The Alternative Cameron Highlands

Because we are too old and weary or perhaps too kiamsiap / kedekut / parsimonious we avoided the recommended sights of this hill resort.

Instead we discovered almost similar scenes and more, without venturing too far.This is the mini strawberry 'farm' near Tanah Rata's bus station.

What a wee vegetable plot - cultivated by the roadside.

The other green view - before the tea plantation took over.

As for the Flower Gardens we found them scattered here and there. Most of them were undomesticated. Some have been planted with no pecuniary objectives in mind. Here they are in pink and white and red and yellow.




However, these tenacious plants deserve our respect!



These are also survivors of 'development and progress' - but their fates are sealed -The Beautiful Wild Orchid and the Senduduk. They will probably find themselves transported to the Plant Nurseries to be propagated and marketed for suburban gardens.

More and more the habitat of such plants and creatures of the wild will be over-run by these.This is the Three-in-One scenario

The Plastic Bag Garden

The Electric Culinary Interloper

We are supposed to be Allah's Khalifahs (Stewards), protecting and nurturing our Earth. But we have gone too far in our obsession with 'development' and self-gratification. We ravage earth's bounties and leave no room for other inhabitants of the forests or the oceans.

And I am also culpable because of my lifestyle, like seeking to escape to the cool highland forests - however much I try to leave a light footprint.