It has been over a month since we returned from our extended vacation through various countries in Asia. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime(though not if I can help it!) kind of break that working in corporate America never seems to offer. And during this trip, I did and saw many things that were personal firsts for me. It would be a shame to let them regress into distant memories. So I'm going to post a series of such vacation notes. Here's the first:
Location: Singapore (behind Bugis Junction)
Activity: Ate Durian
The Durian is considered the King of Fruits by many Southeast Asians. However, it has an overpoweringly distinct smell. A smell that most people find disgusting. So disgusting that the fruit is banned from most public places and hotels in Singapore and Malaysia. So disgusting that Andrew Zimmern, the host of the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods" couldn't even swallow the fruit! Twice! This is the only food that he's not able even swallow. Strong repulsion from the man who can eat fried Madagascar cockroaches and eat roasted bats fresh from the caves!
I knew I HAD to try it! It was not commonly available in Singapore however because it was the end of season. And a few times that I did see it, I had to desist because - 1) I was a little worried whether I would be able to handle it, 2) Worse, I was scared of offending others esp since I was taking public transportation. But eventually my curiosity got hold of me and I went up to a roadside stall and bought a box full of fleshy chunks of Durian for SG $3. And I took a bite. It was quite tasty. The smell was...different but not strong enough to put me off. The texture was fleshy with slight fibre. Hmmm...not bad at all. So I ate. And ate. And polished off the whole box. All around me were entire families digging in. As I wiped my mouth, I let out a big Durianny burp. Somebody smiled at me. I smiled back. The world was good. And I was tough. Take that, Andrew Zimmern!
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