CHANGLUN, July 4 — If you fancy staying in unique residences, such as tilting, upside-down or ‘hobbit’ houses, Kampung Changkat Setoi is the place to visit.
The 0.8-hectare housing area called ‘MnM Home Whimsical Houses’ became a huge attraction during Aidilfitri.
According to the owner, Prof Dr Mahamad Tayib, 60, he built the houses at the end of 2015 to derive satisfaction in expressing his imagination via architecture.
“The idea to build the whimsical houses came following visits to several upside-down houses in Malaysia and abroad...and since Changlun has yet to have a tourist attraction, I built them,” the former University Utara Malaysia lecturer told Bernama.
Other attractions in the area include a fruit orchard, deer and rabbit farm, ‘kelulut’ honey-breeding area and two homestays.
Since becoming viral on social media, the MnM Home Whimsical Houses phenomenon has received more than 200 visitors a day and is expected to increase during the coming school holiday season.
“For me, what is important is that visitors get to explore the area in a relaxed manner. Thus, that is why, on normal days, the place is open only upon reservation, while on weekends, it is open to all.
“I do not want the place to be too congested with visitors until the excitement is lost.
“However, for now, I welcome visits without prior reservations made as the visitors have come from far,” explained Mahamad, who also receives visitors from as far as Johor and Sabah.
He added that the MnM Home Whimsical Houses also became a platform for his daughters, Mariam Nabilah, 28, and Mariam Nadhirah, 26, to sharpen their entrepreneurial, management and communication skills. — Bernama
