Durians

Anyone who’s been to Southeast Asia knows what durians are. If you don’t, read a bit at this link.

Durians are the source of a foul smell that pervades the immediate area where they’re stored or eaten. They are about the size of a large pineapple, green, with spikes all over. When split, there are about 6 segments (like orange segments), each of which contains one or two seeds covered with a creamy exterior. You don’t eat the segments nor do you eat the seeds. You suck the creamy exterior off and discard the rest. Think pomegranate seeds, about 500 times the size.

Durians are not allowed on the subway system, nor in most taxicabs, nor on buses or in elevators. The first time I was here, we went to an Indian restaurant which was on the second floor of the building. As we waited, I noticed a sign “No durians in elevator”. Not knowing at that time what a durian was, I enquired whether durians were some discriminated-against group in Singapore. It took my ex a few minutes to stop laughing.

For years, during my first three trips to Singapore, my ex threatened to introduce me to durians, but never came through. Yesterday my host decided he would give me a treat.

We had a lovely day. First, BK took us to a vegetarian Chinese restaurant which was absolutely lovely. Real Chinese vegetarian food is renowned for the fact that each dish has one, different, subtle flavour. Then we went to the Botanical Gardens and particularly to the National Orchid Garden. It costs SG$5, but is well worth it. I have some pictures and will see whether I can get some on my website. They have an orchid named after Margaret Thatcher (among many others named after public figures). However, it didn’t live up to its namesake: it was pretty, thriving, and colourful.

Afterwards one of those tropical thunderstorms came by: they sneak up on you with only a few minutes warning (usually thunderclaps), last for about 20 minutes, and then stop. Everything is dry within a few minutes. We took refuge in a caf

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