Green Acres Orchard & Ecolodge

The deck at the main residence of Green Acres (7 June 2016)


Green Acres (GPS: 5.37473, 100.25139) is an orchard in Balik Pulau, Penang. It is a place where organic farming is practised. The orchard belongs to Kim, Eric and their family, who purchased it in 2009 - that's after spending almost three years looking for a suitable site! The previous owner's son continues to assist them in managing the farm. Green Acres is home to various types of fruit trees, spices and herbs, and its main crop is the durian. There is a total of over 400 durian trees on the estate, many of which were planted decades ago by the previous owner.

An ecolodge at Green Acres, Balik Pulau (7 June 2016)


Though city folks, Kim and Eric made the decision to buy the farm, so to speak (thus naming their property after the 1960s American sitcom), in order that they may enjoy a lifestyle which was once commonplace among our forefathers, and to pass on the experience of living in close proximity to nature to their young son Adric. The couple are adherents to the slow food movement, as a response to the global march into fast foods.

Green Acres produce on display at the Straits Quay Organic Food Farmer's Market (19 June 2016)


It is no easy task to manage a farm, and I have nothing but admiration for their tenacity in the face of this monumental challenge. (I told them I could not survive life on a farm; mosquitoes love to devour me and the sight of snakes would freak me out.) I am envious of Adric for having such farsighted parents, who go so far off mainstream to give their son the experience that escapes most city kids.

I am well aware that commercialization will destroy what Kim and Eric work so hard to preserve. But on the other hand, I am also keen to tell everybody about this place, so that more people will be able to come here and enjoy being close to nature. Not only that, I want to see this farm survive and thrive into the future. I look forward to continue visiting it, even when I am an old man, and be shown around by a grown up Adric.

Address

Green Acres Orchard & Ecolodge
Batu Itam,
Balik Pulau, Penang.
Email: greenacrespenang@gmail.com

As Green Acres is a private residence and most guests who visit it go there to enjoy its seclusion and privacy, visitors are urged to get in touch with Green Acres rather than dropping by unannounced. Please contact the orchard should you be interested in making a visit. Kim and Eric will be delighted to welcome you.



Bathing pool at Green Acres (7 June 2016)


Green Acres, Balik Pulau, Penang (7 April 2018)


The Dewan at Green Acres (7 June 2016)


Staircase leading up to the Dewan (7 June 2016)


The deck at the main residence of Green Acres (7 June 2016)


No, that's not a rubbish heap at Green Acres. it's a compost heap. (7 June 2016)


Various fruit trees at Green Acres including durians, papayas and bananas. (7 June 2016)


The Treehouse at Green Acres (7 June 2016)

Green Acres is on the Map of Balik Pulau

Layout of Green Acres

If you are arriving at Green Acres by car, park your car at the grassy car park just after the gate. A path leads from here passing a dipping pool. The pool is fed by a stream within the farm. A path leads from here to the buildings above.

There are two main wooden structures at Green Acres. The first is what I call the Dewan. This is a restored Malay community hall which the Chongs bought, had it dismantled, and relocated to the farm, where it is reassembled. This is where durian parties are often held.

A short walking distance from the Dewan is the family's living quarters. To safe cost as well as to reduce unnecessary use of fresh lumber, they used durian lumber sourced from dead trees for the main living level. However, as durian lumber is soft wood, it can only used in places unexposed to the elements, which would need harder wood for sustainability. The three-storey structure includes lodges on the uppermost level which is often.

My Visit to Green Acres

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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