Hello from Malaysia!!!

I have spent so long in the humidity, that venturing to Cameron Highlands I was instantly hit by how the temperature was so much cooler as this is the highest peak in Peninsula Malaysia. This makes it the perfect place for cultivating crops such as strawberries and tea. These were introduced by the British during the colonial days.

Malaysia has only been independant for 55 years - therefore there is a distinct Brit infleunce, especially in Cameron Highlands which has an abundance of tea, strawberries, scones and tudor houses.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Malaysia is a far richer country than Indonesia, I have seen that the buses are so different - pure luxury compared to the people wagon's that transported me around Indonesia. I sat on a bus for 11 hours with someone sat on a crate next to me in the aisle in Indonesia!!

In C.H I arrived and instantly decided to do a tour of the plantations. I went to visit the famous BOH tea house - set in a glorious valley of tea plants. We also drove past the village where the workers lived. I was told that the experienced ones got paid the equivalent of 10 pounds a day!! This is really gruelling work, picking tea leaves all day - and I instantly felt guilty for splashing out on a breakfast that cost me 3 pounds - in an expensive hotel!!! Well... it was a Full English!!!

The tour also included a butterfly park, rose garden and strawberry plantation! Was beautiful sights, if not slightly spoiled by the abundance of Chinese tourists - celebrating the Chinese New Year! lol.

Emma.x

Ps: I have added 2 blogs today - the next (which is bigger) is entitled Taman Negara. x