All-The-Way on Number 9
Another hike along number 9, that decision made after some internet research suggests the start and finish points are not that far apart and that its not a particularly arduous effort. For those too tired to hike back, there is a bus from the next village according this website. Checking at the bus station, which is on the way to trek number 9, and yes there is a bus from that direction, at about 3.30pm which sounds pretty good to me.
Just over the little bridge at the starting point, a couple of abandoned bungalows with Wildly overgrown gardens. A quick poke in here turns up a couple of giant grasshoppers, I would say 10 x bigger than the UK versions. On past the Robinson Waterfalls, looking out for the bees nest spotted on the previous hike. Yep, it's still there minus the orange bee. Further on, negotiating fallen trees across the trail, and the path turns a little muddy as watercourses share the same route. A few more grasshoppers, maybe crickets spotted, interesting colours making for a nice photo - really, crickets are not that boring in the Malaysian jungle!
It's cool up here, about 5000 feet above sea level. Looking out for birds, plenty of cute little ones hopping inbetween branches making a photo pretty near impossible. There seems to be a distinct lack of colourful birds in the highlands, elusive or just not here! What is here is at least one snake, a small black one, only just spotting it's tail end slipping silently away down into the valley below, just a few steps from the path. moving swiftly on then and more fallen tress across the trail - all part of the fun I guess. A scenic spot as a clearing reveals terraced vegetable fields in the valley down below.
The trail ends suddenly, blocked by trees and thick jungle growth. Another small path leads down towards a stream, but getting across is impossible according to others who have opted to head back to town, some 1 1/2 hours away. an option is to clamber down into the fields below where farm trails can be spotted crossing the stream. That's the plan then, and from the farm chances are there's a road into the next village and a bus back to Tanah Rata.
Turning right out of the farm yard and onto a quiet road. A rural scene with dwellings perched on hills constructed badly - corrugated tin and bamboo. A strawberry farm here, maybe I can get a drink, better ask for directions to the next Village too, which should be Habu if my sense of direction is to be relied upon. Yes, just 1/2 KM further on according to the girl here.
A fire, underneath a huge pot of water boiling. A group of Indian ladies are preparing vegetables, food infact for a Hindu festival later, explains one of the men folk as he constructs shapes out of reeds. They smile and are obliging as a few snaps are taken, another aspect of rural life in Malaysia recorded.
The road here intersects the main highway to Tenah Rata. 9KM away according to the sign board - have to say it doesn't feel like I've hiked 9KM!
A ride back though will be much appreciated, however the are conflicting opinions as to whether the bus will actually turn up. One says. "no bus", and points to his neighbours house with a taxi in the drive. An old timer reckons the bus won't turn up and best to try and grab a ride any way I can, and the cafe owner here backs that up with, late, sometimes comes..... Oh well, I'll give it to 4.30 and then think of a plan B, in the meantime though, cup of tea please.
Thankfully, the buss rolls up at 4pm more or less as I expected and it's only 2 Ringitt, not bad for a 9KM journey. Passing through a tea estate enables for some scenic views. Sweeping fields of tea plants, the first decent scenery since arriving in the Cameron Highlands as the bus winds uphill.
Lumbar restaurant, more of a canteen really and that's always good. They give me the rice, and I help myself to anything else I so desire for dinner tonight. A splurge on, it's fried chicken, some Bombay potatoes and spiced chickpeas - 10 Ringitt, about £2.10 and very tasty indeed.
Another hike along number 9, that decision made after some internet research suggests the start and finish points are not that far apart and that its not a particularly arduous effort. For those too tired to hike back, there is a bus from the next village according this website. Checking at the bus station, which is on the way to trek number 9, and yes there is a bus from that direction, at about 3.30pm which sounds pretty good to me.
Just over the little bridge at the starting point, a couple of abandoned bungalows with Wildly overgrown gardens. A quick poke in here turns up a couple of giant grasshoppers, I would say 10 x bigger than the UK versions. On past the Robinson Waterfalls, looking out for the bees nest spotted on the previous hike. Yep, it's still there minus the orange bee. Further on, negotiating fallen trees across the trail, and the path turns a little muddy as watercourses share the same route. A few more grasshoppers, maybe crickets spotted, interesting colours making for a nice photo - really, crickets are not that boring in the Malaysian jungle!
It's cool up here, about 5000 feet above sea level. Looking out for birds, plenty of cute little ones hopping inbetween branches making a photo pretty near impossible. There seems to be a distinct lack of colourful birds in the highlands, elusive or just not here! What is here is at least one snake, a small black one, only just spotting it's tail end slipping silently away down into the valley below, just a few steps from the path. moving swiftly on then and more fallen tress across the trail - all part of the fun I guess. A scenic spot as a clearing reveals terraced vegetable fields in the valley down below.
The trail ends suddenly, blocked by trees and thick jungle growth. Another small path leads down towards a stream, but getting across is impossible according to others who have opted to head back to town, some 1 1/2 hours away. an option is to clamber down into the fields below where farm trails can be spotted crossing the stream. That's the plan then, and from the farm chances are there's a road into the next village and a bus back to Tanah Rata.
Turning right out of the farm yard and onto a quiet road. A rural scene with dwellings perched on hills constructed badly - corrugated tin and bamboo. A strawberry farm here, maybe I can get a drink, better ask for directions to the next Village too, which should be Habu if my sense of direction is to be relied upon. Yes, just 1/2 KM further on according to the girl here.
A fire, underneath a huge pot of water boiling. A group of Indian ladies are preparing vegetables, food infact for a Hindu festival later, explains one of the men folk as he constructs shapes out of reeds. They smile and are obliging as a few snaps are taken, another aspect of rural life in Malaysia recorded.
The road here intersects the main highway to Tenah Rata. 9KM away according to the sign board - have to say it doesn't feel like I've hiked 9KM!
A ride back though will be much appreciated, however the are conflicting opinions as to whether the bus will actually turn up. One says. "no bus", and points to his neighbours house with a taxi in the drive. An old timer reckons the bus won't turn up and best to try and grab a ride any way I can, and the cafe owner here backs that up with, late, sometimes comes..... Oh well, I'll give it to 4.30 and then think of a plan B, in the meantime though, cup of tea please.
Thankfully, the buss rolls up at 4pm more or less as I expected and it's only 2 Ringitt, not bad for a 9KM journey. Passing through a tea estate enables for some scenic views. Sweeping fields of tea plants, the first decent scenery since arriving in the Cameron Highlands as the bus winds uphill.
Lumbar restaurant, more of a canteen really and that's always good. They give me the rice, and I help myself to anything else I so desire for dinner tonight. A splurge on, it's fried chicken, some Bombay potatoes and spiced chickpeas - 10 Ringitt, about £2.10 and very tasty indeed.
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