" The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow "
" My Staycation & Cuti Cuti Malaysia 3 days free & easy visit to Cameron Highlands, Pahang & Kellie Castle, Perak accompanying my brother Weng & wife + sister Inn & Mei travelling on Wednesday August 12 - 14 2020, by private vehicle driven by my brother Weng from Subang Jaya to Cameron Highlands via North South Expressway & main trunk roads; my 8th outdoor trip after the lifting of Movement Control Order (MCO) by the Malaysian Government on June 10 2020; my last visit to Cameron Highlands was in July 2019 with my travel buddy from Singapore & as for Kellie Castle, my last visit was probably 25 years ago ! Another cool cool green green highland visit accomplished in my home country during this difficult period, also this outdoor highland trip provides an opportunity for our seniors to strive a balance in our mental, emotional health & stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last 5 months "
As of August 22 2020, Malaysia had been placed under Movement Control Order (MCO) for 159 days (5.3 months) caused by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak ! The pandemic is far from over so expect more challenges ahead; in the meantime, mandatory wearing of face masks, SOP on social distancing become a new norm until a vaccine is found ....
Travel Itinerary: Subang Jaya > Serdang Raya > Bidor > Simpang Pulai > Tanah Rata > Kellie Castle > Subang Jaya (total 607km)
Subang Jaya > Serdang Raya - 25km
Serdang Raya > Bidor - 150km
Bidor > Simpang Pulai - 56km
Simpang Pulai > Tanah Rata - 80km
Tanah Rata > Kellie Castle - 101km
Kellie Castle > Subang Jaya - 195km
Total = 607km
Cameron Highland routes - from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands, motorists can choose to drive to Tapah, a shorter route but this stretch of roads is narrow & have more sharp bends, pubic buses & heavy vehicles from southern region prefer to take this shorter route; however, it is much more pleasant to take the Tapah / Simpang Pulai route to Cameron Highlands due to better road conditions but take a bit longer to arrive in Brinchang or Tanah Rata (extra 60km) if you start your journey from Kuala Lumpur !
Tapah to Simpang Pulai - 44km
Simpang Pulai > Blue Valley - 56km
Blue Valley > Kampung Raja - 3km
Kampung Raja > Tringkap - 9km
Tringkap > Brinchang - 8.5km
Brinchang > Tanah Rata - 4.6km
Tanah Rata > Ringlet - 12km
Ringlet > Tapah - 46km
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| State of Pahang, Peninsula Malaysia |
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| Peninsula Malaysia Msp |
Total expenses incurred (3 days 2 nights): Rm134 (US$31) per pax
Petrol & toll: Rm30 per pax
Hotel apartment: Rm170 per night (Rm34 per pax; a group of 5)
Food & groceries: Rm30
Entrance fee (Kellie Castle): Rm4 (Senior)
Parking fee (Kellie Castle): Rm2
(a 2 day 1 night tour package by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands inclusive of 2 dinners costs Rm159 or US$37.40)
Petrol price in Malaysia: Rm1.63 (US$0.38) per litre as at August 14 2020
Day temperature in Tanah Rata in mid-August 2020 was around 21c to 23c whereas night temperature around 16c to 18c
My travel buddies: Brother Weng & wife + Sister Inn & Mei
Travel Highlights:
1) Bidor, Perak
2) Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands
3) Boh Tea Center, Sungei Palas, Cameron Highlands
4) Sam Poh Temple, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
5) Rose Valley, Tringkap, Cameron Highlands
6) Kellie Castle, Batu Gajah, Perak
My 2 nights accommodation in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands - Woodz Highlands Apartment, Jalan Golden Hill 9, The Somer Square, Tanah Rata; Rm170 (US$40) per night (2 bedrooms + Hall + Sofa + Kitchen, max 6 adults); walking distance to Golden Hills weekend night market (every Friday & Saturday 4pm>11pm)
Sunrise as viewed from the Golden Hills Highland Apartment
Sunset as viewed from the Golden Hills Highland Apartment
My Makan Makan (Eating) - lunch in Bidor town & Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands
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| Herbal duck meat noodle soup - Rm12 (US$2.80), Pun Chun Retoran, Bidor |
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| Won Tan noodle soup - Rm8 (US$1.88), Pun Chun Restoran, Bidor |
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Yam cake Rm2.60 (US$0.60), Pun Chun Restoran, Bidor  |
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| Bought a few packs of Pun Chun snacks in Bidor |
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| Curry chicken Nasi Lemak - Rm6 (US$1.40) in a Muslim restoran in Tanah Rata |
Our group members bought some fresh Cameron Highlands vegetables (sweet corns, brinjal, tomatoes, carrots, tapioca, leafy vegetables etc) & strawberries from a number of fresh produce roadside stalls in Kea Garden & Tringkap for home & own cooking in the highland apartment for our dinners etc
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| Petai (bitter bean) |
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| 5 pcs of sweet corn - Rm10 |
Bidor Town, Perak - located off the North South Expressway, 175km from Kuala Lumpur, our group's first stopover for an early lunch in Bidor
Kampar, Perak - located 170km from Kuala Lumpur & 28km from Simpang Pulai, known as Education City; founded in 1887, lies within the Kinta Valley, an area rich with tin reserves in the good old days ! I have keep in view (KIV) Kampar in my next visit to Perak !
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| Kampar Independence Clock Tower, Perak |
