Tea Country

Trip Start Jan 03, 2008
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30
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Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
The Cameronian Inn

Flag of Malaysia  , Pahang,
Thursday, May 1, 2008

The journey to the Cameroon Highlands was very interesting. Basically, our bus had to go up this windy little roads that look like it would barely fit a mini van. Of course, the bus had no seat belts and I was a little nervous. I tried to read my book and not look out the window. On the few occasions that I did, I found myself praying that we would arrive safely. Don't get my wrong, the views were incredible but all I could picture was us going off the side of the mountain.

The climate was such a pleasant change from the heat. Tanah Rata is the town I stayed in to access the Cameroon Highlands, "Malaysia's Green Bowl".. The town itself didn't have a lot to offer but the surrounding areas were stunning. I booked onto a day tour which took us to various points of interest. We started out looking at the tea fields. They were so green and because of they looked like a huge maze. Only the new tea leaves can be used. So typically, the pickers come back to a plant every 3 weeks. They use these backpacks that remind me of the ghost busters. Our guide explained how the leaves size determines how it will be manufactured. Then, we actually got to go to the manufacturing plant for BOH tea. It was really neat to see the process from start to finish.

We also took a walk through the forrest. Our guide showed us various types of fauna. The hike itself was a little tricky mainly due to the slippery conditions. We also climbed a tower that was 6,666 feet above sea level. It was a little foggy which made it hard to see.

Next, we went to a village. Up until a few years ago, there were native people living in the jungles. The government set up these villages free of charge to encourage the people to leave the forrest. The housing conditions did not look very good to me. I felt really uncomfortable with this portion of my tour. The driver made a comment that the village people didn't like them bringing us there to look. I told him that I could see their point and I wouldn't like it either. Honestly, these people see all of these "rich people" come by and take pictures. They don't benefit directly in any sort of way. I would feel better about it if there was a way that they were being financially rewarded (EX: selling their crafts, tour companies donating money to their school, etc.) This would be like the people of Beverly Hills driving 20 bus loads of people by our houses to see how the "poor people" live. I wouldn't like it one bit.

The Cameroon Highlands were absolutely beautiful. I am so glad that I made the arduous journey.
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