PENANG & CAMERON HIGHLANDS (PART 3)

6.15am, we were up & about getting ready to leave for Cameron Highlands, our 2nd trip in 12 months but on two different bikes. Since the hotel did not provide breakfast & we were early birds, we decided to stop at the first mamak we sighted - Pelita (very popular mamak in northern Malaysia and has since spread their wings to Klang Valley). Here's me at the wee hours of the morning in Penang with the green mean machine.

ZacBoy & I outside Pelita Restaurant

Two roti telor and two black coffees later, we are off on the road again. We exited after Ipoh (Simpang Pulai toll exit) as this is the new route to Cameron Highlands. The roads are wider and less winding. The air was fresh and clean. We passed by the aborigines settlement, vegetation enclave and some small villages along the way up. The scene was captivating, what with the rainforest as backdrop....back to nature. Along the way, we saw aborigines set up stalls to sell their crops - petai, durian, chempedak & bamboo shoots.
We then checked into Rosa Pasadena hotel. A hotel we were staying for the very first and most likely the last time. Anyways, we actually stopped at our favourite joint at GOOD TASTE (grd floor of Hotel Titiwangsa at Brinchang) to have our cuppa, lunch & our favourite tarts. Again we ordered strawberry, blueberry cheese and pineapple tarts. We concur that the latter is the best taste of all eventhough all are mouth-watering tasty. And please do order the garlic bread. It is rich with butter and garlic toasted just right. I ate to the last crumb!! For info on this outlet, check out previous blog for contact number. The business must be good as the owner now has 2 foreign helpers. Way to go, GOOD TASTE!
We rested as we couldn't go for a ride to Tanah Rata for it had started to rain. We sat at a coffee shop nearby our hotel to watch the world in front of us go by. When the rain subsided, we decided to have an early dinner. Where else but the Ole Smokehouse, of course!!  

Time stood still here- old smokehouse

SmokeHouse garden               

 

 

 

    It was as if time stood still here since the colonial days. It brought back memories of how the English used to live back then by just wondering into each room which has different settings. I took a handful of pictures but not enough space to place them all here, sadly.
We were ushered to be seated here at the lobby/lounge (picture below) and took our time to place our order as we were 45 mins ahead of their opening time! At the Smokehouse, patrons will be seated at the dinning table only when food is ready to be served. Meantime, you are free to wonder around their premises to snapped some photos or just to while away one's time or get a cuppa or drinks while waiting. Some house guests were seen reading. The Smokehouse is lit with warm white lights which apparently are good for the eyes particularly when reading as it doesn't emit a strong glare which is said to be bad for reading. This I heard from a few of my expats clients ;)

Lounge/waiting area@Smoke House

Rocker57 ordered Chicken ala King while I had grilled Salmon and we shared the Caesar Salad.    

Caesar Salad comes FRESH!

Our meal came with soft tasty buns and lightly salted butter.  
Incidentally, I forgot to mentioned that we visited GOOD TASTE again at 4pm for tea and also for the free WIFI. Hence the early dinner was seriously a BAD choice as I was not able to finish my fish and had to eat very very very slowly to savor each bite as well as not to waste food.
Too excited to try the HUGE salmon, I forgot to take a picture of my meal until Rocker57's food arrived and he reminded me of my blog....hmmmm...senior (in age) bloggers like me can really be forgetful. Particularly when it comes to FOOD...I'm lost in the world of taste, smell & self indulgence.

Rocker57's Chicken ala King

Generous serving of Grilled Salmon

The generous serving of Salmon was worth its price of RM58. The fish was fresh, juicy & sweet. The chips were fried just nice and the veggies were lightly salted and blanched. Hence it retains its sweetness and crunchiness. Rocker57 thoroughly relish his meal. He cleaned the entire plate except for some rice which was tasty but again too full to finish it due to the short break between tea and dinner. By the way mealtimes are B : 7.30-11am. L: 11.30am -2.30pm and D : 6.30-9.30pm but teas are served all day.

Next, remember to catch my final blog for this trip on our adventurous trek home on a new 'uncharted' road home....