West Malaysia 2024 — Amsterdam Café

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West Malaysia 2024 — Sheep Sanctuary

A Little Taste of Holland
To Amsterdam Café we came one day,
In Cameron Highlands, far away.
We came for breakfast, the cat for a nap,
Who needs Holland with a welcome like that?

Early Bird Catches The Worm… Poor Worm! 🐦🐛

As morning broke over Cameron Highlands, we were still enjoying the warmth of our beds after the freezing night when Son became our personal alarm clock.

“Wake up! Breakfast!” 

Walau eh… holiday also must wake up so early for what? My eyes were open, but I’m quite sure my brain was still sleeping somewhere on the pillow. 

Me: “Why are we awake at this kind of hour?”

Hubby: “Go eat breakfast lah.”

Me: “So early?! Breakfast also haven’t wake up yet leh!”

Son: “Early bird catches the worm.”

Me: “Yah lor… but nobody ever thinks about the early worm. Wake up early for nothing, come out only kena eaten by the bird!” 

Mama: “Makan makan! Faster go!”

Okay lah, Mama has spoken. Apparently in this family, the early bird doesn’t catch the worm…

The early bird catches BREAKFAST. 

So off we went — four sleepy humans in search of food, while I silently promised myself never to be the early worm. 

This morning, however, there would be no nasi lemak, dim sum or chee cheong fun. Son had something completely different in mind — German breakfast at Amsterdam Cafe.

So, still half asleep and wrapped up against the chilly Cameron Highlands morning, off we went. Never mind. As long as there is food, this family will follow! 

Oops… We Did It Again! 🍽️

Looking at the table, I suddenly had that very familiar feeling.

Me: “Err… did we order a little too much?”

Hubby: “You ordered one what.”

Me: “Excuse me, everybody agreed!”

Son: “You asked us after you already decided.” 

Mama: “Never mind lah… makan makan!”

And there we were — four people staring at enough breakfast to feed a small tour group. 

Every trip same story. When ordering, everything looks good and everybody is hungry. When the food arrives…

Me: “Walau eh… who ordered all these?”

Family: “YOU.”

Okay lor. Guilty again. 

Never mind — holiday calories don’t count, but wasted food does. So everybody, EAT! 

Sleepy "worms" need these!!!

Meet The Café Mascot 🐈

After breakfast, we met the café’s resident mascot — a handsome ginger cat. This fellow really got class leh. While everybody else was busy eating, talking and moving around, he simply lay there like he owned the whole café.

Me: “Hello kitty! Good morning!”

Cat: ………… 😑

Me: “Maybe German cat? Katze! Guten Morgen!” 

Cat: …………

Son: “Mum, I don’t think he’s German.”

Me: “Okay lor… Selamat pagi?” 

Cat: ………… 🐈

Hubby: “Maybe he just doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Mama: watching the circus 

Me: “Wah! German cannot, Malay also cannot. What language you speak?”

Cat: “MEOW.” 🐈

Me: “OH! Sorry sorry… forgot to try cat language.” 

Son: “Finally you two can communicate.”

Mama: “Makan makan! Talk to cat also so long!” 

And with that, Mr Ginger Cat had spoken.

One word. One meow. Conversation over. 

Mama: “Aiyah, let the cat sleep lah!” 

Okay, understood. Apparently Mr Ginger Cat speaks only one universal language:

DO NOT DISTURB. 😴🐈

Never mind lah. We came for breakfast; he came to supervise. And judging by that relaxed pose, I think the boss was very satisfied with his staff that morning. 

Let's Go Go Go!

Tummies full, we waved goodbye to our furry little friend and hit the road again.

What surprises were waiting for us next? A beautiful new place? An unexpected detour?

Or Mama shouting “Makan makan!” before we'd even digested breakfast!

Knowing our family, anything is possible!

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West Malaysia 2024 — Sheep Sanctuary

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West Malaysia 2024 — Watercress Valley

The Fluffy Little Robbers!
I came with food and a heart full of cheer,
The fluffy little gang came rushing near!
One grabbed a bite, another wanted more,
I came to feed sheep — and got robbed for sure!

Looking down from the top, wah, the sanctuary seemed so far below! Luckily, the steps were quite gentle on the legs. No need for Jack and Jill to come tumbling down the hill!

Off to Meet the Fluffy Residents

After enjoying Cameron Highlands with Mama, Hubby and Son, our next stop was The Sheep Sanctuary.

This time, Mama stayed comfortably at the hotel. We understood that the sanctuary was situated down a steep hillside and wouldn't be suitable for her wheelchair. With the chilly weather too, it was better for her to rest.

So off went Hubby, Son and me!

Looking down from above, wah, the sanctuary seemed so far below! Fortunately, the steps were quite gentle and comfortable to walk on.

But looking at all those fluffy sheep, another thought crossed my mind.

With Mama's tiny white curls, I'm not entirely sure the sheep would have let us bring her home again.

Sheep: "Eh?"

Another sheep comes over.

Sheep: "AH MA?!"

Mama: "WHO YOUR AH MA?!"

Suddenly, the whole sanctuary gathers around.

"LONG-LOST RELATIVE FOUND!!!"

Okay lah, Mama. You stay comfortably at the hotel.

Your long-lost relatives and I will settle this ourselves.

Just a Little Feeding… What Could Go Wrong?

Once we reached the sanctuary, everything looked peaceful enough.

The sheep were friendly and would follow us around, especially when they realised we had food.

Of course, I couldn't resist.

I bought some pandan leaves to feed them.

One round finished.

Buy another round.

Finished again.

Okay lah, one more round!

The sheep followed us around, hoping for more food, but they were quite well-behaved.

Then I met the alpacas.

Ah.

Different department altogether!

The sheep asked.

The alpacas TOOK!

Apparently, the pandan fragrance was still lingering on my hands. The alpacas caught the scent and decided I must be hiding more goodies somewhere.

Next thing I knew, they were following me around and pulling at my cardigan!

Me: "OI! PANDAN LEAVES CAN EAT! MY CARDIGAN CANNOT LAH!"

Alpacas: Sniff, sniff…

Me: "NO MORE ALREADY! FINISHED!"

But these fluffy inspectors weren't convinced.

And the funniest part?

Hubby and Son were perfectly safe.

Nobody disturbed them.

Nobody pulled their clothes.

Me: "WHY DON'T YOU GO DISTURB THE MEN?!"

Maybe the alpacas thought I was the official pandan supplier.

They kept coming after me, and I didn't even dare take out my phone to snap a photo!

Imagine trying to take a beautiful picture while a gang of hungry alpacas was chasing you.

"OI! LET ME TAKE ONE PHOTO FIRST CAN OR NOT?!"

Forget photography. Better protect my cardigan!

By then, my pandan leaves were gone, my cardigan had been pulled, and my peaceful feeding session had turned into an unexpected adventure.

If I had to make a police report…

Officer: "What happened, Madam?"

Me: "I kena robbed!"

Officer: "Description of suspects?"

Me: "Very fluffy. Long necks. Several of them."

Officer: "Madam…?"

Me: "I KENA ROBBED BY ALPACAS LAH!"

And that, my friends, is how a simple sheep-feeding session turned into The Great Pandan Robbery of Cameron Highlands!

Pandan leaves? CAN! My cardigan? CANNOT! And keep that mouth away from my camera!

Please Don't Spit at Me!

As if having my cardigan pulled by pandan-hungry alpacas wasn't enough, another thought suddenly entered my head.

WAIT A MINUTE… DON'T ALPACAS SPIT?!

From that moment onwards, I became very suspicious of every alpaca that looked in my direction.

One started chewing.

I watched.

Another lifted its head.

I watched even harder.

Me: "Eh… you chewing pandan only, right?"

Alpaca: Chew, chew, chew.

Me: "Don't anyhow prepare ammunition hor!"

I didn't know whether any of them actually intended to spit at me, but I certainly wasn't going to stand there and find out!

So while Hubby and Son could happily enjoy themselves, I was busy protecting my cardigan and keeping one eye on every alpaca mouth within firing distance.

The caretakers?

Still laughing.

Need ice cream to calm my nerves!

Why So Few Photos?

Looking back at this visit, I realised I really didn't take many photos.

Normally, give me an attraction and my phone will be working overtime — near shot, far shot, left side, right side, up, down… everything also must take!

But this time?

Cannot lah!

Every time I wanted to take out my phone, there seemed to be an alpaca somewhere nearby watching me.

After having my cardigan pulled because of the pandan fragrance on my hands, I wasn't about to take any chances with my phone!

Me: "This one cannot eat. Also cannot steal."

Alpaca: Stares.

Me: "Don't look. NO!"

So instead of being the photographer, I became Security Officer for My Own Cardigan!

Meanwhile, Hubby and Son were perfectly fine.

Me: "How come nobody disturb the two of you?!"

Hubby: "……"

Son: "……"

Me: "WHY I ALWAYS GET CHOSEN?!"

A Visit to Remember

The sheep were sweet, the alpacas were a little too friendly, and somehow I became their chosen pandan supplier for the day.

We may not have taken many photos, but we certainly came away with plenty of memories.

Sometimes the best travel stories are the ones we never planned for.

And most importantly…

I left The Sheep Sanctuary with my cardigan, phone and dignity still more or less intact!

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West Malaysia 2024 — Amsterdam Café

West Malaysia 2024 — Watercress Valley

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West Malaysia 2024 — Rainbow Garden

From Furry Friends to Steamboat Delights!

Mama said, “Makan!” No time to delay,

Goodbye, furry friends, we're on our way!
Fresh greens and steamboat, bubbling away,
Four hungry tummies — hooray, hooray!

Finally, Mama Won!

After a couple of days of eating rather rich food, Mama had been patiently waiting for her turn to decide what we should eat.

And finally… Mama won!

Son: “We've been eating rich food for the past few days. Today we eat vegetables lah.”

Mama: “Yes! Eat vegetables good!”

Me: “Wah, today Ah Ma's suggestion got supporter already!”

Hubby: “Then where are we going?”

Son: “Cameron Highlands is famous for its fresh vegetables, right? Might as well enjoy them while we're here.”

Mama: “Good! Vegetables!”

Me: “Okay lor… today we let Mama have her veggie feast!”

And so, our makan destination was decided — Watercress Valley!

A steaming hotpot surrounded by heaps of fresh vegetables awaited us.

Me: “Wah, today very healthy woh!”

Son: “Balance mah.”

Hubby: “Wait until you start throwing everything into the steamboat!”

Mama: “Never mind! Eat more vegetables!”

And for once, Mama didn't have to ask, “Makan makan where?”

She had won the food election!

Suddenly, The Hills Were Alive… 

Getting to the restaurant came with one little challenge — that entrance slope.

It might not look like much in the photo, but with Mama in her wheelchair, going down it definitely got my kancheong meter working overtime. 

But never mind… I’ll come back to that slope later. Let’s just say going down was only half the story. 

After all the huffing, puffing and what felt like an arm-wrestling match with that slope, we finally reached the restaurant.

Then we looked around.

Wah… suddenly everything was worth it. ❤️

The cool Cameron Highlands air, the rolling green hills, vegetable terraces stretching across the slopes and the restaurant sitting right in the middle of all that greenery — it honestly felt as though we had walked straight into a picture.

Me: “Soooo beautiful…”

Son: “Just now who was complaining about the slope?”

Me: “That was just now. Different department.” 

Hubby: “Very nice view.”

Mama: “Nice… nice…”

For once, even Mama wasn't immediately asking about food. 

Standing there admiring the scenery, I suddenly felt like bursting into song:

🎶 “The hills are alive…” 🎶

Son: “Mum… please.”

Hubby: 👀 “Here she goes again.”

Me: “What? The scenery got Sound of Music feeling mah!” 

After our little battle with the slope, this peaceful view was the perfect reward.

Tired arms, sweaty faces… but very happy hearts. 

Sometimes a place makes you work a little harder to reach it — and then gives you a view that makes you forget all the huffing and puffing along the way. 

Even The Empty Bottles Got A Second Life 🍺

While looking around, one little decoration caught my eye — rows and rows of empty beer bottles neatly arranged together.

Normally, an empty beer bottle is just… well, an empty beer bottle. But put so many of them together in neat rows and suddenly they became part of the restaurant décor.

Me: “Eh, quite nice leh!”

Son: “They're just empty bottles, Mum.”

Me: “One bottle is an empty bottle. Many bottles arranged nicely is ART.” 

Hubby: “You also want to take photo?”

Me: “Of course! Nice arrangement what!”

And so, while everyone else was admiring the hills, the food and the scenery…

I was admiring empty beer bottles. 

Sometimes it's the simplest little details that make you stop, look twice and reach for the camera.

Now… About That Very Tall Hotpot!

Once we had admired enough scenery—or rather, once everyone else had admired enough scenery—it was finally time to concentrate on our steamboat.

Mama sat staring at the tall chimney hotpot in the middle of the table with great curiosity.

Mama: “Wah… why this one so tall?”

She studied it from top to bottom as though trying to figure out whether we were supposed to eat from it or climb it. 

Meanwhile, Hubby had disappeared to investigate the condiments.

Son was completely occupied with the ingredients, happily mixing and matching what should go into the hotpot next.

Son: “This one put first… vegetables later… eh, where's the mushroom?”

Everybody had a job.

Mama — Hotpot Inspection Department. 

Hubby — Condiment Research Department. 

Son — Steamboat Operations Manager. 

And me?

I was still mentally standing somewhere on a Cameron Highlands hillside…

Me: 🎶 “The hills are aliiiiive…” 🎶

Son stopped what he was doing.

Son: “Mum… we are eating already.”

Me: 🎶 “With the sound of musiiiiic…”

Son: “Mum… PLEASE.” 😑

Hubby returned with his condiments.

Hubby: “She still singing ah?”

Son: “Yah.”

Mama: “Food can eat already or not?” 

And just like that, The Sound of Music was officially cancelled by the Steamboat Committee. 

Fine lah.

The hills could stay alive by themselves. I had vegetables to eat. 

What Goes Down… Must Somehow Come Back Up! 

The slope leading down to Watercress Valley may not look terribly steep in the photo, but trust me - that slope was STEEP. And DOWN we had to go… with Mama in her wheelchair. 

Thankfully, Mama had her safety belt securely fastened, and Son took control of the wheelchair from behind.

Me: “Wah… quite steep leh.”

Son: “Never mind, I control. Slowly.”

Mama, meanwhile, sat comfortably like a VIP passenger while the rest of us concentrated on getting her safely downhill.

Me: “Slowly ah! Slowly ah!”

Son: “I know lah, Mum.”

Me: “I know you know… but I still must say!” 

By the time we reached the bottom safely, I could finally breathe again.

Me: “Lucky ah…”

Mama: 😌 “Makan?”

Of course. She was the only relaxed passenger in this whole operation. 

And Hubby?

Me: “Eh… where is your father?”

Son: “Behind lah.”

Me: “GOOD. MAKE SURE HE DON'T DISAPPEAR. LATER NEED MANPOWER!” 

Little did I know how prophetic that sentence would be.

Going downhill was nerve-racking, but at least gravity was helping us.

It was only after our steamboat meal that we realised something very important…

Me: “Errr… just now we came DOWN this slope, right?”

Son: “Yah.”

Me: “Which means now…”

Both of us looked uphill.

“…WE HAVE TO PUSH MAMA BACK UP?!” 😱

Full stomach, steep slope, wheelchair, uphill…

What a wonderful combination. 

We pushed and pushed, and very quickly I felt like my entire steamboat lunch was being burned off on the spot.

Me: “Aiyooo… cannot already!”

Son: “Push! Push!”

Mama: 👵🏻 “Can or not?”

Me: “Mama, you just sit nicely! Your transport department is dying!” 

Luckily, two kind male employees saw us struggling and came over to help. With the extra manpower, we finally managed to get Mama and her wheelchair safely back up the slope.

THANK GOODNESS. ❤️

Mama: “Okay already?”

Me: 🥵 “Mama… YOU okay. We nearly need wheelchair now.” 

There. Hubby reinstated into the family. 

So yes, we went to Watercress Valley for a healthy vegetable steamboat…

…and received a free post-lunch workout on the way out. 

Looks Harmless… Until You Have A Wheelchair! 😅♿



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West Malaysia 2024 — Sheep Sanctuary

West Malaysia 2024 — Rainbow Garden

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West Malaysia 2024 — Cameron Valley Tea Plantation

Furry Friends & Feathered Surprises!

Fluffy alpacas, little birds so bright,
Rainbow Garden was a cheerful sight.
Aunty came to feed them, just for fun,
But who was more excited? Everyone!

A Little Animal Detour Before Lunch

After all that up and down, left and right on the Cameron Highlands roads, our stomachs had already been on quite an adventure!

Son: “Before lunch, why don't we go to the animal farm first?”

Me: “Good idea! Walk around a bit first. Heavy lunch now is a no-no.”

Hubby: “Can lah, go and see animals.”

Mama: “Animal farm ah?”

So off we went to the Animal Feeding Rainbow Garden for some furry and feathered fun!

Alpacas, peacocks, birds and hamsters sounded like a lovely change from those winding mountain roads.

But there was just one tiny problem...

We had brought Mama along!

And everybody knew Mama's internal lunch alarm didn't care about alpacas, peacocks or hamsters.

Tick… tick… tick…

The animals could wait. But could Mama's lunch?

Who's More Excited — Me or the Animals?

The moment I saw the animals, somebody forgot how to walk properly.

Me, of course!

Me: “HELLOOOO! So cute!”

Son: “Ma, where you going?”

Me: “THERE GOT MORE!”

Off I went, from alpacas to sheep, peacocks, birds and little furry creatures. Like a child let loose in a playground!

Hubby: “You slow down lah. The animals not running away.”

Me: “I know! But I think they like me leh.”

Son: “Ma… I think they like the food you're carrying.”

Me: “Same thing lah. Love comes in many forms!”

I remain convinced the animals were genuinely delighted to see me.

The food in my hand was purely coincidental!

Meanwhile, Mama had just one question.

Mama: “Play enough already or not? Later makan, okay?”

🦚: “Okay lah, pretty little you. Happy now?” 

Pretty Please, Mr Peacock!

Then came one of my favourite moments — the peacock!

There he was, looking handsome, but keeping those beautiful feathers firmly closed.

Of course, I couldn't just leave him alone!

Me: “Hellooo, Mr Peacock! Please lah… open up for pretty little me!”

Son: “Ma, you think he understands you ah?”

Me: “Why cannot? Maybe he likes pretty girls!”

Hubby was already laughing.

I continued sweet-talking Mr Peacock.

Me: “Come on lah… just once. Show me your beautiful feathers!”

And suddenly...

WHOOOOSH!

VOILÀ!

His magnificent feathers spread out right in front of me!

Me: “WAH! He really opened!”

Then a worrying thought crossed my mind.

Me: “Eh… wait. He doesn't want to attack me, right?”

Everybody burst out laughing!

Once I realised Mr Peacock wasn't charging at me, my confidence returned immediately.

Me: “SEE! SEE! I TOLD YOU! HE LIKES ME!”

Son: “Or maybe he just wanted you to stop talking.”

Me: “Jealous, say jealous lah!”

Whatever the reason, I'm sticking to my version.

I asked. He delivered. End of story!

When Mama's Stomach Says, “Enough Animals!”

I was still happily wandering around, wondering which furry friend to visit next, when suddenly the most powerful alarm in our family went off!

Mama: “Makan makan… hungry already!”

Me: “Huh? So fast? I haven't finished playing leh!”

Son: “Ma, once Ah Ma says hungry, game over already!”

Me: “But I haven't said goodbye to all my friends!”

Hubby: “Your friends won't run away lah. Go makan first.”

Mama: “Yes lah, makan more important!”

And just like that, our Animal Feeding Rainbow Garden adventure came to an end.

No last round.

No negotiation.

No chance to appeal.

MAMA'S STOMACH HAD SPOKEN!

ANIMAL TOUR TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY!

Wishing Our Furry & Feathered Friends Well

This little farm left me with some very sweet memories. I certainly enjoyed every moment spent with my furry and feathered friends.

I sincerely hope the farm continues to do well, and that all its little residents remain happy, healthy and well cared for.

And of course, I hope Mr Peacock has plenty more WHOOOOSH! performances waiting for future visitors!

Till We Meet Again, Furry Friends!

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West Malaysia 2024 — Cameron Valley Tea Plantation

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West Malaysia 2024 — Ipoh Makan & Shopping Finds

Left, Right… STOP THE CAR!

Left, right, left, right, which way to go?
Round the winding hills, taking it slow.
“STOP THE CAR!” Aunty cried with glee,
At last, green hills and endless tea!

Goodbye Ipoh… Cameron Highlands, Here We Come!

After exploring Ipoh, it was time to leave the city behind and head towards the cool hills of Cameron Highlands.

Me: “Okay everybody, next stop — Cameron Highlands!”

Son: “Still got quite a drive leh.”

Me: “Never mind lah. Sit in the car only mah, how difficult can it be?”

Famous last words.

At first, everything was fine. Then we started climbing.

Curve here… curve there…

Left… right… left… right…

Me: “Aiyoh, why this road never straight one?!”

Hubby: “Mountain road what.”

“EVERYBODY SECURE YOUR LOOSE BODY PARTS!”

Me: “Curve again!! Hold on!”

Hubby: “Sit properly lah.”

Son: “Mum, we're only turning.”

Mama: Sitting peacefully in her seat, watching the circus again.

Everybody suffering, and she looked like she'd bought front-row tickets to the Cameron Highlands roller coaster!

Little did we know, the curves were only the appetiser.

One Hour Up… Then Turn Back?!

We had already been winding our way uphill for almost an hour, dreaming of the cool Cameron Highlands mountain air.

Curve here, curve there, left bend, right bend...

Then suddenly, we discovered there was a detour because of a road cave-in!

Me: “Okay lor, detour… how?”

Hubby: “Have to turn back.”

Me: “TURN BACK?! We already drive ONE HOUR uphill leh!”

Son: “Need to use another route.”

Me: “Another route means start climbing all over again ah?!”

At that moment, I think my soul got out of the car and continued to Cameron Highlands by itself!

So down we went again, before taking another route and starting our uphill adventure Part Two.

By the time we finally reached the top, forget about taking lots of photos.

Our bodies arrived, but our heads were still somewhere inside the clouds!

Hubby: “We're here.”

Me: “Good. Please collect my brain from somewhere along the first route.”

Then I saw the beautiful tea plantation.

Then I saw the scones.

Me: “Wahhhh…”

Me: “Okay… head slowly coming back already.”

Son: “Because you saw food.”

Me: “Correct. Scone is my recovery medicine!”

Me: “Okay. Everything forgiven!”

A Long Road… But Worth the Scones!

Son: “Hungry already.”

Mama: “Makan makan!”

Ahhh… the two magic words that could revive this family!

So we sat down, ordered our tea and scones, and finally enjoyed the cool Cameron Highlands air, surrounded by beautiful green hills.

Me: “After travelling so far, this scone better be good.”

Hubby: “Just eat lah.”

Me: “Cannot. This is not ordinary scone.”

Son: “Then what?”

Me: “SURVIVAL SCONE!”

Looking back, perhaps that's why we didn't take many photos that day. We were too busy surviving the journey — curve here, curve there, detour here, turn back there.

If anyone had dentures, I think the dentures would have reached Cameron Highlands before us!

Luckily, Mama had nothing to worry about.

Mama: “Lucky ah, I got no teeth!”

And with our stomachs full, our heads finally back where they belonged, and everyone's teeth accounted for, we continued our Cameron Highlands adventure.

What a journey… but at least there were scones waiting at the end of it!

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