Cameron Highlands
How to get there I Boh Tea Estate I Sungai Palas Estate I Bharat Tea Estate I Robinson Waterfall I Flower Nurseries I Strawberry Farms I Sam Poh Temple I Golf Course I Vegetable Farms I Gunung Brinchang I Cactus Valley I Butterfly Farms
Cameron Highlands is Malaysia's lagest and best-known hill resort. Discovered by, and named after William Cameron, a goverment surveyor who, in 1885 explored the area by hacking a path up through dense jungle and came across, "A fine plateau shut in by mountains". At 1524m above sea level the area enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 20°C and rarely falling below 10°C, a welcome change to the generally oppressive heat and humisity at sea level.Cameron Highlands
Without doubt the most interesting aspect of a visit to the resort is its tea plantations, the first of which were established in 1929 by John Archibald Russell and belong to the most famous Malaysian tea producer, Boh Tea. The estates are wonderfully manicured and visitors are welcome to view the factory production process and enjoy a cuppa' at the tea shop. Other interesting places to visit include the numerous vegetable farms dotted all around the area. There are also strawberry farms, flower nurseries, butterfly farms, a challenging 18 hole golf course and for the more adventurious various jungle treks. The three main highlands towns are Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang with most visitors staying in and around the latter two. Accommodation varies from small inexpensive hotels and guest houses, to self-catering apartments and first class hotels. Any time of year is suitable for a visit, but try to avoid the main public and school holiday periods as the area can become very busy. It is also best to be prepared for the 2 hour journey from the entry point at Tapah to Tanah Rata, the drive is not steep and is extremely interesting, but the road is quite narrow and very winding, so drive carefully and try to stop occasionally to enjoy the various sights along the way. These include the impressive Lata Iskandar waterfall, amazing tropical vegetation and various Orang Asli (indigenous people) dwellings. Without doubt Cameron Highlands is the place to visit on Peninsular Malaysia.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sabah Malaysia
After a very long day on a bus, I arrived in Sandikan with the intenion of doing a night at Uncle Tan's Jungle camp.
But as will happen, the bus zipped right past our drop off point, and four hours later a Swedish couple and I arrived at Uncle Tan's. We had missed the tour departure, so I had to make a few changes to my plans, and decided that a day at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary would be a good alternative plan.
We set out this morning for before heading for the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary for a half day tour. This is one of 3 Organutan sanctuaries that exists in the world that works to rehabilitate sick and orphaned orangutans. Orengutan's only live in Borneo and Sumatra, and with most of the land in Borneo (Malaysian at least) being deforested to make way for palm oil plantations, the oranguatan amongest other wildlife have become an endangered species. The centre claims that it rehabilitates the 'man of the forest' such that they can successfully return to their natural habitat and live as nature intended them to live.
Whether you fully believe in what they tell you, that all the orangutans are successfully 'rehabilitated' to fend for themselves,etc, there's no denying that there is vital work being done at the centre. I learned today that Orengutan's have a genetic makeup that is 96.4% human, and stay with their mothers for a minumum of 4 years before they can become independent. Imagine what would happen to the orphaned and injured ones should there be no centre to house and care for them. It's also a great place to see the orangutan up close. We went around the morning feeding time, when the orangutans literally hang around waiting for the 'keepers'/'handlers' to arrive up on the platform with bunches of bananas. It's mostly around this time that the hords of camera happy tourist (that's me too!) get to see them up close.
There's also an information centre that show's a balanced, informative and well made documentary about the orangutan crisis in Borneo and how the centre operates. In addition there's also some information on the crisis facing other wildlife, such as the rhino, in greater South East Asia.
That was the biology lesson for the day. Then it was back onto another bus for 6 hours to make it to Kota Kinabalu so I can scale Mount Kinabalu tomorrow.
Time for bed!
But as will happen, the bus zipped right past our drop off point, and four hours later a Swedish couple and I arrived at Uncle Tan's. We had missed the tour departure, so I had to make a few changes to my plans, and decided that a day at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary would be a good alternative plan.
We set out this morning for before heading for the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary for a half day tour. This is one of 3 Organutan sanctuaries that exists in the world that works to rehabilitate sick and orphaned orangutans. Orengutan's only live in Borneo and Sumatra, and with most of the land in Borneo (Malaysian at least) being deforested to make way for palm oil plantations, the oranguatan amongest other wildlife have become an endangered species. The centre claims that it rehabilitates the 'man of the forest' such that they can successfully return to their natural habitat and live as nature intended them to live.
Whether you fully believe in what they tell you, that all the orangutans are successfully 'rehabilitated' to fend for themselves,etc, there's no denying that there is vital work being done at the centre. I learned today that Orengutan's have a genetic makeup that is 96.4% human, and stay with their mothers for a minumum of 4 years before they can become independent. Imagine what would happen to the orphaned and injured ones should there be no centre to house and care for them. It's also a great place to see the orangutan up close. We went around the morning feeding time, when the orangutans literally hang around waiting for the 'keepers'/'handlers' to arrive up on the platform with bunches of bananas. It's mostly around this time that the hords of camera happy tourist (that's me too!) get to see them up close.
There's also an information centre that show's a balanced, informative and well made documentary about the orangutan crisis in Borneo and how the centre operates. In addition there's also some information on the crisis facing other wildlife, such as the rhino, in greater South East Asia.
That was the biology lesson for the day. Then it was back onto another bus for 6 hours to make it to Kota Kinabalu so I can scale Mount Kinabalu tomorrow.
Time for bed!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Travel Guide
For both air and car travel, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.
Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. This site also offers the load on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it's only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!
And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there's less road traffic?
Some of the most affordable travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!
One great example of saving money by traveling off-peak is flying to the Caribbean during the North American winter months rather than during summer. You might say what's the point in going to the Caribbean in winter when you're going there to savor the beaches? But the fact is, there is hardly such a thing as winter in the Caribbean as it stays warm most of the year. In fact, it's not a good idea to fly there during the peak season (I.e., summer months) as this is the period when the hurricanes usually come.
By traveling off-peak, not only will you get cheaper flights and accommodations. You will also gain a difference perspective on travel - especially the added advantage of enjoying your dream destinations without huddling with the masses of tourists during holidays.
It also helps to subscribe to online newsletters of discount air travel brokers such as Jestgo or WesJet. By having yourself included in these companies' mailing list, you can get your hands on off-peak travel promotions faster than those who didn't. So you see, it's not just the air miles!
Finally, book your flight early to secure the most gains from traveling off-peak. One year's planning can certainly help you reap the reward of the cheapest airfares possible! On the other hand, booking last minute can also have its rewards. If you're the kind who can leave at a moment's notice, you can save a lot from last-minute flights and accommodations. After all, airlines and hotels would rather greatly discount their seats and rooms than leave them empty!
Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. This site also offers the load on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it's only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!
And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there's less road traffic?
Some of the most affordable travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!
One great example of saving money by traveling off-peak is flying to the Caribbean during the North American winter months rather than during summer. You might say what's the point in going to the Caribbean in winter when you're going there to savor the beaches? But the fact is, there is hardly such a thing as winter in the Caribbean as it stays warm most of the year. In fact, it's not a good idea to fly there during the peak season (I.e., summer months) as this is the period when the hurricanes usually come.
By traveling off-peak, not only will you get cheaper flights and accommodations. You will also gain a difference perspective on travel - especially the added advantage of enjoying your dream destinations without huddling with the masses of tourists during holidays.
It also helps to subscribe to online newsletters of discount air travel brokers such as Jestgo or WesJet. By having yourself included in these companies' mailing list, you can get your hands on off-peak travel promotions faster than those who didn't. So you see, it's not just the air miles!
Finally, book your flight early to secure the most gains from traveling off-peak. One year's planning can certainly help you reap the reward of the cheapest airfares possible! On the other hand, booking last minute can also have its rewards. If you're the kind who can leave at a moment's notice, you can save a lot from last-minute flights and accommodations. After all, airlines and hotels would rather greatly discount their seats and rooms than leave them empty!
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