28 June 2009

Durian Challenge

Earlier this month, Chun See threw a challenge for some bloggers to name 5 places where you still could find durians in Singapore. Contrary to the title of this blog, I didn't take up the challenge as I was pre-occupied with another incidental topic.

However, The New Paper seemed to have gotten wind of Chun See's article and today it published an article seemingly in answer to Chun See's challenge. The article is reproduced below. (You have just saved yourself 80 cents which can go towards buying yourself a grapefruit-sized durian.)

As for me, I would rather pay for my durians than to risk getting a hundred puncture wounds in my skull while going in search for free durians. And indeed, I just paid $5 for a very good durian sold at Marine Parade Central yesterday. No fighting with fellow durian-pickers, no enduring of mosquito bites, no driving 20 km to Punggol end and no waiting for long hours. Isn't $5 worth paying for all those exemptions? You decide.



TRIUMPH: Mr Tay Joo Mong found this large specimen in the forest near Punggol Road.

9 comments:

Lam Chun See said...

I don't think they are taking up my challenge becos I see only 4 places mentioned.

Anyway, what motivated these durian hunters was probably the same reason cited by Italian Prime Minister Buscoloni who had been accused of paying for the services of female escorts for his parties. He said something about the thrill of the conquest. Hope you don't take up this challenge as well.

Victor said...

>I don't think they are taking up my challenge becos I see only 4 places mentioned.

Maybe that's all they could come up with?

PChew said...

Chun See, the last place for free durian must be at Mandai jungle, near the cemetery ground.

Victor said...

PChew, Mandai? Hmm... anyone can tell me why the monkeys are not intelligent enough to get to the durians first before men do? After all, monkeys are supposed to be smarter than mice.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Agreeing with Victor. Not worth the fall and broken back. Five dollars will see you through the night with the extra, packed in styrofoam, dumped in the freezer, for the next good night.
Not so fresh, but never mind. No broken back!

Lam Chun See said...

In fact even durian so cheap these days, also dare not anyhow eat for fear to the excess 'heat'.

Victor said...

Andy and Chun See - Do you have any answers to my question? Are monkeys effectively deterred by the durian thorns?

yg said...

victor, can you open an unripe durian with your bare hands? if you can, the monkeys also can. the squirrels have sharp teeth (incisors) to gnaw at the shell but not the monkey.

Victor said...

YG, I think monkeys are quite smart. I imagine this - they would have known which fruits are ripe from the smell, plucked them and then thrown them down to the ground to open them.

Possible?