The Thailand chapter is over. After almost two months in Thailand we were sad to leave but travelling is all about new experiences so here we are in Malaysia... (not sure if we like it yet-still reserving judgement!)

The Cameron Highlands are something completely different - for a start it's cold... and damp... and it rains all the time. I guess that at this stage in the trip after weeks of slathering on suncream and melting in the heat we maybe found it a nice change? Maybe for five minutes. After a few days I swear we were beginning to develop seasonal affective disorder.

The Cameron Highlands may be cold and damp but they are also beautiful and unique - the Highlands don't just share England's climate, they also share its architecture. The green hills are dotted with white and black tudor houses, with red roofs and little brick chimneys. The cafes serve cream teas with locally grown strawberries and the other local speciality, tea. There are several large tea plantations up in the Highlands and they are visually stunning, rolling hills covered with lush velvety fields of tea. In amongst the rows of plants, tea pickers shear off the young top leaves and drop them into huge wicker baskets on their backs. Misty white clouds roll down from the peaks of the hills and hang in the valleys. We had plenty of opportunity to sample the local brew as a mug of steaming hot tea is just what we needed after a few hours wandering around in the rain.