Closed
The track was a little tricky to find once again. We followed our map behind an agricultural park, up a steep hill, past some holiday cottages and ... entry to the path was closed! We ignored the first sign and continued until we saw a big read sign stating the possible fine (£1000) and imprisonment! The sign also said that we could get a permit from the 'park office'. However, we had a feeling that no-one would know where this office was. We were right and gave up!
Next, asked about another track. We were assured it was open but having looked at the map it took a much longer route so we could have finished walking in the dark. Instead we took another route that was closed on our day of arrival. There was a huge gate blocking the route but this had completely disappeared. We decided it had been ripped down by disheartened backpackers who couldn't find a route that was open!
The path was patched so no roots to clamber over and no mud. We headed towards the Parit waterfall, through a small campsite and over a bridge along a fancy walkway. We looked down on the waterfall but the area surrounding it was covered in rubbish! Plastic and old clothes seemed to be the bulk of the mess. Surely the people who had closed all the foot paths now have nothing to do. Maybe they could do a little cleaning up!
Eventually, the path ended and we followed the edge of a beautiful golf course that led us into Binchang. We stopped for food and a cup of tea in a small food court. Brinchang seemed a little more expensive than Tanah Rata with larger hotels, KFC and a McDonalds.
The afternoon was a little showery. We sheltered when we needed to and avoided getting wet.
From Brinchang the route to the Boh plantation was along the main road and uphill. We decided to try and grab a lift and a friendly lorry driver took us a few km up the road to the turn off we needed. We actually spent most of the time in a traffic jam caused by a very popular market.
At the turn off a couple of local people pulled over and offered us a lift to the tea plantation. We arrived, thanked them and started to walk up the many stairs to the top. Lots of people had their tripods with them and were taking some serious photos of themselves and the view. At the top there is a beautiful viewing platform and tea rooms. We had a look around, took some photos, tried some tea and read about the history of the tea plantation.
When we had completed our little tour we made our way down. We walked for a while watching the tea pickers carrying out there work and carrying huge baskets of tea leaves. We were offered another lift in the back of a pick up. They dropped us off at the market that caused the traffic jams on the way up. The market seemed famous for fruit lollies with real fruit embedded in the ice. We explored the market before heading down the hill. We walked part of the way before we were offered a lift to Tanah Rata. The people here are really kind!
Curry Noodle was the evening delight before we scanned the TV for English shows ...
