By Nurqalby Mohd Reda & Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah
GOPENG (Perak): For urban dwellers, there is nothing more invigorating than retreating into the jungle to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Just seven kilometres from the town here lies Kampung Ulu Geruntom, situated not far from a Semai Orang Asli settlement, where the air is perpetually fresh and landscape verdant, with a crystal-clear river traversing the tranquil forest.
Nestled amid the greenery is the eco-friendly MyGopeng Resort where this writer and three of her friends escaped to recently for a well-deserved holiday. It was their first time there and what attracted them to the place was its back-to-nature and kampung concept.
In fact, it offers more than that. Opened in 2007 and sprawling over a four-hectare plot, MyGopeng Resort has 34 chalets featuring a fusion of traditional Malay and Orang Asli architectural styles. This itself makes it a unique destination, thanks to the determination of its owner to uphold and preserve the uniqueness of traditional Malay and Orang Asli dwellings.
Ooi Beng Yeaw, 63, born and raised in the predominantly Malay Kampung Kupang in Baling, Kedah, told Bernama he became familiar with Malay culture and customs while growing up.
Retain natural environment
“When I first planned to build this resort, I decided to style it after a traditional kampung that could evoke nostalgia as well as introduce the joys of living in the countryside to our local and foreign guests,” said Ooi, who speaks the Kedah Malay dialect fluently.
Being a Kedah native, it was only natural that the father-of-three chose to build his chalets along the lines of the traditional Malay houses in Kedah.
But, to acknowledge the existence of the Orang Asli in the vicinity and highlight the natural elements of the surrounding environment, Ooi also chose to integrate features of the ethnic community into the chalets’ walls, roofs and verandahs.
He said the chalets were constructed using only wood procured from the bertam and keralai trees that flourish in the jungle as well as bamboo and planks due to their durability. No bricks were used in their construction.
“I used only wood as I wanted to retain this area’s natural atmosphere,” he said, adding that as a responsible resort owner, he is also doing his part to conserve the forest’s fauna and flora as well as its river, Sungai Kampar, located about 100 metres from the resort.
“The forests around Gopeng are home to the Orang Asli from the Semai ethnic group. A rich variety of fauna and flora, including the Rafflesia which is the biggest flower in the world, can also be found here. This is why it’s crucial for us to conserve the forests here not only for the benefit of tourists but our future generations as well.”
Besides Malaysians, MyGopeng Resort has also received visitors from Singapore, China, India and Middle Eastern countries.
“Our foreign guests enjoy coming here during their long holidays while locals prefer to come during the weekends,” he said.
To ensure his guests get to eat the local cuisine, Ooi has hired local Malays to cook authentic kampung dishes for them with their favourites being chicken curry and asam pedas.
Apart from savouring the kampung lifestyle, the more adventurous guests can also opt for activities such as water rafting on Sungai Kampar, which is priced at RM130 a person, and waterfall abseiling.
Durian feast
Visitors also have the chance to explore the nearby Tempurung and Kandu limestone caves with the help of a guide. The two are among the 18 geosites identified under the Kinta Valley Geopark project.
Durian lovers, meanwhile, can expect to have a feast should they visit the resort when the thorny fruits are in season.
Said Ooi: “When I first took over the land here, there were already many durian trees growing here and I decided to retain them. And, when the fruits ripen and drop in abundance, I would share them with my guests.”
Nurse Nor Azila Yang @ Yang Ghazali, 37, who was also enjoying a break at MyGopeng Resort when this writer was there said she has stayed at the resort several times and never gets tired of it.
“I find the natural beauty of the surroundings breathtaking. So each time we get the opportunity, my family and I will come here. There are so many activities for us here and, most importantly, they are suitable for people of all ages,” she said.
Accountant Anas Basir A. Bakar, 30, said he needs the tranquility of the resort to recuperate from the stress of living and working in Kuala Lumpur.
“The resort’s kampung concept enables me to enjoy the experience of living in a kampung. I find it so relaxing and calming… my stress disappears the minute I inhale the fresh air here and gaze at the greenery,” he added. — BERNAMA
