I sigh with relief and feel vindicated that it was worth dragging my child (while not kicking – definitely complaining) for the short RM10 taxi ride away from the Hard Rock Hotel‘s pool and water park.
Step inside with me and see why.
We have just stepped into the Penang Butterfly Farm and are immediately greeted by thousands of multicoloured butterflies.
(UPDATE 2016: the Penang Butterfly Farm is now known as Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm).
Standing just inside the netted lush emerald-green garden consisting of hundreds of plant species, we gaze about.
There is the most amazing looking tree (almost something out of Harry Potter) with its branches stretched out in all sorts of obscure directions. I insist Lewis (still pouting) pose for a photo. But it is not long before he warms up, remembering that this was a day trip that he chose during the initial research and planning for our holiday to Penang. He starts to delight in the up close and personal interaction he is getting with the butterflies.
As we wander about the Penang Butterfly Farm we learn more about the 4 stage life cycle (egg, caterpillar/larva, chrysalis/pupa, and adult butterfly) of a butterfly through the cute interactive display books .
We wind our way through the paved concrete trails to see more butterflies feeding on slices of freshly cut pineapple and sitting on beds of brightly coloured flowers.
We cross a wooden bridge spanning over the small waterfall that gushes into a pond filled with Koi and Arowana Fish
We marvel at how tame the butterflies are, landing on our hat, feet etc. I am amazed that I can get so close to the butterflies without them fluttering away, enabling me to get such good photos from my simple digital camera.
As we make are way back toward the entrance we stumble upon the free guided tour that is so informative.
Our guide picks up a butterfly showing us how to handle it and explaining that a butterfly is an insect: 3 body parts, 2 antennae, 4 wings and 6 legs – the front 2 are so small you can barely see them. He points out a rare butterfly in the garden (part of the Penang Butterfly Gardens role is butterfly conservation) this particular butterfly is native to Penang and is a hologram on the Malaysian Identity Card. Next we are all trying to find the camouflaged green insect, no-one manages to find it.
Can you see it in the right hand photo?
Further along the trail we discover 2 butterflies mating – they mate for 24 hours – how exhausting! Nearby are hundreds chrysalis waiting to emerge as beautiful butterflies.
Lewis is starting to get irritable so we move away from the tour and discover some cool looking Iguanas and Dragons.
Before departing we wander through the butterfly and insect museum. Lewis is quite intrigued by the scorpions and Steve comments that this is the best place we have visited for a day trip, on any holiday!
I am relieved – it was worth paying RM27/adult and RM15/child (a full list of opening hours and fees can be found HERE) to enter the oldest tropical butterfly garden in the world.
You can find more links about this holiday at Penang with Kids 2014 – all the Travel Stories.
Or if you would like to see more photos of the Butterflies in Penang click HERE.
Linking Up With:
I’ve been seeing a lot of butterflies lately – including on our bush walk yesterday – and I’m told it’s because we’ve had a lot of rain. Sounds like a lovely place to visit!
Visiting from #teamIBOT x
When you see butterflies out in the bush Janet don’t they just lift your spirits.
I love visiting the butterfly houses on holidays – lucky I have the kids as an excuse to go. I never knew they mated for 24 hours – geez! And thanks for joining in my #wednesdaywanderlust travel link party!
I love butterfly houses as well Malinda and we just don’t have any in Perth so it was great to get the opportunity to visit one on our travels.
Having tried to capture good pictures of butterflies in a Butterfly house I really appreciate your shots here! Butterfly farms are peaceful places to visit and sounds like a perfect anecdote the hectic nature of what I imagine the Hard Rock hotel would be like!
So true Daniella, about the calm of the butterfly farm versus the energy of the hard Rock Hotel.
Oh I would love this Sally-Ann, it looks terrific. Love how close you got and thus how close you can take us, the readers. I have never ever been to Penang but would love to visit so will let you be our virtual guide and will find lots of ideas and inspiration.
I think Penang would offer something for all your kids and their varied ages Seana – it is such a family friendly destination.
Looks like a fantastic place. We have been to a butterfly farm in Cairns and loved it. They are such beautiful creatures. Thanks for sharing
I didn’t know there was a butterfly farm in Cairns, will check it out when we make it up there.
What a fun place! I went to a butterfly habitat in Costa Rica that this reminds me of. It’s cool being surrounded by butterflies.
It is cool being surrounded by butterflies Keisha. I actually like butterflies so much I have them in my outdoor art in the front and backyard.
wow that’s wonderful! definitely something I need to check out the next time I’m in Penang with the family! 🙂
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
I’m sure your family will enjoy the day there Ai.
I love going to butterfly parks, but I have to admit, those scorpions look extremely scary.
I was glad they were kept in a pit Corinne.