23/9/2009 Tropical Spice Garden

After the photo shooting at Chew Jetty in the morning, I moved to the next venue for photo shooting - the Tropical Spice Garden in Teluk Bahang, Penang.

Tropical Spice Garden opens from 9 AM to 6 PM daily. The admission fees are divided into 2 categories - Self guided tour or guided tour. Self guided tour will cost RM14 for adult, RM5 for children or RM28 for family package which includes 2 adults and 3 children. While the guided tour will cost RM20 for adult, RM5 for children and RM 45 for family package.

When I arrived at the Tropical Spice Garden, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist. After paying the admission fees, the receptionist asked me whether I would like to purchase a copy of the map, which cost RM5. Though I turned down the offer, the receptionist has been kindly pointed me the directions of different trails, as there are 3 different trails in the garden - the Spice Trail, which has over 100 varieties of tropical spice and herbs plants; the Ornamental Trail, which has a huge collection of exotic flora; and the Jungle Trail, which has a showcase of ferns, wild orchids, palms and other significant jungle flora. After that, the receptionist offer me the mosquito repellent, which is made of lemon grass and some other herbs without any cost. After applied the repellent at the counter, I started my journey.

I first took the Jungle Trail, as I wanna take some photos of insects. While I was at the Jungle Trail, I was attacked by mosquitoes, I guess I have not applied enough mosquito repellent. So, later on, I would have to bear with the itchiness while photographing.


The Red Dragon Fly besides the pond which located near the entrance


A nymph of a Praying Mantis that I discovered at the same place

After a few photos taken at the pond, I moved on to the Jungle Trail.


A fat grasshopper in between the leaves, it was so steady that even I move the leaves closer to my lens, it didn't move at all


A withered fern at the Jungle Trail


A Chinese Hut with an antique Chinese door which was found in an antique shop in Teluk Bahang


The Chinese antique door, the wording on it is Health and Mountain, which means Longevity as the Nan Shan, a mountain in Hainan


A shining and hairy bug found in the Jungle Trail


An upside down fly

After spending nearly 2 hours at the Jungle Trail, I continue my photo shooting at the Spice Trail.


A hut with the globe at the Spice Trail


Some spice for display, from the top is Cinnamon, Star Anise and Lime




More spice, from the top: Lemon Grass, Ginger Buds which mostly use to cook curry and Ginger


An insect that's standing on the ginger





After the last photo, the sky turned dark and started to rain, so I rushed back to my car before the rain turns heavy, thus, that's the end of my visit to Tropical Spice Garden.