Good Bye Penang, Cameron Highlands February 18th 2013

A few hours to kill before the bus leaves at 2pm and what better way to spend them than a leisurely brunch at Jaya, then stroll on down to Starbucks at the First Avenue Mall.  Savouring the last couple of hours then over rice, Korma sauce, omelette and a local version of Bombay potatoe, as tourists pound the streets outside, whilst the tri-shaw riders sleep, and the taxi drivers play draughts.

The bus is smart, pretty new and clean with good reclining seats and plenty of leg room, but a little cold as I shut off the air vents. Well, that's it, good bye Penang for another year, thank you Georgetown for being such an amazing host once again and the bus creeps away from Prangin Mall at 2.15pm. The ticket was £7 and the journey time should be around 5 hours, so I am told. Looks like we're going to the long distance bus terminal first as the entrance to Penang Bridge passes by. Yes, and waiting there until 3pm. Finally underway and views of the Georgetown skyline quite  spectacular. Photos though are something less than impressive since the buses windows are tinted, never-mind, it was a cheap ticket after all! Through the toll gates, and heading North when actually should be heading south! Another stop - the Butterworth Ferry, Bus and Train area. Here for 20 minutes apparently, time to grab some food and a drink since this is going to be a long journey. As always, close to public transport there is a giant food court. This time I pick on an Islamic booth taking up the offer of  mildly spiced chicken and sauce, a green vegetable that they couldn't tell me what it was, and of course heaps of rice all for 5 Ringitt, and divide that by 4.85 to get the UK equivalent!

4pm and still insight of Georgetown! I could have gone to Jaya, strolled to Starbucks, hiked back through town to the jetty, got the ferry to Butterworth and still have plenty of time to catch the same bus! So, top tip here; if you miss the bus don't worry, hike down to the jetty, hop on the ferry and you can still get the bus at Butterworth.

Finally underway, towards Kuala Lumpur on the main highway, before a left turn into the hills at Ipoh. A scenic journey once leaving Ipoh, after a 10 minute stop at the main bus stand, and another 10 minute stop 5 minutes later to change drivers! Some nice views as the hills and mountains tower above - above the clouds that is, since the drizzle comes and go's but enough gaps to catch a nice photo as the sun sets and light fades.

8.05pm as the bus rolls into Tenah Rata, the principle town of the Cameron Highlands, therefore the best pick of accommodation and the widest choice of eating establishments - that's the theory, yet to be tested of course.