Facets of life

A gem hidden in the midst of Mt. Santubong forest

It’s raining!!! I hoped and prayed few days before this morning but it didn’t work.  Nevertheless, the melancholy weather didn’t prevent a group of natural enthusiasts *grins* none-other than the MNS (M’sia Natural Society) and their friends from heading North to the Mountain Santubong.

Everyone gathered at Civic Centre at 8am and we got there at about 9am?  Pardon us but we couldn’t remember as everyone was too caught up with the marvelous sight of the famous English Naturalist — Alfred Russel Wallace’s bungalow (built in 1960s during Vyner Brooke’s time) in the midst of a forest — located somewhere in a small village of Santubong.

Alfred Russel Wallace’s bungalow in the midst of Santubong forest.

Despite the horrible attack by mosquitoes, everyone listened attentively as Tony (the MNS committee member) gave a brief intro to the building’s history.  Golnar, a resident of Santubong village who lives nearby the building, said the place was crowded with British Army for picnic/programme purpose almost every week back in the 1960s when she was a child.

Rebecca D’cruz(MNS Science & Conservation committee Member) even conducted some researches at the Sarawak Museum Archive Library and on the Internet to find out that the famous scientist wrote a 12-volume book "The Law of Sarawak" which is now kept in the Museum Library. 

However, what astonished us the most was the news broke out by Tony that the famous "Theory of Evolution" created by British scientist "Charles Darwin" was actually an idea originated from Alfred Wallace who got his inspiration during his stay at the bungalow.

Later, we were given 10 minutes to explore the building from bottom to top and down again. 

The building’s upper floor has 4 rooms and 1 living area that’s attached to the balcony, while its ground floor has 2-3rooms (don’t recall if this is the correct number) one kitchen/garage(to be verified) separated from the main building.

Standing at the fence-less balcony, we could near the sound of the waves patting gently on the shore and that reminded us just how close the backyard is to the Santubong’s beach.  Looking up at one corner of the bungalow, the majestic Mt. Santubong looked so fresh and green after taken a hearty shower of sparkling rain!

It’s sad to see how run down the place was. And guessed what! One of our group mates even spotted a ‘green-coloured SNACK SNAKE’(sorry don’t know what’s the name of this species just yet) nestling comfortably at a corner of the torn out porch. Of course, we didn’t annoy him/her and everyone left the building safely.

Gorna said the building’s been acquired by the SEDC and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, they would gear up their speed in refurbishing the bungalow without having to alter too much of its original architecture.

Last but not least, this place is too good to be missed by the tourists!

A scene taken from the upper floor’s balcony.

Check out more photos at http://chinese.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jernehhong/album?.dir=/3b3d