Cameron Highlands - OK Tuck & Strawberry Park Resort

The previous visit to Cameron Highlands was some time in August 2008. Almost a year ago. What better way to release pent-up frustration (with life, work and everything else ...), & escape from the sweltering heat of the lowlands, than a getaway to the Highlands located about an hour from Ipoh?

For a comforting meal to warm the tummy, and appease that hunger pang. Don't you realise one gets hungry REAL quick at higher altitude?

Truthfully, the weather up in Cameron Highlands is far from the idyllic, chilly one from yesteryears. With rampant development, most hills and forests had been paved for plantations, various Valleys (flowers, veges, cactus), hotels/resorts, etc.

Beer Pork Ribs, Belacan Asparagus, Stir-Fried Mixed Mushrooms, and Crispy Roasted Chicken (Kam Heong Chicken)

Arriving at lunch hour, after a tedious drive up the hills, our tummies were growling (no thanks to the spiralling ascend + early breakfasts!) and screaming to be fed.

From Simpang Pulai way, you'll reach the towns of Tringkap, then Brinchang. Since for the 2 previous visits have been T Cafe all the way, we decided to stop at Brinchang before reaching Tanah Rata for lunch.

Little Wok Beancurd with Mixed Vegetables

OK Tuck is more or a less a household name in Cameron Highlands. Serving delectable steamboat sets for lunch and dinner, they can literally whip up a storm with their 'dai chow' dishes as well.

We ordered 5 dishes to be shared amongst 3 of us. A little gluttony at work, but what the heck. We're not keeping our fingers crossed in anticipation of GREAT hotel food anyway. (Which, surprisingly, made me ate my words, as the food at our hotel was beyond our expectation).

The Pork Ribs with Beer tasted almost generic, as with most dishes cooked with beer, stout, or marmite. Sweet-ish, glistening outer coat, with dense meat in the centre. Worth complimenting were the Little Wok Beancurd (at least I think that's what it's called), with lots of greens thrown in for good measure, the gravy was perfect to drench the white rice. Kam Heong Chicken was also commendable, but suffered the harrowing fate of over-generosity in seasoning on behalf of the cook, rendering the dish saltier than desired.

OK Tuck @ 26, Jalan Besar Brinchang, 39100 Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
Tel No : OK Tuck (the boss, of course) - 019-647 7757, or Ling - 012-46105126.

The meal came to Rm56.40 for the three of us. Reasonable, given the location and dishes served. But bear in mind these were small portions. Rather easy to find this restaurant in Brinchang, as coming from Simpang Pulai's directions, you'll see this restaurant on your left, in Brinchang town. You'll know you've reached Brinchang town when tall buildings (and civilization) surround you!

Strawberry Park Resort @ Cameron Highlands - Equipped with an indoor pool, and comfortable rooms with cool, crisp air

Accomodation for the 3 days? The charming Strawberry Park Resort located on a hill (really isolated from the towns) between Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Locating this resort was a breeze, given the multiple signboards along the way. But to reach the resort is hidden from clear view, and one has to drive up the hills to reach this destination. The path is not as treacherous compared to the one leading to Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation.

A larger-than-life bathroom, with a bathtub in the midst, Rustic, wooden furnitures, and a Balcony with bougainvillea flowers

The neo-Tudor design of the resort depicts heavy influence from the British medieval era, preserved until this very day. The slightly off the beaten track location has its advantage as well, with a serene surrounding, cleaner/unpolluted air, and a generally more soothing and cooling environment.

The Lobby, The Bar, The Lounge and the Spa

To imagine a hearty breakfast overlooking the lush greeneries, with cool/fresh air .... Bliss?

All the meals were included in our package (we were attending a Seminar there, in case you're wondering), and served at Jim Thompson Terrace, the resort's in-house dining outlet.

Breakfast to jumpstart the Day

Fire a-blazing - Free show while tucking into one's meal @ Jim Thompson Terrace ....

BBQ Dinner on the Second Day - More Misses than Hits, sadly.

The Sweets to complete the Experience

An interesting note about the meals at Jim Thompson Terrace; They varied their selections from day to day. For instance, for the 1st day, we were served with a Thai-style dinner, with delicious choices such as green curry chicken, tom yam, tab tim krob (yup, that famous Thai dessert), and even sweetened pumpkin & sweet potatoes.

On the second night, we were treated to a feast of BBQ meats (satay, prawns on skewers, otak-otak) pasta cooked on-the-spot, grilled cuts of lamb/beef/chicken, etc. However, the BBQ dinner paled in comparison to the usual offerings, as the meats were not cooked to perfection, with some raw parts (oozing blood), while some overcooked. The pasta (fettucine or spaghetti, cooked with either tomato paste or creamy carbonara) was forgettable as well. Stick to their cooked items, I'd reckon.

The Perilous Journey for RM5 a pop. We were NOT sold.

The Flora & The Fauna

Our stay at Strawberry Park Resort was a thoroughly enjoyable one, the beds were clean and comfortable, carrying us deep into slumberland for both nights, while the food was generally tip-top, with us going overboard most of the times with the servings.

A strange phenomenon happened on the second evening though, when almost the entire Cameron Highlands was engulfed in darkness no thanks to a power trip. But a blackout atop the hills does not sound so bad, as we embraced the non-existence of technologies anyway. With such chilly weather (it rained on the second day), I was tempted to off all the lights and electrical equipments and declared Earth Hour there and then!

But of course, without the Hot Shower, I retracted my thoughts. :)

Still to come - The (Almost) Perfect High Tea .....