By Augustine Anthony
The beautiful Cameron Highlands is now being taken for granted.
Not too long ago a trip to Cameron Highlands is only possible through the small Tapah town. The journey through this route can be quite tiring with never ending winding road with many sharp bends. Not only it is tiring but it can also be dangerous with landslides during rainy seasons. The route was once considered as the front door entrance to Cameron Highlands and as often the front yard always looks cleaner and neater than the backyard.
Things have now changed very much. We have the new route via Pos Slim – Cameron Highlands. This route is now so popular that even vehicles from south which have the option of cutting into Tapah and heading to Cameron Highlands, prefer driving all the way to Simpang Pulai (a small town in the suburbs of Ipoh) to take the exciting journey to Cameron Highlands. It is well worth the time and the extra mile travelled.
The journey through Pos Slim to Cameron Highlands is a wonderful experience. It only takes about less than an hour to reach Kampung Raja, the first stop at Cameron Highlands from Simpang Pulai.
For those who live in Ipoh it could be a cheap and money’s worth day trip to Cameron Highlands, the journey itself becomes the highlight of the trip to Cameron Highlands. For those who are keen to unwind by just taking a long drive just as a time off to reflect upon events the day, it will be a truly awesome experience to begin the journey. The best time to start the journey is approximately 5 - 6 o’clock in the evening. One may enjoy the spectacular sunset from high above or may even be thrilled with the gentle passing of the clouds. At times the whole road becomes misty.
Many Ipoh residents regularly drive up to Cameron Highlands during the weekends either to have a meal or to select the variety of fresh vegetables that can be bought from any point in Cameron Highlands.
With Pos Slim – Cameron Highlands route now, becoming the preferred choice for many, not only for Malaysians, but tourists from many parts of the world, Kampung Raja which used to be the neglected backyard of Cameron Highlands is now poised to be the front entrance to Cameron Highlands.
Now here lies the problem which literally emanates stench.
With a mountain of rubbish, with unsightly crows chewing on every rotting items and the reckless defacing of hills in the name of development at the very entry point of Kampung Raja, the future of Cameron Highlands as one of the most popular and beautiful highland resort in Malaysia, is now in jeopardy.
Surely the local authority in Cameron Highlands can be more creative in finding ways to welcome its guests.
