“Buah rian” or durians, the king of fruits, are still a big draw in Kuching city. This time around, the vendors have introduced durian buffet whereby a customer needs to come up with RM18 for an unlimited consumption of the fruits on the spot. One such avenue is the carpark next to Ambank in Padungan, just a few metres from the cat statue with its ever-changing seasonal attires.
Customers with third class tummy immunity system like me may opt not to go for the buffet but instead spend an extra RM2 to make a RM20 takeaway purchase and enjoy them to the fullest.
No doubt the durian buffet was a big hit for a few days and became a real draw. A friend of mine, whose tummy is first class with its size matching his ravenous appetite for anything ranging from durian to “tinduh” (sago worms), said he was so elated by the buffet offer as he could easily consume the equivalent of at least three shares.
Earlier in the week, we were talking about a Serian man who owns a durian orchard with about 80 trees.
“I can guarantee you guys his orchard at Kampung Kakai produces very good durians, including the Musang King variety. But you have to make an earlier booking,” a colleague pointed out.
“Durian lovers are also cautioned not take durian with alcoholic drinks or even with soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola that are very gassy.”
This actually reminds me of a late friend, also from Serian, who used to invite us to his orchard along Kuching/Serian Road during durian seasons in the mid eighties – then I was attached to SMK Serian. We not only had a good time enjoying ourselves eating his very fleshy durian free of charge but took home some “for the kids” (which was not necessarily true as many couples then were yet to be parents).
In the 60s, during my adolescence years, I spent a considerable good time having rendezvous in durian valleys. It was in durian valleys that we learned about jungle survival, about caring for one’s own as well as others’ safety during the day and night in the jungle. This was so due to the imminent presence of wild animals, poisonous snakes, insects and creatures there.
Our favourite durian valleys were Sebirung with a number of valleys namely Rajang, Tukak, Lemayung, Ili and Lusing. Out of these, Rajang was the most popular as it had no less than three trees, including one from the very fleshy “rian temaga” (almost similar to the present Musang King) species.
On one occasion two culprits were intent on hiding a few of the fleshy rian temaga by throwing them further away from the tree but an uncle with a very sharp smelling ability managed to trace the strong aroma of the majestic fruit and succeeded in finding at least two of them.
Nevertheless, what he failed to trace were the two others that were opened and consumed during the search around the tree earlier. Only the two culprits were aware of that and the whereabouts of the other hidden ones. One of them happened to be me.
” No doubt the durian buffet was a big hit for a few days and became a real draw. “
Probably due to such “naughty incident”, I was made to suffer another season later. Stationed at Rian Lusing with a cousin and his father, during a searching trip to Rian Tukak valley, I was stung by poisonous wasp “naning” on the forehead. It was one the most painful stings ever but at 14 years of age, I did not cry, my mental strength being due to the presence of my cousin who was a year younger. Luckily it occurred during the school holidays – my face was swollen for at least a week.
Pondering after the incident, I was thinking it could be a punishment for my naughty act of opening and hiding what should be commonly owned durians a year earlier.
This is one didactic lesson for all – the jungle has eyes and ears. One may enjoy camping there but must keep one’s discipline and virtues intact – “Thou shalt not steal,” to quote Commandment Number Eight.
After the incident, I learned about a few prohibitions in the jungle. One must not talk freely about ‘demons’ or ‘spirits’. Neither should one say a word when smelling of special scent or fragrance as this would mean the presence of “a third party” nor should you burn smelly items or salted fish which could attract wild animals. Always put the campfire on at night or during the dark hours.
While we were in Universiti Sains Malaysia in the mid-seventies, Sarawakians and Sabahans were the kings of the durian valleys of our USM Minden Campus in Penang. Our Sabahan friend, the late Makibin Bodok was the champion. At the sound of durian falling through the leaves he was always the first to lay a hand on it.
Durian lovers are also cautioned not take durian with alcoholic drinks or even with soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola that are very gassy. A close friend, in his early sixties passed on just minutes after taking durian and Coca Cola together.
That took place at his own house in Kuching many years ago. In Saratok, a few decades ago, an infamous cockfighting enthusiast also died after taking durian and Guinness Stout together. So again, keep one’s discipline intact.
My elder brother Jon, 71, and my uncle Nyiring tried on two occasions, right under the durian trees at our own communal orchard in Saratok, taking newly fallen durian fruit together with “chap langkau” (locally brewed liquor) but nothing happened. That also took place about 20 years ago. Uncle Nyiring is long gone but due to old age. ‘
However, readers are kindly advised not to try this unnecessary act. Enjoy your durians but do exercise caution!
