with two Germans, an Aussie bird and a Kiwi.
3rd - Went up to little India for a look round the markets, spent the evening watching a film back at the ranch with the other guests. All in all a quiet day.
4th - Ventured out &had roti canai for breakfast, then visited the Chiang Fatt Tze mansion, which was built by a chinaman who left home with nothing and made his fortune in the straights colonies. It was a lovely old building and just screamed wealth, with a pool in the courtyard
and large airy , carved windows and chinese mosaics. I had tandoori chicken and naan for tea and a couple of samosas for supper. Ended up having an early night and watched 'The Mark of Zorro' (Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone) on the iFone.
5th - Got up at nine and went to the Thai consulate for a visa. Went back to collect it at half three and headed back to the sports bar for a celebratory pint.
6th - Got up about lunchtime & caught the ferry over to Butterworth. Enquired about catching the train to Had Yai in Thailand but was told it wasn't running due to the floods they've been having up there. In the evening I went to the technology mall to buy a camera cos mine had gone on the blink. Had a nap and then got up at 2.30am in order to watch the champions league match. I had to walk back to the hostel and it was like I had eyes in the back of my head, all stray dogs and ladies of the night (more stray dogs, you may say) got back no worries though and to bed.
7th - had a lie in this morning and then sorted my transfer to Krabi in Thailand, only an 8hr minivan trip! Had a small bite to eat and then headed out to the pier but disappointingly it was no more than a glorified bar. As it had just gone dark I got the 20p ferry to Butterworth & back, I know how to treat myself! Walked back down Lebuh Cintra in chinatown and had chinese for tea, delicious! Back to the room to pack for the journey tomorrow.
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