We depart immediately after IFD 2009. Data of the journey:
1. Transportation: Proton Iswara 1.3 Manual.
3. Route: Bentong > Raub > Sg. Koyan > Pos Betau > Cameron Highland. (this was believe the "short cut)
short break at Raub.
We started our journey at 4pm after pit stop at UMP. With a speed of 140km/h (don't do this next time!) and some sort of INDEPENDENT stories, we manage to reach Bentong exit 1.5hours later. Then, we continue our journey towards Raud then Sg. Koyan. Unfortunately, we missed Pos Betau junction. We had wrong way to Kuala Medang. Aiya....
After asking people by roadside, we manage to find Pos Betau junction. We prayed Rosary along the way. After ride about 20km with a newly paved road, we reached the worst part of the journey. Here come the real adventure for the first timer.
The road was still under construction. If we turn back, it was too late. We will waste another 4 hours of the journey. "Just go on", said Father. We believed this road will save our time. Muddy, wet, landslides, deep cliffs, slippery uneven road; that was the condition of the road. We got stuck in the mud in the middle of the primary jungle plus chilled night after rain and even worst NO LINE COVERAGE... With the power of God plus energy of 5 students, we several times went out of the car to push our only vehicle from the mud.
" The short cut"
After struggling for 1 hour, we manage to see the light of Cameron Highland among the midst of the mountain. Everybody joyed that we were almost our destination. Finally, we reached Bertam Valley. The lights of the farms greet us especially for the first timer. Everybody thanked God for His miracle for saving them from the jungle. Everybody praise the Lord.
Bertam Valley vegetables farm.
After that, we directly go to Ringlet and finally reach mayor's mansion at Tanah Rata. Each of us had mud stain all over our clothes. mmmmm...... Its time for washing.
Aunty Camelia was here????
We arrived at Father's mansion at 11pm. The weather quite chill outside. Fr. Eugene managed to serve us with pizza and roti canai.
lapar-lapar....
Sunday morning, we hard to wake up early since enviroment was very cold. Nice to "swim" on the bed. After that we went to the chapel just one stone throw from the Father's house. That morning, we thank the Lord for His guidance during our adventerous journey last night.
(above; Church view from Sister's retreat house. centre: the altar)
After morning mass, we met some of the parishioners of CH. After that, we went to retreat house of IJ Sisters. There, we fixed Father's Iswara after rough journey last night. While waiting, Uncle Robert, showed to us his herbal plants all around the compound. Jojon love to plant slimming herbs while Billy loves to play with stinging nettal. The flower also very beautiful.
After Iswara finished be repaired, we went to Brinchang for lunch and wash the car. Finish eating, we proceed to Kea Farm. At Kea Farm, we bought strawberries, t-shirt, cactus, roses.
Cameron Highland = Strawberies
Then, we went to Bharat Tea Plantation, where all of us were for the first time went to tea farm. Father Eugene wanna us to meet aunty from Kpg. Raja. The journey quite long until we unaware that we reached Lojing, Gua Musang, Kelantan. Wednna and Bryan very excited because she step foot on Kelantan soil for the first time. Me too.... :-)
Then, we went back to Tanah Rata to rest. Father had mass at Kpg. Raja at 8pm. Dierdre were very excited to take photo as much as she can. After paking up, we left Tanah Rata at 9.30pm through CH-Tapah "snake road". We managed reached UMP at 5am after went through highway via Genting Highland short cut and change driver twice.
We praise Lord Jesus Christ for His guidance through out our journey. We also thanked Father Eugene, "Mystery German Mayor of Highland City of Cameron Highland" for his invitation and hospitality. We will never forget our first trip to Cameron Highland. Next time we will come again to "City of Cameron Highland" to discover more about the mysterious highland.
