This trip marks my first solo international adventure, and my language skills are practically non-existent. Scoring a negative 10 out of 10 wouldn't even do justice to my lack of proficiency. To make matters worse, I booked my ticket just three days before departure, leaving me with barely any time to research my destination. This was my first encounter with Cameron Highlands, and all I knew about it was gleaned from a quick glance at TripAdvisor reviews, which mainly mentioned tea plantations and a cool climate year-round. You might be wondering what prompted this sudden trip. Well, I received an invitation from Airbnb (https://th.airbnb.com/) to visit Malaysia, with accommodation sponsored by them (free stuff, who could resist?). However, I had already visited Malaysia twice before (both times in groups) – once on Borneo Island and once on Langkawi Island. I wasn't keen on revisiting either location. Then, a friend suggested Cameron Highlands. I had never heard of it before, so I quickly Googled it, looking at pictures and gathering information. With only this week free for travel, the trip materialized rather abruptly.

"Backpack solo adventure abroad"

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My journey began with a direct flight from Don Mueang Airport to Kuala Lumpur (KL) on AirAsia. As mentioned earlier, I booked my ticket three days before the trip, missing the first flight (7:05 AM). I managed to get on the 8:25 AM flight, which took two hours. However, I forgot that Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand. As a result, when I arrived at the airport, it was already 11:45 AM. ... ... I was already in trouble before I even arrived. It was almost noon, and I still had to go through immigration, collect my luggage, and find transportation to Cameron Highlands. Would I make it to my destination today? ..??

It takes about 2 hours to reach KL2 Airport.
Alternatively, you can fly directly to Penang and then take a bus to Cameron Highlands.
You can also take a van from Hat Yai to Penang and then take a bus.
(I just found out this information later.)

"Excuse me, I need to change locations first. The internet is very slow... It's been over an hour and I've only managed to post two threads."

After clearing immigration and collecting our luggage, we needed to get into the city. There were two options: train or bus. To reach Puduraya Bus Terminal, where we would transfer to Cameron Highlands, we opted for the bus, despite its potential for being slower. Taking the train involved uncertainty about which station to get off at and how to connect to Puduraya Bus Terminal. The bus ride involved navigating through the terminal to find the correct exit, as shown on the signage. We purchased tickets for 10 RM and boarded the bus.

"Haze or smoke"
Well, when I arrived, I just found out that Malaysia was affected by the haze from Indonesia.
Haha... I've arrived, I can't turn back anymore.

The journey from the airport to Puduraya Station in downtown Kuala Lumpur takes approximately one hour by car. Puduraya Station resembles a bus terminal or transportation hub in our country, but it is smaller in scale.

After getting off the bus, I was confused for a while and decided to grab a bite to eat before looking for the ticket counter.
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Cameron Highlands ??..... Cameron Highlands ?? .... Cameron Highlands ??
(with a strong English accent) Every time I asked for a ticket, they replied NO..No..NO.. and shook their heads.
I thought they could at least point me to the right counter.
Oh no!!!... Did I come to the right place? It felt like the difference between Mo Chit and Sai Tai Mai bus terminal in Bangkok.

I stood there confused on the sidewalk for a while until an old man approached me and spoke in Malay. I noticed he had a ticket in his hand, so I asked him,
Cameron Highlands ?? The middle-aged man smiled broadly and handed me a ticket for 50 RM. Yay, I'm saved! My knight in shining armor has arrived.
He then waved for me to follow him. After walking for a while, we stopped at a large open space, and he pointed to a building across the street.
I understood that he wanted me to go to that building. Then the old man turned and walked away.
....Oh no!!!... I've been tricked! I thought to myself. But since I've come this far, I might as well take a chance and follow the old man's instructions.

The coffin is on the opposite side of the road from the building the uncle mentioned. Cross the intersection and you will find another bus stop, as shown in the picture.

Upon entering, simply show your ticket and staff will direct you to the appropriate lane. (Currently, I am on the ground floor, which is the boarding point.)

This is a simple and convenient way to get to the Cameron Highlands (Note: I only found out about this method upon arrival).

After getting off the bus, cross the road at the intersection and head towards the building shown in the post above.

Walk up the stairs and you will see the glass window in the first picture. This is the staircase leading down to the parking lot.

Continue walking and you will see the stairs in the second picture. Climb these stairs to the upper floor and turn left. You will reach the ticket booth shown in pictures 3 and 4.

Then walk back down to the ground floor to board the bus.

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The ticket to Cameron Highlands costs 40 RM. I went all the way to Tanah Rata, which is the final stop.

However, I ended up paying the uncle 50 RM… I got scammed! 555555

The journey had been underway for some time when the rain began to fall, adding to the lonely atmosphere for the solo traveler.

The journey took over 3 hours, covering a short distance but with many uphill curves, finally reaching the destination of Tanah Rata town. As darkness fell, a taxi was promptly hailed to the hotel.

The taxi that took me to the hotel here was a Mercedes-Benz... I don't want to talk about it.

My accommodation for two nights in Cameron Highlands is located 3 kilometers from Tana Rata town. I took a taxi from the bus station for about 150 Thai baht (approximately 3 Malaysian ringgit). The accommodation is actually located in Brinchang, but it is considered to be in close proximity to Tana Rata.

Accommodation

I booked my accommodation through Airbnb ( https://th.airbnb.com/)
before my trip. As a backpacker, I don't prioritize accommodation, sleeping arrangements, or food, making this aspect of travel hassle-free.
When I open the Airbnb website, I type in my destination, and a list of options appears, with various prices and styles.
It also includes a map showing the location, making it easy to plan and choose accommodation near tourist attractions.

Unlike traditional accommodations, booking with Airbnb is akin to a platform that connects guests with hosts.

Airbnb offers a wide range of accommodations, including condos, houses, apartments, and even mansions. It's like staying with a local host.

Or even in the form of hotel accommodation or homestay, it's like we're staying at our own home.

Additionally, we can immerse ourselves in the local culture of the area. Once the booking is complete, the host (Host)

The host will contact you via email or Airbnb message to confirm your reservation.

Once you have agreed, the system will deduct the accommodation fee from us. Plus, you can directly chat and inquire information with local people.

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After browsing, I ended up here. Snooze costs 800 baht per night, which is not expensive. The ground floor will be open as a coffee shop.

The upper floors are reserved for tourist accommodations. You can check them out; there are many options available worldwide.

Sign up and get up to 800 baht off your first booking.

After signing up, you can share your referral link with others to earn an additional 800 baht discount.

Or you can sign up using my link at www.airbnb.com/c/c3322f?s=8

The lower level houses a coffee shop that serves breakfast and doubles as a social space for guests.

The bedroom is simply decorated, offering great value for the price. Perfect for backpackers like us, it has a private bathroom, hot water, and a desk for working or reading.

This morning, I chartered a taxi to visit the HOB Tea Plantation. Since I arrived late last night, the tour package companies were all closed.

First morning at HOB tea plantation

Endless photo opportunities await.

After a tiring day of taking photos, you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea and snacks at the BOH Tea Plantation. The plantation also has a souvenir shop that mainly sells tea, as well as a tea processing factory that you can visit.

Upon arrival, be sure to purchase some tea as a souvenir.

Time to capture the atmosphere

In addition to tea plantations, Cameron Highlands also boasts strawberry farms where visitors can pick and purchase fresh strawberries. I asked the taxi driver to stop at one of the many farms in the area.

In the morning, I traveled to the city center and stopped by a roadside market to grab a bite to eat. The atmosphere was similar to that of souvenir markets found along roads in my home country. In the afternoon, I went for a walk around the city center.

The afternoon was dedicated to eating, but as I mentioned, I kept things simple and didn't take any pictures.
This afternoon, I plan to walk around town and visit a flower garden that a taxi driver mentioned. I was able to understand him despite our limited communication.

Even in the afternoon, the weather is still cool here. I've heard that Cameron Highlands has a cool climate year-round, making it a popular tourist destination in Malaysia.

If you don't want to walk, renting a bicycle and taking a leisurely ride is another option. As for me, I prefer walking.

Visiting a flower garden as recommended by a taxi driver.

After a delightful stroll, dusk settled in, prompting us to seek sustenance before returning to our lodgings. It is imperative to note that a visit to Cameron Highlands without indulging in this particular dish would be a grave oversight.

While the precise name of the dish eludes me, it bears a resemblance to the beloved Thai "jim jum" or, more elegantly, "shabu-shabu." The flavors, however, surpass those of even the most renowned establishments in our local shopping malls. This culinary delight is widely available, gracing the menus of nearly every eatery.

Snacks

Day two at Cameron Highlands

This morning, I took a taxi to Cameron Valley Tea Plantation. I told the driver that I wanted to hire him for the day. It's recommended to come with 2-3 people to share the cost of the taxi.
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Let's skip breakfast and take a look at the atmosphere.
I forgot to mention that I checked out of my accommodation when the taxi picked me up here. The return bus is scheduled for 13:30.
I plan to have the van drop me off at the bus station after the tour so I don't waste time going back and forth.
(It seems like I'm getting familiar with this place after just a few days. Maybe it's because it's a small town and the tourist attractions are close together.)

After enjoying taking photos and sipping coffee, it was time to head back. The taxi driver took me to the bus station. Looking at my watch, it was not yet noon. I still had more than an hour to spare, so I decided to grab something to eat while waiting for the bus. I was heading to Kuala Lumpur to catch my flight back to Thailand, just like the day I arrived.

On the return trip, I used a different company's car. The seats were spacious and comfortable, so I didn't feel cramped.

Returning to Kuala Lumpur city center, I had a few hours to spare before my 8pm flight. I decided to visit the Petronas Twin Towers, a must-see landmark for any visitor to the city. I took a few photos with the towers in the background as a souvenir.

This concludes my solo backpacking adventure. It was a fun and unique experience, and not as difficult as I had imagined. As the saying goes, "When you can eat hotpot alone, you can also travel alone."

For my next solo backpacking adventure, follow me on my Facebook page "สะพายเป้ เท่ทั่วไทย" (https://www.facebook.com/saphipae/) to find out where I'll be heading next.

Thank you all for visiting.