Malaysian National Holiday

We are sitting on the plane on our way to KL when we realize that this weekend is Malaysian National Independence Day. They became a nation 62 years ago. We know that means tons more people will be out and about enjoying the holiday. We just rolled our eyes at each other--we did this LAST YEAR! We went to Panang on a holiday.  Well, too late now--so we grumbled our way through.  We hired a driver to take us to a few locations today to see some sights. We purposely left the hotel really early, at 8am to try to beat the crowds. It worked for about the first 3 hours and then traffic became a nightmare. We decided to just go back to hotel and by that time it took over 45 mins to go 2 kilometers.  We are walking the rest of weekend!! But we did see some fun sites.

 A tea plantation that was so picturesque climbing all across the mountainsides. Dates back to 1927 when Brits first invested in the Highlands. Our driver talked about his grandfather coming from India with his family to work on this plantation. He lived and worked here until he had enough money to buy land and then he returned to his homeland. Obviously his kids stayed here and are Malaysian now.

And then a drive to the tallest point one can actually drive to, which is a national park called Mosey Forest. A see-forever view.

Cameron Highlands Resort

And of course I had to have a massage at the resort spa.

And we visited a strawberry farm. Apparently Cameron Highlands produces strawberries all year around. Now I understand how that is possible. All in greenhouses, in "bags" that are individually watered and fertilized and climate controlled.  There are many of these farms in the area. Acres and acres of greenhouses up and down the sides of these hills.

Cameron Highlands Malaysian weekend

At the airport waiting for flight to Kuala Lumpur. 

4 hour drive to  Cameron Highlands. Getting cooler by the mile. The town of Tanah Rata is at 5000 ft, the heart of the Highlands. We are going to need a jacket here. What a refreshing change.

Our lovely room

We enjoyed a "Steamboat" dinner at the hotel. Its Malaysian version of a Hotpot. Very fun and delicious.  Order meats, load up on vegetables and noodles and then cook it yourself at your table in your choice of simmering broth. We shared, one was a bit spicy, another not so much.

After it was dark we walked into town to Night Market. Very busy, lots of people enjoying the market. Strawberries sold everywhere. Must be the thing right now.

A rose on my turned down bed!

Met up with Denise for lunch at "Vivo City" at Crystal Jade's Dine-In restaurant. The food was delicious but mostly it was so fun to connect with long time friend--her family were neighbors in Minnesota--another life away!!  What a lovely lady.

Will and I went to Singapore National Museum. Chronicals the history of Singapore but also a beautiful building that survived the great War.

One display showed family life in the 50's and I remember having this game. We threw dice to build our bug. Only we called the game "Cootie."

Found a food hall for lunch

Another pic of Aeri on the bus in the morning.

"Forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, are the main cause of the haze in Singapore.  Strong winds during the southwest monsoon season (usually between June and September), which usually coincides with periods of El Niño-related weather conditions, help spread the haze produced by such fires throughout Southeast Asia."

  That's what the local newspaper, The Straits Times, says. Late this afternoon it was especially evident, in fact we could smell the smoke in the air as sat out on the patio eating dinner this evening.

Jurong Bird Park

Its Saturday and a day at the Bird Park is in order. Its Singapore's Bird Zoo. Aeri was looking forward to going all week.

Feeding the Lorikeets was the most fun. When one flew in and landed on her head to get some nectar, Aeri giggled her head off.  He stayed there and drank for a good minute!

And Penguins. Was really fun to see the exotic birds through the eyes of an excited 5 year old.

"Floral Fantasy" is the latest thematic attraction at Gardens by the Bay. In fact it just opened 3 months ago. A new under dome, climate controlled floral experience to add to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Dome. This one is geared to artistic floral displays.

And it just goes on and on!

Doesn't show well on a picture, but you walk through these curtains of falling water and never get wet, just the illusion of walking into it.

Gazillion orchids, but then there was this endless bed of roses.

We did spend an hour or so in  the Flower Dome 

also which features plants

 from all over the world.

A peacock with a tail of orchids

Orchids, orchids everywhere! Gardens by the Bay is just this special place in Singapore.  Just a feel good place!

View from inside Flower Dome of "Supertrees" in the distance

Changi Airport

Changi Airport is noted as being one of the best airports in the world. It is written up in articles all the time about how great it is and how much of a pleasant experience traveling through Singapore is. It has won all kinds of design and landscape awards. There are lots of entertaining things to occupy a travelers time such as a butterfly garden, a cactus garden, a movie theater and a fitness center.  Will and I decided to go out there this morning and check out what all the hoopla is all about. When we fly in and out we don't take time to see anything special.  Unfortunately a lot of good stuff is behind security and truly for people waiting for connections but we did hear about "Jewel" which is accessible to both so that's where we headed.  We weren't sure what we would find as we thought it might be just a fancy mall. We found ourselves walking around with our mouths open the whole time.

  In the middle of this shopping and dining complex is the world's highest indoor water fall, gardens, topiaries, kids play areas and a virtual forest!

You can see from this angle that trains connecting the various terminals are dwarfed by this stylish waterfall.

5 floors of shopping and dining surround this center atrium so we walked our legs off finding everything.

Flower topiary 

Made out of coconuts and coconut husks.

It's a big place but just driving up to it you see it's all pretty impressive. (Still takes a long time to clear customs though.)

Dinner at Crystal Jade Palace

An evening at Crystal Jade's premiere Singapore restaurant, called the Palace. We enjoyed a promotional set menu especially designed by Master Chef. Pretty fancy, I will have to say.

Pan-seared Foie Gras. ( was delicious, who knew)

Presentation is everything! This is poached grouper served in a paper bowl nestled in a special paper-bowl-holder, kept hot with tea candle.

Tiger Prawn

Master Chef Martin Foo