The biggest hill area of Malaysia
The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill areas which spans over an area of over 700 km², about the size of Singapore. It reaches an elevation from 1100 m to 1800 m above sea level. They are 200 km away from the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
The highlands were developed during the British colonial period and are named after the British land surveyor Cameron. Gardens, bungalows and a golf course sprang up during the 1930s.
A small hostel full of Germans
I went by bus to the Cameron Highlands, which is also known for its tea and strawberry growing. It was the first place where I didnt sweat as the temperatures didn't surpass 25 degrees. My hostel, the Map Travelodge, was quite a small hostel and the beds were arranged in 2-floor-cabins, so in my room were around 12 people (most of the Germans).
Hiking alone through the jungle
On my first day there I made a long hike through the jungle, over 6 hours I wandered all by myself and managed quite a bit of altitude. I hardly met any people, it was very relaxing. Since I had hardly eaten anything during the hike, I went to a chic café to fill my stomach afterwards.
Mossy forest
On my second day I took part in a tour that first led us to the mossy forest. As the name says its base is covered with a thick carpet of moss. Most of the trees here have remained untouched for centuries. We also saw many flesh eating plants. Close to it there is also the Rafflesia Flower, the largest flower in the world (actually an external parasitic plant, lacking leaves, stem or roots)
Chemical tea farming
We drove to a tea factory where we could see how tea is made and of course we had the opportunity to taste the tea in the local restaurant. I was a bit shocked, homy many pesticides the workers use to treat the tea plants. The workers sprayed the stuff more or less in our faces, they didn't care that we were standing there. They do not know organic farming in Malaysia.
Strawberries all year around
The tour finally ended at a strawberry field, which can be harvested here all year round due to the very constant climate. Each of us bought some nice juice made out of fresh strawberries. The strawberries are bit more sour than the ones I eat back home though.
Going back to Kuala Lumpur
At the tour, a Romanian woman approached me about my Transylvania shirt I was wearing. A few hours later I took the same bus with her to Kuala Lumpur. For me the Cameron Highlands were on the highlights of my Malaysia trip. I really enjoyed the sceneries and the nature of that place.
