NESTLED within the lush expanse of a vibrant fruit farm lie the enchanting ‘hobbit homes’, whimsical abodes straight out of a fairy tale.
As visitors of the Penang Tropical Fruit Farm wander through the orchard, they stumble upon these cosy ‘dwellings’. Each ‘hobbit home’ seems like a natural extension of its surroundings, blending seamlessly into the landscape with its rounded doorways and earthy hues.
Penang Tropical Fruit Farm manager Alison Chan Mei Ling said it took her and six Nepalese workers two years to set up six ‘hobbit homes’ at the farm.
“We did the woodwork, painting, carvings, and decorations all by ourselves.
“We started installing these attractions some nine years ago,” said Chan, who is also an artist.
Adorned with intricate sculptures, the handcrafted furniture outside these ‘hobbit homes’ beckons excited visitors to pause, unwind, and capture unforgettable moments. In this idyllic setting, time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and find solace in the beauty of the world around them.
“We are excited to announce our plans to expand our quaint ‘hobbit village’ here by adding 15 charming ‘hobbit homes’, along with a host of other captivating decorative attractions next year,” she said in an interview recently.
Chan emphasised that the Penang Tropical Fruit Farm is dedicated to delivering a value-added experience for all its visitors.
“Their visit can be enriched by exploring the diverse array of fruits which we have here.”
Situated about 800ft above sea level on the hilly terrains of Teluk Bahang in Penang, the Penang Tropical Fruit Farm is touted to have Southeast Asia’s largest collection of fruits with an active area that spans a sprawling 25 acres located in the northwest of Penang island. Started back in 1993, the farm now boasts a collection of over 200 species of fruits.
Visitors can scan the QR code and join the guided farm tour. Check out https://tropicalfruitfarm.com.my/ for more information about Penang Tropical Fruit Farm.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En