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Published: March 11th 2014
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Our Thailand visa was coming to an end so we needed to travel South into Malaysia.
We chose the Cameron Highlands as a complete change to beach locations.
We booked a bus down to Ipoh, with the intention of getting an onward but up to the highlands. The agent told us it would be a Malaysian bus and from past experience we knew they are highly air conditioned. So with all our warmest clothes on we turned up for the bus at 9am. It wasn’t a Malaysian bus at all , it was Thai with virtually no air con. Lie number one! As we travelled South the temperature gradually rose and we began to melt. At the border we had to hump our luggage off and carry it over in order for it to be x rayed. That was a waste of time and effort as the x ray machine was broken!
Passports stamped we were back on the bus and on our way to Ipoh. Goodbye Thailand , hello Malaysia.
The agent had told us that when we got to Ipoh, we would be dropped off at the same bus station that we needed for the local bus to Cameron highlands. Lie number 2. We were dropped off on a street in the middle of no where. After asking around we were told that the bus station we needed was ‘only a klilometre’s walk away, don’t get a taxi they are very expensive in Malaysia’
Hmm -- not a good idea being as the temperature was in the high 30’s and we had backpacks to carry. Luckily a local lady came to the rescue and offered to drive us for 7 MR (£1.40). She went for her car which turned out to be the oldest battered car I’ve ever seen and had no air con. Oh well better than walking.
What was a kilometre as the crow flies was about 3 by road, the car was like an oven and we sat sweltering for 20 minutes as she negotiated the rush hour traffic.
We bought a ticket and were told the next bus was 6pm, our watches said 4.15pm – almost a 2 hour wait. We were able to put our bags on the bus in the luggage compartment so went off to find a cool spot to wait. Around 4.35pm we noticed people getting on the bus so followed suit as it was cool inside. I then decided to get off and get water and food for the 2 hour journey. Thinking I had plenty of time I sauntered around meanwhile Stan suddenly realised that there was an hours time difference between Thailand and Malaysia so it was fast approaching 6pm. Just in the nick of time I returned and the bus lumbered out of the bus station.
Phew! What a narrow escape.
Instantly the temperature inside the bus began to drop rapidly as we climbed to a high altitude, our clothes were decidedly damp and felt freezing cold on our skin. Unfortunately as the bus wound ever higher up the very twisty road the driver did not switch off the air con. By the time we reached our destination – Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands our teeth were almost chattering! The outside temperature did nothing to help, as Tanah Ratu is 1,500 metres up the air was cold – and so was the guest house we’d chosen. For the first time in weeks we slept snuggled up under blankets.
Next morning we woke up to beautiful sunshine and by 10 am the temperature was a pleasant 25 degrees and getting warmer.
Our plan was to explore the many jungle paths and Tea Plantations.
PS some of you may already have seen photos of the jungle trails and tea plantations on Facebook but if not they'll be on my next blog
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
I went to high school in Tanah Rata...
from 1966 to 1968. It was located at the Eastern Hotel (probably renamed by now) in the valley below the mosque, and across from Government House and the play ground. Hopefully you can post a pictures for me! Anyway, enjoy the Boh Tea Plantation and the hikes in the jungle to the various waterfalls. And watch out for tigers.