Day 45: Tourists in the Mist

Cold air streams through the open window as I wake up. The sky is gray, cold 19°C outside, and raindrops patter softly onto the roof. It’s not exactly the ideal weather for trekking through a rainforest. Instead, we decide to visit a tea factory. This time, we choose the BOH plantation and factory—an older and smaller operation—in hopes of avoiding the crowds.  

After a 15-minute drive along the main road, we turn onto a narrow, winding side road, cutting 6 kilometers into the wilderness. The road is so narrow that two cars can barely pass each other. A weathered sign warns: "Sound horn on blind corners." For a German driver like me, this is oddly thrilling, as honking unnecessarily back home is practically a crime.

the road snakes upward, and soon a worker stops us, directing us to a massive but nearly empty car park. A parking assistant eagerly waves us toward a spot, though the options are abundant. As we step out, we’re greeted by a family of friendly, tail-wagging car park guard dogs. They look at us expectantly, clearly hoping for biscuits or scraps of meat. Regretfully, we have nothing to offer and leave them behind, their sad eyes lingering as we walk toward a waiting shuttle bus.  

Mother dog with 4 offsprings

The shuttle bus is a charming relic—an old yellow school bus straight out of the movies. The friendly Indian driver welcomes us aboard with a warm smile. As the bus lurches into motion, a powerful sound machine fills the air with the unmistakable sounds of Scorpions and Rod Stewart, giving the ride a nostalgic 80s vibe. The driver maneuvers skillfully along the one-lane road, honking at every corner to warn oncoming vehicles.  

Shuttle bus approaching the factory

Tea plants love misty air

Sitting in the front row, I can’t help but grip my seat as we navigate hairpin curves. The bus teeters near the edge of steep drops, and with the clouds hanging low, the treetops disappear into the mist. It feels like we’re gliding through a dreamscape. Luckily, no other cars appear, and after a suspenseful ride, we’re dropped off in front of the factory.

Green, withered and rolled leaves in the top row.
Processed tea leaves in various sizes in the middle row.
Fibres, stalks and dust in bottom row.

The air here is thick with the rich, earthy aroma of tea leaves. It’s the smell of the withering process, where warm air is blown through freshly picked leaves to dry them.  Here are a few quick facts about the factory:  

  • Established in 1935, still operating with its original machinery.  
  • Produces 1,250,000 kilograms of tea per year—enough for 1,710,000 cups of tea per day.  

We wait outside the factory building for the self-guided tour to begin. When the doors finally open, we step inside and are immediately captivated by the process. Green tea leaves are poured onto a conveyor belt, disappearing into a machine. At the other end, brown dried leaves tumble out onto massive sieves, where they’re sorted by size. The finest leaves become premium tea, while the smallest particles are destined for tea bags. The end product is packed into enormous 1-meter-high tea sacks.  

BOH Tea Factory entrance

Source: google.com

Conservative society:
even the fire is not allowed to burn naked

Photography is strictly forbidden, and it’s clear why—the simplicity of the process belies its complexity. The true art lies in the precise control of timing and temperature at every step.  

Tourists' delight: Green Tea Tiramisu

After a brief five-minute tour, we’re ready for a break. We sit down to savor the plantation’s finest tea, paired with an indulgent slice of Green Tea Tiramisu. The flavors are exquisite, and for a moment, all is perfect. Happy tourists indeed!  

Trumpet tree in full bloom

Many plantation workers and families live in the plantation







Location: Boh Road, Habu, 39200 Ringlet, Pahang, Malaysia

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