2 february 2001

Welcome to Malaysia

Georgetown

A ficherman's village

Peherentian Island

Khota Bharu

Kuala Lumpur

The Cameron Highlands are a magnificent hill range in North-Central Malaysia. It’s the kind of place you go to when you just can’t take the heat any more. On the coasts, the weather is pretty stable, ranging from 30°C to 35°C all year long. Outside of the monsoon season it rains every two or three days which makes living more agreeable. But still, enough is enough.

The altitude in the Highlands (1,300 to 1,800 meters) is perfect for the cultivation of tea. The tea plantations can be visited, of course, and you can see all the techniques used for turning a simple bush variety leaf into a potent and tonic drink. Unfortunately, no one was able to answer my question: how did it all begin?

Still, there’s something timeless about a tea plantation. It’s very much like a vineyard. Each and every bush has been lovingly cared for, trimmed and hand-plucked. Every bunch of bushes has been trimmed in such a way as to allow easy access to all sides and the centre. The result is gently shaped clusters of vegetation up and down the rolling hills. The light brings into relief different perspectives, different greens, giving the landscape rhythm and form. Certain areas recently picked are dark whereas others are flowering into a tender green. They all come together to form gigantic florescent carpets.

If you go to the Highlands, we strongly recommend you stay in the Twin Pines Guesthouse in Tanah Ratah. The staff is excellent and the place is comfortable. The best place to eat in the Highlands is the fabulous Chinese restaurant, the Hotel Silver Star in Brinchang, the next village over.

Oh! One more thing. In the Highlands, keep your eyes peeled for George. He’s an Irish ex-serviceman who does jungle walks every day starting at 9:30 at the taxi stand in Tanah Ratah. The walks are free, and you get to benefit from the wit and wisdom of 12 years of British Military training. Here are some Georgeisms:

People are born crying, spend life complaining, and die disappointed.

Time, tide, and diorihha waits for no bastard.

Everybody wants to be the first to jump in the cot with George of the Jungle.


About sex: The pleasure momentary, the position ridiculous, and the cost damnable.

Mair and Marie-Do