When the One-day Durian Tour was announced, Solomon had to complete his school projects during the June vacation. Besides, he took up a few part-time jobs at the concert and conference, therefore he gave up the opportunity to taste his favourite durians.

Although I took durian, I was not used to take it as a meal. In order not to get sick, I requested to have chicken rice as my lunch.

I went to Tangkak of Johor Malaysia many times almost twenty years ago. Yet I did not have any opportunity to visit Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir, in Chinese 金山). I was keen to read news related to Tangkak these many years. I read several cases regarding the incident of flash flood at the Gunung Ledang waterfall. I hence had the foreboding of visiting Gunung Ledang. But I still wished to see how it looked like.

In the early morning of 26 June, I took the first bus to Jurong East Interchange. I transferred to the MRT and alighted at Outram Park Station. From that, I walked to People's Park. I only knew the tour leader Qiao Zhen and the webmaster Yeming. As it was still early, I went to have a cup of tea and met one of the friends Qiubo.

We started off our journey at 7.35 sharp. When we reached the Second Link at Tuas, there were many buses in the queue. As Singaporean, we passed through the custom using the automatic scanning machine. I wondered if my thumb was dirty or the scanner was not working well, it took me a while to get through.

There were many tourists. We left the Malaysia custom at Gelang Patah at 9.20. The Malaysian tourist guide Angela took us to take our breakfast in a small town of Gelang Patah. After that, we left for Tangkak Durian Plantation. It was 10.00 a.m., one hour behind schedule.

We arrived at Tangkak after 12.00 p.m. Angela bought a few packages of chicken rice for those who could not take durian meal. I looked at the familiar streets in Tangkak and it made me recall the numeral weekends I spent with Brother Zhenhe about 20 years ago.

We were delighted to reach the durian plantation by 1 p.m. When all of us sat down at the tables, the waiters started to serve us with various types of durians. They asked us to take the durians as soon as possible. Oh dear, there were plenty of houseflies.

The various type of durians included 「猫山王」 (Mao Shan Wang, ‘Cat Mountain King’), 「金凤」(Golden Phoenix), 「101」, 「D13」, 「XO」, 「D88」, 「D18」and「D99」. When the waiters served the durians, flies would be around if we did not take at once.

Next time when you come for a durian tour, you have to agree with your friends the strategy in enjoying the durians.
        When you arrive at the plantation, take note of the types of durians. Ask the waiters the type of durian they served each time. So that you could make sure you do not miss any one of them.
        When the waiters serve the durian, every one of you takes your share at once. Don't wait, otherwise the flies will take it.
        Tell the waiters the type of durian you yet to taste and ask them to serve it.
        After taking all types of durians, you then request the waiters to serve your favourites again.
        If you have taken enough durian, do tell the waiters too. Otherwise they will put the durian on your table and the flies will enjoy it.
The tourist guide told us that not to take both durian and water at the same time. Otherwise it will make you full and uncomfortable.

Durian trees in the plantation	Tourist can buy home the durians
Enjoying durians under the shelter	The handsome China boy loves durian too
Serving the durian	Flies also crazy with the durian

My son told me that he would like to have the fresh durian. He meant that to get the durian with its shell and remove it only when eating. The waiter recommended that the Mao Shan Wang (猫山王) and Golden Phoenix (金凤). I decided to get two Golden Phoenix durians as they would be easier for me to carry. It was 22 Malaysian Ringgit per kilogram. I paid 50 Ringgit for the two I bought. When we enjoyed the durians at home, both my son and my wife mentioned that they were very nice. They worth it.

Pair of Golden Phoenix

keeping in the paper bag

wrapping the bag tightly

without leaking of the smell

We left the plantation at 2.30 p.m. and arrived at Gunung Ledang in 20 minute's time. We spent about one and half an hour at Gunung Ledang.

I ever read the news regarding the flash flood a few times. I was uneasy to visit that waterfall. But the weather was very fine and it made me released to walk up the hill.

Most of the people wandering in the pond of the waterfall were Malays. They were in the water with their clothes. When we travel, we have to understand the local ways of life. We went for a mission at Kulai about 20 years ago. We went camping with the youth from Sengkang Village at Kota Tinggi Waterfall. I went for a swim at the pool of the waterfall a morning. After that I heard the boys said with surprise, “Oh dear! Teacher went for a swim with his swimming trunks. So daring!” Later I understood that it was very sexy to them when I put on my swimming trunks.

A group of us walked up the hill. When reaching a stretch of steps, I decided to stop there. The tour leader Qiao Zhen, Lucky as well as his friend, and me took a rest at the poolside.

We left Gunung Ledang at 4.30 p.m. and continued our journey to an organic mushroom farm. But the farm was closed. Then we went for shopping. I bought a lot of Malaysia products for this trip.

We took our dinner in Kulai at 7.00 p.m. One and half an hour later, we left for Singapore. We arrived in Singapore about 10 o'clock and I took a train home at Marsiling MRT Station.