Restoran Fong Lum @ Brinchang Town, Cameron Highlands

When you are at Brinchang town, you will notice that most of the shops here are occupied by restaurant. Too many choices pose a problem too, because it would mean that we need to choose, hoping that the place is right for us to have our meal.

No prior experience nor any recommendation, but we chose Restoran Fong Lum as our place to have our late lunch.

Restoran Fong Lum, Brinchang

It was a quarter after three by the time we were seated. There were just a few table occupied, hence our food should be serve faster to heal our hungry stomach.

Layout of the restaurant

Chinese tea

Don't be deceived by the weather of Cameron Highlands as the sunlight there can be very unforgiving. After soaking under the immense heat of the sunlight especially at Sungei Palas, it's good to chill with some beers.

Chilling with beer

We were persuaded by the attendant to take the steamboat but we ended up ordering fried noodles and some ala carte dishes as we thought that steamboat in the noon time is a little awkward.

Fried Rice (RM 20 for large)
I have no idea on which style it was fried but all I can say is that it tasted bland and wok hei was missing! It lacks the accompaniment ingredients such as meat, prawn and anchovies as well.

Braised Yee Mee (RM 20 for large)
Whilst the taste fare better than the fried rice, it however tasted too pepperish. Should be labeled as pepper yee mee instead.

Fried Hokkien Style (RM 20 for large)
This would be the most decent fried noodles amongst the mentioned one. Texture of the noodle were just nice, neither too soggy or hard and the presence of wok hei can be tasted. Could taste better should it consist more pork lard.

Hot Plate Bean Curd (RM 22 for large)
Served on a sizzling plate, it was prepared by using Japanese tofu and other condiments such as meat, prawn and vegetables. The taste could kill me because it was freaking salty! Man, it was torturous to my taste bud.

Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables (RM 18 for large)
Labeled as Four Heavenly Vegetables, it consisted of 4 different type of vegetables being stir fried together with sambal belacan. Vegetables used here were eggplant, lady fingers, Cameron asparagus and French beans. They prepared this decently and needless to say more. this was my favourite dish amongst the dishes for the lunch.

The total bill for the lunch came to RM 111 inclusive of the tea but not the beer. I thought it was on the expensive side considering the type of food that we had for lunch. Maybe I could have felt better should the food tasted better, but I am not so going to revisit this place unless all the restaurants in Brinchang close down.

Atmosphere: 6/10
Food: 4.5/10
Price: 4/10
Verdict: More misses than hits and the price do no justice to the very average food that we had.

Restoran Fong Lum
Brinchang Town Shoplots
Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia
Business hours: Opens for lunch to dinner

Gunung Brinchang Lookout Tower @ Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Gunung Brinchang is the highest peak in Cameron Highlands with a height of 2031 metres above sea level. From it's height, reaching the peak may not seem easy. However, with an accessible road via car to the peak, summiting this mountain does not seem to be a major problem beside some steep gradient road stretches.

It's nearing the peak when you see this signboard

If you are the adventurous type, you can summit the peak by the conventional way of trekking through the trail of the forest. However, since we have our car parked at the campsite of the entrance to the Mossy Forest, we opted to walk along the tarred road leading up to the peak.

1 km more to the peak

You will eventually reach the peak after barely 10 minutes of walk from the entrance of Mossy Forest campsite.

Peak of Mount Brinchang at 2031 metres

The peak is accessible by car

Unlike the usual peak of mountain where the nature is left untouched, the peak of Gunung Brinchang however has a different story. There are communications tower being erected all over the peak with a designated forbidden area that I believe is the main communication station of Cameron Highlands.

Forbidden area, no entry for us!

One of the communication tower

Not only that, they have this special hut equipped with air conditional unit that serves as a mini police station.

Is it functional?

They have a lookout tower which offers the breathtaking view of the Titiwangsa Range from the summit.

Lookout tower at Gunung Brinchang

It was very windy and chilly at the top of the lookout tower but the spectacular view from atop will persuade you to stay a little longer.

View of the ground from the top of the tower

Panaromic view of the peak of Gunung Brinchang

On a clear day, it is claimed that you could actually see Ipoh town from the top of the lookout tower. It is however unfortunate for us on that day as the sky was a little cloudy.

Titiwangsa Range Mountains

Cheers buddies for summiting another mountain!

No sweat peaking the mountain

You saw something Iris?

Chee and Gt on the tower

With the same shirt that I wore here 5 years ago

You can't be spending too long on the lookout tower because the chilly wind on the top will send chills down your spine.

Descending time

View from the second floor of the tower

Like a war of communication towers ?

As we walked down the road heading back to the campsite, we passed by a mossy stretch along the roadside. At times, I could smell the fragrant of certain herb, some in which very similar to insect repellent smell.

Slightly mossy stretch

It's 11km more to Brinchang town

Certain part of the road can be a little misty, offering a pleasure experience walking down to the entrance of the Mossy Forest campsite.

The mist attack!

The misty part of the road

We definitely enjoy the stroll

This was my second time being here with a totally different kind of experience compared to my first time here. Whilst my first time here ended up in an insufferable state due to the unprepared and improper way of camping, this time it ended up in a very pleasurable experience. I supposed a dry shirt makes a lot of different and I'm sure my 2005 Cameron Highland buddies victim will agree with me.

The peak of Gunung Brinchang is accessible via car. How to go? Take the road heading to the Sungei Palas Boh Tea Plantation. Just before you reach the plantation gate, there will be another road branching out on the left. Take that road and you are on you way to the peak of Gunung Brinchang.

Gunung Brinchang
Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia

GPS Coordinates: N04 31.113' E101 22.973

Cameron Highland Trip [19th - 20th June 2010]
* The Journey to Cameron Highlands 2010
* Sungei Palas Boh Tea Centre, Cameron Highlands
* Lunch at Restoran Fong Lum, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

Sungei Palas Boh Tea Centre @ Cameron Higlands, Pahang

Boh Plantations is the largest black tea manufacturer in Malaysia, boasting some of the largest tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands with plantations in Habu, Fairlie Tea Garden and Sungai Palas.

Amongst all the plantations in Cameron Highlands, Boh Tea Centre in Sungai Palas is the plantation most visited by the tourists. This is simply because not only it does offers the tourist a chance to visit the tea factory, but it has a cafe where tourists can enjoy a cup of tea with a panoramic view of the lush green tea plantation.

Boh Tea Centre Sungai Palas, Cameron Highlands

Panoramic view of the tea centre

This tea centre can be very packed especially during the weekends and holidays. At times you got to be a little patient to get a table and your cup of tea.

Crowded during the holidays

Cakes and tarts

Tea time in an English way

The best spot to enjoy the tea would be at the verandah of the tea centre, overseeing the lush green tea plantation. It's really down to the luck though on how quick you can get a table here.

At the verandah

We definitely enjoy sipping some of the Boh Tea here.

Cameronian Gold Blend Full Set (RM 4 per person)

Cameronian Gold Blend
Although I'm not really into tea, but this tea definitely has the uummph with a very thick and a strong taste of a black tea.

If you are fan of flavoured teas, do check out their Seri Songket flavoured teas series.

Lychee with Rose Tea (RM 3 per teabag)
I tasted more rose fragrant than the lychee fragrant. Nonetheless, the flavour blends well and tasted even better with a pinch of sugar.

Passion Fruit Tea (RM 3 per teabag)

Not my cup of tea. I'm still not very passionate about the taste of passion fruit.

Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Infusion (RM 3 per teabag)
It was a sweet scent and it tasted sexy. Those dislike strawberries might find them scented a little like antibiotic syrup though.

Strawberry Cake (RM 6 per slice)
At it's price, I could definitely get better cakes elsewhere.

Chocolate Chips (RM 4.50 per bag of 4 slices)
I had hard time tasting any chocolate chips in the cookies. Given a choice, I will definitely choose Chipsmore anytime.

Keith was too into the tea

Please take note

Here are some of the panoramic view offered at the verandah tea centre.

An eye soothing view

Can you spot the dried up slot?

The blanket of tea

It's sunny!

After some tea, you can opt to pay a visit to their walkway leading to the tea factory.

Some information boards will greet you along

We need some shed

On my way to the factory, I bumped to some flowers which caught my attention.

Red wild flower

Yellow wild flower

Fact Sheet, 820k cups of tea per day!

The entrance to the tea factory

At here, you can witness some of the process going on to produce a teabag.

Processing the tea leaves

View of the unique walkway from outside

The verandah need my support!

When Chee is busy taking pictures

Says what?

The crew for our Cameron Highlands 2010

I still enjoy sipping some tea at this place very much though I've already been a few times. The tea was good, but as for me, the best was still the breathtaking view of the lush green tea plantation. Definitely not a place to miss out should you be in Cameron Highlands!

Atmosphere: 7/10
Tea: 7/10
Food: 4.5/10
Price: 5/10
Verdict: The tea somewhat tasted nicer thanks to the ambiance of the place. Food however are rather forgettable.

Sungei Palas Tea Centre
Jalan Gunung Brinchang
Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia
Tel: 605 - 496 2096
Business hours: 9am - 4.30pm daily. Closes on Monday.
Website: http://www.boh.com.my/