Our second stay at Ye Olde Smokehouse at Cameron Highlands

Very late post!  Weekend getaway at Cameron Highlands, October 24-26, 2014.

It was a spur of the moment thing.  My stepkids were not able to come that weekend and Ravi wanted a getaway.  So off to Cameron Highlands we went, with a booked room at Ye Olde Smokehouse.  Ravi and I first stayed here last 2008.  We found the experience so satisfying we vowed to visit again.  Fast forward 6 years later and we had our chance once more.

Ye Olde Smokehouse retains its old world charm with its Tudor style cottage, fantastic English gardens and old style rooms with modern amenities.  Warm lighting at the hallways and the rooms as well as the hotel's history, which dates back to the 1930s, create a spooky feeling. 

We stayed at the Ambleside suite for 2 nights.  It has a separate living area, a main bedroom and  large toilet and bath.  On our last night, there was a bit of a scary experience.  Sarah and I slept early while Ravi stayed outside the living area for some late night drinks till about midnight.   I woke up about 2:30am, I heard some noises.  Initially I thought there were people conversing at the hallway.  Then it dawned to me that the culprit was the TV.  True enough, when I checked outside, the TV was switched on to the cartoon channel!  When I asked Ravi the following day if he switched on the TV the night before, he said he never did.  The eerie thing was the TV can only be switched on by pressing the button at the bottom of the TV screen, it doesn't work using the remote control.  Ravi said that even if he did watch that night, he wouldn't choose the cartoon channel!  Anyway, we weren't that scared, just a little spooked!

The rest of the time we spent outside doing the requisite tourist activities such as visiting a tea plantation, a strawberry and bee farm, and enjoying the cool weather only found in Malaysia. 

I must add though that traffic congestion has gone worse over the years.  There's just too much  development happening, with new hotels, apartments and commercial centers built all over.  Right after check out, we drove back to Penang taking the other longer route to avoid the weekend rush out of Cameron Highlands.

Facade of the Ye Olde Smokehouse, Cameron Highlands

Tudor style cottage

Hello again Ye Olde SmokeHouse.  Look at the open windows, no need for air conditioning this side of Malaysia!

Very pretty and well-groomed English gardens

Stayed in the Ambleside suite, with a door that leads straight to the garden.

The cozy chic living room of the Ambleside suite.  The TV that switched on by itself is on one side of this room, I was not able to capture a shot.

An old school red telephone booth (with a trapped monkey!); a picturesque reading spot.

A white fountain; brick steps to another room.

Exploring the second floor hallway; a closer a view of a chimney.

Every nook and cranny of the place was charming.

Amazing blooms everywhere.

Flowers galore.

Goofin' around with my Sarah.

A visit to the Boh Tea Garden and Tea Center.

Sarah and I trekked to the view point at 174meter above sea level.  Halfway, the monkey asked to be carried.

It started to rain as we were leaving.

This little girl had a fantastic time running around the place.