After being led astray around George Town by a confused Karen (the GPS) we finally found our way to the Penang Bridge. The drive down the NS highway to Simpang Pulai was quite uneventful. Compared to the old narrow winding road from Tapah, this alternative route up to Cameron Highlands felt like a super highway. With light traffic on the road it was a joy to drive as you can easily zip up the hill all the way in 3rd gear. However, upon approaching Kampung Raja the nightmare began.
The stretch between Kampung Raja and Brinchang is only about 12km but it took us a nerve wrecking 2 hours, which worked out to a crawling pace of 6km/hr. With the countless numbers of vegetable, flowers, strawberry, butterfly and bee farms, chocolate factories, tea plantations, outlets, stalls, cafes and shopping centers dotted along the whole stretch and the thousands of visitors and vehicles cramped into the arteries of narrow country roads, it does not take a rocket scientist to see where the problem lies. With tourism booming exponentially, Cameron Highlands is bursting at the seams and the old infrastructure system just could not cope. So where has all the money gone? Another reason for ABU!
When we finally got out of the massive traffic jam and chaotic madness and arrived at the tranquil Hill Top bungalow, the exhilaration was like reaching a surreal haven. It was love at first sight. The quaint little Tudor style bungalow was a picture perfect sight. Very much like something you see in the movies or in a glossy magazine. The 100 year old house is sited on top of a hill with sprawling lawn, beautiful flowers blooming in the garden and surrounded by 7 acres of natural vegetation. I would happily retire there. Replace the antiquated plumbing and get the open fire place working. On second thoughts, maybe just a little cottage with a small patch of garden will do.
The freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and cream and a steaming cup of Earl Grey was something to die for. That by itself was worth the long journey up to the Cameron Highlands. Mr. Chong the caretaker cum chef at the bungalow claimed that it is impossible to bake scones of the same soft texture in the hot and humid lowlands like KL. I do not know whether there is any scientific basis to his theory, but it seems a good excuse to use for my not too successful scones.
Some of the fruits and vegetable sold in Cameron Highlands were not really cheap. Pick your own strawberries went for RM40 per kilo. Sweet potatoes were sold at RM8 per kilo. You can get these items at much lower prices in any Supermarket in KL. On the other hand, a big Chinese cabbage at RM5 was reasonable. Nevertheless, if we did not fill up the car boot with loads of vegetables, the trip back from Cameron Highlands would be somewhat incomplete. Or so says the wife.
simon 3 feb 2012
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