When we arrived in Penang nearly a year ago it was at the tail end of durian season. At that time there was a lot of new stuff to take in, and trying a new, weird fruit didn't make it to the top of the list. Additionally, there were rules about it. Our temporary apartment had signs forbidding it. So did our rental agreement on our car. And public transportation. Not a lot of incentive to engage with something that looks like a medieval weapon and smell like...well I can't really describe it...but its not good.
Enter the 2024 durian season. The anticipation by the locals was off the charts, and the discussion with co-workers made it clear that there would be no avoiding it this time around
Pop-up stands can be found all over here on the island, my team selected a more permanent location including actual durian trees and sculptures to provide physical icons to direct the worship of what's consider here to the "king of fruits"
Furthermore, the lore and superstition around this fruit was fascinating. In preparation for the event, local team members actually did prep work the day before, eating little amounts prior to our feast so that they'd be prepared to digest large quantities. I received instruction to not come with an empty stomach, lest I inflate with gas like a giant balloon. Also, was warned that the heat generated by the durian as I digested it would require cooling, best facilitated by drinking water from the shell of the fruit. Finally (and I can bear witness on at least this item) I needed to be prepared for durian-scented burps for the remainder of the day, a gross testament to everyone within a 5 meter radius of how I had spent my lunchtime.
The experience was...memorable. We tried 5 different varieties, each subsequent one more special and theoretically more delicious until we reached the ultimate, the Musan King. If I'm being kind, I'd describe the taste as "complex". The flavor started out as oniony/garlicy and progressed to sweet and then weird as I worked to swallow it down. I'm not really troubled by odd foods, I'll try almost anything that didn't originate the lower intestine or genitalia of an animal. What threw me off with the durian was the texture, which is best characterized as vaguely stringy goo. That plus the flavor made this a one-and-done for me, although I did make it through all five types. Fortunately, there was an abundance of mangosteens to act as a chaser/palate cleanser - these are my favorite fruit ever, and have an intense enough flavor to exorcise the durian demons.
Not long after, it was time for our summer home leave - we flew back to Oregon just in time for July 4th festivities, which this year included a sausage-making fest with the Wilbur clan
followed by a trip to Springfield to see the Jones/Andersons and a hike up Spencer's Butte.
Wasn't a long hike, but it was plenty hot. How hot? This hot:
Poured out some of our water for this guy and he came right over to drink it up. Also stopped by to see the progress on the Springfield temple under construction - excited to visit this place once it's done!
Also had the great pleasure of a full Wilbur-clan gathering at our family's happy-place in Kauai, including a trip down memory lane to paddle the Waialua river to the waterfall - did this as a crew for the first time 17 years ago
New this time around was the inter-generational river crossing.
Henry couldn't bear to leave hibiscus blossoms on the ground
Falls were beautiful as ever. Same goes for Joanna
Finally, got in a couple of dives - our first ever in Hawaii. Any day in the ocean is a good day, but we did decide that we've been spoiled a bit by southeast Asia's warm, clear water. Nevertheless, got a few pics of the local creatures doing their thing
Last stop before returning to Penang was a few days at our place in LaPine - Beth, Henry, and Ruthie came along to get a little trail and lake time before they headed back to Missoula
The trip went way to fast, and was a solid reminder of how blessed we are to have such a tight fam that still knows how to have a good time together
