Cameron Highlands Off The Beaten Path Tips by Wild_Orchid Top 5 Page for this destination

BBQ at your own Bungalow

Updated July 2007

One of the best things to do while at Cameron Highlands would be to cook up a great BBQ. The temperature usually drops in the evenings - making it perfect weather for cooking up a storm without sweating! (something you can only dream about in the sweaty hot city of KL)

You can bring you own BBQ set, or use the one at the hotel. We usually bring our own.

Don't forget to bring the charcoal and heat beads, and fire starters too! Unlike Australia, there are no gas BBQ's here! Thongs are a must for turning the meat.

Do start to heat up the coals about 40 mins before actual cooking begins, so that the meats cook slowly and evenly on the coals, rather being burnt by the open flame.

Don't forget your disposable plates, plastic cups, knives and forks.

Recipe: marinate the meat a few days before your journey (1 pc per person of each type) and freeze everything. Then let it thaw along your drive from KL. Beef gets quite tough when it is BBQ'ed so stick with Lamb (the leg cut is better than the shoulder cut which is too fatty, marinate with mustard, honey and fresh mint), and of course, Chicken (teriyaki or soya sauce with some fresh ginger juice) is always a safe bet. If using thighs or drumstick, get the bone out first and cut it into a flat shape so that the meat cooks evenly (the lady at the market will do it for you if you ask her!). Leave the chicken skin on while cooking and take it off before eating for a healthier option.

Sausages and Ayamas Satay are always a hit with the kids. Just throw them onto the BBQ for a few minutes, but not onto the direct heat because they will burn.

Sweet potatoes that are cut into 2 inch lengths, with their skins on, can be wrapped in tin foil and put straight onto the coals. Turn them every 5 minutes, and they should be ready in about 15 mins. Press a fork in to test and regrill if necessary. Serve with butter or margarine.

Bottle of red wine for the adults, and soft drinks for the kids.

Thorny, Delicious Durians...and other delicacies

Can't find anything to do at Camerons?
Why not buy some durians and eat them the typical Malaysian style, a'la by the roadside!

Durians are grown at nearby towns in Pahang and Perak. They are not "native" to Cameron Highlands.

Tanah Rata: in front of Roselane Cafe, there is a car park. There are durian sellers at the car park area. Other fruits such as mangoes and rambutans are also available.

Brinchang: in front of the main part of town, there is a car park and on weekends around 6pm, night markets set up. Durians are available when in season. Lots of other goodies (freshly steamed sweet potatoes, corn in a cup, local pancakes) - nibble, sample, taste the delights!
I've written up a new tip about Brinchang night market under "Shopping Tips".

Sg Klah Hot Springs Park

If you're driving back from Cameron Highlands to KL, and have a couple of hours extra to spare on your return journey, why not bring your kids to the Sg Klah Hot Springs Park?

Not only does it have a pretty large hot springs swimming pool, water reflexology footpath, a food court but it also has private baths which you can book just for you and your family. For those who want to over night there, you can stay at their villas or set up your camping gear there by special arrangement.

I didn't stay overnight, but our family did enjoy visiting the natural hot springs and bathing in the hot mineral water. The kids were also thrilled to have a chance to boil eggs in the hot water.

Entrance is RM5 for adults and 3 for children between 5-11 years old. Kids below 4 years of age can enter for free.

Get there by exiting the North South Highway, either at Slim River Toll or Sungkai Toll (it's 16.5 km from here).
See the map attached for further details.

Other Contact: +603-26979772 (KL office)

Phone: +605-4414493

Website: http://www.plantationresorts.com.my

See the Stick Insect

When visiting the Butterfly farm, do look out for the stick insect. This insect is pretty unique - those from around Camerons and its surrounding jungles can grow to be quite large. Take a look at the picture: the stick insect is on the man's palm. It is thin and long, with six legs. Its brown/green colouring was created by nature so that it could camouflage itself when in the jungles.

There is also the leaf insect, which resembles a dried leaf. I don't have a picture of it, but when you get to the butterfly farm, do look out for it.

Fresh Tomatoes anyone?

Visit the farms around Camerons Highlands and you may get to see tomatoes growing on on vines, like those shown in the picture here. They looked so ripe and juicy that my daughter was tempted to pick them off the vine. Of course if she had, we'd have undoubtedly incurred the wrath of the farmer...so we didn't.

It's best that you just buy them at the numerous markets and road-side stalls that are found aplenty around Brinchang and Tanah Rata. Price is about RM1.00 per bag or you could also buy them by kilo and choose them yourself.

My favourite from around here are the little ripe, red cherry tomatoes that are delicious in salads or when eaten on their own.

Just remember to wash them first before you pop them into your mouth, to avoid swallowing any unnecessary pesticides.

Freshly steamed Sweet potatoes & Corn

Buy some freshly steamed sweet potatoes and corn in a cup. Deliciously yummy when eaten plain or with sprinkling of salt and melted butter. Quite perfect for a little snack when you get tired of walking around at Camerons.

The Cameron Highland home-grown sweet potatoes are really quite outstanding as they are very sweet and juicy. Or buy some, steam them when you get home!

Certainly a healthy treat for young and old alike!