It was a 5 hour journey from Penang, across the bridge to the mainland and through peninsular Malaysia by mini bus, to the town of Tanah Rata. The town is one of the more popular with backpackers and the hub for visiting the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands. The bus carried us through winding foothills and the views along the way were spectacular. The early rains had ceased and left the hills in a fine mist floating in and out of the jungle peaks and between the tea terraces.

The Cameron Highlands are set in a valley of tea terraces and strawberry farms, located 1800 meters above sea level. This explains the almost British climate here. And in true British fashion we stopped into a small cafe called the T Cafe for a treat of local tea with jam and cream scones (all home made). The Highlands were another British Colonial Hill Station, away from the heat of the tropical lowlands.

We spent a day visiting the main attractions; the Butterfly Farm and the Sungai Palas BOH Tea Estate. The Butterfly Farm was really cool and gives a chance to see huge butterflies and other insects up close. It was great for Lisa's photography and she could have spent all day in there taking pictures but we had a taxi waiting. The next stop was the tea estate, home to the most popular brand of tea in Malaysia, called BOH. We walked around the factory viewing areas watching the process of tea making. Next we wandered through the tea terraces taking pictures and enjoying the views. We stopped for a drink of tea in the plantation's cafe and picked up some BOH tea as souvenirs.

I picked up a beautiful Chinese tea set, along with some interesting teas, such as Sabah Tea from Borneo. We have both really enjoyed how unique this place is and now brace ourselves for the heat once more. Next we will be crossing the peninsular to the east coast; the Perhentian Islands.