(Pictorial Post)
The night market (Pasar Malam in Malay) is a must-go attraction in Cameron Highlands and most travellers plan it in their itinerary for a visit.
Even for me, patronising this weekend pasar malam as-and-when-i-like is a strong enough reason for me to stay in the little town named Brinchang, instead of the nicer and less crowded resort hotels further away.
Though we have pasar malams in Singapore that offer a larger variety of products, the general feel is different. The weather is a major contributing factor and freshness is another!
Imagine a temperature of merely 16-18 degrees celcius and you are munching on an ear of hot, grilled corn that was freshly plucked in one of the many plantations nearby!
Daddy Teo is against most things grilled and barbequed so i had to settle for steamed corn instead. =_= nothing too fascinating on the taste; i am just thankful it was served hot from the pot.
In Malaysia, strawberries are synonymous to Cameron Highlands and you can find a few shops selling nothing but strawberry-related products! The stall above sells aprons with damn cute strawberry prints!
Deep fried products should taste damn blissful and heart-warming in this weather right? I didn't try because Father Teo was keeping an eye on me. :(
These were the eventuality from the pan of searing oil! Deep fried vegetables, deep fried prawns, deep fried mushrooms etc! A note of advice; buy from a stall that has a queue.
Healthier products are available too! Mind you, all of them were fresh from the farms!
The freshness was obvious the moment my eyes set on them! Sighz, mom wanted to buy two white radishes back to Singapore!!! Ya, by personal courier via a 10-hour coach!
Fruit keychains for sale. These were must-buy souvenirs 20 years back! It seems that time progresses very slowly in Cameron Highlands. Not that i am complaining though.
Small, adorable cacti that were so irresistible even for plants-killer like myself! I didn't buy anything despite a good bargain of RM10 for 8 mini pots!
Unpredictable weather didn't seem to deter the visitors! That was weird since most attractions, hotels and restaurants were pretty empty. God knows where they came from!
Other deep fried products on sale. If i remember correctly from a year ago, most of the items were cold and tasteless. You might have better luck for all i know.
Shoes that catered for the locals who have gotten accustomed to the cold spells in the highlands. My mom wouldn't be caught dead in them!
Strawberry bolsters and pillows. For those ladies with a kiddish, girly streak, these should be the stuff you will grab with no further consideration!
Beautiful, vivid flowers that boyfriends MUST buy for their girlfriends! *psst, not as expensive as the flowers in Singapore*
Crunchy looking fried chicken that looked so tempting...... but daddy teo was watching... Sighz.... should have sneaked out at night!
The bright green preserved guava was sold in many fruits stalls even though it was actually from Thailand! Each bite had a sweet-sourish-salty sensation that proved to be very addictive for many people.
Dustbins were uncommon and the drains were choked with rubbish!
Kids clothes that included sweaters for tropical dwellers who cannot adjust to the 10 degrees celcius difference.
From afar, i can see smoke originating from this particular stall. Not buying anything here was my biggest regret from Cameron Highlands!
I tried a stick in Singapore on a rainy day and it was so deadly oily, it was tasty!
You can buy teas with flavours like Strawberry (obviously) and Chocolate in the night market. With the exception of peppermint tea, i agree with my tour guide that tea without any flavours is the best.
Fruit magnets that should look real good in my office!! Argh, another regret i have lived with until my next trip to Cameron Highlands!
How could i not include a picture of fresh strawberries for sale? Depending on stalls, it can cost as high as RM8 for one box or as cheap as RM10 for 3 boxes!
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Additional Information
For those who are bad with maps, just remember that the pasar malam is right opposite this majestic hotel known as Star Regency.
I mentioned above that my mom had that intention to buy white radishes back to Singapore (like what she did to that huge golden pig)! She did not buy any on that day we visited the pasar malam because we have another evening to go.
The above scene was a big disappointment for my mom.... whereas i was secretly screaming with joy! Cannot imagine how many radishes she will buy lor and there are always the optional corns and sweet potatoes!
Lesson learnt: the pasar malam in Brinchang is available only on Friday and Saturday. The grapevine has also informed me that it is available every night during Malaysia's school holidays.
