The journey started off fine. Just normal highway type roads but then we turned off into the hills and the roads became windy (I don't think it helped that the driver was going at it like a bat out of hell!). It made me feel a little queasy. At least I was trying to put it down to the roads and not the two birthday glasses of wine I drank last night! I blame some of it on my lovely Pa and one of my best friends Corrina as I had to have 2 glasses to raise a glass to each of them on their birthdays too!

The scenery is lovely. Green jungle, tea plantations and strawberry farms that are now unfortunately split up by high rise hotels. We got to Tenah Rata with no problems and found a guest house even though it was more per night than we wanted to pay. It just seems more expensive here and I guess we are a captive audience.

As our room wasn't ready yet we went out to explore the area. There isn't too much to explore so in about 20 minutes we had circled the village. I think we may have been moving slightly faster than normal as it is so much cooler here - it is a welcome relief from the heat we have been subject to for a few months now.

We had gathered some information on tours in the area so sat at a local food court place to mull them over and decide what we wanted to do. We decided to book a half day tour for tomorrow, which would give us the afternoon to do our own thing.

We pottered around a lot today, and tossed ideas around about what to do next as we just cannot seem to be able to make a decision on our next destination.

We went out for dinner at an Indian street café - Tandori chicken for Neil and Aloo Gobi for me. It was delicious.

Back at the hostel we spent some time researching places to go, updating the blog and I called the bank via Skype. I was glad to have the bank issue off my back once and for all - how many more times will I have to tell them I am travelling I wonder?? The bank issue was made more infuriating for me as there is a HSBC right here in this little village. 'The world's local bank' said that they couldn't access my account as it hadn't been opened in Malaysia - world's local bank?? Anyways enough ranting - I got it sorted and that's all that matters!

I am really looking forward to our tour tomorrow but am slightly worried about my foot as my previously injured tendons and ligaments have had a few sharp twinges today.

After not a great night's sleep due to a hard pillow and noisy hostel we got up and headed for showers. The toilets and showers are in wet rooms at this hostel, so with both men's being engaged Neil had to wait for a shower - luckily and rather strangely I got abluted with no problems.

We got picked up from the tour office and the collected the other 4 members of our group from a hotel - a nice small group, a couple from Romania and a couple from Germany. Our guide, Francis, explained what we would be doing during the tour and off we went.

We set off towards Gunung Brinching - the highest mountain accessible by road in the area. On the way up the windy road (the roads here certainly can rival those in Laos!) we stopped at a view point to look out over the tea bush fields. Francis gave us some information about the tea being grown, the company that owns the fields and other country side facts. We were given time to take some photos of the beautiful view - the bright green leaves and the sun shining - stunning. Francis also told us about someone on a previous tour bending down to look at the tea bush, and when asked what he was looking for the tourist stated 'teabags!' How funny!

It was then back in the jeep and up to the top of the mountain. At the top we climbed up a watch tower and the views were lovely. The low clouds hovering just made the hills look even prettier. We took lots of photos but like many things on our trip, they simply do not do the real view justice.

A short drive down the hill and we pulled over to begin our trek and mossy forest tour. Francis showed and told us about all the different plants that grow here and their uses. He was so knowledgeable being able to pick out plants easily and explain to us their medicinal qualities. We then started the trek clambering up and down muddy banks, under tree branches and over large roots. The ground was really bouncy (see videos!) as the leaves have fallen off the trees and along with the moisture from the moss have made a kind of compost flooring. The forest sure did live up to its name - there was moss everywhere. It was growing on roots, rocks, the floor, tree trunks and even high up in the canopy. We also saw some monkey cup flowers in different stages of development - such clever plants! It was so nice trekking here because of the cool climate.

Back down to the jeep and we were taken to the 'Boh' tea plantation which was set up by a British man, J.A. Russell, and is still run by his family today. We saw how the tea was transformed from the leaves we saw on the bushes earlier, into the teabags we grab out of the box. In the café we tried a special highlands tea that is lighter in colour because it is nearer the sun apparently - it was yum! We all clambered back into the jeep and had a great time talking with the German couple on the ride back to the village. Back in Tenah Rata we treated ourselves to a cream tea as strawberries are another one of the highlands specialities - delicious!

We have changed our plan for Malaysia and have decided to head for Melaka tomorrow. Once we had booked our bus tickets we relaxed at the hostel for a while before going out for dinner notably wearing trousers and a fleece for the first time in ages. I also bought a strawberry shaped cushion to try and make the long journeys a little more comfortable.

My tendons and ligaments haven't been too good today and have made me panic a little - I simply cannot get injured! Fingers crossed it'll get a rest on the bus tomorrow and will be fine.

We are all packed and ready to move on tomorrow after a cool time (in more than one sense of the word) in the Cameron Highlands.

I hope you are still enjoying reading about our adventures! We miss everyone lots! Love and kisses xxxxxxx