Watch out! The Malaysia holidays school term break will start from 13th March to 21st March. And for a double whammy, the Singapore holidays school term semester break also falls on the same date. As you know, Malaysians and Singaporean simply loves to go Cameron Highlands for a getaway vacation. Because it is cool, a chance to get away from the blistering dry spell and hot weather lately, so a good cool weather in Cameron Highlands is just the antidote for hot humid weather Malaysia.

But the double school term break will lead to the infamous traffic jam in Cameron Highlands. Already I see many comments in my Facebook fan page with the denizens of Cameron Highlands bracing for traffic crunch and welcome all to all holidays makers to Cameron Highlands for some traffic mayhem!

So plan your holiday getaway carefully and see if you can avoid the weekends and aim for the middle of week. That means taking your precious annual leave from work to have a holiday together with your beloved family.

And if you don't want to join the maddening crowd, then head out elsewhere. Don't know where to go? Try the MATTA Fair 2010 in PWTC Kuala Lumpur starting from 12-14 March, 10am - 9pm. And if you still can't find where you want to go, then Cameron Highlands beckons you!

Happy holidays!
Cheers!

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This hot weather in Malaysia is getting unbearable. Wish I got a chance to head out to the hills. Of course no choice gotta work to pay bills and save for the future. Recently the newspaper highlighted the hot weather situation in Malaysia. A quick check with the Meteorological website and found out that the day time Cameron Highlands weather temperature is about 25°C.

However that is based on the weather instrument and if I remember my geography physical lessons, the thermometer is placed in a little shed. So that's probably the temperature of Cameron Highlands in a shed. If there is a hot sun shining, I think the temperature would be much higher.

The Petaling Jaya, Selangor temperature is about 32° C and Singapore is going on healthy roast of about 35°C! Still not as hot as the northern states of Malaysia with Alor Setar and Chuping measuring a scalding 37°C!

Wish it would rain more and help cool down the hot weather spell recently. Doing just about anything would result in heavy sweat! Sometimes just sitting around in the house would area produce sweat in my forehead and my shirt would be drench even from doing nothing!

Related post:
Cameron Highlands Weather
Hot Weather Malaysia
Malaysian Weather

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There will be a MATTA travel fair from 12th-14th March 2010 at the PWTC Kuala Lumpur. Perhaps for those who are looking for some special cuti-cuti Malaysia travel holiday packages, you might want to check it out and see if you can find anything for Cameron Highlands.

In previous MATTA Fair I did come across some promotion for hotels like Lakehouse Cameron Highlands. Perhaps they might have something for YTL Cameron Highlands Resort too! These are very posh-posh high class hotel resort accommodation that I still haven't got a chance to give it try coz it is so expensive to stay per night. Perhaps during the MATTA there might be some special discount, who knows.

The last time I was at Lakehouse Cameron Highlands they have a 3D/2N package going for RM1200. Not sure whether they will have better pricing if at all having a booth in MATTA Fair, but a cheaper package would be nice.

Otherwise you could browse around and see if there any other packages for other Malaysian highlands like Berjaya Hill Colmar Tropical packages or Genting Highlands packages.

You never know till you brave the crowds in PWTC and see if you can hunt down some interesting bargain.

What? -- MATTA Fair 2010
Where? -- PWTC Kuala Lumpur
When? -- 12th(Fri)-14th (Sun) March 2010

Cheers!

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I haven't got a chance to blog about Sam Poh Kong Temple or the other places of worship although it was in the back of my mind for some time. One reader asked me where is the Buddhist temple in Cameron Highlands. There are many Buddhist temples around Cameron Highlands. Somehow Sam Poh Kong is the most popular and it is usually featured in the commercial Cameron Highlands map.

Anyway, how to go to Sam Poh Kong temple in Brinchang. From the direction of Tanah Rata heading to Brinchang. When arriving Brinchang, on the right there is the Hindu temple, and between the Hindu temple and Iris Hotel there is a road, turn right and enter it. The road is kinda narrow and passes by several more accommodations, hotels and living quarters. Just follow along it and you could arrive at the Sam Poh Kong temple.

Cheers!

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My brother-in-law finally checked in Century Pine Hotel in Tanah Rata. Now he is very particular about service, after all, he is also in the service industry. The Century Pines Hotel service leaves much to be desired. Apparently during this peak period they are rather short handed I suppose. Still so far I have heard many complaints about most of the hotel service in Cameron Highlands. I guess you just can't expect the service level of this hillside resort to be comparable with those hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Century Pines Resort hotel is considered to be about 3 to 4 stars. My wife quipped that if you really want good service go stay in YTL Cameron Highlands Resort. Haha! That would really burn a hole in your wallet! If you really want good service level you could try Lakehouse Cameron Highlands but that too is not cheap! Even if it is the expensive hotels I have seen people complaining about their service levels too.

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The other day my brother asked, "Century Pines Hotel vs Heritage Hotel, which one better?"

My brother was trying to find a hotel in Tanah Rata and was deciding on one of the star rated hotels in Cameon Highlands. Heritage Hotel has been long established while Century Pines Hotel was refurbished. After staying in each hotel I liked Century Pines Hotel. I think in terms of star rating Heritage got 5 star while Century Pines Hotel got 4 star. I don't how the star rating system works or how they evaluate whether this hotel should be this many stars or that many stars. But when you stay there you like it then I should say the hotel in Cameron Highlands that you stayed is good.

So Century Pines Hotel vs Heritage Hotel which one is better?

I liked Century Pines Hotel especially its ground floor unit that opens up the garden. Good for children to run around and something green for the eyes to see. On top of that easy access to Tanah Rata main road where the main shops and restaurants are located. Ya lor, lazy to walk ma.

And of course if you are feeling less lazy, the Parit trail is just next to it by the river. Got Feng Shui, you got hills, you water, you got land, umm but I'm no Feng Shui master so probably don't know what I'm talking about.

As for Heritage Hotel which shares the compound with Greenhill Apartments, maybe they do too much development and so have less greenery around Heritage Hotel. However some of the rooms have very good view of Cameron Highlands surrounding.

The thing about carpeted rooms, they need to clean it often otherwise it will smell of mildew. So if you don't have blocked nose, you will smell it clearly. While the garden room of Century Pines Hotel they use tiles. Tiles may be easier to clean and no mildew smell problem but they are very cold for the feet if you don't wear your slippers or shoes while walking around the room. Malaysian style of walking around rooms is usually barefooted, so a cold tile is no fun, while the carpeted floor of Heritage Hotel would be nicer.

So in the end which of the above hotel in Tanah Rata town is better? Your choice. For me I would prefer Century Pines Hotel, but Heritage Hotel is also ok-lah!

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"So how far is it from KL to Cameron Highlands?" my boss asked.

"About three hours by car and an additional one hour or two by bus." I replied.

"What is there to do and see there?"

"Well, there is the tea plantation, vegetable farms and markets, countryside views."

After thinking awhile, he thought the time and effort to go over to Cameron Highlands may not be worth the effort. He was planning a trip to Cameron Highlands for the long holiday break during Chinese New Year.

But that's the whole point of gong to Cameron Highlands -- to relax, and enjoy the greenery especially that of the tea plantation and to take up simple activities while enjoying the cool weather. Of course for a more outgoing outdoor adventure activities, you could go for jungle trekking.

But I guess each person is entitled to their own viewpoints. Some people prefer going to Malaysia islands or beaches for their relaxing vacation getaways where they can feel and smell the salty sea breeze blowing by and the hot sun on their back and face (and getting sunburned in the process). And of course, having lived in the hot humid climate of Malaysia, heading to the Malaysia highlands to have some natural cool climate instead of the artificially created air-conditioned environment is a welcome change indeed.

To each his own paradise retreat. So your choice -- to Malaysia islands and beaches or to Malaysia highlands like Cameron Highlands?

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and vacation places do get pretty packed especially from 3rd day of CNY onwards when we Chinese after having visited all the family, relatives and friends it is time for some family outing! So choose your vacation travel destination and book your hotel and accommodation early to avoid disappointment!

Cheers!

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I like pancakes. And you could find some cafes here and there in Cameron Highlands serving them. Here's one bit of info that I found in The Star, pancakes from Yong Teng Cafe. Will try them out next if I ever go up Cameron Highlands. Looks reall yummy too!

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Yong Teng Cafe Pancakes

Stall No 4 at the Majlis Daerah stalls (diagonally opposite Bank Pertanian Malaysia), Tanah Rata. Open 8am-5pm.

Head to this stall for a quick meal, which is one of the cheapest places in Tanah Rata for a simple, hearty fare. The place is run by Teng See Poh and his wife, Yong Oi Kim, who are both hearing-impaired. Communication with the friendly couple isn't a problem, however, as diners are given a piece of paper to write their orders on. There is also a full-length menu with items listed in both Chinese and English, so just point to what you want.



The food is simple but well prepared, and the pancakes are particularly good. Fruit toppings such as banana or strawberry accompany the crepes, and for an additional 50 sen, you can have a scoop of ice-cream as well. The stall also serves nasi lemak, burgers, hot dogs, toast and half-boiled eggs.

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For those who are wondering about Cameron Highlands weather around this year end, no need to wonder. Typically it is the year end monsoon season with wind blowing in from the North-East to South-West bringing along with it the moisture laden atmosphere from the sea. When the moisture laden warm air hits the cool climate of the mountain range in the central area of Peninsular Malaysia it would result in precipitation.

Most if not all would fall on the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, as well the southern state, the east coast of Johor and of course Singapore too. However it would be more severe in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang because of the mountain ranges.

So expect to experience rain in Cameron Highlands from mild drizzle to heavy downpour during your trip. Carry your umbrella along, and try to factor in indoor activities rather than outdoor exploration activities. Avoid going for jungle bashing unless you are an intrepid outdoor adventurer who don't mind slushing through the jungle mud.

Visit to Bharat and Boh Tea Plantation is still alright but you might not be able to frolic in the tea plantation itself. Well, depends on your luck, I suppose. You could always visit the tea factory, heh, heh. Or just sit back and relax at the Boh Tea Centre or Bharat Shalimar Tea Shop and enjoy the grand view of rain pitter-patter on the tea plantation.

Visit to bee farm, butterfly farm, rose garden centres, cactus nurseries and various farms like strawberry farms, Kea farm, etc will depend on your fortune with sky as most of these Cameron Highlands sights and attractions are open air with some covering. You could carry your umbrella along, but if the rain gets too heavy it might be better to hold up somewhere like in a restaurant and have a nice hot cup of tea!

Related post:
Cameron Highlands Current Weather March 2010

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Goodness gracious! My website is just information and review about Cameron Highlands. I do not do hotel accommodation apartment bookings, I do not sell organic vegetable products, I do not provide travel and tours services, I do not sell flowers! My dear fellow netizens, I can't help you on the above because I don't do them!

Cheers!

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