The last couple of days have been spent in the Cameron Highlands. A highland area east of Penang. It is a complete change from the coastal areas that I have been traveling through up to this point. It is cool, incredibly wet, and mountainous. Much more like Northern Vietnam than anywhere recent. The rains come on the regular in the early afternoon and tend to wrap up by 5. But once you figure that out and prepare it is a welcome chnage from the humid heat of the coast. The area is littered with strawberry farms and the fresh produce is amazing. So much to choose from, all so fresh and good. Excellent dried mango as well.
Yesterday, we hiked through the jungle to one of the highest points in the area. The view was in constant flux. The clouds would roll in and out so quickly a vista would reveal itself and instantly disappear. On one bluff we stared out into the mist wondering how far the drop was, how far the view was if unobstructed. As the mist cleared the view was for miles clear and a massive drop off the cliff. Near the top of the trail is the mossy forest. An old growth forest with a slightly raised walkway through the trees. After the hike we went down the hill through a massive tea plantation and on to a bee farm. Quite a bit of hiking but the landscape was beautiful.
Today we went to see the Rafflesia "flowers". Billed as the largest flower in the world. As I learned today, they are not a flower, but a fungus. And as a fungus, they are not the largest. But still, quite impressive. Also because it is not a flower it does not need sunlight to bloom and therefore a can "bloom" on the forest floor. They are massive. Almost a meter across and the center section larger than a basketball. To attract insects they have as slight odor of rotting meat. It wasnt very strong, but it wasnt pleasant either. A fair amount of flies can attest to the accuracy of the small. As I learned today, they only bloom for about 7-10 at a time. Guides walk through the forest marking the bulbs so they can track which flowers will be in bloom and when. Today there were two flowers in full bloom. And a variety of bulbs from golf ball to soft ball size.
The flower blooms kind of like a cabbage. Leaves wrap around in a ball and slowly expand over 9 months. Eventually it falls open revealing a large central cavity with a spiky pistil like center.
the hike also included a lot of wonderful flowers and insects that were around every turn. After the hike we had a brief blowgun demonstration and target practice. I was the only person able to bullseye the target. So if school doesnt work out I might have a career chance in the monkey hunting business.
Tomorrow is the bus to Butterworth and time to head back to Thailand for a month of boxing camp. Then time for Australia.
Yesterday, we hiked through the jungle to one of the highest points in the area. The view was in constant flux. The clouds would roll in and out so quickly a vista would reveal itself and instantly disappear. On one bluff we stared out into the mist wondering how far the drop was, how far the view was if unobstructed. As the mist cleared the view was for miles clear and a massive drop off the cliff. Near the top of the trail is the mossy forest. An old growth forest with a slightly raised walkway through the trees. After the hike we went down the hill through a massive tea plantation and on to a bee farm. Quite a bit of hiking but the landscape was beautiful.
Today we went to see the Rafflesia "flowers". Billed as the largest flower in the world. As I learned today, they are not a flower, but a fungus. And as a fungus, they are not the largest. But still, quite impressive. Also because it is not a flower it does not need sunlight to bloom and therefore a can "bloom" on the forest floor. They are massive. Almost a meter across and the center section larger than a basketball. To attract insects they have as slight odor of rotting meat. It wasnt very strong, but it wasnt pleasant either. A fair amount of flies can attest to the accuracy of the small. As I learned today, they only bloom for about 7-10 at a time. Guides walk through the forest marking the bulbs so they can track which flowers will be in bloom and when. Today there were two flowers in full bloom. And a variety of bulbs from golf ball to soft ball size.
The flower blooms kind of like a cabbage. Leaves wrap around in a ball and slowly expand over 9 months. Eventually it falls open revealing a large central cavity with a spiky pistil like center.
the hike also included a lot of wonderful flowers and insects that were around every turn. After the hike we had a brief blowgun demonstration and target practice. I was the only person able to bullseye the target. So if school doesnt work out I might have a career chance in the monkey hunting business.
Tomorrow is the bus to Butterworth and time to head back to Thailand for a month of boxing camp. Then time for Australia.
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