Much attention was once given to the new and improved expressway connecting Simpang Pulai to Kampong Raja, designed to offer an easier route to the Cameron Highlands. During its lengthy construction, the project was a hot topic of discussion. However, as time passed, interest faded, and few seemed to talk about it anymore.

We, however, had been following its progress and hadn’t forgotten about it. This time, we planned to explore the Simpang Pulai hinterland and check out the section of the highway that had advanced as far as Pos Slim.

After ensuring our car was in good condition following a minor breakdown the previous day, we set off early the next morning. For Charles, it was a regular working day, but we were determined to make the journey to Pos Slim, a name associated with an Orang Asli settlement.

Without a detailed map, navigating the forested mountain slopes proved challenging. These wilderness areas lacked clear landmarks for orientation, making it hard to pinpoint our exact location. All we knew was that Pos Slim was roughly halfway along the new expressway. Despite the uncertainties, the rugged terrain, and the ongoing road works, the outing turned out to be a delightful adventure for nature lovers like us.

Construction of the 2^nd East-West link was going on rapidly. We were late and zoomed passed this signboard without reporting to the Security Guard.

The new track meandered around the hills. It was a beautiful sight with the rolling hills and near vertical service track etched into them. This parcel of road works cover a distance from Simpang Pulai to Lojing and 6 kms is now opened.

Work in now concentrated on construction of a bridge spanning the gorge of the Sungei Raio.

Next sight- the road that will lead to the Cameron is deep into the Main Range, some 18 kilometers away from Simpang Pulai. Yet the hills flanking the old road were subjected to heavy logging activities.

The stretch of paved road to the road building sites was no longer as scenic as we remembered it. Perhaps the heavy traffic from the construction crew had left the place a little more littered, the river silted and the slopes completed bereaved of trees.

Elsewhere see the worker perching precariously on the slopes sowing seeds to stabilize the slope. Equally interesting was this excavator perching on the small hills of earth to load the awaiting trucks.

The track passes by the Semank and the Temiang aborigine’s settlements. Here some of the unaffected houses are left intact while others had been relocated.

Here you can see Joyce and Khoo, rushing off to check out the conditions. These houses would be gone within months.

Well, at last, we saw one completed unit.  We were quite fascinated with a freshly finished house.