Cameron Highlands

We were in for a scenery and temperature change when we ventured to Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands.  We figured we had done enough beachy things that we should try something else. I instantly regretted this decision when we arrived to 15 degree weather.  I had to put on long pants and a jumper! I hadn't done this since living in London.  Right on cue the afternoon rains came just after we had checked into our guest house. This resulted in me nana napping until my hunger was greater than my need for sleep and we ventured out for lunch.  The rain had us rushing back to the safety of our room where we stayed until dinner time. We are such Nana's!

We set our alarm for 4am as we wanted to watch the All Blacks v USA. We got another hours sleep before we had to be up for our tour to the tea plantation and the mossy forest.  The tea plantation was BOH (best of highlands) and is owned by a Scottish family.  The granddaughter now runs the business.  The scenery was really beautiful. We were given a talk about how the leaves are cut and processed into tea leaves and tea bags.

From here we ventured into the mossy forest.  The forest is given its name due to the fact so much moss grows there as it is very damp as no sunlight penetrates through the trees. It reminded me of the NZ bush - very green, ferns everywhere, and moss! 

Our guide took us on a 50min walk pointing out cool plants as we went.  Our favourite was the insect killing plant.  It has a cone shape with sticky nectar that attracted insects, and once the insects were inside they couldn't get out.  The nectar is actually highly acidic and breaks down the insects. Very cool!!  

Unfortunately when we went up to the top of the Mountain (2000m above sea level) to lok out at the valley the clouds had rolled in and we couldn't see anything!!

 After our walk we went to the BOH tea factory where we watched workers in each stage of the tea making process.  At the end of it all we were rewarded with a cuppa and scones.  Yum.  This was the end of our adventure in the Highlands.  Today we were up early to catch a bus to Kuala Lumpur where I am hoping the weather will be warmer.

Sadly all good things must come to an end. We have two stops left on our world tour - Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne.