Cameron Highland - BOH Plantation

After visiting the competitor. We went to visit BOH Plantation. The drive up was quite scary. The road is narrow and steep. Not to mention that the road can only fit one car and it is a 2 way traffic.

When we were going up, there were cars waiting at the side (very near to the cliff) for the on coming cars to pass so that they have space to go. If I were driving I would panic. Its not easy to maneuver at the narrow steep road and it is quite a long drive up. Thank god my hubby is a good driver. I don't know how all the Alphards and Vellfires manage to get up.

Once we were up, again we couldn't find a parking space. After one round of searching, finally we found a parking. From the parking lot to the plantation and factory is a long walk up. This is the only time that I didn't complain about the long walk because the weather is beautiful. I didn't sweat at all.

Unfortunately the factory was closed on that day. Probably because it was Boxing Day and a Sunday. There is a cafe that serves teas and scone. Its all glass overlooking the plantation. A very nice place to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea, the scenery and weather.

We went into the BOH shop to buy some teas. BOH tea prices are more expensive compared to the price of Cameron Valley Bharat Tea. Didn't buy much because it is not so exclusive. Most of the BOH teas range are available in KL.

Overall we enjoyed the scenery and the walk. We even walked down to the plantation to take pictures. Here are some of the pics that I took.

Cameron Highland - Second Day Morning

Ever wonder why is it that you always wake up earlier than usual on your holidays? My hubby and I are not morning person. But on our second day we woke up early. We were having our breakfast at 8am!!! Unbelievable.

Its a good thing we woke up early. The road was clear. I told my hubby that its a must to visit tea plantation at Cameron Highland. We went up to Brinchang and our first stop is Cameron Valley Bharat Tea Plantation. They are BOH's competitor. The tea that they sell are relatively cheaper than BOH. What is so special about Cameron Valley Bharat Tea is I don't think we can find it here in KL.

At Cameron Valley Tea Plantation, there is a shop that sells all kind of teas. Normal tea, green tea and flavoured tea. You can buy the ones in tea bag or the leaves. There is also a cafe that serves their teas, scones and cakes. The weather was beautiful. Sky is blue and not much cloud. We went to the tea plantation itself to take pictures.

Bharat Tea Plantation

After visiting the tea plantation, we went to Orchid Farm. Again, it is good to go early because even at 9.30am, there is no place to park.

Pumpkin selling by the roadside at Brinchang

Orchid Farm

Cameron Highland - First day

Over the Christmas weekend, my hubby and I went to Cameron Highland. It was a last minute thing. Since I took leave and we didn't celebrate our wedding anniversary. So we thought, why not celebrate it in Cameron Highland.

Last minute booking during peak season is not advisable. All the hotels were fully booked till end of this month. But thankfully I managed to book a hotel room in 2 hotels. Yes 2 hotels.

On the first night we stayed at Century Pines. It is located at Tanah Rata. My room does not have a good view but at least its nice and clean. Can't complain much since it was last minute. The rate is quite reasonable. During peak season with tax its about RM305 for one night. We arrived at about 3.30pm. It was raining so we decided to check in and rest for awhile until the rain stopped. The weather was nice. Cool and breezy. After the rain stopped, we went down to the lobby and asked the concierge on where to visit. The receptionist told us that most of the attractions are in Brinchang mountain pass the town, which is the highest peak of Cameron Highland. He advised us not to go at that hour as we would be stuck in a 4 hour jam.

So we decided to drive down from Tanah Rata to check out the scenery. We came across this tea house called Cameron Valley Tea House. I have to say thank god for Garmin, it took us to a lot of places.

When we reached Cameron Valley Tea House, it was packed. We can barely find parking there. The tea house served tea, sandwich, scones and nasi lemak. We didn't eat because the queue was long and there was no table available. I went to take some pics of the tea plantation, visited a few shops next to the tea house.

After Cameron Valley, we went to Bee Farm. I was quite nervous at first. I read about the bee flying freely in the farm. I am afraid of being sting and that's the last thing I want to happen! Of course, I didn't see any bees flying around. Well, that is probably because I didn't go that far. LOL. Went to check out some honey. I am not a fan of honey. My hubby on the other hand likes honey but he what he wants honey in glass bottle. Which is not available at that shop. All the honey were sold in plastic bottle. So we left empty handed but with a few pictures.

After the bee farm, we were quite hungry. So we drove back up to Tanah Rata to see what is there to eat. There is a row of shop lot located opposite a bus station. We ate at this nasi kandar restaurant. I had banana leaf and my hubby had rice with lamb curry. After dinner, we walked along the shops. Stopped by a grocery store, bought some snacks and drinks for the night.

After our dinner and walking, it was still early (about 6.30pm). So we decided to give it a try and drive further up nearer to Brinchang. On our way up we saw a sign that says Strawberry Farm Free Admission. So we went there. There is nothing much to see, just a few plants. The strawberry farm was cordoned off. So we cant go in and see. Fresh strawberries were sold there. We bought a packet. It was disappointing because the strawberries were small and sour.

Here are some of the pics I took on our first day. I will be posting more pics that I took from my second day in the next post. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed taking it.

Waterfall on our way up to Cameron

Entrance of our room

Our room at Century Pines

One of the wall hanging at the hall

Century Pines lobby

Century Pines lobby

Century Pines night view

Cameron Valley tea plantation

Cameron Valley tea plantation

Cameron Valley tea plantation

Cameron Valley tea plantation

Flowers at Bee Farm

View at Bee Farm

Entrance to Bee Farm

More flowers at Bee Farm

Bees at Bee Farm

Bee Farm

Strawberry Farm

Cactus at Strawberry Farm

Flowers at Strawberry Farm

Flowers at Strawberry Farm

View in Brinchang

Brinchang town

My worst experience

Have you ever experienced a bad after sales service before? Being directed to back and forth? Unfortunately I experienced it this morning.

See, my hubby is very sweet. For my birthday, he bought me the new Iphone 4. Last week on Friday, we went to book the Iphone 4 16GB from Maxis in One Utama Shopping Complex. The Maxis shop is actually a dealer for Maxis. The guy who attended to us, Yen told me that it would take 1-2 weeks for the phone.

Then on Wednesday, I received a call from Maxis One Utama. The guy asked me if I am interested in upgrading my phone to 32GB because there will be new stock coming in and I would be able to collect it on Saturday. All I need to do is to top up another RM400. Of course, being excited and all. I couldn't wait to get my new phone. I agreed. Called my hubby to tell him about it. He was not too happy of course. As a sales person, he knows very well it is a sales tactic. But he agreed to it. Thank god.

On Friday, I received another call from Maxis One Utama. The guy told me that I can collect my phone on the day itself. Quickly I called my hubby to tell him. I left work 6 sharp. Rushed back home to get my hubby and went to One Utama. When I reached, there were a long queue. Waited for almost half an hour. Then finally it was my turn. At last, I got my new Iphone 4.

We went up to the Mac shop on third floor to purchase a screen protector for my phone. Then came home and synced my info into my new Iphone 4. While playing with it, I felt something weird about the phone. When I lock and unlock it, there was no sound. Then I went to the sound settings to check. All the settings were correct. Then I tried to play one of the ringtones. No sound. I panicked!!! My hubby said never mind, we will go back to change it tomorrow.

So today, we went back to Maxis One Utama. We reached at 10am sharp, walked straight to the shop and reported on the defect. The guy, Kelvin told us that they will have to send the phone to check under Maxis warranty and it will take 1-2 weeks. Of course we were not pleased with the answer. As it is, we or more like I waited for about a week for the phone. Then the other Chinese dude advised us to go to Maxis centre as the phone is from Maxis centre. They would be able to replace a new set for us.

We then went to Maxis Centre in Taman Tun. This Malay guy attended to us. When he found out that the phone was not purchased under Maxis Centre, he told us that we have to go back to the dealer. He also told us that there is a policy whereby if a customer report within 24 hours, the customer will be able to get a new set replaced instantly. He also told us that Maxis One Utama is always directing customers to the centre and it is not right. The phone is not in their system and they would not be able to help us. In other words, the Malay dude is telling us that we got cheated by the dealers. My hubby blew up and called the dealer.

We left Maxis Centre feeling cheated and angry. While driving, my hubby spoke to the manager from Maxis One Utama. I was upset because 1. I didn't get to have my new Iphone 4 which is my birthday present and 2. my hubby is upset. I was thinking to myself, this is a huge mistake. I shouldn't have asked for this birthday present and of all people, I am the unlucky one who got a phone that has defect.

But I have to say that thank god for my hubby's patience (altho he blew up a few times). After he spoke to the manager, he managed to get them to replace a new set for me. But I have to wait for a few days. So we went back to Maxis One Utama to get the phone replaced. When I handed the phone to Kelvin, me and my hubby was complaining to him about the whole situation. This other guy who just purchased his new Iphone 4 looked at me worried. I told him you better check your phone properly because the speaker for my phone does not work. He got worried and quickly checked his phone. LOL.

After all that drama, my hubby went to Mac shop to purchase a screen protector for his Ipad. He told the sales guy there about our situation with the Iphone 4 and the sales guy told us that by right Maxis Centre is suppose to replace a new set for me because they are the one who brought the phones in. The proper procedure is if we purchase the Iphone 4 from a dealer and if there is any defect to the phone. By right, within 24 hours, the dealer will have to send the phone in to Maxis Centre to ask for a replacement. Alternatively, the customer can go straight to Maxis Centre to report and Maxis Centre will have to replace a new set for the customer . Well, looks like the Malay dude in Maxis Centre lied to us. Fucking bastard.

I never liked Maxis. I have been using Maxis for a long time then got fed up with their service. I switched over to Digi. Again, Digi disappointed me and I switched to Celcom. So far I am happy with Celcom's service. If it was not for the Iphone 4, I wouldn't have signed up with stupid Maxis.

I guess, Maxis doesn't believe in customer and after sales service. As a customer, I have every right to be upset because going back and forth like what I did this morning is a waste of my time and money. Seriously, Ananda Krishnan should do something about this. After this experience, I have decided that once my contract ends with Maxis, I am going to port over to Celcom again. Fuck Maxis.

Crazy over Iphone cover

I love drawings of beautiful females especially the morbid ones. There are a lot of Iphones cover that has all these nice drawings on it but it's rather pricey. Even in Petaling Street, the price of one is RM35. To me if its not less than RM20 its considered expensive. Yes...I am a cheap skate in a way.

Then one day, I stumbled upon this shop that repairs phones. My hubby wanted to repair his BB and we went to this shop in Subang Jaya. In the shop, they were selling a lot of phone covers for BB, Nokia, Iphone, etc. Its so pretty and nice. While searching, I saw the cover that I wanted. Its a drawing of beautiful asian women in a morbid way. When I asked for the price, I was shocked to find out that its only RM18 per piece. Of course, without thinking I happily purchased it. Today I went back again and bought another 2 more (one for my sis and another for me). However, its sad that I wont be using it for long as I have booked for my new Iphone 4. Its a birthday present from my hubby. :D But I will still keep it and took pics of it to make it into my wallpaper.

My sis's new cover.

My first piece. Notice the dead fish?

My second piece