the gap @ fraser's hills

the access road to the top of fraser's hills used to be regulated. this stretch started from just after the gap. at odd hours, traffic moved in one direction and this was reversed at even hours. but after 7 p.m., there was no more control and this 8-km stretch of road became a free way. this meant traffic was bi-directional. we tried the two way once, when we had no choice but to get to the top after dark.

i understand things have changed with the construction of a new road, which was closed shortly after it was built and which has since reopened. now, uphill traffic goes by way of the new road and downhill traffic uses the narrow old road.

another time, we opted to stay at the gap resthouse instead of risking the drive up the narrow and winding stretch after dark. the caretaker used to be one mr sua. we enjoyed his western food. he served english breakfast in the morning with bacon, egg and toast. he would not allow durians in the room. once we 'smuggled' some durians into the resthouse and ate them outside, throwing the husks down the hill by the edge of the resthouse.

each time we went to fraser's hill, we never failed to drive to the waterfalls, near which was a camping ground popular with the locals. the few times that i was at fraser's, i used to see one of my former teachers near or at the golf course. he seemed to be there every school holiday. i could recognise him because of a ear ring that he wore.

lay bee's cell group had a retreat at fraser's hill some years ago. that was the time when koh boon long and his family joined us on the trip.