Cameron Highlands is a highland region located about 20 km east of Ipoh and about 150km north of Kuala Lumpur in Pahang, Malaysia. At around 5000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, and enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25°C and rarely falling below 10°C year round.

The Highlands were named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. The fame of Cameron Highlands then grew during the colonial era when British planters realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity. The Cameron Highlands are still home to many tea plantations, being Malaysia’s largest tea-producing region. The area is also known as a major supplier of fruits and vegetables.

On the way up, do stop by Tanah Rata, which is located between the other two major towns (being Brinchang and Ringlet). Located on the top floor of a shoplot just right on the main road, T-Cafe promised good home cooked food, the highlights being their superb scones and delicious apple pie. You can’t get anything better than this for a highlands experience – oven fresh scones with home made cream and strawberry jam, butter and a pot of freshly brewed tea from the highlands.

The apple pie is a different story with rich apple chunks, crispy pastry and a cold scoop of vanilla ice-cream. This is just the answer to weary travellers after a winding road up the highlands. This two highlights are just a small portion of T-Cafe’s plethora of choices. Don’t forget to try their vegetarian curry and their mango lassi too.

The Camerons’ experience…

Goes well with a nice cuppa…

Just the thing to re-energize the tired

Apple pie and vanilla ice-cream!

T-Cafe (opens from 11am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday)
No.4, 1st Floor, Main Road,
39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.
05 – 4914018

For the weekend…
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning- though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.

The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
~ Psalms 90

Bidor is located between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur via the North-South Expressway. It is south of Tapah, north of Sungkai, east of Changkat Jong and Teluk Intan and west of the Titiwangsa Mountains. One of the most popular stopovers, Pun Chun is strategically located on the main road into town. Over the years, this has been my regular stopover, especially during Chinese New Year and before the highway was built. Everyone knows that Pun Chun is famous for its Ngap Toi Meen (duck-thigh noodles) and Kai Jai Peng (chicken biscuit).

There are other things at Pun Chun, namely the Wan Tan Meen (thin noodles with char siew or roast pork and dumplings) and Wu Gok (deep fried taro balls filled with pork). The noodles are not really special but the dumplings are freshly made daily and the roast pork is first rate! The taro balls on the other hand are crisp, well made with generous fillings. They too are made daily.

Do stop by especially when you’re heading North on the highway from KL or further south. It’s only five minutes from the highway exit, making it very convenient indeed.

Yummilicous Wan Tan Meen

Light and delicious

Crisp Taro balls

Freshly made by hand daily!

Pun Chun, Opens daily from 5am till 10pm!
38-40, Jalan Besar, Bidor, 35500 Perak
Tel: 05-434 1554, 05-434 1562
Fax: 05-434 6191

0405 – Awake and take a hot shower
0420 – Pack and start loading up the truck
0440 – Check out
0450 – A slow drive out with dense mist and fog.
0512 – Thanksfully, the fog clears by Brinchang.
0635 – Breakfast at Bidor
0705 – On the highway again
0810 – Home for 10 minutes
0900 – PJEFC,
1130 – home
1230 – PJEFC again!
1315 – On the way to Jogoya @ Starhill KL. Buffet Lunch!
1700 – Heavy KL Traffic on the way home
1815 – Get flowers for a funeral, depart for memorial service
1945 – Arrive for memorial service (@ the other end of KL)
2130 – Time to get dinner/supper
2300 – Get home, send 2 critical emails, collapse into bed…

On the highway

While attending a sales and business workshop in camerons highlands.