Took so long like 2.5 year to 3 for a flight out of the country. Never have I ever not travelling for this long. Usually at least 2 to 3 times or 4 times a year, whether a long or short trip out, just to be away from home and work. So amazing to be flying on a plane again.
Because you have 2 old folks in tow, need to plan those elderly friendly activities so touristy attractions still the best option. So in this post, I'm sharing only those places I like in Cameron Highlands. Comes in handy if you are planning to go.
OUR STAY - COPTHORNE HOTEL CAMERON
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| Left: English style houses. Will see such in Singapore too. |
I would never believe Tiktok reviews again because so bullshit!!! The looks from the outside of this hotel was decent but internally, the rooms were quite run down, even my folks commented. Stayed 2 nights but most of the time we were out so still not too bad.
👎The windows full of prints, rotten wooden bathroom door at the bottom, no toothbrushes provided (maybe because of Covid or for sustainability???) and the fridge door on the outside was dirty. Lots of improvements needed.
👍The only saving grace would be spacious room, decent Halal buffet breakfast and the USB fast charging port.
On the brighter side, look at that amazing view from our room. And the chilly weather which even the room need no aircon (just ceiling fan) to feel it. Managed to catch a glimpse of the cloud blowing right in front of us too.
The weather in Cameron Highlands be like chilly in the morning and night. Mid-day was sunny but cooling. In my opinion, better than Genting (been there once at least).
SURROUNDING VICINITIES
Don't say this hotel has more cons than pros. Just down at the junction of our hotel, you can visit the nearest EQ Strawberry Farm from the hotel on the right, further down will be Restoran Jin Jin Steamboat for dinner which is perfect with the Cameron weather.
Walk further down again for Cameron Square. There were Old Town White Coffee, Tealive, 7-11, Watsons, a few to name at Cameron Square. Shopped for clothes and shorts at the bazaar in their atrium. I got myself a new phone case which was way affordable than in SG.
In the day, you can also walk to Pasar Pagi Kea Farm Market but watch out for the cars and big trucks. Just turn to your left at the junction.
👍1ST DINNER - RESTORAN JIN JIN STEAMBOAT
(EST. 1 HOUR DINE-IN, EXCLUDE WAITING TIME)
Settled for steamboat on this chilly weather at Jin Jin. Have to get a number because it was full house even on weekdays which our driver was surprised too. While in queue, we went to Cameron Square to explore since needed another 30-45 minutes for our table. Oh and there is a guy at the entrance selling corn or jagung. Mister tried and it was sweet. Not the typical yellow ones but white ones.
Ordered 4 pax steamboat set (RM26.90 per pax). Actually vegetables more than other ingredients but enough for us and we even have vegetables leftovers. We chose the fish and mushroom soup base and loving it. Even more tasty when we filled with the ingredients. The yam strips and big wontons were 👍good! Overall, perfect steamboat meal. Worth the wait.
👌EQ STRAWBERRY FARM
(EST. 15-30 MINS VISIT INCLUDING PICK AND EAT)
Actually there were many other strawberry farms but heard that this award-winning farm grew new types of strawberries. Unfortunately no luck for us as still in the midst of growing so just enjoyed picking whatever available. RM40 for 500g to pick the strawberries on your own. You cut them (scissors provided) and not pull it. And pick those big red ones.
Really missed the strawberry picking in Taiwan many years ago. And I remembered we just go picking without limits and ended up with a big basket of strawberries. Strawberries overdose. But it was fun.
For now, pick at Cameron Highlands. Once you are done, the staff will weigh for you to pay for any top-ups. Then wash them on the spot and enjoy the sweet strawberries from your fruit of labour (picking only haha). Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants. Much needed for us especially when age is catching up.
👍PASAR PAGI KEA FARM MARKET
(EST. 15-30 MINS VISIT ON BOTH SIDES INCLUDING SHOPPING)
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| Market Stalls |
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| Flower Stalls |
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| More Market Stalls |
Happen to come across this farm market while searching for places to visit and here we are. No regrets visiting this market to see and experience the local life here. They sell fresh produces, street food, plants and even souvenirs.
Both sides (just across the road) to explore but basically each stall sells almost the same stuff or at least 2 similar ones: strawberries and corns. I confirmed guarantee you will be like me going around stall by stall saying 'Wow strawberries again!' Or 'Wow jagung again!'. Bags and bags of jagung. Boxes n boxes of strawberries.
Eat all your vitamin C when you are at Cameron Highlands. Good for you.
There are carparks on both sides but heard that always difficult to get a lot because too many patrons. Also The Sheep Sanctuary is there too. 1 stone kill 2 birds. Only if you are interested to see sheeps. I'm not because already done that in Australia years ago.
👍BOH SUNGAI PALAS TEA GARDEN
(EST. 30 MINS VISIT INCLUDING SHOP AND CAFE)
No one should ever leave Cameron Highlands without a visit to BOH Tea Garden. Blessed with sunshine in order to see such greenery and also that deep blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Grateful as always.
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| A cup of Cham and BOH Tea Strawberry Cheesecake |
Don't forget to shop for some BOH tea as gifts for family and friends. Comes in nice gift packaging and different types of tea like Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Chamomile, a few to name. Not forgetting to chill out at their café for tea and cakes. By the way, tried their Strawberry BOH Tea Cheesecake but was overwhelmed by the strawberry jam and cream cheese and couldn't get the tea taste at all.
Tea lovers' paradise at BOH Tea Centre. I'm one for it.
👌CACTUS VALLEY
(EST. 15 MINS VISIT)
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| I just need this all-in-one cactus of all types |
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| Looks like a cake on top of cactus with candles |
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| The tallest I saw in the valley |
Here they sell not just cactus but flowers too. But I'm more attracted to their cactus. So pretty and the different species made me go WOW, plus affordable too but we couldn't bring back to SG. What a pity! Cactus get somehow help to prevent 小人 or evil humans (pros) but also prevent fortune coming to you (cons). Very paranoid right? But I will take into consideration for the latter more. Economy not very good plus inflation so money is more important.
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| OMG like furballs |
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| A colourful spread of small cactus |
👌TIME TUNNEL
(EST. 15 MINS VISIT EXCLUDE STRAWBERRY FARM)
Transported ourselves back to the 2nd World War days and post-war Malaya. The things you see in the streets or household back in the 40s or 50s onwards. Some familiar stuff that made me feel old. Nice memory lane for us which millennials will not know (mostly).
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| Old Calculator in the form of a board style |
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| Driving licence in the 50s |
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| I remember my grandparents have one of this television |
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| Old household appliances |
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| Retro hairdresser shop |
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| Food trishaw |
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| Old Kampong |
Done with sharing. Hope you peeps find it useful although you can find all the places online. At least I have been there, done that.
For your trips around Ipoh and Cameron Highlands, you can contact Mr Choo via his Facebook Page Meng Passenger Service for trips to Ipoh and Cameron Highlands. We went on our 1st trip to Ipoh with Meng Passenger Service too.
Let's recap my previous trip to Ipoh with the links below, in case you miss it:
Legends:
👍 - Must visit
👌 - Visit only if you are interested
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by writer. Not sponsored post.