Days 60 and 61

We left Langkawi at 6:00am in order to get the 7am ferry. The fun began once we arrived back on the mainland as we were informed the bus due to take us to Ipoh wasnt there and we must get another bus to meet the one we needed in Alor Star. After an hour we got our bus to Ipoh (2 hours from the Highlands) which arrived only an hour behind sechdule (not bad for Asian standards). The bus station at Ipoh wasn't much fun and was made up of row upon row of bus companies trying to sell you their tickets. After abit of faffing around we booked a bus due to leave at 5pm, so we had just enough time to grab a very late lunch, which consisted of a cup of sweetcorn! It wasnt to bad or maybe we were just really, really hungry! Keeping up with Asian tradition the bus was an hour late to arrive, which meant we didnt arrive at our guesthouse (Gerards place) until 8pm. Thankfully the guesthouse was really nice and I even got to watch the Liverpool match along with two Argentines and a Dutch guy (Boca, Man city! and PSV fans).

We were up early the next day as we had booked a tour of the mossy forest and tea plantations. As it turned out we were the only ones on the tour and so had the mini bus and tour guide to ourselves. When we stopped for our first view of the tea hills I was in the bad books as I had left the camera in the guethouse, thus michelle wasn't pleased. Our guide took us to the highest point on the highlands at 1,000 meters above sea level. We made it just in time as the fog closed in and hid the smashing views. Our next stop was the mossy forests, which looked like somthing straight out of the lord of the rings set. Not sure the camera would have done justice to the place as the old misty forest was full of rare orchids and carnivorous plants. Luckily for me our next stop took us past the guesthouse so I could fetch the camera. We then stopped at the Boh tea plantation and were told a few facts about the place before getting a chance to try some local tea. Just as we finished our drinks the heavens opened and turned the hillside steps into a waterfall, it just felt like we were back home!!

Our one day in the Highlands had been well worth the long bus journey, and definitley one of the highlights of our Malaysian trip.

Next stop Melaka, our final destination in Malaysia before heading to Singapore.