Pahang - Braving the congestion in Cameron Highland

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal..." - Martin Luther King, Jr 

(Cool highland weather in Cameron Highlands)

It is not the best time to visit Cameron Highlands during this time of the year.

With the relaxation of restrictions for cross border travelling during the CMCO, we decided to drive to Kelantan taking the Sungai Koyan road to Cameron Highlands then to Gua Musang. It was a relaxing drive in the beginning until we entered Cameron Highlands main road through Ringlet when the traffic started to slow down. Massive traffic congestion in Cameron Highlands during long public holidays or long weekends is not uncommon.

From Ringlet to Blue Valley Kampung Raja, tourists flocked the famous tourist attractions and cars were parked recklessly along the road, making the traffic completely paralysed. A short distance of a few kilometres would require hours to reach.

We tried to stop at the Tea Houses along the route but they were overly crowded and people were not complying to the SOP of social distancing. We were stuck in the crawl for almost four hours. By 4.30 pm we managed to break away from the jam and stopped at a road-side restaurant and had our very late lunch. We made a brief prayer stop at Masjid al-Huda, Kampung Raja as the mosques in Cameron Highlands were closed to tourist. At Masjid al-Huda we performed our prayers along the corridor as the main prayer hall was locked. Traffic from Brinchang to Gua Musang via Lojing road was bearable even though it was raining all the way.

It was already dark when we arrived in Gua Musang. Before we checked in at Goa Inn, we visited the famous unfinished Masjid Razaleigh in the old town for some photo shots.

(The start of our long tiring journey to Kelantan)

(A few Police road blocks along the way)

(Less traffic on the Bukit Koyan Road)

(The vast green Tea Plantations)

(A welcoming signage in Tanah Rata)

(The start of the traffic Jam)

(A long queue at the Tea Houses)

(Spending hours in the car)

(A short break for a late lunch)

(Nasi Ayam Penyet for hungry tummies)

(This mosque was too crowded)

(Masjid al-Huda Kampung Raja)

(Not many visitors stopping for prayers here)

(A clear bright sky on the mountain road)

(A heavy downpour at Lojing)

(A beautiful rainbow after the rain)

(Majestic Masjid Razaleigh, an unfinished project)