It’s now semester break and I’m helping Tze Kwan for her civet project on Pulau Ubin this June. Each field trip to Ubin consist of two sessions, one in the late morning and the other is in late afternoon. However, in between sessions, we have to occupy ourselves for four hours.
It’s durian season in Ubin in June! We have encountered many visitors who return to the mainland with rucksacks or tupperware full of durian. Since some of us are durian lovers and have long heard about how wonderful Ubin durians are, we went about on the hunt for the king of the fruits. Fortunately, we managed to learn some skills of picking and choosing a good durians from seasoned durian hunters and Ubin villagers. The secret was in three very important points: first the durian had to feel light, second, it should have a flat, clean-cut stem and lastly, possess the lovely durian aroma. Hmmm.. Yumyum! Already drooling at the thought of picking durians.
Even though, we are still noob in the area of durian picking, uncles have been pretty generous. Many see us being suaku and picking unripe fruits have happily shared their spoils with us. You know what’s the best part? Tze Kwan, from her numerous trips to Ubin has also learnt the art of durian opening but she doesn’t like to eat durians. You know what that means…? The durians are ALL MINEEE! Just kidding!
Even though TK doesn’t eat durians, but she loves to find and opens them up. Maybe a durian shop owner in the making?
All these durian hunting is a seasonal affair and is part and parcel of fun during field trips! So if you love doing field work and durians, you can help Tze Kwan for her fieldwork. And you might just get a bonus Ubin durian tasting trip!
wilderness in the city 