Cameron Valley Tea House

C7 Tanah Rata

39000 Cameron Highlands

+6054911133

(Coordinates: 4.545251, 101.421003)

To be perfectly honest we didn’t intend on visiting this place. We were actually headed further down to Ringlet to visit the tea plantations but about 3 kilometres after leaving Tanah Rata we were experiencing motion sickness!

We chanced upon this tea house and stopped for a breather, while taking in the sights. Must make a note to visit this place when we come here again. The view from the terrace where the food and beverage is sold is simply breathtaking, and provided us with a postcard moment. Definitely a good place to have breakfast the next time we're here.

welcome J

the view

the fresh air

postcard perfect

I could spend hours just taking in the view J

if only our backyard looked like this J

oops, didn't notice the shadow

walking back to our car

managed one more pose

and one more

and one more J

one last one J

We did not spend too much time here though (since we'd already had breakfast), and headed back up to visit the Big Red Strawberry Farm J

Uncle Chow Kopitiam

Unit C2-G-01, Block C2

Taman Royal Lily, Tanah Rata

39000 Cameron Highlands

+60122052778

(Coordinates: 4.467232, 101.372471)

Yet another place we read about online. Beware, it can be quite a long and winding road getting here (just pay heed to the signboards, plenty of them) but well worth the effort.

Perched atop a sort of hill, the view over one side of the Kopitiam reveals lush greenery. Even the shop itself was tastefully adorned with flowers and plants.

It is delightful to wake up in the morning in Cameron Highlands, and it seems to have a positive on our family. Cat who is normally surly and irritable in the morning is unusually chipper and cheerful today. Must be the fresh invigorating air.

signage says it all J

Perched atop a sort of hill, the view over one side of the Kopitiam reveals lush greenery. Even the shop itself was tastefully adorned with flowers and plants.

Cat is not usually a morning person

plants everywhere J

nice J

She's usually surly in the morning

so this sight is rare J

We had the usual western breakfast and while it was pretty unremarkable (Cat didn’t fancy the scones) Uncle Chow himself is the actual main draw to the Kopitiam. He has an unnerving charm which puts anyone and everyone at ease. Despite just briefly getting to know each other we were already deep in conversation about the impending 13^th General Elections.

scones J

coffee tastes better in these cups J

self-explanatory?

the menu

halal western breakfast

my surly son

let's eat J

Our bellies full and having made fast friends, we bade our farewells (Uncle Chow was leaving in a few days’ time to vote) and made our way to Cameron Valley.

adieu..

till we meet again, happy voting J

This kopitiam is a must-visit, if only to meet its affable and friendly Uncle Chow.

Restoran Hyland

(formerly known as Restoran Highlands)

36 Bandar Baru Brinchang

39100 Cameron Highlands

+6054911309

(Coordinates: 4.492109, 101.388193)

We read about this restaurant online and it’s supposedly the first and original establishment to use charcoal to fire its steamboats. Apparently steamboat dishes tastes better if fired by charcoal as opposed to gas stoves. Truth be told for the life of us non-discerning patrons we couldn’t tell the difference.

We also read somewhere that the restaurant's proprietor will be retiring soon and with no offspring willing to take over the business he will have to close it down, which is a shame. On another note, don't parents work and slog everyday to provide a living fueled by a promise that their children will not have to work and slog just as hard when they grow up? Just a thought...

its not quite on Brinchang's main road

a row of shops in front of Rosa Pasadena

hungry ghosts

the kitchen

my source of sustenance

Cat however made the observation the portions are more generous, maybe it’s because it costs RM18 per head rather than the standard RM16 elsewhere.

here we go J

look at the funnel

it kinda leans a bit, right?

woot J

check out the spread!

Anyhow, charcoal or not, it was something new for us and Brendan was absolutely mesmerized by the funnel.

fill 'er upJ

in with the prawns J

An altogether refreshing experience not to be missed.

Hotel Jasmine

29-32 Jalan Besar, Brinchang

39100 Cameron Highlands

+6054911588

(Coordinates: 4.491154, 101.389076)

After lunch we headed to Brinchang to look for a budget hotel. We wanted to stay in Brinchang rather than Tanah Rata because the restaurants here come alive at night, and we didn’t want to be driving around after dusk.

There are plenty of budget hotels to choose from, and almost all were eliminated from our shortlist save for this hotel and Rainbow Garden (a block down). Both had elevators but Jasmine was newer.

We got a family room (a single and a double bed) for RM98 (yes, you read it right… RM98!) and boy were we glad we chose Jasmine. The room, although a bit small had everything we needed. It had an LCD television set fixed onto the wall, sheets and towels were clean, its bathroom was spacious and more importantly its water pressure and heater was beyond reproach.

you won't miss it..

.. clearly visible from Brinchang town's main road

shivering after an afternoon shower?

a single and a double for RM98? we kid you not

LCD tv

view of the town and surrounding hills

ample wardrobe space

all we could ask for J

We got a room facing the town and surrounding hills and with it all the fresh cool air you could want. This hotel is highly recommended and our hotel of choice in the future J

Jasmine Cafe House

45 Jalan Besar, Tanah Rata

39000 Cameron Highlands

+6054911703
(Coordinates: 4° 28' 14.00", 101° 22' 39.25")

We read about this cafe online and made it our first place of interest upon arriving in the highlands. The café’s décor is interesting to say the least, and if you’re Dutch or and fan of the Dutch football team this is the place for you.

first place we visited upon reaching Cameron Highlands

House of Oranje?

no dutch ladies?

Food-wise, it really did not live up to expectations and apart from the lamb chop that Brendan enjoyed everything else was pretty bland. Bearing in mind our motto of looking for the everyday food for the everyday man, this place was pretty pricey in that food and drinks ran up to almost RM90.

frothing coffee after a long drive

orange juice at the oranje house?

Cat does not normally drink hot tea!

happy to have arrived J

chicken chop for Cat

lamb chop for Brendan

while I had the (very oily fried) fish and chips

let's eat!

Service-wise, like most other upmarket establishments here you will get treated better if you’re Caucasian, and get treated not-so-well if you’re not (if you know what I mean). Some things and some people never change, its fine if you chase after euros, pounds and dollars but just remember it’s the ringgit that keeps you afloat!

heavy downpour, showers of blessing?

This will be our first and last time here.