September 21,

Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands

Up and around having our Javas and breakfast of crackers with last of the hummus or PB. Now we packed, readied, and out the door by 1045. We had an 1100 check out. We are moving on- it's a transition day. We waited on our elevators ten minutes – won't miss this part. Finally, we decided to go to Tower A elevators and we caught the elevator going up to get down, but we only stopped three times all the way down! Jeff dropped the key inside the mailbox by 1103, he called for Grab taxi. It was raining while we were waiting for the Grab, but stopped some time on the way to the bus terminal. The taxi ride took 41 minutes to get to the bus terminal (only 11 miles).

At the bus terminus, Jeff got our paper tickets while I babysat our luggage. He had reserved our spots online but you still have to get paper proof. The fare was 48 MYR ($11.41) each. Anyway tickets in hand, we rushed to the gate, making it at 1157 for 1200 bus! But thankfully the bus was not there, so Jeff went for snacks for “lunch” on board. It is supposedly a three and a half hour bus ride. We are leaving KL and going to Cameron Highlands. At 1203, the bus showed up, Jeff returned, we boarded, and bus took off by 1213 (only 13 minutes late).

We ate our snack lunch of a small pack of sunflower seeds, split a coconut pastry cup, and a small bag of popcorn for snack lunch whilst enjoying the scenery. The bus was out of the city limits by oneish, but there is still a bunch of traffic – it's a busy three lane highway. It is very cloudy, overcast skies but not raining now. The terrain has changed to suburb type housing in lush forested rolling hilly terrain. Then terrain changed again from suburb hills, to plantations of palm trees or coconut trees and mountains dappled with clouds. Somewhere here the highway changed to two lanes. After a couple of hours, the bus stopped at roadside service for restroom break and more food if you were inclined. There were options – a Baskin Robins and a Dunkin Donuts. It could have been a rest stop back home! Anyway, the bus filled up with diesel fuel – ⛽ 135.95 L=401 MYR! This is 35.9 gallons, costing $95.36, which is $2.66/ gallon. (I was sitting in the seat window right at the pump.) I thought it was interesting how much a bus takes in fuel and that Malaysian diesel prices are cheaper than back home (from what I have heard y'all say). Anyway, we resumed at 1445. Around 1500, the bus turned onto a winding up, one lane road to get to destination. Along this road we saw little local stands on the side of the road selling, maybe fruits – durian, mangosteen, and others; plus mung beans pods?? We finally arrived at the bus terminus around 1640-ish.

Welcome to Cameron Highlands!! This is the tea plantation area of Malaysia.

Jeff hired a taxi to take us the 5+ miles to our place. He charged 60 MYR ($14.28). Jeff did not dicker. We loaded in the car and basically go uphill to our place – Palas Horizon. We take like 45 minutes to go those fiveish miles due to road construction. The Cameron Highlands has had a LOT of rain and landslides. The road was just one way due to road washout. It was okay for us, as we did not have to be at the place at a certain time, except after three (it is a key-in-the-mailbox pickup, which seems to be the way of most of our bookings are processed). Our driver was more annoyed than us. We arrived and unloaded. Jeff paid the driver and we found our place. It is a three bedroom/two bath place. We also have a washer and a dryer! Small kitchen “for light cooking” also. Jeff unpacked and I blogged for yesterday. Our place is naturally cool temperature-wise, and has an unfortunate slightly dampish feel.

We went out for dinner around 1800, finding Kensington Western Restaurant. We had Potato & Leek Soup (since it is cooler, this hit the spot); Roasted Chicken “Casserole” with Black Pepper Sauce and sides of crispy potato wedges and sauteed veggies (it was roasted chicken with the gravy, not in a casserole form as we think of); and Confit Duck with Honey Lemon Sauce and side of a medley of sauteed zucchini, grape tomatoes, and chopped apples (the apples were good by themselves but not with zucchini – that was weird). The food overall was super-excellent. We both enjoyed supper greatly. I even had some local hot tea with local honey and lemon. Supper was 92 MYR ($21.94). Finished we checked out a couple of convenience stores and got coconut bread for breakfast and a few other items. Back and we settled in for the night.