The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears
(The Sound of Music)
History corner:
Cameron Highlands was founded by William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor, in 1885. He traveled by elephants with his companion Riau to explore the Titiwangsa Range. Cameron Highlands grew famous when British planters realized the potential of the fertile mountain slopes for growing tea. Today, it is Malaysia's largest tea-producing region.
April 2016 I made a trip to Cameron Highlands (for work) after so many years of missing it. I don't even remember when was the last time I was there, maybe around 5 or 6 years old. It was amazing seeing the changes and progress. So businesslike nowadays. Little hotels mushroomed at every corner. Stalls all over the place, selling souvenirs and knick knacks. And oh.... the night market was a blast.
Paid a visit to one of the nurseries. Little, medium, chubby cactus for sale.
Peach colored flowers are indicative of gratitude and thankfulness. It means that the affection you seek to express is genuine warmth and appreciation.
Was fascinated with this little door on the wall. It was drizzling when I shot this; the rain didn't worry me a bit. Gotta have this shot. So King Arthur-ish!
Ferns. Beautiful greens. I was hoping that no snakes would jump out of this. I had my face against this green carpet a few times!
Plants and flowers galore....
Gerberas to your fancy. These flowers I love. Big hearts. Rich colors. A pure joy to photograph.
You are the blood in my veins and the beating of my heart. You are my first waking thought and my last sigh before sleeping. You are - bone of my bone and breath of my breath. (Daughter of the Forest)
Hairy balls milkweed...hahaha (certainly make me laughed out loud when I spotted them!) ... fascinating plant. I believe these are butterflies' best friends. I wonder what the butterflies see in them?
Grilled corn on the cobs. Super duper sweet and yummy. Sold in the markets.
Morning Glory is the best name. It always refreshes me to see it. (Henry David Thoreau)
Purple star petunias. Bravo! Looks like it is carrying a star right in the middle of its heart.
Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell
It fell upon a little western flower
Before milk white, now purple with love's wound
And maidens call it love-in-idleness
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)
A gazillion petunias smiling back at you in the cool Cameron weather.
Feeling in the pink???
What a beautiful mess!
A visit to the Strawberry Farm and ended up being a glutton. Strawberry jam, strawberries and cream on waffle. Strawberry sundae. Strawberries and cream. Strawberry coffee. You name it, they've got it!
Roses in bouquets, sold in the market. White roses are my favorite. But so are red and yellow and purple and blue...hehehe!
The BOH Plantation. What a grand view - scenic, tranquil, and fresh air. Founded in 1929 by J. A. Russel, a British businessman.
The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is actually a tree rather than a bush as popularly regarded by many people. In Cameron Highlands, black tea is the most popular variety, followed by Oolong and Green Tea.
White turnips for sale!
The cordiality of Cameron Highlands will always be in my heart; coolness of air, serenity of the tea gardens, the emotions of life, and the lust for desserts! It was a good reunion for me. Now I have newer contemporary picture of Cameron in my mind, one that would stay for a longer period of time I hope. With a grateful heart, I managed to seize precious moments to photograph some memorable live sketches of flora; a fancy of mine since forever. Thank you Cameron for my new memories and experiences. I will be back!
