Malaysia by Car

On the road to the Cameron Highlands

We have finally started our trip through Malaysia. It will be a round trip with quite a few places to cover. The plan is to make it firstly to the Cameron Highlands, followed by going to the east coast of Malaysia, down the costal road, then back to Alor Setar via the Genting Highlands and if possible an Elephant Sanctuary amongst other plans.
We started with the ferry crossing from Kuah to Kuala Kedah Port on the mainland. Then by taxi to Alor Setar Airport where we picked our rental car up, which we had reserved before we left Langkawi.

Strange lights at night

Well, to cut a long story short, after we got acquainted with our new motor we hit the road and drove the North - South Route E1 passed Penang, Butterworth towards Ipoh, where we turned off at exit 137 towards the Cameron Highlands. Before you go on this curvy uphill road, remember to fill your tank up, as for quite some miles there is no more chance. It started getting later and later and soon it was dark and we had no hotel booked....
rain started, thunder and lightning, then mist, and the traffic became less and less. We stopped a couple of times in little villages asking for a hotel or guest house, but no joy. Ok, 9°clock came... and we already started talking about spending a night in the car, when we finally came to Brinchang. The Guesthouse we are staying in costs 60RM per night, called Chua Gin Hotel and is quite worth the money if you do not mind some creepy crawlers coming down the wall in the evenings! (Killing rate about 15 a night) We are staying here for two nights (because it is cheap and nasty;)) but then we shall move on.The night drive, eerie as it was had it`s own fascination, it was misty, alternately rainy and silent, and in the strawberry plantations there were lights on, warming the young plants. Wonderful to look at, with everywhere else being pitch black. Hopefully you shall get some good cover about the Camerons tomorrow.
You can have a look at all photos of our journey here.