Tanah Rata – Cameron Highlands, Malaysia –

First off I want to apologize for the number of pictures on this post. I took well over 200 pictures in just a few days. I tried to filter out as many as I could and here is what is left in the gallery you see below. If you ever find yourself near the northwest part of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands is well worth the stop. This was one of the highlights of my entire 3 -month trip across southeast Asia. Tea farms, strawberry farms, bee farms, cactus farms, turtles, snakes, and raccoons…Cameron Highlands has it! Tanah Rata is a town located in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

The name “tanah rata” means flat ground. It refers to the relatively flat area on which the town is located amidst this highland region. If you are into partying at the clubs or eating in fancy restaurants this is not your place. But if you like the outdoors and seeing and learning up close how some our most popular foods are produced…this is your bag. There is also a crazy historical museum and a nice temple as well. Cameron Highlands is also famous for being the place where Jim Thompson disappeared. I just took a tour of the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok a few days ago and I’ll be posting more about that in a later blog. One of the best parts about visiting this place in the summer is that you are able to get away from the sweltering heat as it is about 15 degrees cooler that most of the rest of Malaysia. The cooler temperatures can be attributed to the 1440 meter elevation level. The name “tanah rata” means flat ground in Malay and it refers to the relatively flat area on which the town is located amidst this highland region. Most of the hotels don’t have air conditioning and don’t need it. A nice strong fan like the one I had in my room at the very popular Father’s Guest House just fine.

I want to take this opportunity to mention a few other things. Some readers have mentioned that they are a little confused about where I am and how this blog works. I am currently in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I and updating my 10 week trip in southeast Asia as I go. I visited Cameron Highlands almost a month a go so yes….I am way behind but plan on catching up. I don’t know if this is how I will continue to run my blog but it will do for now. This entire new world of blogging has been an eye-opening experience for me and I am more than happy to share it with anyone who is interested.

Secondly, I have added a link so that you to my blog so that you can sign up for my first ever travel seminar…Travel Hacking 101. If you live near the Lafayette area and like or plan to travel…you don’t want to miss this. I will give tips and tricks on how I am able to travel five months out of the year internationally for the past four years on a minimal budget. I only have 48 spots available so sign up now.

Also PLEASE share comments, questions and concerns. You can comment publicly on this site or send me a private e-mail at toby@thecajuntraveler.net

Let me know what you like and don’t like about my blog, how you think I can improve it, what you want to see and read more OR less of, etc etc. I welcome any and all suggestions. Stay tuned for my next blog about my last stop in Malaysia before heading to Thailand which was the amazing city Penang.