Drink tea, soaked in tea, and bathe in tea

Cameron Highlands Resort
28-30th May 2007

The newly launched Cameron Highlands Resort, a small luxury resort, which have white walls, dark wood and for the first time, we had the luxury of sleeping on a four-poster bed. Also, the room we had, had a beautiful balcony that overlooked the golf course.

Based within this plush haven is the award winning Spa Village. Our very first Spa Village experience was in Pangkor Laut Resort– that was exquisite!. Being a self confess spa buff, I have to admit that the Spa Village in Cameron Highlands is matchless in it’s own ways.

Tea is certainly an appropriate theme for the spa, as Cameron Highlands is the home of Malaysia's most famous tea brand, BOH Just found out what BOH stands for - Best of Highlands).

One of the most popular pastimes for locals or visitors alike to Cameron Highlands is to amble between the rows of tea bushes to admire picturesque scenes of rolling hills. Thus, it's fitting that every treatment at Spa Village begins with a soothing tea bath that harnesses the healing properties of the tea plant.

Apparently, the tea bath is based on an ancient ritual that is designed to relieve stress and refresh the skin.

SPA TREATMENT: The Rose Experience.

Being a rose person, we chose the Rose Experience which essentially uses the healing effects of rose essential oil. The rose is the symbol of love and beauty and its oil is used to heal body, mind and spirit.

SOAK

We began by soaking in the warm bath while watching calming images on the TV screen and listened to gentle music piped through the waterproof earphones.

I remembered floating into a blissful trance for a minute - completely relaxed.

Bathing is as important for your mind and senses as it is for your body. Every guest will enjoy a signature tea bath before each treatment, a heavenly soak formulated to gently cleanse, nourish and soften your skin. The tea bath is based on an ancient ritual to relieve stress and refresh the skin as well as slow down the aging process. Let your mind and body escape from your busy world at the Spa Village Cameron Highlands.

A warm soak reduces the effects of stress and promotes relaxations. It was such a pampering session just having to soak our body and let it rest at leisure, while the mind takes pleasure in the enriching and heartening aroma of rose.

UNWIND

Later on, we had the attendant led us to a cozy waiting area where our therapist came to collect us for our next treatment. While waiting for the therapist, I stumbled upon a beautiful book on tea poetry. I was definitely inspired. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to bring that home.

SCRUB

A softly aromatic and gentle body exfoliation that will slough away dead skin cells, increase circulation and deliver brighter, softer skin. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

MASSAGE

For absolute bliss and total relaxation. This treatment nourishes and pampers the skin, and allow you to relax in the uplifting aroma of Rose.

Of course, being in Cameron Highlands, we could not run away with having to sip a pleasantly warm cup of tea and biscuits with homemade strawberry preserves which was thoughtfully plan to end our session in the Spa Village in Cameron Highland Resort.

Pio's Baptism

the best dumplings?

How do you know when you are eating a good dumpling?

Good dumplings should always be taken out straight from the steamer, served piping hot.

The secret to a good dumpling is first of all the SKIN. A good dumpling has skin that is soft and yet strong/supple to hold the soup and the meat together inside the dumpling.

The true test of texture is when the dumpling is held and gently dropped into a dish of ginger-vinegar-sauce mixture.
If it breaks, goodbye "best dumpling"
If it doesn't, continue to brush it on the mixture till it's lightly soy-ed.

Of course, many of us who are "not-to-chinese" might want to get some help with a spoon.

After having the dumpling properly in the spoon, you can first suck the tip of the dumpling for the delicious dumpling soup, and later put the whole thing into your mouth.
The soup should never be too strong, because it will need to compliment the dumpling filling.

The filling in the dumpling is also very important.
A good dumpling has to have fresh meat.
Take your time to chew and savor the taste of this delicious Taiwanese delicacy.

You might find some ginger and the spilled soup still left on the spoon, finish it up.
You will find that ginger has never tasted so good with vinegar....

Of course, a smile/grin? on the face will tell it all.

So,... is it the best dumpling?

Well, I personally enjoyed the "freshly peeled crabmeat dumpling" from Ting-Tai-Fung. Thought it was very very good indeed.
Yum!

Ting Tai Fung
Raffles Place, Singapore
1st May 2006