Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur

We continue our journey to Cameron Highlands through Simplang Pulai road after breakfast. According to my friend, it's best to go by Simpang Pulai road, the road as wider surface compare to Tapah old road which is winding and narrow. Cameron Highlands is the smallest district in the state of Pahang which is located in the north-western corner of the state. One of the wonders of Malaysia, it is the largest and most famous hill resort in the country. This highland paradise still retains much of the charm of an English village.

Border of Cameron Highlands

Journey from Ipoh Simpang Pulai to Cameron Highlands tooks about 45 mins to an hour depend on the weather and traffic bound. I'm worry in the first place of the weather is always uncertain nowadays heavy rain that will interrupt my journey to Cameron. I prayed to God hoping the weather is fine and I hope my dream come true that I'm craving for this long long time ago.

Welcoming message "Selamat Datang ke Cameron Highlands"

Half way going up, friend been winding down mirror to feel fresh cooling air outside. I can hear nature sound like bird chirping, monkeys singing from forest along the mountain. Surprisingly, hot sunny day right after I reached border of Pahang state and with the Welcoming message "Selamat Datang ke Cameron Highlands".

Sun Rising on top

Beautiful Nature

Friend decided stop by for photo shooting since we been driving quite some time, needed a break before we heading to town. Get down from the car, relax mode is on beautiful nature God's creation absolutely amazing. Don't you think this place look like one of the seven wonders in the world?

Beautiful mountains behind

Photo shooting

I feel like screaming out loudly on the air.. I'm happy to be here... this is second time visiting after my childhood primary school trip until now. Can't remember if this place still remain the history or more towards to the development. "Thank you God" for a beautiful weather so that I can visit many places around. I prayed to you, keep me safe along the journey... Hahaha!!

Hope to visit back here again

Journey continue to our first destination.. Do follow me on my next post!! See ya.. !! Cameron Highlands here I come!! Have you been to Cameron Highlands? xD

Sam Poh Tong @ Gopeng Road, Ipoh

Next destination would be famous Cave Temple Sam Poh Tong after visting Kek Look Tong. Sam Poh Tong is called(Cavern of Triple Gems) whereby is a Chinese Temple constructed in a limestone cave. It is located at Gunung Rapat area and if you drive along Jalan Gopeng heading towards Simpang Pulai, you will see the Chinese Temple on your left on the limestone hill right after the Petronas station. The first Temple would be the Ling Sen Tong and you just drive straight until you see Sam Poh Tong at your left.

Cave Temple Sam Poh Tong

I remembered this place well, been here before, when I was 7 years old, my late grandfather's ashes stored here inside temple's compound. In addition to the Buddhist cave temple, the temple's compound includes a crematorium and a columbarium. This area becomes packed at Ching Ming Festival falls on 4th April every year when Chinese paying respects to their ancestors.

Everything changed, previously compare to this time. As I walk in I saw huge fencing outside Sam Poh Tong covered with marble design looks like great wall of China. And I saw a lot beggars especially old ladies been begging for money. Sympathy came across my mind without thinking so much, I took out my wallet donate a small amount to them.

Main entrance to Sam Poh Tong

Saw some monkeys climbing roof top

Beside that, got one old lady has been selling the tortoises’ feed for years. The ‘Kangkong’ leaves in a small bunches cost RM1. I never forget the memory of visiting tortoise, and I want to go again this time, I don't mind buying for the tortoises’ feed. After snapping photos, I carry on to visit tortoise inside the cave.

Tortoise feeding

Getting lesser and lesser tortoises over here

The main altar area is smaller than I expected and filled with statues of Buddha and deities. A staircase leads up to an upper level where there are a few more statues in display cases. Behind a padlocked gate are some steps leading up the hillside but the path seems abandoned and overgrown. Beyond the altar is a passage way leading out to a secluded garden containing the 'tortoise pond' and an ornate pagoda building with red roof tiles. Last time place well highlighted and it's famous for tourist destination. During the prayers timer, totally packed with people at all.

A fenced-off pool of vivid dark green water surrounded

by an assortment of turtles sitting on a drab brick pavement.

The pond was disappointing saw a fenced-off pool of muddy green water surrounded by an assortment of tortoises sitting on a drab brick pavement. Pond's water down sizing plus small portion of water for tortoise to wet their bodies.The water was changed irregularly and that the living conditions totally poor with savage smell. I purchased a bunch of kangkung (swamp spinach) from a old lady at the entrance and I threw pieces over the fence to get tortoises attractions. Wondering if they really eat this bunch of Kangkung. They seemed lazy but eventually gobbled down the food.

The pagoda building is reminiscent of Buddhist temples in Japan

The pagoda building is of Buddhist temples similar to Buddhist temples in Japan but it was also fenced off and padlocked. The whole area is completely encircled by towering cliffs and dead road exit other than the passageway back into the cave temple. It was a silent and forlorn place, not helped by the fact, and the only sounds I could hear were the tortoise doing belly-flops into the pond and the abundant mosquitoes buzzing near my ears. Sound's creepy during the night time.

Visitors taking pictures

Cave filled with limestones

A group visitors mainly are family group busy taking photos here. Really hope, they can maintain this place well so that they can attract more tourist to visit this cave again. It took me 30 min to visit here poor maintenance nothing much to visit, walked out with disappointing feelings.

Sam Poh Tong
No. 36543, Jln Raja Dr Nazrin Shah,
31350 Ipoh, Perak

Kek Look Tong @ Gunung Rapat, Ipoh

After lunch at Dai Shu Geok ( 大树脚/大树头) , we carry out our first activity visiting cave. My friend was interested outdoor activities thus he bring us to Kek Look Tong in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh. Slightly 30 min drive from the Ipoh town. Rather confusing at first to find this place, because in ipoh there's a lot cave hidden out there and the road is a bit tedious, it took us sometime depending on the GPS to guide there.

The Kek Look Tong Cave Temple is a tourist attraction for cave. The cave complex comprises a central altar featuring a number of Buddhist figures as well as various deities of the Chinese pantheon. Surrounded by stunning stalactites and stalagmite formations, the cave provides a peaceful prayer site for Buddhist devotees and general enjoyment for the public. More info about the this history, read here

Popular Tourist Attractions

Kek Look Tong in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh

Walking towards entrance

Free admissions to public

Photography behind beautiful limestone

Natural beauty limestone #1

Natural beauty limestone #2

Wild life here, cute little monkey

Place of worship

Cooling place to be

Guan Yin statue behind

Taoist and Buddhist statues #1

Taoist and Buddhist statues #2

Pond with Koi Fishes

Behind backyard garden #1

Behind backyard garden #2

Behind backyard garden #3

Koi Fishes in front Garden

Photo in front garden with Guan Yin statue

Beside visiting cave, they have landscape garden, Buddhist statue, natural flora and fauna, and it's a place for Geological studies for those who're interested in geology especially in limestone. Free entrance to public, opening from 7am till 6pm daily including public holidays. For those who like nature can do drop by here.

Kek Look Tong
Gunung Rapat, Ipoh, Perak
Contact: 05-312-81129
Opening hours
Daily, 7am - 6pm,
including public holidays

Meranti Park Suite @ Bukit Tinggi, Pahang

After the whole day outside, it's time to back hotel for rest. The Meranti Park Suites offers tranquil apartment accommodation in Berjaya Hills, near the Colmar Tropicale and Berjaya Hills Golf & Country Club. Each apartment suite comes furnished in 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms along with spectacular views of the mountain scenery from the windows. The suites can be reached in a mere 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur and is just 10 km away from the East-West Karak Highway. (quoted from website)

The Meranti Park Suites can be reached by a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and is just 10 km away from the Karak Highway. The journey up the highway is a refreshing experience as it cuts through verdant rainforests and limestone cliffs. Guests coming by cab or car from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach. Warm hospitality, vibrant attractions and comfortable accommodation make the Berjaya Hills Golf & Country Club the perfect place to spend your vacation; a home away from home. (quoted from website)

Entrance to Meranti Park Suites

Clean, beautiful day

Apartment Suites

Receptionist Area

Nearer view

The Meranti Park Suites offers breathtaking views of the surrouding 150-million-year-old rainforest along with comfortable accommodation. (quoted from website)

Facilities & Amenities, 30 rooms and suites, Colour TV with in-house movies, IDD telephone lines, Individual air-conditioning, En-suite bathroom with shower. Room Type, One Bedroom Apartment, Two Bedroom Suite Apartment, Three Bedroom Suite Apartment

Balcony facing Mountain

Fully furnished kitchen

Two Bedroom Suite Apartment

Walk way to the main door

Beautiful Corridor

Overall facilities here are well maintained. The balcony is facing the beautiful mountain, peaceful away from air pollution, avoided hectic KL city life style. Worth while to stay here. Enjoyed my vacation at Bukit Tinggi.

Meranti Park Suites
KM 48, Persimpangan Bertingkat Lebuhraya Karak,
28707 Bukit Tinggi, Pahang Darul Makmur

French Dance @ Colmar Tropicale Bukit Tinggi

After rained, we move next door neighborhood to watch French Dance. One of the activities happening in Colmar Tropicale. There's a few slot in a day for the dances on every four hours.

It's free entrance, everyone are welcome to watch the performance. Performance started 7.30pm sharp, the whole places were full with audiences. I thought local will be performing dances, but looks like French peoples all the way from French to perform their traditional dances. I'm impressed the attires, dances and they did it perfectly. Duration will be 30min for this performances.

Sun set in the evening

I'm just at behind the performances

Full with audience

Started with first French Dance

Second French Dance

Third French Dance

Forth French Dance

Fifth French Dance

Fun Fair Games #1

Fun Fair Games #2

Fun Fair Games #3

Night scenery #1

Night scenery #2

Night scenery from the tower

I walked around for some light exercise after dinner. Saw a lot arcade games, snookers, fun fair games. Those need to buy with tokens. Each token cost RM2 and lots of children enjoying playing with it. Massage chairs available too. Love the night scenery over here, cold air, advise to get two layer clothes if you feel cold.Tired the whole day, time to get back to hotel and have some rest. Want to know where am I staying? Follow me on next post , see you there.. =D