Cameron Getaway

When you think Cameron Highlands, you think of tea plantations; beautiful roses and other exotic flowers of different shades and colors; large, juicy strawberries and now a newly opened Lavender Garden. But one thing has changed. Over the years due to global warming, the climate in Cameron Highlands is no longer as cool compared to decades ago.

Still, it was a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of stressful city life. The bus journey from Singapore to Cameron Highlands was a real test of patience and endurance, not just physically but mentally as well. When we arrived at the Century Pines Resort, we were tested once again to a long waiting time as our room was not ready. By then, we were physically tired and mentally exhausted and to add to that, I was running a bad cold. By the time our room was ready in 1-2 hours' time, we were so beaten that we just want to lie down on the bed and sleep.

Although our 4-day trip in Cameron was to recharge our spiritual life, we also had a refreshing time visiting a tea house and saw the sprawling tea plantation. We also visited the newly opened Cameron Lavender Garden which houses numerous varieties of flowers besides lavender. For the first time, we tasted lavender ice-cream! I also bought a bottle of lavender juice. I would have bought lavender coffee if they have it, but they only sell strawberry coffee. On the way out of the Lavender Garden, we passed a stall selling lavender burger. As we were rushing to return to the coach, we didn't get to buy it. I wonder how lavender burger tastes like?

Do I like Cameron Highlands? Not as much as before when the temperature was a lot cooler. Will I revisit this quiet, close-to-nature place? Not likely due to the long, tedious bus journey. But Cameron Highlands will always have a special place in my heart, just like all the other places we have visited as a family because we left our footprints there.