Learn how tea leaves are picked at the BOH tea plantation, have a bite of the sweet and fresh hand-picked strawberry or visit the butterfly, cactus, orchid and rose garden, all at Cameron Highlands.

Fantastic idea on what to do at Cameron Highlands but have no idea where to stay at Cameron?Why not stay at the Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands?

The Tudor styled Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands is nestled atop a hill at 1,628 metres above sea level, overlooking a magnificent view of lush green valleys, thriving farms, rolling hills and mountains.

Rooms are sizeable and simple decorated with comfortable facilities and services. The hotel offers homely comforts with the quality and convenience of international standards.

So, take a break, feel the cold and breath in the refreshing air of Cameron Highlands now!

Thank you!

]]> http://blog.fireflyz.com.my/2009/10/cameron-highlands-equatorial-hotel/feed/ 2 http://blog.fireflyz.com.my/2009/07/323/ http://blog.fireflyz.com.my/2009/07/323/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:28:55 +0000 Natalya http://blog.fireflyz.com.my/?p=323 I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the people to join the Ipoh Familiarization trip with the Singapore’s media and travel agents. The trip was set to begin on 12^th July 2009 after the Inaugural Celebration of Singapore-Ipoh flight at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.

We began our journey right after the celebration held at the airport. The group departs from the airport by bus to Lumut Jetty and we managed to catch the last ferry at 8:30pm to Pangkor Island. General Manager of Pangkor Beach Island Resort, Mr. Jimmy Yeoh was kind enough to escort us to the resort. The sea breeze ride was about 25-30 minutes. Then, we hopped on to a pink van which drives us straight to the resort.

When I reached Pangkor Island Beach Resort, one word says it all, RELAX. I really felt like I am in paradise. We had dinner at Hornbill Restaurant and proceeded to our room individually. We had our room facing the ocean (Ocean Wings). That night the sound of the waves accompanied me to sleep. It was a wonderful experience.

Pangkor Beach

Pangkor Island Beach Resort is certainly a place for you to lay back and do nothing. At the resort, you can relax by the pool or by the beach.

There are also various activities which can be done there such as deep sea fishing, snorkeling, jet ski, water ski, banana boat ride, jungle walk and more. If you are too lazy to get up, you can also get pampered at the Aryani Spa where you can unwind and soothe those aching muscles. Besides, there’s also a mini golf course for all you daddys out there.

The next morning, we awoke at 7am to catch the opportunity to see the hornbills at the resort. These hornbills are wild as they live in the woods around the resort. Animals such as monkeys and peacocks are often seen roaming freely as they inhabit in the nature surrounding the resort.

The wild and smaller Hornbills (as compared to those in Sarawak) are seen near the resort’s pool area

Group photo before we leave the resort

The following day, we went to Cameron Highlands. We departed in the evening from Lumut Jetty and reached Strawberry Park Resort later that night. The highlight of Strawberry Park Resort is the Neo Tudor design of the resort, which is blended perfectly with its breathtaking surrounding. We had steamboat dinner and hot cocoa drink to warm ourselves up!

In the morning, we went for a tour at the resort after our breakfast. There, beautiful flowers and even a strawberry farm, managed by the resort, can be found. The strawberries were then picked by the workers and made into delicious strawberry’ dessert for Jim Thompson Terrace restaurant.

Group with Marie Bark, PR Manager of Strawberry Park Resort. Thanks Marie!

We also visited the fruits and vegetables’ market where we tried the famous fried sweet potato balls, the cherry tomato, the sweet milk corn and the strawberry honey stick. The group also had a chance visit the Bharat Tea plantation. The plantation was vast and the group gets the random idea of how tea was plant and picked.

At Cameron Bharat Tea Plantation

Right after the tour, we made our way back down with the bus back to Ipoh and checked in at Impiana Casuarina Hotel. The hotel is a premier hotel centrally located in Ipoh. The 4-star rating hotel, located at the city centre allows easy access for both business and leisure travelers.

After a sumptous buffet lunch at the Garden Terrace, we visited the Gopeng Rainforest Resort.  Gopeng is a small town located about 18Km south of Ipoh and 16Km north of Kampar in Perak.

The owner, Mr. David Foon treated us to a ‘kampung durian’ feast. The Singaporean was very happy as this is a rare opportunity for them to eat ‘kampung durian’ whilst to visit the resort that is surrounded by nature.

'Kampung Durians'

Gopeng Rainforest Resort also offers various activities which can satisfy the adventure and nature’s lovers such as white water rafting, jungle trekking, Rafflesia trail, etc.  The resort also caters to many teams building activity for corporate team, college students and school children which can widen their scope of knowledge about nature and other moral values such as teamwork.

Before we leave, we also took the chance and visited the waterfall where the white water rafting activity is actually done. The waterfall was magnificent and once again, this was a rare opportunity for the Singaporean to have a view of the beautiful creation of God.

Gopeng waterfall

Of course, we didn’t miss our chance on taking some nice photographs here.

Jonathan, jumping for joy!

Beautiful!

Orang Asli house

The next day, the group had a taste of the famous thing in Ipoh- Ipoh white coffee, of ocurse! We had our typically ‘Ipoh-ians’ breakfast of white coffee, ‘kaya’ toasts, ‘hor fun’, dim sum, egg tart and char kuey teow.

Then, we went for a 45-minutes tour at Gua Tempurung, the limestone hills in the Kinta Valley. The group was amazed by the formation of limestone which has begun over 400 million years ago. However, I would recommend for a longer tour as it is impossible to appreciate and see the cave in just 45 minutes, perhaps we can come here again next time?

For lunch, we were treated by Mr. Yap of Parlo Tours at the award-winning Indulgence Restaurant. Julie Song, the owner and chef at Indulgence welcome us personally. The restaurant also functioned as a  boutique hotel.  Currently, it has 7 rooms (Ildi, Kinnaree, Giulianna, May-Suet, Tzarrah, Beverly, and Qatrynka) ranging from different themes which Julie has been inspired on her visit to other countries.

One of the room

We were certainly indulged by the vast amount of Fusion food served and hospitality by Julie.

Thanks Mr.Yap and Julie!

After lunch, the group then head to the Sultan Azlan Shah airport and was welcomed by Nia, the tame python from the Lost World of Tambun.

With Nia!

This trip has certainly been an enjoyable and wonderful experience for the group before they head back and faced the reality- work!