s u n n y s i d e u p.

Today , I visited the Highlands on the decision made the previous night. To cut a long story short, the sunrise from Genting Highlands was the ultimate aim. So early in the morning, before sun rise, I was already on the road up to Genting.

It was kind of disappointing because I was expecting it to be very misty- (I love them mist !) -- but it wasn't.

....naver can get enough of this....

But the crisp cool air more than make up for it ! (Oh how I miss the temperate weather of UK !) . Anyway, parked the car and took a walk to enjoy that cool fresh air.

Walking in front of one of the hotels ( don't ask me for the names because I can never remember and put the names to any of the building ), there were a few cars with their engines running -- and then it hit me --deja vu ! -it is incredibly insane --but the mixture of the fumes from the engines and the cool air sort of send a very familiar feelings in me ! It so reminded me of my student days in Hull when I would wait in a bus at the bus-terminal to get home. The driver would leave the engine on and it was that fume and cool air that I was so used to as I sat and waited for the bus to take me home. Oh well---enough of that nostalgia ....

....that sun-rise....

Finally from the fourth floor of a building I saw what came for. I couldn't tear myself away from the window, went down to the small garden and had a breath-taking moment of appreciating God's creation in all its splendour !

By 8.30am--I had what I came for and left for the lower grounds !

....the breath-taking sight ..

That spontaneous feeling hit me again. I decided to go up to Fraser's Hills then, -which must have been a good 100 km. away. AND I DID JUST THAT !

...at the dam...

So, deciding to take one of the lesser known roads, I hit the long and winding road , by-passing Rawang, pass the Serendah Golf Club and headed towards Kuala Kubu Baru. On the way, I hit a bonus in the form of a massive dam (didn't quite know the name) and an equally massive man-made lake. Phew---what a sight !

Finally went on my way to Frasers. I was looking forward to a meal in place called The Tavern. The town Centre is a small quaint place. It has a small roundabout (if you can call it that) with a clock-tower of about 15 meters high. The Tavern is very 'English' in its design and it has this balcony where you can have a meal overlooking the roundabout, garden and lil old structures in the cool air which resembles ( well, nearly..) the English summer.

So with that in my head---I drove up eagerly. Looking forward to a nice meal and hot cup of tea !

...the signs at the foot-hills ...

But then---HORRORS !!!!!

All the vision in my head fizzled out---- . Apparently there is a major renovation project going on at all the tourist attractions ! In short, no Tavern, no tea, no balcony---nothing ! I was told that all the renovation would only be completed in June. I went to the Tourist Centre to find out if there was any other place I could have my meal . Anwer ? NONE !. So I blew my top telling them that they could have a big notice informing tourist of this at the foothill when I waited for my turn to drive up.

..waiting for my turn to drive up..

....flowers of Frasers...

But I didn't let that spoil my day. (But I admit I had to pull everything I got to be very patient) Maybe it was the cool air that made me kept my cool. Yes, it was so cool although the sun was shining brightly.. You didn't need any sweaters but the cool air did compensate for the sunlight in a strange way, and this strange mixture sort of did remind me of an almost English summer. So, --- and inspite of the set-back, I enjoyed the short stay up in Frasers.

Anyway, good thing it was already past mid-day when I drove back to hot dusty and polluted Kuala Lumpur. Who knows, had it been earlier, my spontaneous nature mught even make me drive even further north to the next Highland --Cameron Highland. Haaa---but that would have to be another time I guess ... (God knows when......)

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# posted by sunnyside up @ 4:33 PM