Hutan Lipur Lata Iskandar @ Tapah and Cameron Highlands

A last minute impromptu plan led me to Cameron Highlands the next day. The best destination to get away from the usual hot Malaysia weather. Cameron Highlands is basically cool throughout the year, with temperature ranging from 14 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius. 

Best time to visit is during the off peak season, as it is normally extremely crowded during the school holidays, weekends and festive holidays. 

Coming from KL, it is about 300kms away. We took the Tapah exit, which led us to a very windy road, reaching Ringlet, the first town of Cameron Highlands. 

If one is following this route, it is recommended to take a short stop at the Hutan Lipur Lata Iskandar. 

Hutan Lipur Lata Iskandar

Lata Iskandar is a beautiful waterfall in central Perak, located between Tapah and Cameron Highlands. The waterfall cascades down from the mountain slope, into a pool where the public can enjoy this nature by soaking themselves within this area, and then cascade down to a stream. 

We were there on Monday 9am+, thus, it was almost empty, a big difference from the last I was there, where it was so crowded. 

Took our own sweet time to enjoy the beautiful nature, and listen to the sound of waterfall, flowing. 

The beautiful waterfall

Its an insanely serene moment, when you get to see the greens from the forest, observe the flowing water from the waterfall, get to smell the freshest of air and to feel the coolest water. Ya, life should be enjoyed this way. 

Water is soooooo cold

The waterfall cascades down to the river below 

Beautiful nature 

After getting enough of the waterfall, we walked opposite of the road, where one will find stalls selling hand made items, alongside some other souvenirs. 

Items for sale

The waterfall is free for public, however, it is not recommended to be present during dark, and during heavy rain. 

The Smokehouse @ Tanah Rata, Camerons

When come to eating scone, I have often been told that The Smokehouse at Camerons serve the best scone. Having tried its scone close to 10 years ago, I can hardly remember the taste. I had the chance to revive the feeling while I was there 2 weeks ago.

One will be able to spot The Smokehouse when driving through Tanah Rata. Once stepped down from the car, you are surrounded by this really lovely garden, and I love this 'board' placed on 1 of the wall. 'A distant rumour of a long forgotten garden..... Thank the almighty for all things beautiful! Be happy!'

A little about 'The Smokehouse'

Once we stepped in this English Tudor style hotel built in 1939, it is truly the ultimate colonial ambiance. Love it here... and us, wouldn't want to waste any time, headed straight to snap snap snap pictures of us, at as many corners possible, of this place.

Relaxing ambiance

Peaceful afternoon - window overlooking the garden

What could be a better weekend, that enjoying the traditional Devonshire Cream Tea set, in the lush gardens of The Smokehouse. (There is another branch that has opened at One Bangsar recently, and I have yet to try)

The garden at The Smokehouse

With such a lovely garden, we could almost ignore the rusty chair, table and swing. Keke..

Rusty chair

We opted for the Devonshire Cream Tea set - Devonshire cream tea refers to tea taken with combination of scones, clotted cream / whipped cream, and jam (according to Devon method, its jam over the cream). Right method of eating is by splitting the scone in 2, cover each 1/2 with cream, and then add strawberry jam on top.

The freshly baked scones .
Price-RM25 (2 scones, pot of tea, cream and jam - good for 1 person)

The homemade strawberry preserve and cream

I just love this scone that was oven baked till golden brown. It was almost a perfect scone that has a crisp exterior with an interior that was light and fluffy with a rich buttery flavor.

Yummy-licious

Have a cuppa tea, at the garden. My perfect afternoon!!

The Smokehouse
By The Golf Course
PO Box No 77 Tanah Rata,
39000 Cameron Highlands
Tel : 605-4911 215

Fern Nyonya @ Tanah Rata, Camerons

With the cooling night weather, ideally we would like some hot soupy stuff to fill up our stomach. Going around looking for dinner place isn't too difficult in Camerons, especially if one is looking for steamboat. Reminds me of Klang and Kepong ^-^... Since the claimed famous steamboat restaurant near Brinchang was totally packed, we drove to Tanah Rata, for other options.

Decided to try Fern Nyonya restaurant - that serves steamboat, chinese, western, and nyonya food. Any food you want, seems to be available here.

The food here are halal, however, it doesn't carry Halal logo, due to restriction of not being able to sell alcohol.

The 2-floors restaurant from the outside

We had the choice of chicken soup base at RM13 per head, tom yam soup base at RM14 per head, and combination of both at RM15 per head.

With a list of 14 items within the set per head, the portion was in fact a lot. It combines sliced chicken, fish, prawn, cuttlefish, chikuwa, fishball, beancurd, beancurd strips, eggs, mee, vermicelli, fresh mushroom and up to 4 kinds of vege. How could we finish all this man!

Everything was just so fresh

Meat on top of vege

I must say that both the soup broth tasted really good, and good thing is, we didn't t feel thirsty after drinking the soup. Yummy.

Combining freshness of the ingredients, the tasty soup broth, nice weather, and nice companion the other night, I had a one good dinner. ^-^

Doesn't this pot of steamboat mouthwatering??

I would definitely return to have dinner here again, during my next visit to Camerons.

Restoran Fern Nyonya
(behind Agro Bank, same row as Maybank)
78A-D, Persiaran Camellia 4,
39000 Tanah Rata,
Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Tel : 05-491 5891, 491 4891

URL : www.rfn.cameronhighlands.com

Buah Todi @ Camerons

The loads of sea coconut at this stall caught our eyes when we drove pass, from Kea Farm towards Brinchang. Thus, decided to stop our car on the way back, to check it out.

Stalls along the road

The boss had quite a number of customers, some whom were as curious as us. Asking what is that... Upon clarifying with the boss, this is actually called Buah Todi, and the supply came from Ipoh.

First thing we asked 'how much', and the price actually range from RM5-RM18, depending on size.

The Buah Todi in different sizes

Upon choosing our Buah Todi, the boss slowly peeled open the Buah Todi. He was in fact real bubbly, and reminded us of Chef Ismail.

"Huh, potong macam ini.. (cut like this)"

The Buah Todi has 3 parts to it. Scoop over the flesh, and there will be some juice inside, which tasted very mild. Its texture is like sea coconut. Refreshing to drink this in the cool weather.

Its benefits include it having cooling effect, and works best for those having sore throat.

FCC @ Siem Reap

Beautiful lotus is spotted all around Siem Reap. Just love the beautiful lotus that blossomed.

Beautiful lotus

Passed by FCC few rounds when we went around Siem Reap. Thus, headed there the afternoon before heading home. Love the serendipity feeling when stepped in the restaurant.

Beautiful reflection of tree

Ordered the angkor twist and fruit shake to quench our thirst.

Angkor Twist and Fruit Shake. USD3.50 each

For light meal, we ordered the spring roll. It tasted alright, with sweet sourish sauce that spurs our tastebud.

Springroll. Price-USD5

The tomyam soup was special of the day, and love the strong taste of lemongrass used to cook the soup.

Tomyam soup. Price-USD4.50

FCC Angkor
Pokambo Ave
Tel : 063 760 280

Jol Moi @ Siem Reap

One area not to be missed when one is at Siem Reap is the Pub Street. We were so spoilt with choices when comes to food. Throughout our trip, none of the meals has really failed us, and we were pleased with most of the meals we had.

For lunch, we explored The Alley (road just behind Pub Street), and were attracted by the simple set up of Jol Moi, and the 'attractive' price which seemed to be slightly lower than the other restaurants we came across.

Beer which included Anchor is only at USD0.50 per glass.

The Alley (behind Pub Street)

The restaurant was really packed, and we had to wait few minutes to get our table. And we waited real long - about 30mins for our food to be served, however, it was dishes worth waiting.

Inside the restaurant

Delighted to find a drink by the name of 'Klang' (I'm a Klangnite) in the drink list

If I am to vote for my utmost No 1 salad it has to be this vermicelli salad. Coupled with the fact that we were all real hungry, we really felt this tasted soo good. The sourish sweetish sauce that comes with this plate of salad, combining squid, prawn, onion, capsicum, carrot, peanut and basil leave - yummy.. I wish I can be back to Siem Reap to taste this again.

Vermicelli Salad. Price-USD2.50

The tom yum soup tasted really good. The spiciness of tom yum soup - the aroma of lemongrass, basil, seafood, thickness of the soup - slurrppping the soup away till the last scoop.

Tom Yam Seafood Soup. Price-USD3

Quite a unique combination - taufoo and eggplant. Stir fried with onion, and the special Khmer sauce, this was another 'thumbs up' dish.

Eggplant with Tofu. Price-USD2.75

The loc lac chicken - one the popular Khmer dish was stir fried with sauce consisting of lime juice and black pepper. Tasted superb.

Khmer Loclac Chicken. Price-USD3

Jol Moi is the best discovery that we had during the trip. They were opened for just 3 weeks+ at the time we were there. Ahh...It was so good that Janice and I had to return there the next day, for a bowl of soup noodle. Though it looks a little like maggi mee cooked with seafood, the texture of the noodle was actually real 'springy' - love it... and the soup broth tasted so good, with strong taste of sweetness from vege and seafood.

Seafood Noodle Soup. Price-USD

The fish spa is real popular in Siem Reap, for there is a fish spa operator in almost every other corner. And we think its quite smart of the operator to rent a space from Jol Moi. After eating or while waiting for food, customers can treat the fishes with dead skin on their feet.

It was my 1st fish spa experience. Couldn't resist the such cheap price of USD3 for 20mins. It was extremely ticklish for the first few minutes, and after that, it felt kinda cute, to be nibbled by the fishes. Result - extremely clean feet *<>*, and set for long walk for the rest of the day.

Thumbs up for the fish spa experience, and it was reeeeaaallly cheap too

Jol Moi! aka 'Cheers!'
(right behind Le Tigre de Papier)
The Alley (off Pub Street)
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Koulen II Restaurant @ Siem Reap

We were recommended by the driver to dinner at Koulen which serves buffet - international and local food, at only USD12 per person. And to top it all, there will be the Apsara (Khmer classical dance) performance.

When we reached around 7.30pm, the restaurant was jam packed with tourists. From what we gauged, there could be close to 500 people (if not, more). All tables were taken/reserved. Lucky the driver made reservation for us.

There were really big spread of food - ranging from international and local food. I especially love the spring rolls, and soup noodle (I had 2 bowls!! despite being so full).. I think overall, the food here taste good and worth it for the price we paid.

The spread of food

The first out of the few sessions of Apsara dance performance, which started around 8pm.

The beautiful apsara dancers

Rina, BC, Me & Janice - 'stomach full-full' after the buffet dinner

Opportunity to take photographs with the apsara dancers, after their performance ended

The next day, the owner called the driver to check if we have paid our bill. And of course we did. And the next question was, if we could recognize the staff that we paid to. And well, of course not, due to the many staff working there. Wish we could help, like the police investigative show, in pointing out the suspect. Hehe..
The driver then explained that this happened 'occasionally' due to the big number of staff working, which he may have chose to keep in his own pocket. Sigh!

Apart from that, it was an enjoyable dinner.

Koulen II Restaurant
No 50, Street Sivatha, Mondul II,
Svaydangkum, Siem Reap,
Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel : (855) 12 897 105 / (855) 92 630 090
Email : koulen_rest@yahoo.com

Blue Pumpkin @ Siem Reap

Upon a short walk at Old Market, we can't wait to stop by for drink/dessert, due to : 1st - we were tired after having to wake up at 4am, to catch flight to Siem Reap during the morning, 2nd - the hot & humid weather. Blue Pumpkin was the 'target' for our drinks - the highly recommended spot.

The girls - busy shopping

Got excited when spotted the Blue Pumpkin.

Blue Pumpkin from the outside.

Excitement continued on - had to pose with the 'giant ice-cream cone'

Cosy seating area, before reaching the upper floor

Climbed straight to the bed sofa seating... So comfy. ^ -^

Rina, me, Janice

The stretch of bed sofa seating area

Choice of bed sofa seating, and chairs

BC, sipped the coconut drink right away - quenching his thirst . Price-USD1.75

This was part of what we ordered. The chocolate cake with icre-cream, vanilla red berry shake, and the tiramisu. The chocolate cake was so moist with slight crunchiness on the sides, and eaten together with ice-cream, 'yummylicious'. The drink was good - wasn't too sweet, however the tiramisu, was a little dry.

Chocolate cake with ice-cream.Price-USD3, Tiramisu-Price-USD2.50, Vanilla Redberry Juice.Price-USD2.75

Too bad we didn't have the chance to have a proper meal at Blue Pumpkin. We returned to Blue Pumpkin on few other occasions throughout our trip - for ice-cream and pastry. One thing is for sure, the business is so good. They have good crowd all the time.

Inside Blue Pumpkin - Lower Floor. Always full with customers

Yummylicious ice-cream

Blue Pumpkin - Old Market Branch
365 Mandol 1,
Svay Dang Kum,
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel : (855) 063 963 574

Business Hours : 6am-10pm daily

Free Wi-Fi