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Today I did the Cameron Highland tourist thing: I visited a
tea plantation and drove up Gunung Brinchang. After some initial
disappointment of driving through the highlands---lots of construction
and small shops geared towards tourists---I was rewarded for my
persistence when I left the trodden path and visited the BOH tea
plantations. Not that this isn't a well frequented place, but
at least the road up was quite adventurous and the tea factory
worked (with machines) probably like it has for many years. Inefficient,
but interesting.
From the BOH tea plantations I followed the road up to Gunung
Brinchung from the top of which I was rewarded with a grandiose
view over the Cameron Highlands. I had arrived just in time: 10
min later, the view was already disturbed by fog coming up from
lower parts of the region. This drive up was challenging as well.
A small and narrow road, with lots of honking (at least by me)
when cutting around corners. But fun!! Was I happy that I hadn't
tried to mount it on foot: while a nice walk initially, after
2km or so it got really boring, and I pitied the walkers I passed
by in my comfortable car.
On my way back I stopped at Butterfly Garden and Butterfly Farm, two separate shops that as game theory wants it are located right next to each other. Both shops showcase butterflies and other insects. Quite a fascinating exhibit! I finally saw the tarantula up close of which I had seen only one leg in Taman Negara. Fortunately, for me, it was dead and under glass.
These shops were also selling butterflies and insects, properly
prepared, in little glass-covered wooden boxes. Fascinated by
a scorpion exhibit of this kind, I picked it up in one shop. I
had almost decided to buy it, when I saw some smaller insects
moving in there. Yikes; I put it back. The other shop turned out
to have better and more carefully prepared exhibits, but somehow
I had lost appetite. I guess I'll be leaving the Cameron Highlands
without a souvenir.
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