After the vibrant Kuala Lumpur and the captivating Fireflies Park, I decided to slow my pace a little to enjoy the verdant landscapes of the Cameron Highlands.
My drive North into the Highlands took me past the picturesque Lata Iskandar waterfall, providing an opportunity for a short and serene stroll to break up the drive.
My next stop was the colonial tea room at the iconic Cameron Highlands Resort near Brinchang.
The afternoon tea is served in a classically English style, with cakes, pastries, finger sandwiches and fresh scones.
The fish pond was a nice addition, adding to the serenity of the ambience.
My next stop was the Lavender Garden, around a 20 minute drive North of Brinchang, for a peaceful stroll among the floral displays.
To round off my few days of repose in the Cameron Highlands, I enjoyed a relaxing stop at the Bharat Tea Plantations and the nearby Lakehouse, to take in the tranquility of the landscape.
My base for three nights in the Cameron Highlands was the Hotel Chua Gin in Brinchang, which proved to be a supremely good value option. It offered a clean, secure and air-conditioned room with a balcony and free parking, at the almost unconscionable price of $22 or £17.50 per night.
The property did not offer breakfast, a restaurant or a bar, but there were plentiful options within a two to three minute stroll at similarly negligible cost.
This property is one of myriad options in the region, with most being concentrated around the town of Brinchang. In all honesty, most of them seem to be similarly priced and more or less interchangeable. However, I was perfectly happy with the Chua Gin, and for the sake of convenience I would be more than happy to return there.
The Cameron Highlands provided me with the perfect opportunity to relax and slow my pace, amid a somewhat hectic schedule of travelling.
If you find yourself in Malaysia during your travels, I recommend taking a few days to enjoy the serenity of this beautiful region.
