I stepped forward and my foot sunk a couple of inches, as if I was walking on a huge chocolate cake. I had to walk lightly, otherwise my shoes would have been swallowed by the moist ground. Surrounded by old trees wrapped in vibrant green moss, it was like stepping into the world of The Lord of the Rings.
Suitably named, the Mossy Forest can be found in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. The high altitude mixed with low-level clouds shrouded the forest with mist and moisture, creating an amazing ecosystem for mosses, plant, and animal life. A local man called Satya, who worked as a tour guide and wildlife photographer, took us on a trip through his neck of the woods. He showed us flowers that glowed in the dark, pitcher plants that ate live bugs and insects, and, most importantly, where not to stand so you don’t sink into the soft, quaggy ground. Satya told me about how he was working to protect the area, so we don’t lose this valuable ecosystem. With tourism, money is made and can be used to help keep these areas protected, but tourism is a double-edged sword. He explained how with more visitors to the area, it is hard to keep the beauty of this remote magical woodland undisturbed.
During my three-week stay in Malaysia, this was my favourite place to visit, and I would recommend the Cameron Highlands to everyone. It can be hard to know how to be a good tourist and not be part of a bigger problem, but Satya’s advice was to support local, be considerate of where you are, and leave nature as you found it.
(Originally Published February 2022)
Check out our South East Asia Video below!
Cameron Highlands, Malaysia - 2018
Check out our highlights video from our trip to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore & Vietnam!
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