Chillin out at Cameron Highlands

It has been 4 years since our last visit to Cameron Highlands. Theo and I took two days off our hectic schedule and packed the kids to cool down during their school vacation. Afterall there will always be work but moments lost as your children grow up can never be recovered.

Saying this as I am becoming increasingly jaded with work. I still enjoy speaking to people about retirement planning and all but the non stop demands is draining me completely.

Didn’t have much of an itinerary while in Cameron other than the usual farm hopping, strawberry picking and night market fiesta (every Fri and Sat night near Brinchang).

A few new highlights to share during this trip though that made it all worthwhile.

First there is a new attraction in town – Cameron Lavender where you can treat your senses to colorful fields of flowers and fragrance. I never expected to be able to see lavender so close to home, the last time was in Provence in southern France.

I couldn’t resist the urge to buy a lavender plant back as well (Taiwanese breed) and am pleasantly surprised that the fragrance comes from the whole plant and not just the flowers. Problem would be finding a way to smuggle it back home. The plant cost RM15 at this garden they sold it for only RM8 at Uncle Sam’s farm.

The second highlight would be the mossy forest. The last time I came here with Theo and a younger Joel, we only made it to the end of the boardwalk trail as the rest of the path was too muddy to continue. This time I was quite determined to go beyond that if the path wasn’t too muddy.

Thankfully it looked dry enough so our family of five decided to brave the unknown. It was supposedly a two hour trek to the summit of Gunung Irau which I was originally optimistic of reaching. Thanks to a new map app that I downloaded I was able to track our progress through the forest to determine when to head back.

The trek through the mossy forest was unique to me being a cloud forest. The weather was cool and hence did not sap your energy away. The tree trunks and branches were twisted in weird shapes which lent useful support as we navigated through the steep steps and slopes. They were surprisingly hard and smooth to the grip. There were many mossy overhangs dripping dew and water onto our heads. The mossy exterior made the forest look like it was bathed in an greenish blue hue, giving it an ethereal feel. One could almost imagine this to be setting of stories about fairies, sprites and other fantasy creatures.

But even though the forest was beautiful, the trek was by no means a walk in the park. We had to scale mini slopes with only tree branches and roots are our support and traverse down paths with boulders as our footholds. Though the paths were muddy, at least they were not too slippery so we managed to maintain our foothold most times. I slipped twice though while trying to hold on to one of the kids. It is one of those things when you choose your steps or watch those of your child’s.

Nevertheless this was a really insightful adventure because I saw Joel blossom as a da ge (big brother). Without any prodding from us, he just naturally took the role of scout and guide. Leading the way ahead and then guiding his siblings find the best footing and helping them take big leaps and steps to higher grounds. I was surprised to see Joel behaving so naturally at home in such an environment.

In fact all three kids were soaking in the adventure gleefully. Despite a tiresome two hour trek with no end in sight they were all game to keep going on, taking every challenge into their stride (and recounting it again after we were back safely into our hotel). While my heart was in my mouth throughout, praying that no one slipped or lost their step, it didn’t seem like danger was on their minds at all. Kids…..

Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the summit. After an hour of difficult terrain, I checked my map only to realise we had only crossed 20% of the route and it was already 2pm. There was no way we would make it to the summit and back before the last light. With that we turned back the way we came and also in good time too because it started to rain heavily soon after.

I must return to complete this route someday. Perhaps another four years later when the children are older and with Ephraim joining us too.