The Country Mouse

7th September. Day 6

abbehorrod — Tue, 8 Sep 2015 19:45:00 GMT

After the worst nights sleep thanks to the group outside my room shouting until 4am I woke up at 9 and got ready for a day of walking around Georgetown looking at the sights. Breakfast was at my favourite café Wheelers coffee which sells great bagles with an iced coffee and I was good to go!

The street art was pretty difficult to find sometimes as they were hidden around corners or street sellers had covered them with their wares. It was great to see people interact with the art, some had props and part of its design, allowing people to touch and play around taking selfies. In the end I managed to find about half of them and had a good walk along the dock which greeted me with a (very needed) cool breeze off the sea. I too tootered around some of the shops selling quirky little gifts of postcards, magnets and handmade books.

It took me about two hours to follow the art work on it's windy path and as the day got on I was gasping for some air conditioning and a cold drink. Luckily, I stumbled upon a restaurant/bakery called Black Kettle. It was very modern, airy and smart, I felt a little out of place with my denim shorts and strappy top but I was too hot and bothered to really care that much. I ordered a chicken sandwich sat back and read my book.

As my funds were getting a bit low I needed to get to a bank so I set off in search. It led me to Fort Cornwallis, I paid 20 to get in but wish I hadn't. It wasn't particularly interesting or informative. Back on the road then which again led me next to the waters edge and another cool breeze cutting through the humidity of the city. After an hour I finally reached the bank I wanted and made my way back to Love Lane. On the way I passed a wierd burning ritual, they looked like brightly coloured totem poles and were slowly smouldering away. The heat it gave off was stifling on what was already a warm day.

Back at the hostel I showered and then met two girls from London travelling together. We went to the food court for dinner then had a few beers and played cards until it was time for bed.

6th September. Day 5

abbehorrod — Tue, 8 Sep 2015 12:39:00 GMT

My time in the Highlands had come to an end. I loved my time here where wearing a jumper was necessary, the misty morning tea and the small town feeling where you pretty much recognised everyone. I'd highly recommend everyone to come to this beautiful place. However all good things must come to an end..and all that. A 9am bus picked me up and set off for Georgetown in Penang. Unfortunately I was sat next to a girl with server motion sickness, not the most enjoyable bus journey I've had.

We were dropped off outside a shopping mall with no maps or tourist office and so confusion and panic set in for some of my co-travellers. They frantically pulled out their lonely planet guides or google maps. I looked at them a bit bewildered at walked 2 meters to the nearest shop to ask for directions, the very helpful woman gave me clear instructions to get to my hostel on Love Lane (apparently it's where rich businesses men used to keep their mistresses). I know technology is a wonderful tool but sometimes communication and a friendly smile gets you farther.

The hostel is a cool space, dorms of 12 beds like cubbyholes with a curtain for privacy. I booked myself in and headed next door for a very late lunch at Wheelers Coffee followed by a short walk around the block. On my stroll I saw a nice little book shop and popped in as I'd forgotten to bring a book with me on my travels, I got two and settled down to read one for a hour or two until it got dark.

Dinnertime, and I was told my the extremely happy guy at my hostel (Charlie) that the food court around the corner was a great place, he wasn't wrong! There were so many stalls with different cuisines, Japanese, Malaysian, Korean and of course Vietnamese. I ordered a pad Thai and people watched.

5th September. Day 4

abbehorrod — Sat, 5 Sep 2015 23:02:00 GMT

Woke up sore and stiff this morning so decided a tour of the highlights was in order, I'd also rubbed the back of my heel from the trek so I felt pretty reluctant to but my trainers on again. A very British breakfast of baked beans on toast and I was prepared for the day. I asked at the local bus station if any buses were going to the tea plantation to which the very kind lady said the local transport had stopped due to insufficient amount of tourists (ay?) bummer. However there was a tour arranged for 1pm meaning I had to kill 2 hours with tea and cake (boo hoo)

i was one of 3 in the group with a pair of Vietnamese girls, we were taken to the rose centre which had a great view over the local area. I mooched around taking photos (and had photos taken of me by a Malaysian family) when there was a slight downpour. Next was the tea plantation, what a place! It was beautiful to look at (about 500 acres worth) with the waist height plants which are pruned every three years to keep at a decent level and the crop is harvested every three weeks. I was driven to the main area which had the factory and a tearoom overlooking the grounds which was just stunning. Apparently this company alone provides 60% of Malaysia with its tea.

Onwards to the strawberry farm. The plant are no longer placed in the ground which makes it easier to harvest (not surprising with 80,000 plants to pick) and so are drip fed. After a little demonstration of where the plants are kept I bought a strawberry juice which was pretty damn good. It was here that I noticed most tourists were actually native and not foreign. I asked my guide why and she said it's because summer is over so prices are cheaper now.

Next was the bee and butterfly farm. Both rather uninteresting but I did get a few nice pics. Most of the butterflies were the same species, there were also some reptiles thrown in for good measure. Then was a quick stop at a local market where I bough some dried fruit for my breakfast on the bus. Finally we finished the tour at the Buddhist temple which was rather atmospheric with the mist creeping down the mountainside and engulfed the town below. Needless to say it poured it down.

I returned to the town hungry and a little cold so I went to the local Indian eatery for my final meal. Met up with the Indonesian guy I met in Ipoh accompanied by two Americans. We ate and had a game of cards waiting for the rain to stop.

Photos: Malaysia

abbehorrod — Fri, 4 Sep 2015 20:05:00 GMT

Trekking and botanical gardens

4th September. Day 3

abbehorrod — Fri, 4 Sep 2015 19:39:00 GMT

Trekking was the order of the day, Joyce told me about her amazing trek she did yesterday and so I was itching to get out in the fresh air, away from buildings, bikes and noise. I woke up at 9am had an Indian breakfast of strawberry pancake and a mango lassi then headed off. The night before I decided I wanted to do the two small treks (4 & 2) to break myself in gently (Famous last words!). The first trek was to a nearby waterfall which I thought would be amazing to get a photo as it had rained very heavily last night. However I got to the waterfall and Alaska couldn't see it due to the growth of the trees, such a shame as I could hear it, the water pounding against the rocks. Ah well! I thought, just keep going! The path was super easy to follow (most of it was bricked) and after 40 mins Id finished it. Slightly disappointed I made my way over to the start of track 2 just a 10 min walk away. I stopped to take a photo of the golf course for my Uncle John, watched a woman whack a ball 40 meters and set off again.

If I had been disappointed with track 4 all I can say is track 2 made up for it. It began in some shrubbery up a gentle slope which had great views over Tanah Rata, I was greeted by a family of locals who welcomed me to their home country and after a chat we set off in opposite directions. The walk was tough and I was gasping for air when Id got about a third of the way. The track was well sighposted yet I managed to get lost (typical) and found myself on track 3 going in the opposite direction I wanted to be (sigh) so a round about turn and I managed to find myself again 😄

During my little misadventure I encountered a small snake no longer than my forearm but I squealed like a little girl and scared it off. Afterward I triple checked where I put a hand or foot! Poor thing must have been more scared of me yelling at it than I was of it.

The walk seemed to go on and on and on, once or twice I asked myself what the hell was I doing but I pushed on and finally got lost (again) although this time it wasn't my fault. Some trees had fallen on the pathway and so after a scramble around and giving my feet a good accidental soaking in the river I found it again (Going back was NOT a option). I plodded along wondering how much longer when through the buzzing of insects I heard voices! Yay I'd made it!

Starving, muddy and exhausted I emerged from the jungle probably looking something like Mowgli but pleased with myself. I limped to the nearest restaurant and devoured what was placed in front of me.

3rd September. Day 2

abbehorrod — Fri, 4 Sep 2015 19:17:00 GMT

As predicted I had a nice sleep in Ipoh but my clock told me it was time to pack up and head over to the Cameron Highlands. A quick dash to the bus station and I hopped on board the 116 to the bus station I arrived at yesterday where I was met with a wall of travellers (where had they been?) formally making a queue for some breakfast.

I got on the bus to the Highlands and yet again it was me and a group of locals (Where is everyone?). A 2 hour bus ride on some twisty and turny roads made me feel a little sick but luckily we pulled into the station just before I wanted to be sick. My first impression was that Tanah Rata was not dissimilar to a small seaside town. A row of shops with their wire shelves holding rubber flip flops, cheap clothes and strawberry souveniers. I found the hosel I wanted with ease checked in and headed out to check the town out.

I grabbed a late lunch from a local cafe and found a lovely little tearoom (Our Lords Cafe) selling the local strawberry tea. It smelled fantastic yet didn't hold much taste, the table next to me ordered strawberry scones and I got a bit jealous.

I decided to return to the hostel for a lie down and. I met one of my roommate, Joyce from Holland. She heard of Keswick and so we went out for some food and a chat. The Malaysians seem to love Indian food, it's literally everywhere, cheap and very very good! I had the veg curry with a roti.

We went back to the hostel and I met the other girl from Aus. Unfortunately it began to rain meaning my allergy started giving me the jip so it was another early night for me!

2nd September. Day 1

abbehorrod — Wed, 2 Sep 2015 23:43:00 GMT

5:30am my alarm rang to begin this little trip of mine. A few grumbles from Helen and fumbles of final packing done I said goodbye to my best buddy and set off.

Saigon airport was chocker-block full of holidaymakers in their best outfits (I mean who in their right mind wears stilettoes and a mini skirt to travel in?). The flight was delayed for 30 minutes but I didn't mind, it meant I could persue one of my favourite hobbies, people watching. The flight was pretty quick and smooth but when i landed the weather was not misty or foggy but very translucent which made it very humid.

The next next stage of my journey was to get my bus to Ipoh (the largest town in the highlands area) and after a quick stop in a Western style Boots I managed to get myself completely confused and lost. As I has already done a few laps of the arrivals hall I had to ask (a very helpful) guy who pointed the way as the one I had just come from (of course!).

During my 30 minute wait for the bus to arrive I sat feeling a little overwhelmed. it looked like a whole new planet, everything functione, was organised and people (except myself) seemed to conform to....well....form. The set rules. To put it all short, I was lost in organisation.

The bus journey was surprisingly comfortable with lots of leg room, a German guy was the only other Westerner on it and he came in pretty handy to make the connected bus into the middle of Ipoh. On our way in he told me a bit about his travels and why he loves Ipoh so much. I instantly regretted not staying another night.

Or not, the taxi driver took me a completely different way than I expected, parked up and said I had arrived. I knew for a fact I wasn't and told him to take me back to the bus station. Luckily we passes my hostel on the way, I ordered him to stop jumped out and handed over the agreed money. Even though he had driven me a good way around the town.

The hosel is basic but it has everything you need. Clean and airy. It's nice and quiet so should get a good nights sleep.

There is only 2 other travellers staying. An extremely chatty Indonesian guy and a cute Chinese girl. We managed to find some cheap street food (post trek around the town) that was quite nice. The town itself was pleasant to walk around during the evening but I definitely wouldn't sacrifice a day in the Cameron Highlands to stay another night here.