Sunday, July 01, 2007

Cameron Highlands 2007

Cameron Highlands is a lovely mountain resort in West Malaysia, surrounded by lush tea plantation and greenery. At an altitude of over 1,500m above sea level, it is the perfect setting for a great variety of floral and fruit nurseries. My last visit there was about three decades ago. Hence, it was a nostalgic trip to Tanah Rata and Brinchang, two of the five towns there. The climate was not as cool as before. Nonetheless, it was a good change from the generally hot and humid weather of Singapore.
I was especially enchanted by the sheer size and beauty of the hibiscus and sunflower. They grow very well there and are larger than a human face! The butterfly farm provides a safe haven for the cultivation and preservation of different species. They roam freely within its premises. In the farm, there are also snakes, beetles, tree lizards, leaf insect, etc...They are kept in cages! Phew!
One should not miss a trip to the Strawberry farm. They grow in abundance and I appreciate its stages of growth from seeding, nurturing, flowering and fruiting.
This is indeed a memorable visit that we shall treasure for many years to come. Though the journey up the steep and winding road was challenging, it was compensated by the sheer beautiful landscape and the vast array of fruit and flower gardens. In addition, my wife and I were blessed by the warm hospitality of the Cameronians, i.e. the cheerful and helpful hotel staff and tour guides. Hopefully, it will not be another 30 years before our next visit!