SengkangBabies, Author at Sengkang Babies

Our last Cameron Highlands trip was back in 2005.
Recently, we got an invitation to review Strawberry Park Resort’s newly renovated suites.

Together with Patrick 大舅’s family, we drove 550Km to Cameron highlands. After almost 8 hours, we arrived tired and hungry 🙂

The surrounding feels cool, relaxing and Shiok, look at Yi’s leg over Daddy’s !
Daddy can actually doze off in the balcony.

The journey itself is always part of the fun, including getting lost for around 1 hour near Sepang/Klang area !

If you are curious about reaching Cameron Highlands, look out for Exit 214 Nilai (along North South Highway), then head in the direction of KLIA airport, Shah Alam, and finally Ipoh.

Only when we reach foot of Cameron Highlands, did we realised the climb up will take an excruciating 1 hour. The actual distance is short, but contains numerous bends and narrow roads. Overtaking is a skill.

We quickly check into our room (Fresno Suite), which comes with two rooms and a hugh hall, allowing our active kids to run around 🙂

Secretly, we all hope to laze on the comfortable bed..

We live on the second floor, and we understand some window views offer spectacular mountain ranges. Ours can see some trees and hills only 🙂

First impression is there are a lot of flowers and ferns surrounding our resort. Love the green and cool surroundings, away from the bustling city life !

We head back to Jim Thomson restaurant for our welcome reception.

Our refreshing Orange Welcome drink 🙂 Love the delicious English pie.

Kids enjoy the view from the restaurant’s balcony and occasional cold breeze. We suspect the temperature is about 23 to 25 degrees.

While kids are enjoying their food, Saraj brought Daddy around the resort for an orientation. We got a chance to sample all the food at Strawberry’s F&B outlets, and we will share more on Day 2 and 3’s posts 🙂

You would notice most of the lighting around Strawberry Park resort is kept dim. This helps to recreate the sombre ambience of an English Cottage.

For more F&B and facilities listings, do pop by Strawberry’s link. Heated pool anyone?

Tioga Suite is hugh and luxurious for 2 adults and 2 kids. You can gather the room details at Strawberry’s website.

.. and Studio Suite. Love the black Marble finish in all the suites’ washroom. A touch of luxury and class.

After a short rest, time for dinner at Strawberry Court Thai restaurant.

We suspect our kids are loving Cameron already. The cold weather allows them to run more, without breaking a sweat.

We spotted a Mandrayu Spa sanctuary and a playground along the way.

It is a nice “warm and cold” feeling to enjoy our Hot Steamboat in cold weather.

Our sumptuous seafood steamboat dinner. We were so busy eating Daddy forgot to take snapshots of the fresh vegetables.

This is only day 1. We guarantee Day 2 and 3 will be more exciting 🙂
Do pop by our photos album :
– Day 1, – Day 2, – Day 3

3D2N Itinerary :
— Day 1 – Strawberry Park Resorts amenities
— Day 2 – Strawberry Farms and Tea plantation
— Day 3 – Glorious Sunrise at Brinchang

* Driving tips for Malaysia

Our 3D2N albums is already uploaded on our Fanpage.

We end Day 1 with some tips to reach Cameron Highlands, if you have more recommendations, do share with us.

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Driving tips for Cameron Highlands trip :

– From Singapore, head towards Exit 214 (Nilai), then look for Shah Alam/Ipoh direction. It will take you about 6 hours to reach foot of Cameron highlands (Exit 132 Tapah). For first timers to hill resorts, Exit 137 Simpang Pulai is recommended. It is extra 30 to 45 mins to climb up Cameron Highlands, but less bends, thus less vomits. Some say the scenery along Simpang Pulai route is nicer.

(Map from http://www.malaxi.com/highway_express/plus_expressways_map.html)

– Take note the climb up Cameron highlands trip will take one hour
=== === === ===

ps.. we would like to thanks the Management of Strawberry Park Resorts
(and PR Rouge Communications) for graciously hosting us over our 3D2N stay.

Daddy attended an orientation for non-Muslims to understand more about our Muslim friends, their beliefs, culture and the significance of Ramadan.

Living in Singapore, we sometimes take Racial-harmony for granted. We fail to understand that in other countries, some religion can be treated as demonic in the media, or worse, you can be humiliated or harm for simply belonging to another religion.

Under Brother Jason, we went through an orientation about Islam, Muslim and why do Muslim Fast.

Islam is a peace loving religion. Personally, Daddy beleves all Religions teach us to be good, we all need an open heart.

We have a German in our group and he relates how media has brandish Islam as a evil cult in the western world. He first came across a Muslim in Australia. When the Muslim starts chanting his prayers, our German friend and spouse got a shock ! They did not know that Muslims can be peaceful.

In Singapore, he quickly sign up for the Ramanda trials to understand more about Islam faith. He really appreciates Singapore’s multi ethnicity, where everyone is free to practice our own faith and beliefs.

Through the class, we also learn :
– when we bow and let our forehead touch the ground, we are letting go of our ego. Be humble.
– with our palms up, we surrender ourselves to a higher being. Open our heart and our mind.

– when we pray to God, we pray for forgiveness. We pray to be a better person.
– “Intention” is always more important than “Action”. As long as our Intention is sincere, we can help those around us.

– Sometimes, we can hear the morning prayer calls originating from the Mosques.
In the old days, Arabic was the common language, and when we hear the verses being broadcast, the prophet is actually calling for All to come and pray together. Praying is not exclusive for Muslims only.

What is Ramadan, and why is it so important for Muslims?

Why do Muslims fast? We get to know a little bit more about certain practices.

Life is good in Singapore, and we take a lot of things for granted. Do we know how it feels to go hungry? During Ramadan, whether you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, Muslims fast to identify with the less fortunate. During Fasting, Muslims experience hunger pangs, sore throat, experience what it is like, to be hungry.

Muslims breaks their fast with a date. Fasting allows one to appreciate our food more.

Non-Muslims have fasted too (although for shorter period). Remember how we have to abstain from food and water for six hours before our medical procedure? We feel hungry and thirsty when we recover right? Our Muslim friends keep to their faith, and fast for one month.

Remember, when we complain about food choices, “where and what to eat”, someone might not even know whether there is a “next” meal 🙁

For the second part of Ramdan trials, we tour the Mosque compound.

We did not know that Sultan Mosque can house 5000 people !

Love the stately domes surrounding the Mosque. The domes will be illuminated with blue and green light at intervals.

Break Fast together with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We all huddle around a hugh plate of rice. If you wish, you can eat direct from the plate with your right hand 🙂

Thank you Sultan Mosque, and our friends for the orientation. Daddy really got to know more about Islam and Muslims. For more photos, do pop by SengkangBabies’ fanpage album. Daddy will recommend that you pop by our friends ( PY and Rose ) blog account of Ramadan trails too 🙂

If Daddy should have mis-interpreted anything, please let him know so that he can amend.
Otherwise, Daddy would like to encourage more to participate in inter-faiths exchange.

To our Muslim friends, we wish you Selamat Hari Raya in advance.

Author: SengkangBabies

Ramadan Trials at Sultan Mosque