Tour of Pahang - Mossy Forest

After visiting the BOH Tea Plantation, our car took a right turn just beyond the estate and began the ascent up a fairly steep hill toward Gunung Brinchang - the highest accessible peak in Pahang. Located on the border between Pahang and Perak, Gunung Brinchang is one of the few mountains in Malaysia where the summit can be reached by car.

At the end of the paved road, we continued our journey on foot, entering the famous Mossy Forest. Thankfully, the initial stretch of the trail was made easier by a well-constructed timber boardwalk and stairway, allowing us to enjoy the climb with minimal difficulty. We eventually stopped at an elevation of around 2,000 m (6,561 feet) above sea level.

The trail continues further to the Lookout Tower, but we decided not to proceed after some returning hikers warned us that the final stretch - without boardwalk or stairs - was wet, muddy, and slippery, making it risky to continue.

The vegetation in Mossy Forest reminded us very much of what is found on Mount Kinabalu - lush, misty, and otherworldly. The view from the boardwalk was absolutely breathtaking. Even at 2,000 m, we found ourselves standing above the clouds, with the majestic mountain range stretching out before us like a living painting. 

Sadly, it was disheartening to see that many Malaysians and visitors still lack a sense of environmental responsibility. The sight of discarded plastic bottles and other non-degradable trash carelessly thrown down the hillside next to the car park spoke volumes about the mindset of some visitors. In a place as pristine and fragile as the Mossy Forest, such disregard for nature is both disappointing and deeply troubling.

The Mossy Forest marked the final stop of our visit to Cameron Highlands. From there, we began our drive to Mentakab, a journey of approximately 260 Km.

Tour of Pahang - BOH Tea Plantation

I believe most visitors - especially first-timers - to Cameron Highlands would almost certainly make a stop at the BOH Tea Plantation, also known as the Sungai Palas Tea Estate. Renowned as the largest tea plantation in Malaysia, its sheer scale is truly awe-inspiring.

Established in 1929, the estate has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Today, it serves not only as a working tea plantation but also as an educational destination for tourists interested in learning about the entire tea-making process - from planting and harvesting the leaves to processing them into the familiar beverage enjoyed around the world.

At their spacious cafeteria, visitors can sample a variety of teas produced by BOH, all while taking in the breathtaking panoramic view of the lush, rolling tea fields that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Tour of Pahang - Time Tunnel Gallery

It’s certainly commendable that someone had the foresight to create a small gallery or museum in Cameron Highlands, offering visitors a refreshing alternative to the usual strawberry farms and vegetable plots that dominate most tours of the area.

The Time Tunnel Gallery may not be a grand or polished museum, but it has its own unique charm. Housed within a few adjoining wooden shoplots right along the main road, it's fairly easy to spot if you're driving toward Brinchang from Sungai Bertam. The building is rather run-down, and the display of artifacts and memorabilia feels somewhat haphazard - more like a personal collection than a curated exhibition.

The gallery is staffed by just one person, stationed at the entrance counter, whose primary role appears to be collecting the RM5.00 entry fee from each visitor. Beyond that, there is little in terms of guided information or interpretation.

Still, for those born in the 1950s, many of the items on display - old radios, tin toys, enamel mugs, vintage signboards, and more - stir up a wave of nostalgia, transporting you back to a simpler, bygone era. Despite its modest presentation, the Time Tunnel Gallery offers a quiet, reflective pause in the midst of the highlands' tourist bustle.

Because of the lack of electricity in those days, thermo flask was the only gadget to store hot water.

Iron run on burning charcoal.

Every household had a cupboard likes this to store food and cutlery. No fridge in those days!

Trishaw used by people to move around - a form of taxi in those days!

Marbles we used to play when we were kids in the village in the 1950s and 1960s.

Paper bag used to hold sundry items when we did our shopping.

Tour of Pahang - Lunch at Tringkap

My Garmin GPS has rarely failed me, especially when it comes to locating eateries tucked away in obscure corners - and Tringkap Restaurant in Tringkap is a perfect example. This hidden gem would be hard to find without the help of a local guide or a reliable GPS.

The restaurant is a coffee shop-style eatery that typically serves “zap fan” (a simple meal of rice accompanied by small portions of several cooked dishes) to local residents and workers, but it also offers a selection of  a la carte dishes. Its specialties are fried tilapia and steamed chicken, both of which come highly recommended. We decided to go with the steamed tilapia and steamed chicken - a lighter and healthier option, but no less flavorful.

We had heard that on weekends, when the restaurant is packed with regulars and tourists alike, it's not uncommon to wait 30 to 60 minutes for food to be served.

Fortunately, we visited during a quieter time and only had to wait about 15 minutes - a small price to pay for a satisfying and well-prepared meal in a place that most would overlook.

Restoran Tringkap

GPS Location: N4 30.9016 E101 25.6785

Tour of Pahang - Dinner at Restoran Makanan Laut Sister, Kampong Raja

I was intrigued by an online post about a Chinese restaurant in Cameron Highlands that serves pepper pork belly soup cooked in a large traditional earthen urn - a rare and eye-catching method that immediately caught my attention.

The restaurant, called Restoran Makanan Laut Sister, is located in the small town of Kampung Raja, about 17Km from our hotel in Brinchang. It was raining heavily as we set out in search of the place. Despite reaching the location indicated by the GPS, we couldn’t spot the restaurant at first. Just as we were about to give up, my sister-in-law noticed a dimly lit signboard. As it turned out, the restaurant was tucked away in the middle of a row of wooden shophouses, accessible via a left turn off the main road - easy to miss in the dark and rain.

While the food itself wasn’t particularly outstanding, I give full credit to the owner for coming up with such a clever and distinctive "gimmick" to draw in customers. The idea of cooking soup in a massive clay urn may be unconventional, but it certainly piqued our curiosity - and got us through the door.

Tour of Pahang - Strawberry Farm

Agro-tourism has become big business in Cameron Highlands, much like winery tourism in Australia and other wine-producing countries. Here, instead of vineyards, it's strawberry farms, vegetable plots, and honey bee farms that attract visitors, while also supporting the region’s export market.

One of the popular stops we visited was the Big Red Strawberry Farm in Brinchang. In addition to strawberries, the farm also features a variety of vegetables grown using hydroponic methods, giving visitors a closer look at sustainable farming practices.

A highlight of the visit was the chance to pick your own strawberries, priced at RM25 per cup. Once you've filled your cup, you can even have your freshly picked berries turned into a drink or dessert at the on-site café - for an additional charge. A simple but ingenious idea that adds a hands-on experience to the visit and turns fresh produce into a delicious treat.

The cafe offers a wide variety of drinks, desserts, and cakes, all either flavored with or made using fresh strawberries. From strawberry milkshakes and ice cream to tarts and cheesecakes, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. The adjoining shop also sells an array of strawberry-themed products and souvenirs - jams, chocolates, keychains, plush toys, and more - making it a one-stop spot for both treats and take-home mementos.

Tour of Pahang - Cameron Highlands

Our tour of Pahang was made possible thanks to the kind and generous gesture of my niece, Lyanna Tew, who offered us the use of her Honda Freed. Besides my wife and me, we were also joined by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law (my wife’s eldest brother’s wife), who asked to be included in the journey.

Our first stop after leaving Kuala Lumpur was the Cameron Highlands. On the way, we made a lunch stop at Bidor, a town well known for its delicious local fare. After spending two nights in Cameron Highlands, we continued our journey to Mentakab, stopping briefly at Chenor near Raub for afternoon tea. While based in Mentakab, we also took the opportunity to visit Temerloh. The last two days of our trip were spent in Sungai Lembing, and before heading back to KL, we made brief stops at both Kuantan and Bentong. In total, our road trip covered approximately 1,060 Km.

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Before flying to West Malaysia, we were warned that visiting Cameron Highlands during weekends or school holidays could be a traffic nightmare. We heard stories of cars crawling along the winding roads, taking over an hour just to cover 5 Km due to the sheer volume of vehicles converging on such a compact area.

Thankfully, we planned our trip after the weekend rush, and traffic flow was smooth throughout our time there. No frustrating jams - just cool air and scenic views.

We stayed in a budget hotel located near the Brinchang night market. Unfortunately, since our visit didn’t coincide with the weekend, there was no night market activity. The weather during our stay was persistently wet - either raining or drizzling most of the time - but that didn't dampen our spirits too much.

Despite the gloomy weather, we managed to visit most of the places on our list and dined at several highly recommended outlets we had seen promoted online.

One of the must-try experiences in Cameron Highlands is the steamboat dinner, especially comforting in the cool climate. We chose a restaurant called Cameron Organic Produce, conveniently located near our hotel. Though the prices were on the higher side - RM20 per set - the restaurant claims to be certified for serving only organic vegetables. While big eaters typically order one set per person, our group found that three sets for four people were more than sufficient, making it a satisfying and healthy meal.

Kay Pin Elevated to Father-in-Lawhood

The highlight of October was a memorable trip to West Malaysia to attend the wedding banquet of the daughter of a close university friend - Leow Kay Pin

Kay Pin, the bride’s father, is a man of few words. He was my final-year roommate back in 1977, when we shared a room in a corner terrace house along Jalan 17/6 in Petaling Jaya. Like me, he was studying civil engineering, though he was a year my junior. Interestingly, the family he has raised mirrors mine quite closely - an eldest daughter followed by two sons.

One of the most entertaining moments of the evening came during the speech by the bride’s younger brothers, who spoke fondly - and humorously - about their sister. From almost the day they were born, she had taken on the role of a “stepmother”, acting as the household disciplinarian and dictating their do’s and don’ts, including how they dressed, especially on special occasions.

They jokingly concluded by welcoming their new brother-in-law as the “sixth stepson” of their sister. Why sixth? They explained - with perfect comedic timing - that the first five were: their father, mother, the two brothers, and her favourite dog.

Naturally, an occasion like this also offered a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends from our university days, sharing laughter, memories, and a sense of nostalgia that made the event all the more meaningful.

From left: Sun Nan Ping, Me, Lim Heng Seng and Teng Luen Foong.

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This photo is inserted into this blogpost on 15.08.2025 - ten years after the original posting. This photo was taken on 08.08.2015 at a wedding banquet in KL on the occasion of the wedding of the son of Sun Nan Ping. Kay Pin is seated second from right. 

Standing from right: Claire Yap, Sun Nan Ping, Nan Ping's wife, Sim Lai Har's late hubby. Seated from right: Claire's late hubby, Kay Pin, Kay Pin's wife and Sim Lai Har. 

Lai Har, Kay Pin, Claire and Nan Ping are former members of the Christian Fellowship of the 5th Residential College of University Malaya.

Marriage Enrichment Course and Mini-Reunion

October has been an eventful and meaningful month, marked by the successful completion of our Marriage Enrichment Course.

Many marriages do not falter because of a single major crisis, but rather due to a gradual breakdown in communication, unmet expectations, unresolved conflict, and emotional disconnection. Over time, small misunderstandings and unspoken frustrations can slowly erode trust, intimacy, and the sense of partnership that a healthy marriage is built upon. Added pressures - such as financial stress, parenting demands, or the constant juggle of work and home life - can further strain the relationship.

Recognizing this reality, our church made a timely and important decision to offer a Marriage Enrichment Course for our members and friends. The course provided couples with practical tools to enhance communication, deepen emotional intimacy, manage conflict constructively, and renew their commitment to one another. More than just a course, it created a safe and supportive environment for honest conversations, personal reflection, and shared learning.

Nine couples participated in this run of the course, representing a rich diversity of backgrounds - including professionals, lecturers, and young married couples. Regardless of their stage in marriage or career, each couple brought a willingness to invest in their relationship - and left encouraged, better equipped, and more connected than when they began.

We believe that every couple benefited from the time spent together, and we are thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside them in this part of their journey.

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Sam also took advantage of the Hari Raya Haji holiday on 15 October and dropped by for a mini reunion.

Trigger Finger

For more than two months, I had been having pain in my left hand mid finger. Pain would be more pronounced when I tried to close my palm tightly. If I managed to close it into a fist, my mid finger somehow got locked up without it being able to regain its normal straight position after opening the palm. I needed to manually pull it back to regain its normal position.

So one day when I met my cardiologist for regular check-up, I told him that I may be suffering from arthritis because of aging. He asked how I came to that conclusion and I demonstrated my locked mid finger to him. He was quick to point out that it was not arthritis. He simply told me that the tendon in my finger has tightened and a surgery would be needed to cut it. He asked me to see an orthopedic.

 

When I met the orthopaedic specialist, at one glance, he did not hesitate to tell me that I was having Trigger Finger, a term I did not know before. For permanent solution, he strongly recommended surgery which only takes 5-10 minutes.

 

Surgery was quickly arranged. As usual, hospital would optimise such opportunity for commercial consideration: an operating theatre and three nurses in attendance and everybody in full operating attire. True to what the orthopaedic said, the relief was instantaneous. The locking of the finger was gone once the cut was made!

 

Flying Kite with My Grandson

The kite flying session was rather a very short one. When we tried to put up the kite to higher level to catch the wind, the string became detached from the spool and it flew off and landed on top of the roof of the Club House. That was the last time we saw our kite!