Tanah Rata - Cameron Highlands

This morning we took a tour through the surroundings of the 'Camerons'. Th start at a temple, Sin poh Temple, then we went to the Rose gardens. A nice area, with lots of flowers and very nice views. After that of to the Butterfly Garden. At first I thought the guide took us to the wrong place or something like that, as they showed us nothing but insects, spiders, snakes, cameleons, leguana's etc .... some of 'm very scary .... But then we walked into an area with lots of pretty butterfly's.
Right after that the guide took us to a Strawberry farm. Nothing special, but the strawberries tasted excellent!!! Then of to the honeybee farm. That was a little bit boring. Just a garden with many 'bee-houses', but that's it. Last but not least for a tealover like I am, we took of to the tea plantage. That was amazing. Especially the views. A little bit hard to describe, but when I'm home I will download a picture from it.
As this was the last site of the tour I hopped of a went on on my own. There was a trail I wanted to hike and the start was pretty close to the tea plantage. The weather still looked fine at that time. I was facing a hike up from abou 5 close to 6km. Very steep, but right in between the teaplants. After about 2km it started to rain a little. That didn't take long as before I knew it was like someone opened up the tap above. I was completely wet!!! Still the scenery was great, so I kept on walking, like I had another choice. Then at the top of the mountain I had to decend as well. The way was pretty good, as in was a paved road..... but down ..... right through the jungle. Slippery, soft ground.... The trail wasn't a tough one for endurance, but is was quite a challenge to find the spots I could step on without having my shoes and feet get suck into the ground. But even with that in my mind ..... it was awesome. The rain had stopped and I was completely alone in the jungle, sounds of raindrops falling from the leaves, birds and other sounds of nature, just lovely. I don't know how the trail down took me .... but according to the signs it was 3km. From the moment I started untill I was in the center of Brinchang it took me 3 hours. I found it surprisingly fast as the guide told me it would at least take me 2 hours to get to the top, and on the map it showed 2 hours for the trail as well .... Well never mind, as the rain was gone now, I decided to walk my way back to Tanah Rata completely. 5km in addition to what I have walked ... so in 40 minutes I was back ... I don't think it was 5km ... or I have walked very fast.
Well at least I had some training again :-)

Teman Negara

From the city right into the Jungle.
The sound of cars is replaced by the sound of birds, insects and monkeys. Mmmm I love to be in the city, but the sounds of nature are just great. On the way to Teman Negara, a quick stop at a deer farm. Walked around for a little bit, have been able to feed some very hungry deer. And also a baby bear. So cute. Then then another stop at the Elephant Sanctuary. Very touristic, but a nice thing to do. Feed the elephants, ride on a elephant, then get to play in the water with the elephants. Nice stop. The straight on to Taman Negara. It's a national park, and the name actually means National park as well. The resort Mutiara is across the river and is right in the Nationial park, so a lot of animals nearby. Mainly leguana's and squirls and ofcourse bugs, but later also many monkeys!
The first evening we went out for a nightly walk hoping to spot some animals. Nothing, but it still was a nice walk around in the darkness. Different sounds than during the day.
The next day, we went out for another hike which was a bit more challenging, but I loved it. We ended the walk via the Canopy Walkway, which is hanging bridge through the jungle.
In the afternoon, we had a boat trip and went to visit the Orang Asli, the original inhabinants of this area. The chief of the village told us about their way of living and showed us some habits, like the way they shoot animals, and make fire. The live like nomads and there are 2 reasons for then to move. Either the food is gone or someone has died. A dead person never gets buried, but is kept high up in the tree, as there is too much bad stuff underneath the earth according to their believe. My personal reason not to be buried is there is insects in the ground which I do not like. Especially not here. I have seen ants as big as my big toe .... brrrr no way.
Next stop will be Cameron Highlands, Tamah Rata

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Well it's been quite a while again. Traveling again, but no NZ this time :-(
Only half way, as I only have 2 weeks off of work. And for only 2 weeks to go to NZ... mmmm too short I think. So new choice: Malaysia.
Start in Kuala Lumpur. 2 full days. Love the city. Many contrasts, which I do like a lot.
Huge buildings, shoppingmalls but also things like markets and China Town. Ofcourse I went to the Petronas Towers. Saw by night and day and ofcourse went up to the skybridge and enjoyed the view. Went to see the KL Tower.... if you just take a quick look it's teh Skytower in Auckland... Just a little higher. Went to Chinatown, some markets, saw some temples, mosques. Walked around the city, but also enjoyed the monorail, which is a great way for transportation. Went to the fishspa and made sure the fish had a great lunch. Then I enjoyed a massage afterwards. The food is great here in Malaysia. It's cheap, healthy if you'd like it to be.
Actually 2 days in Kuala Lumpur is too short. But got to go on to Teman Negara!!