Cameron Highlands Getaway Part I

30 January 2010

When I got home, I had to unpack my Manila stuffs, then pack for Cameron Highlands. One of the perks of BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA is that you have holiday homes around Malaysia with cheap accomodation charges. But when it's cheap, it's always fully booked. So don't be surprised when I tell you that I booked for our 2 nights stay at Rumah Peranginan Persekutuan Cameron Highlands almost 6 months ago.

We started our journey from AD at about 9.30 a.m., stopped for breakfast at Restoran Jejantas Sungai Buloh and proceeded to recruit with the rest at R&R Tapah at about 12 noon. When we arrived, the 2 cars from Khan's Mahal were already there. We only had light snacks since we were still full from breakfast.

The pilots decided to go to CH via Simpang Pulai. Since abang Sher just passed Rawang, we decided to proceed and meet up with his family at our guest house. We saw a Thaipusam procession at Simpang Pulai area. The long and winding journey up took us about 2 hours. All the pilots concur that Simpang Pulai was a better route compared to travelling via Tapah.

Rumah Peranginan Perseketuan is situated at Tanah Rata. It was easy to look for as there are about 3 signboards, starting from 10km mark that leads you to it. The nearest landmarks are the Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Club and the YTL Cameron Highlands Resort. We checked in and was accomodated at Seroja bungalow. It has 3 bedrooms, the biggest being the master bedroom upstairs which could easily fit 10-15 people, 4 bathrooms, a living room equipped with a LCD tv (with a few ASTRO channels) and a stereo (which has a karaoke function), dining area with a table for 8, a kitchen equipped with a stove, fridge and kettle. It was perfect, except for a water supply problem. Only the kitchen has water supply but not the 4 bathrooms so it was very inconvenient. I complained thrice but was informed that they are working on rectifying the problems. It has been a major area of complain especially when all the units (the area has 2 other bungalows, a block of apartment and 2 blocks of hostels) are fully booked.

The reception area

Living room

Dining area

Master bedroom

After a nasi lemak lunch (Sungai Sekamat mari) and a nit of settling down, Rafiq, Jan, Dik, Imran, Adam and I went to Pasar Malam Brinchang, which operates on Friday and Saturday nights. It's about 10 minutes drive (minus the weekend traffic) from our guest house. These are some of the things that you can find there.

Fresh veggies

Strawberries

Potted plants

Fresh flowers

Want some of these? Hehehe!

We bought strawberries (loads of 'em), strawberry sorbet for Imran & Adam, corns for Dadima and baby ubi keredek (hehehe). I bought some fridge magnets as souvenirs. After ordering dinner (to be tapau-ed), we headed back to the guest house and brought the children to the playground, which was in the Rumah Peranginan compound. I love this place!! There is also a tennis court, but no net.

When it was almost Maghrib, Rafiq and Jan went to pick up our dinner order and bought KFC. Night time was spent watching tv with occasional berebut PSP/Game Boy. Since Abang Sher's kids brought along with them colouring books and crayons, it drew some attention from Faiq and Mu'az who joined in, but only for a while...hehehe. And alhamdulillah, the water supply problem was rectified by my bro in-law so everyone was relieved. Thank you, Lachik!! By 11, most of us got ready for bed except for those still watching tv.

Good night!!