Day 33...Cameron Highlands
No more Langkawi!
10.02.2007 - 10.02.2007
26 °C
Well after 4 days of absolute bliss it was time to move on,as hard as it was. The Cameron Highlands was our next stop.We set off from Langkawi at 6.30am,a taxi picked us up from the hotel and we got a ferry to Kuala Kedah,were we knew we had to get a taxi to the bus station for a bus to Ipoh.Fortunately there was a English guy heading to the bus station so we shared the cost with him.When we got to the bus station there was a bus leaving for the Ipoh straight away.We got straight on,knowing it would take 4 hours.Unfortunately we hadn't eaten all day and didn't have time to get snacks for the bus journey.We got to Ipoh at round 1pm,we were told when we bought the bus tickets the bus was direct to the Cameron Highlands but when we got to Ipoh we had to change BUSES!
After sitting around for about 30mins waiting for the bus to leave it eventually set off.
Now we knew this bus would be slow as it was mostly an uphill drive in a crappy bus but when he was going 20km/hr up the hill you can imagine our frustrations,especially seen as we still hadn't eaten a thing all day. There was lovely scenery on the way up,mountains,fields etc.They had so many farms along the way including Strawberry,bees and of course the tea plantations.
The bus was bringing us to Tanah Rata,famous area for backpakers and
when we arrived at the bus station,there was buses from all the guesthouses awaiting the tourists.We had decided to stay in a a particular but unfortunately when the driver brought us there all the rooms had gone.He drove us to another guesthouse called the Peak View?We took a room there for 2 nights.We dropped the stuff and headed straight for the restaurant for food.
The Cameron Highlands is famous for its walks and mountain treks and had over different treks for people to go on.Most of the guesthouses have an unofficial guide for taking guests on the treks.During our meal John this guesthouses guide introduced himself and said he was heading on a mountain trek in the morning if we would like to join in.Of course we said yes,and thats was the next days entertainment sorted.
After that we walked the 5km into the near by town of Brintang. When we got there was a huge market on,selling local foods,souvenirs etc.The highlights of the market were the numerous strawberry items,homemade drinks,ice cream etc.Also they had teas from the tea plantation. After the market we decided to go for a drink.Roisin had been craving a glass of Guinness so we went into this bar that had Guiness advertisements plastered all over the wall.She ordered one of the bottles of Guinness,the bartender poured it,when she drank it her face dropped,it tasted like shit.It's true Guinness doesnt travel well.So we changed for a Tiger beer and after walked the 5km back to Tanah Rata in 45mins.A quick Curry was follwed by me staying up till 1am to watch the Liverpool v Newcastle game which we somehow manged to lose,thank you Pepe Reina.
Anyway the trek was to come so plenty to look forward too.
Team Domro
Posted by lisreagh 10.02.2007 14:42 Archived in Malaysia
Which reminds me, come on United, John o Shea, what a player. My guess would have to be that the buses DEFINITELY reminded you of Ireland. Sounds like a very similar system anyway.
05.03.2007 by hennesl4