Dato Henry Barlow's Genting Tea Estate 17 June 2012

It is Father's Day today. Dear daughter requested to spend  one to one time with her father. With her interest in butterflies, we registered her and her father on an adventure to Genting Tea Estate.

The bumpy path to Genting Tea Estate is just off Genting Sempah. It was a real bumpy trail to and out-of the estate, until the car wheels need to go for a balancing tuning after the trip. Ours is a sedan car.

The not-so-obvious sign at the entrance of the Genting Tea Estate.

After we parked our car, Dato Henry (owner of the estate) Barlow greeted our group. Apparently, Dato  has been hosting MNS (Malaysian Nature Society) group at his estate, and today is the 38th time that he has open his estate for MNS visit.

Scenery over-looking from the lawn of his house.

The nicely manicured lawn in front of the house. We just loved the tall windows.

Photo taken from inside of the house towards the lawn. Very cosy living room. Dato was sitting at the ledge of the tall window and there he begin the introduction to Genting Tea Estate, the history of the estate, the colorful and interesting famous people that have owned and manage the place. To my surprise, Loke Yew and the then Resident General of Malaya, Frank Swettenham, had something to do with the road leading to the place, and Chu Kia Peng (of Jalan Kia Peng) was the owner of the estate at one point. Dato also touched on the architecture of the house, and went into explaining how the estate has become an aboretum, housing many species of dipterocarps  (about 160 according to my notes), star fruit trees, durian trees, tea among others. He also shared with us his knowledge of butterflies and his collection of butterflies as well. 

Taking a walk around the estate.

Dato Henry showing and explaining about the plant in one of our many stops along the way.

After a long walk, we went back to his house, and here we spotted a few of his many butterfly nets.

One of the box of butterflies exhibits, most of them unidentified. These are what he call "micros". Due to its size, obviously. He also said, he is waiting for one suitable enthusiast to pop up and he will pass these to him/her and continue the work from there.

Some butterflies and moth box exhibits that Dato painstakingly arranged on the table and let us view and inspect. Prior to that, he patiently explain each exhibits to us. A very large collection.

This outing is only for the members of Malaysian Nature Society.