PETALING JAYA: With most restrictions lifted and the back-to-back festive holidays, scores of people made good use of the long break to go on a “revenge retreat”.

       Many took advantage of the situation to take their families on a long awaited holiday to chill out in popular tourist spots such as Cameron Highlands and Fraser’s Hill.

       It was a hive of activities at both hilltops as most outlets including restaurants and souvenir shops enjoyed brisk business, a far cry following the Covid-19 pandemic which deprived them the usual stream of visitors and diners.

       Sales promoter Fen Koh said she took her elderly parents for a short retreat in Cameron Highlands after more than two years of being cooped up in the house.

       “People are everywhere. We waited almost two hours for our table of eight to have a steamboat dinner. Looks like the good old days are back – slowly but surely,” said the 44-year-old.

       All three of them have been vaccinated and as such, did not mind “rubbing shoulders” with the large crowd.

       Koh was joined by her sister Elaine, her husband and their children.

       The family came in two cars and the journey from Selangor took them almost five hours.

       Most of the visitors there visited places such as strawberry farms, souvenir outlets, Cactus Valley, Lavender Garden in Tringkap and Sheep Sanctuary in Brinchang.

       Over at Fraser’s Hill, the few hotels there were all fully booked with visitors enjoying the cool mist and morning sunshine.

       Some avid cyclists in full gear were spotted cycling up to take shots with their prized mountain bikes at the iconic clock tower.

       Buddies Akhmal Hisham and HW Siew were among those in a convoy who raced uphill with their bikes, leaving their cars parked downhill.

       Senior citizens and bird lovers were having a fun time taking a brisk walk, armed with binoculars, to watch the various species of rare and colourful birds.

       A half marathon event is scheduled there next month and registration is now open.

       Elsewhere, food outlets were packed with diners for a get-together to reminisce the good old times at the hilltop dubbed “Little England”.

       Many holidaymakers also drove and swarmed scenic sites such as Empangan Sungai Selangor in Kuala Kubu Baru, setting up tents and having a picnic after two years of restricted movement.