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TheJessicat - Extractions of a Disoriented Mind
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Our little weekend escape to the mountains of Cameron Highlands!

December 26, 2014 by thejessicat

 

We’re all almost at the finishing line of 2014, and if I allow the year to end without at least travelling somewhere for a holiday, I’d say my year would feel awfully incomplete.

Well, I did travel all the way to Borneo a few months ago, albeit being for work-related reasons. That doesn’t exactly count as a holiday, does it? Also travelled to the usual Penang & Ipoh for short retreats with the family but then again, neither would I consider going back to both my hometowns a ‘holiday’ per se, either.

 

 

Moo and I are most probably heading to the Philippines next year (for our 1st anniversary!) but we figured hey, why let this year pass without a holiday too? Laughing

So here we are, ending our year with a roadtrip up to the hills of Cameron Highlands!

 

 

Evidently all pumped up for our journey: Fuel? Check. Snacks? Check. Rave playlist? Check. Sunnies? Check and check!

We hit the road just before 11AM from Kuala Lumpur. Ha Ha

 

 

Sunny skies and pretty clouds ahead! Big Smile

The weather was absolutely perfect and inviting; almost as if today was destined for a roadtrip!

 

 

Traffic was pretty heavy on the North-South highway, considering that it was already the school holidays. (Not in the picture above… the gridlock started an hour after this picture was taken)

Before we knew it, our bright & sunny journey turned into a gloomy thunderstorm. Frown

 

 

It certainly did not help as the temperature heading up to the highlands began to drop rather quickly. Brr!!

My parents were horrified upon learning that we took the Tapah exit route up as it was known for its narrow and winding road up the cliffs. Yell Moo was extra cautious with his driving and he did a swell job at maneuvering up the slippery terrains!

 

 

I too, was a little worried when I saw several landslide areas, fallen trees & branches as well as flooded sections on our road. One wrong move and anyone would plunge into the ravine. Certainly a very dangerous route!

No photos because our eyes were fixated to focus on the road but it looked a little like this:

 

 Imagine this + thunderstorm + foggy windows + slippery muddy ground

 

Pro-tip: To anyone heading up to Cameron Highlands, please do yourselves a favour and avoid the Tapah exit route up at all costs.

Use the Simpang Pulai exit instead! Wink (We used the latter on our way down)

 

 

After 4 hours (Geez! I didn’t know it would take THIS long! Must’ve been the storm + heavy traffic!), we arrived safely at the first township called Ringlet. It looked like a little ordinary, small town, with banks, markets, retail shophouses and the like.

 

 

Looking for Heritage Hotel was an uphill task (haha! Geddit, geddit?) as neither of us were familiar with Cameron Highlands and I didn’t have reception to get directions on Waze. Cry

 

 

A quick call to hotel got us there in no time. Oh Really?

We proceeded straight up to another town called Tanah Rata, which was about another 10KM up another inclined route.

 

 

The Tudor-revival architectural style of Heritage Hotel made it a breeze to spot the moment we arrived Tanah Rata. Laughing

It was so Christmas-themed already! Love it.

 

Merry early Christmas!

 

Glancing up to the ceiling gave me a fuzzy, familiar feeling of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station.

 

Checking in was a breeze and the hotel staff were friendly and accommodating.

The bellboy ushered us to our deluxe room on the 5th floor too.

 

We were happy with our room – it was clean, spacious and well-equipped! Smile

 

 

So what’s the first thing you do upon entering a hotel room?

Check out le springy bed! Haha. I’ve done this on every holiday this since I was a kid capable of jumping.

 

Dec 7, 2014 | When on #holiday, what’s the first thing YOU do when you reach your #hotel room? #silly by imthejessicat on Keek.com

 

 

After settling down, we took a moment to enjoy the tranquillity of our surroundings from all the way up here.

The breeze and the misty, still air amidst the lush greenery of hills, mountains and nature were what we sought after on this trip after all.

 

 

 

After settling down, freshening up and watching PIXAR’s A Bug’s Life on FOX movies (moo hasn’t watched it before and I insisted he did because it was one of my favorites as a kid! I was so glad he enjoyed the movie too), we headed downtown to see what Tanah Rata has to offer. Smile

Just as we were about to adjourn, I took a nostalgic reflection of my surroundings.

 

The moderately chilly climate with a wind so mild yet cool and comforting.

The trees. The gloomy weather that never seems to see the light of day. 

It made me smile in recollection of my stint in Melbourne.

Oh, how I miss thee. Cry

 Off to town! We wound down the windows and switched off the air-conditioning.

Who needs the A/C when you have the natural, cool air all around you? Haha.

 

 

Arrived Tanah Rata township!

 

 

Oh there’s a Starbucks here too!

 

So… what’s for lunch/tea/dinner? Laughing

I excitedly led us to Lord’s Cafe for their scones and chicken pies.

 

 

After perusing the menu, moo didn’t exactly consider pies and scoes a ‘proper’ heavy meal… especially since we haven’t had our breakfast nor lunch yet. It was already 5PM! 🙁

 

 

So we had to awkwardly shift ourselves out the door and told them we would come back later for dessert or a snack. (More of this later and why I got extremely upset)

 

We walked a few doors down to another cafe – My Cake House.

 

As I’ve always been a fan of al-fresco dining, I especially loved the ambiance surrounding Tanah Rata’s restaurants. It was breezy, open-aired and overlooking the roads below.

 

 

Here’s what we ordered. Don’t judge. Hit with Brick

We were starving.

 

 Some starchy mains… oh god why.

So guilty! Yell

 

 Oh hello beautiful flower sitting right beside me!

No, you do not make me feel better.

 

Who goes to a cake cafe without eating… of course… cakes?

Being chocolate fanatics, moo and I ordered the chocolate cakes variants. Cool

 

 Chocolate Cake

 

 Coffee flavoured cheesecake

 

 

Compared to everything we’ve ordered, the brownie with ice-cream takes the cake!

Oh and btw, it doesn’t come with ice-cream. Moo had to request with additional charges.

 

After a heavy meal, chilling out and much chitter-chatter, we were *still* too full to eat at Lord’s Cafe.

Decided to go for a foot massage (reflexology) instead.

 

 

It was a rather enlightening session as my masseuse was very friendly, intelligent and speaks fluent English & Chinese.

That dude in blue in the picture above was moo’s masseur. Tongue Out Quite a grumpy fellow but he sure knows his technique! 

 

Apparently, there are many massage parlours in town with illegal immigrants/foreign workers without permits that offers dodgy, and ‘extra services’ for a fee. Well, I’m glad that Palace Reflexology Centre is a legit and decent one!

 

The massages were of skillful techniques, very hygienic and professionally done.

We’d definitely vouch for it.

 

Even after all that, we were still full to the brim and didn’t feel like stuffing in any more food for the night. I guess we’ll save Lord’s Cafe for the next morning then. (Got upset again for having to postpone it! Yell)

 

A little bit of gallivanting around town later saw us shopping at the night markets too.

 

 

We bought an adorable fluffy husky snowhat (for me obviously!) and a berry-flavoured cigar, before deciding to head back to the hotel.

 

We were greeted to a magnificent view when we pulled up on the driveway of Heritage Hotel. Gee, doesn’t it look beautiful by night!? Surprised

 

 

It was all lit up and driving into the private, open carpark made it feel really surreal.

Pictures do it no justice I swear. Undecided

 

 

Cosy little lounge of the hotel – with a fireplace!

 

 

Made myself feel right at home.

 

We were also amused with the school of the huge Japanese koi fishes in the pond. Feeling Good

There were so many of them! Not sure why they all decided to dart away to the other side of the pond when I took pictures. Bleh. Maybe they’re camera-shy HAHA

 

 

Seeing that they had a snooker table, a foosball aka table football table in their games room, we were really up for a challenge!

 We’ve been talking about challenging each other in this for quite a while now – I guess here’s our chance!

 

 

 

Unfortunately, they didn’t allow us to… as guests were only allowed to play during the day.

 

 

Heritage Hotel also had a mini indoor playground for children and a convenience store/mini mart but what really intrigued me was their library.

 

 

Oh my goodness.

There were so many books, novels & magazines to read! Oh Really?

 

 

So much so that I felt like Belle from Beauty and the Beast

 

 

If that didn’t impress me enough, all the trees in the hotel were draped beautifully with Christmas fairy lights and oh my, did it really set the mood for evening. Wink

 

 

Back at the hotel, we got the hot tub ready for a nice warm bath but ended up falling asleep while watching ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ on FOX movies.

Personally, I think the Cable TV channels that Heritage Hotel has in line for us was just about right! News channels, movie channels, info-tainment channels and more. Laughing Perfect for a lazy night in.

 

 

***

 

The very next morning, we arose at about 9am and were all ready to see what Cameron Highlands had to offer.

 

 First up: the view outside our balcony!

So breathtaking. I spent about half an hour just admiring it while he was fast asleep.

 

 

We roughly planned our itinerary for the day the night before – lots of strawberries, bees, tea plantations, cactus, scone-hunting and more!

 

But first… BREAKFAST! Big Smile

The breakfast buffet was a fulfilling one, with local and Western delights to appease our morning appetite.

 

This chef makes superb eggs!

 

We excitedly chose the balcony seats as we were both very fond of the breezy, cool weather and the stupendous view of nature. Laughing

 

 

Good morning!

 

 And good morning to you too, morning glory.

 

 

 

 

After breakfast, we bid goodbye to Heritage Hotel.

But not before we took lotsa selfies and goofed around the hotel vicinity! Laughing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Heritage Hotel, for the memorable stay and the wonderful service! Big Smile

 

 

Adjourning uphill to Brinchang was such a fun ride. It was not only extremely breezy, but the strong winds had a chill to it too.

 

 

We first made a pit-stop at Lord’s Cafe (finally, yay!) but IT WAS CLOSED ON SUNDAY.

ROAAAARRR!!! Ahh!Doubt it!What?! And I never got to go there in the end… that’s why I was so disgruntled about the entire issue. LOL.

 

 

Arriving Brinchang felt very familiar. It gave me a vibe I could remember on my first trip here as a teenager. It was a small, quaint yet extremely busy township.

Personally, the hustle & bustle of the tiny town felt a little too congested for its own good.

 

 Our first stop was the Central Market!

 

I fell in love with the strawberry plushies and the strawberry ear muffs there.

They were oh-so-adorable and cuddly! Adore

 

 

There was a huge array of cactus, vegetables, fruits and colourful roses too. I was so fascinated by all these pretty and happy sights!

 

 

They were really a fresh look away from the computer and gadget screens I stare at working all day. I’d love have a beautiful mini-garden on my terrace when I move into my new home! Laughing

 

 

 

I bought a lil cactus to place onto my desk at work too.

Hey it was only RM2 so why not? 😀

 

 You can tell that I was intrigued by the cotton candy too.

Didn’t have any for obvious reasons LOL.

 

 

En route to the next stop! Big Boss

 

 

We continued with our journey up the hill and stopped at Raaju’s Strawberry Farm.

Apparently, they serve the “best strawberry milkshakes” according to some reviews but unfortunately, moo and I beg to differ. Frown

 

 It does look pretty gorgeous though!

 

We make our own strawberry milkshakes at home all the time so you could possibly imagine how much we were anticipating our first sip! 🙁

Don’t get us wrong, their strawberries were delicious as it is on its own (especially with whipped cream!) but I guess the way they made the strawberry milkshakes wasn’t exactly our cup of tea.

It felt very… rough, tasteless and chunky instead of the creamy, milky thick shakes that we’re all used to making from scratch and drinking from restaurants. Cry

 

Their homemade scones were delicious and it was served with freshly made strawberry jam! It was warm, fluffy and had just the right texture. 

 

 

Cakes on display.

 

And now comes the best part – picking our own strawberries for ourselves! 😀 😀

 

Couldn’t help sneaking in a bite!

 

 

The farm gates open at about 2pm so it’s best if you arrive on time.

The farm worker guided us around the strawberry plantations and we were given a basket and a pair of scissors each.

 

 Snip snip!

There were plenty of huge, red and ripe strawberries!

Pro-tip: Walk further into the farm to get the bigger ones.

 

 

It costs RM30 for 1KG and the farm worker (a very pleasant and helpful Bangladeshi worker!) showed us approximately how many strawberries would amount up to 1KG as we didn’t exactly have any indication on the number of strawberries to pick. Thank you!

 

 

The creative farm worker also snapped this picture for us!

Loved how he played with perspective.

 

Moving on, we stopped at at the Bee Farm.

We only got to witness the bees from afar lest they might sting us! Ahh!

 

 

Along the way, I had my eye on a strawberry plushie at almost all the markets and stalls we zoomed past. A girl can never get her eyes off cute or adorable things – at least I can’t!

 

But moo said I had way too many soft toys at home and the idea of getting a strawberry pillow was frowned upon. CryShops after shops later, I was still being an incredible sulk LOL.

In the end, he relented since I “liked it so much”. YAY! Ha Ha

 

 

Whilst on our way up to the tea plantation, we drove past the lavender farm.

It was a beautiful sight of purple, red and yellow blossoms all in a row. The entrance fee was only RM5 but we had other plans ahead of us – no time to waste!

 

 

We were extremely excited upon arriving Bharat Tea Plantation in Kuala Terla.

My parents were being very paranoid and kept warning us against driving up to the BOH Tea Plantation near Gunung Brinchang as it was apparently very steep, slippery and winding – let alone with the rain! Oops

 

So we settled for the former and we were happy regardless.

 

 

We took in the magnificent sight of lush tea leaves and bright green hills of our surroundings.

 

 

Its neatly terraced rows fascinated us too!

 

 

The hills are alive! With the sound of music….

Indeed, I felt like Fraulein Maria sans Captain Von Trapp’s 7 children LOL.

 

 

Living in the big city surrounded by concrete jungle does that to you, really. Canny

 

 

So after frolicking in the meadows like the silly peeps we are, we took our much deserved rest in the cafe overlooking the same enchanting view that we’ll never get tired of.

It’s definitely a sight to behold! Yes, we’re nature-loving people like that.

 

 

 

Had we paid BOH Tea Plantation a visit instead, we would have been spoiled for choice with the lavender puffs, strawberry tarts, scones and other freshly baked pastries. Oh well. Maybe next time! Wink

Anyway, our orders were placed and within minutes, a pot of rose tea, milk tea and a chicken & mushroom pie was served. Laughing

 

 

 

We adjourned back to KL soon after. On our way down, we spotted a brand spanking new mall! 

Didn’t even get to pay a visit. Crying

 

We also spotted lotsa natives selling raw honey, fruits & vegetables in dilapidated wooden sheds under the rain. That kinda broke my heart. Sitting there for an entire day just hoping someone would stop and buy their harvest.

How much money are they even able to make from doing that? Frown

Do they really think people would stop on a dangerous slope in the middle of the road whilst driving down (or up) and obstruct traffic? Cry

 

Sorry for digressing.

Anyway, that concluded our weekend getaway up on the highlands!

 

 

Should’ve stayed for another day – making it a 3Day 2Night stay instead. Angry

I was given the impression that Cameron Highlands was a really boring sleepy town with nothing to do, but it guess what? It turns out that 2Days 1Night wasn’t enough for us at all; especially if we were to explore everything we had initially planned but didn’t get the chance to.

‘Till next time, Cameron! Experiencing a splendid and enjoyable weekend up there is enough an incentive to return!

 

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Spending a day with the #1 surfer in Malaysia! BRATs at the Satu Suku Surf School @ Kuantan

October 11, 2010 by thejessicat

 

Yes yes I have not forgotten about this finale post I promised 😀
 

Here are the prequels – Part 1 & Part 2 and now finally, the closure!
 

 

Pretty timely, if I do say so myself. Hiak hiak hiak. 'Cos we're featured in The Star newspaper recently!

 

 

  Jason and I got a byline for our photographs too!
 

 

On the final day, Ian, Ivy and I accompanied the BRATs to Satu Suku Surf School. This is one of the only properly established surf schools in Malaysia. No joke about that, for behind these walls are the coaching grounds to Malaysia's #1 Surfer! 😀
 

 

Satu Suku Surf School!
 

 

The school is usually very busy with ongoing lessons and whatnot on certain months of the year, when the tide is high, wind speed and especially when the monsoon season isn't looming with danger.

But when we went, it was closed due to the heavy storms and monsoon winds approaching
 

 

 
 

But these fine young fellows opened up the school just for today's session!
 

(READ: Just for us) 😀
 

 

 

They were very accommodating and informative! Thankfully, the BRATs didn't have a hard time interviewing the boys.
 

 

Explaining the basics of surfing and how they begun
 

 

The BRATs even got a chance to know how surfboards are made and which were the ones most surfers prefer in terms of ergonomics and aerodynamics :D In Satu Suku, Billabong is their main sponsor!
 

 


 

Learning in progress! Do. Not. Disturb.
 

 

 


 

The boys shared simple tips, tricks and their signature moves as well!
 

 


 

Wah so engrossed with your work! *claps*
 

 

 

Meet Muhammad Daud, affectionately known to all as Mamat!
 

Such boyish coy looks 😀 Awwwwwwww.
 

 


 

Mamat just outside Satu Suku's porch
 

 

Soon, we decided to continue the session on the beach instead. The seaside view looks so much better on video! Plus, the lighting is  waaaayy better too. Don't they look so much better in their element?
 

 


 

Surfboards, skin tight surf suits and the sea
That what makes a surfboy
!
 

 


 

Sharing session continues! 😀

 

One of the best parts of today was that both Mamat and Shukri loves being in the center of attention! 🙂 They really seem to enjoy being interviewed, even sharing light moments with us along the way.
 

 

Malaysia's #1 Surfer lookin' all regal atop his "throne"! 😀
 

 


 

He lived in Australia for a good number of years training himself surfing

and even came back with a slight Aussie accent!
 

 

When he was looking all relaxed and calm here, check out the opposite side of the table 😀
 

 


 

Behind every news story, a dedicated team of workers is at it with sweat and toil!
 


 

 

While they were at it, the seniors and faciliators were just making sure everything runs smoothly and the recording equipments were well taken care off. We gotta make sure the BRATs are on the right track in getting to their angle of the story and whatnot too!
 

Towards the end, *inserts random camwhore moment*

 

Tinted the piccie with a slight tinge of yellow for an old school feel
 

 

It began to rain midway! 

 


 

 

Yet the BRATs wanted to finish their session first!
 

Come rain or shine, the show must go on

 


 

Gotta cap the camcorder lest it gets drenched with rainwater

 

Finished the final bits of the interview and that's a wrap!
 

 

Camwhoring with Mamat under the rain

omg my hair looks so damp and flat 🙁 🙁
 

 

 

Alls well ends well. Aside from a good story, I'm sure we've got pretty fond memories of these 2 beach boys!

 


 

For they were nothing short of an amazing duo of good fun, information and humour!
 

 

Back at the hotel meeting room, they worked on their news materials before the presentation the next day 🙂
 

They all did a pretty swell job, as a result of the 4 whole days at this young journalists camp.
 

 

 

FINAL DAY!

credits go to the BRATs who put up the pictures they took with me on Facebook 🙂

I stole! I stole!

 


 


 

 

On a random note, I find this BRAT below very cute!

Doesn't she look adorable? Her name is Kimberly & has a nickname of wasabi or somethin' liddat 

 


 

Oh lots of you have been asking me about my godawesome BB casing & cover 😛
 

it's all dressed up by www.blackberryhousing.blogspot.com

Have fun shopping for your BB's wardrobe!
 

 

 

Right before we all adjourned back to KL in The Star van, we somehow HAD to stop by beach again for some McD lunch!

 


 

Oreo McFlurrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy is love
 

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Hi! Welcome to TheJessicat.com - an urban lifestyle blog established since 2005, written from the perspective of a Malaysian blogger. Discover the latest and all that the city has to offer! Do bear with her occasional rants & musings though. Happy reading! ❤

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