Cameron Highlands
North of Fraser's Hill lies another hill resort, but with a
completely different character. A favourite getaway for the british
colonial civil servants in bygone days, cameron Highlands has often
been called 'a little bit of england'. Today the cameron Highlands
is malaysia's 'green bowl' the major supplier of temperate and semi
temperate vegetables to the cities of malaysia and to
singapore.
A flourishing flower growing industry also exists in
the cameron Highlands with cut flowers being exported the world
over.
 The highest peak in the cameron Highlands
is gunung swettenham standing at 1961 metres. The Highlands
themselves were named after the british surveyor william cameron
who first visited the area in 1885. There are three townships
within the Highlands. Ringlet is the agricultural centre of the
district, tanah rata is the town centre of the Highlands and
brinchang, a small town known for its nurseries, fruit farms and
tea plantations.
A large new market for the farmers of the area is the
export of fresh cut flowers.
Malaysia is rapidly becoming a leading exporter of
these flowers, which are new cultivated in abundance. Visitors will
be dazzled by the profusion of colours at the flower farms, blooms
such as roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, dahlias, geraniums,
fuchsia and gladioli thrive in the cool humid atmosphere of the
Camerons. No visit to the Camerons is complete without the purchase
of some of these beautiful blooms.
The Ringlet and Brinchang areas are dotted with
market gardens. On terraced hillsides and valley floors the array
of colours, sights and general neatness of the area spells
efficient cultivation.
The cool weather and fertile soils of the terraced
slopes produce a fresh and healthy variety of vegetables including
spring cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, leeks, brussel sprouts,
broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and capsicums. You should not miss
a visit to one of these market gardens.
 Tea plantations by their very nature occupy
large tracts of land. You can watch the tea pickers at work and
afterwards visit the factory to see the finer aspects of grading,
blending and processing of the leaves. Cameron Highlands tea has
established a reputation for quality, comparable to the best
varieties around the world.
 Many types of fruit are also grown in the
Highlands, passion fruit, tangerines, persimmons,grapefruits and
the most popular of all, strawberries.
Most hotels and restaurants in the Camerons offer
local strawberries served with thick delicious fresh cream. A visit
to the strawberry park will not only allow you to see how they are
grown but will offer you the opportunity to purchase the freshly
picked English delight.
 For nature lovers a walk along the many jungle paths
winding along cool mountain streams should not be missed. Streaks
of sunlight occasionally filter through the lush forest foliage
glistening on the cascading waters. You can enjoy a cool
stimulating dip in one of the many jungle pools found at the base
of waterfalls or, just rest and admire the sights and the sounds
while having a leisurely picnic. The most popular falls that are
ideal for swimming are the Robinson Falls and the Parit
Falls.
The rugged climb to the popular peaks of the cameron
Highlands is well worth the effort. Gunung brinchang, gunung
beremban and gunung jasar are all easily accessible and on clear
days your efforts will be rewarded in the panoramic, breathtaking
views of the surrounding towns, and row upon row of vegetable plots
and tea plantations. You may even see as far as the straits of
Melaka.
A wide array of Accommodation dots the Camerons
landscape. Old country inns, chalets, apartments and modern hotels
provide a variety to suit all tastes. A special mention, however,
must be made of Ye Olde Smokehouse Restaurant and Hotel, where
everything, both inside and out, is preserved exactly as it was
during colonial times. The only additions being modern conveniences
that have been added for the benefit of guests.
 Cameron Highlands also offers ample
facilities for sports lovers. Golfers can tee-off at the 18-hole
golf course with waving fairways, winding streams and extremely
tricky greens. Visiting membership fees are reasonable and a modern
clubhouse will allow you to wind down after your game. Tennis and
badminton courts are also available.
Cameron Highlands is a 4-hour ride from Kuala Lumpur
via tapah. The uphill roads have a gradual gradient and are well
maintained. The journey itself offers splendid views, passing the
roaring waterfall of lata iskandar.
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