Travel: Malaysia - Cameron Highlands

[Eagle-Ladybird]

Yes Nani and eyktay. Now where do I start :?


On the way there, I took the Simpang Pulai exit. On the way back, i tried the old Tapah way.

The hotel that we stayed in, Century Pines, is quite alright, clean and convenient enough for us. We are fortunate with the weather as we got couple of dry days, and we managed to cover all the places that we wanted to go.

According to the locals, the week when we're there were the best week in terms of traffic. Apparently traffic gets quite bad (unbearable during peak period, starting next week).

Otherwise, weather was fantastic (very cool. In fact, it becomes quite cold at night).

[smurf]

jsmum:

Flying to KL will be the cheapest thru budget airline. Then renting a car from the airport to Cameron. Firefly to Ipoh is so expensive (perhaps only airline direct to Ipoh that's why). I hope budget airlines will soon come out with a more competitive rate to Ipoh. There are so much good food and attractions in Ipoh

just want to know, how to know where to rent a car and the direction to Cameron? cos ew are quite bad in direction leh. anyone can advise?? we are not keen in bus cos got infant, quite troublesome.:?

[Eagle-Ladybird]

Hi smurf, I would very much like to help. But you need to decide where you want to take delivery of the rental car. I would suggets that you take it from the Sentral Station (I assumed you know Sentral Station from airport in Sepang).


To drive up to Cameron Highlands, I suggest that you rent from the big boys like Avis. The last thing you want is to end up with a poorly maintained vehice.

In terms of direction from Sentral Station, it's not the easiest if it's your first time. Even though there are clear signs from Sentral Station for Jalan Duta / Utara / Ipoh - but I would suggest that you get a taxi to lead you into the North-South highway heading towards Ipoh. Once you're on the NS highway, it's very easy to navigate - just head North.

You'll notice that the mileage marker decreases, starting from something like 480km. The exit to Simpang Pulai is around the 285km market (I'm trying to be as accurate as I can recall because I have done it several times, so I do not notice them anymore). Once you exit Simpang Pulai, you'll have to pay toll (like all other exits), and on the first traffic light, turn left (there's a clear signboard), and then another left (there's also a clear signboard). Beyond this, is the only path to go and you'll end up in Cameron Highlands.

Is this sufficient . . . :?

[smurf]

Hi Eagle_ladybird,


thanks for ur help! :thankyou:

do you think it's easier to just drive own car up there with just a map? or just rent a car from KL airport? :?

[Eagle-Ladybird]

Hi smurf,


To me, each has its pros and cons. It depends on your resources and situation. For someone like me who loves to drive, the option of driving all the way from Singapore is appealling. Less the hassle of rental car !

Time wise, there’s really not much difference, considering door-to-door, between flying and driving to KL.

But when there are young kids, the chioce may not be that obvious. So what I did was I drove up to KL, with maybe 80% of the luggages. My family flew up to KL with only hand carry bags, and took the rapid train to Sentral Station. I picked them up from there. So our kids enjoy the 3-hour drive from Sentral to Cameron.

On our way back, we decided to drive all the way with the whole family, and took the old road (Tapah). Door-to-door 9 hours - but we went into Ampang/KL to have yong tau foo for lunch, and 2 other breaks along the highway.

[skyboy]

Hi Smurf,


You can try your enquiry at http://www.car-asia.com. I heard that they provide GPS services so that you won't get lost in your directions and better more their services is cheaper than the normal car rental company. Car delivery is provided. But it all depends on your needs. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
SkyBoy

[smurf]

H Eagle-Ladybird,


don't you find driving 9 hrs very tiring? and when there, you still have to mingle with the kids? actually, one of our concerns of driving is that we would be too tired after driving for so long...hee...

I've never drive up there before (only been there when very young), so quite worried. somemore with people saying mud-slide, robbery, etc, scared me out.haha.

[Eagle-Ladybird]

Hi smurf,


Yes I agree with you about the driving part. That’s why it’s a very individual thing - for me, driving is a pleasure. 9 hours is ok for me. You’ll be surprised how fast time goes - when you chat, laugh, sing; together with food, fruits, drinks and etc in the car

So, for you I guess, the option of flying KL, and rent-a-car from airport or the Sentral Station, and drive from there, 2.5 - 3 hours would probably be better.

Or even nearer, would be to fly to Ipoh (via Firefly), and drive for an hour from there. However, I was told there isn’t much option for car rentals in Ipoh (that I did not research further).

Cameron is a pretty safe place. Lots of Singaporeans/other tourists are there during holiday seasons. In fact, one of the complains by locals is the "traffic jam" caused during holiday seasons, as there are more tourists than locals.

As for landslides - yes there are but we should not be overly concerned. Everything we do in life, carries a bit of risk. There’s no 100% either way - but life goes on.

All the best for your decision

Cheers,

[smurf]

hahha.thanks for advice,

[Eagle-Ladybird]

Hi applepie,


The original yong tau foo (or at least the one that I've have known since mu childhood) is named Hoong Hoong on Jln Merdeka, off Jln Ampang. There's only 1 bus-stop on this road, the shop is right behind the bus stop.

When you go along Jln Merdeka, you cannot miss it, cos it's so crowded with cars/customers. Parking attendants, like vultures, zooming in on your car before you coudl even locate the shop's frontage :lol:

(apologies : not sure how to reply PM)