So we are up at 7.30 and ready to go after a great sleep in the cooler conditions of the Cameron Highlands. I grab some Roti for breakfast and some Baps for lunch and then off we go.
-----
I have picked route 9 because SJ had done it and said it was good. When discussing it with the hostel they advise against it due to it's challenging nature. Sounds perfect. Not many people do this route so hopefully we will just be on our own enjoying the nature. The route map we have is simply some lines on a page, the trails aren't even properly sign posted and there is absolutely no sense of scale or distance. Should be a good adventure then.
-----
We head along the road and then down past a school before bearing off to the right with the hope of getting to the waterfall. We do indeed manage to get there with my exceptional navigation ability, following the path. Michael has opted for converse as his trekking shoes of choice, having not brought anything else with him, interesting, let's see how that works out for him. The trail starts off fairly easy with us following a wet and slippery path down to the waterfall. It's nice to be out on this hike, a change from the urban scenery as of late. It's not long before the path disappears and a dirt trail is all that is left. This in itself is not the issue, but the fact that the vegetation is extending over the path in front and that there are trees fallen across the way, which resulted in some scrambling. I like to call it interactive trekking. It certainly is a lol more wild than I was expecting, I had read that this path is not used that much by people, as we get deeper I can see why. There are parts where there is no trail to follow and so you just have to weave you way through the undergrowth and hope the path re-emerges. I could really do with a machete. It is perfect hiking weather, I am even sporting some trousers instead of my usual shorts. Eventually we come out of the forest and get to overlook some of the plantations. Greats views. Michael tells me that some crazy statistic that 80% of Malaysia's fruit and vegetables come from here. It is easy to believe when you see the size and scale of these plantations. As we get a break in the forest for plantation viewing the path has also disappeared. There are hoses running through the forest for irrigation and so we decide to follow those, easier said than done. It is at this stage that Michael's shoes really start to shine. His grip is non existent and at one point I have to throw my hand out to stop him from sliding down in to the plantations. It's interesting stuff. Ha. Everything is damp and slippery and there are a few minutes I nearly lose my footing, but I recover. This is so much better than a paved path full of tourists. The route we are taking is very convoluted, I mean if you were to draw a straight line, you could cover the distance in no time, as it is however, snaking backwards and forwards significantly increases the time. Eventually, after passing many plantations, and having some more near death experiences, we emerge in to the middle of a plantation and walk our way down to the road. I'm not even sure if this is where the trail ends, or if it is just where we have decided to come out. At the bottom of the plantation we see a sign marking the trail, we had done it. A great mornings entertainment and adventure.
-----
Next on the agenda is to head up the road about 5km to get to a tea house, and try some of the local tea. Let's go. We grab a little snack in the form of my Baps, which I have just discovered are sweet, and some processed cheese! Mmmmm, delicious! The walk up to the tea house is pretty much all up hill, so I'm already looking forward to coming down. The road is fairly quiet, just with the odd farmer truck, or tourist van passing us. After about 3km we enter tea country. All that can be seen is tea trees extending over the hills as far as the eye can see. It looks like a scene out of lord of the rings, and the trees look so soft and fluffy, just like a nice carpet spread over the hills. The Craic is good with Michael and so the time and distance pass quickly and it's not long before we are at the tea house. Closed in Monday's and that just happens to be today! Brilliant! Not even a nice cup of tea after our trekking! I am somewhat disappointed, but at least the scenery has been good. I spot a sign for a scenic viewpoint and so we head up there, right amidst the clouds, I can just about see the end I my nose! We decide to persevere and see if the cloud passes, it was a good call because after a short while there is a break in the cloud and we are treated to a spectacular view of the valley. Always nice to get a good snap.
-----
Time for the descent, significantly faster. We even manage to get a free lift down to the main road by some guy who just stops his pick up and tells us to jump in. I love Asia! From the main road we walk to a tea house we see a sign for, another 4km, uphill again. My ginger and lemon tea was Devine, with a great view. In fact the tea was so good that we get another cup and just relax after all our walking. Back to the hostel in a taxi before a shower, bus ticket for tomorrow, another Indian dinner then bed. I am pretty tuckered out after today. Melaka tomorrow.