There is this wicked looking fruit in Southeast Asia called Durian (duri= thorny an=building). I read about it on one of the online Singapore travel guides – it was described
as smelling and tasting like “eating garlic ice cream while standing next to an open sewer” Wow! They weren’t kidding.
My first encounter was while walking through the market in Chinatown. there was this putrid smell – almost indescribably disgusting. Sickly with a brief bit of sweetness – but not sweet – rancid, rotten, decaying flesh with a spicy bitter bite of an aroma. It filled my sinuses, I couldn’t get the stench of it out of my nose for the rest of the day, it was one of those smells that cause a gag reflex reaction– it was powerful – and I was only down wind - I didn’t see any – but they were there. It wasn’t until I was at the wet market the next day that I was able to put a shape to the name and smell. I took a few
snapshots See above & left) they just scream “Don’t touch me!” “Eat me if you dare” “danger, danger” (looking like a medieval weapon – swinging from a chain).
It is unfortunate and un comprehendible that anyone ever looked at the spiny, brutal thing and thought, “Hmmm, that grows on a tree – bet it’s a fruit – bet I could eat it.” It has a very, very hard outer casing- difficult to open – guess that was the fun part of the challenge! After getting it open and smelling it’s pungent fragrance I just can’t believe someone still proceeded to put it in their mouth – and (I gag to think of it) eat it! Apparently it isn’t that bad to eat – (reminder when ever someone says “not that bad” I remind them that still doesn’t mean it’s good) – I didn’t try it, I 
didn’t feel it was a necessary fruit to taste – I caught enough of the flavor in a whiff!I wasn’t privy to seeing the inner parts that clearly, a woman at the wet market was hacking away at the flesh and pith (above). You can see a cut version nicely opened I found on the internet, fruit resembles foie gras – from what I understand the texture and flavor are equally bizarre. They are a delicacy, called the “King of Fruit” enjoyed by those who eat them (on purpose).
There are some interesting advertisements for Durians- certainly caught my eye. While we were driving, I saw this huge billboard along a Singapore highway with this good looking guy 
for this peer pressured ad. Then there is this sign I saw on the internet about CIMB Bank – I guess they are selling the idea: “King of Fruit = King of Bank”. There is even a Durian looking building in Singapore – the Esplanade.
Now before you think me biased against these fruits because I can not embrace another culture’s delicacies, I must let you know I am not the only person who feels this fruit is odd and smelly, after all it is featured on the Things that Stink website & there are signs on the MRT (subway of Singapore) and in hotels prohibiting Durians...
Singapore Lesson#2 those medical face masks I saw so many people from Japan and China wear – I am sure I know why now… Durian smell filters!
Feeding the Lories with the nieces on a cable bridge, we were at the mid level of the cage.
Emma and Jeff feeding Lories
Pretty birds all in a row
Emma Bird in a tree!
We especially loved feeding the Lories in the Lorie Cage – See 
This little birdie lives in a coconut husk
Caribbean Pink Flamingos
Flamingos from Africa/ Southwest Asia
Adorable Penguins
Birds perched in the jungle palms
Malls are the thing. The Country is only 274.2 sq mi, with a population of 5,076,700
you want to buy nice things when they are presented well – shopping it is an experience! The restaurants are beautiful - even the mall food courts are well designed with great lighting and furnishings and attention to details - my snapshots won't do them justice. You want to dress up to go shopping! Flow and traffic are well considered - overall the public spaces are thought through, buildings are interesting inside and out! Every Mall has an amazing water feature: I am certain having to do with the idea that water features activate good chi energy, by attracting good chi into your life it enhances your luck with work and wealth (it’s a little more involved than that but generally you want some form of moving water around). I probably passed many of these while we were driving about – but didn’t even know it!
Shopping Centre
I spent the end of March in Singapore – visiting my Sister’s family (they are there for work for the next few years). It was a great trip - the jetlag has been rough (being on the opposite side of the world - 12 hour time 
difference - 24+ hr flight) I slept most of the time away on the planes (unfortunately not quality sleep), caught a few new flicks, enjoyed some of the scenery – we live on a beautiful earth – on the way home I saw the sun rise twice in one day – crazy, but beautiful!
Singapore is a grand place! We had many adventures: Great World City, Bread Talk, Jurong Bird Park, Orchard, Ion, Yakatori at Tori-Q, Canal Promenade, Chinatown, Arab Street, Persian Mirza Ghasemi, Wet Market, Holland Village, Cha Cha Cha, Mount Faber, Henderson Waves, Jewel Box
Sentosa, Imbeian, Flora and Fauna, Vivo City, Shopping at Dim Arts Living, Dempsey Road, Coconut pancakes with Mango, Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Din Tang Fung –Baits and a taste of Chili Crab, Universal Studios, Candylicious, Little India, Singapore Flyer (Closed), Fountain of Wealth, Suntec, Cornery, custard filled fish shaped waffles, Diaso, Haw Par Villa, Café Brios, Singapore Zoo, Steamboat at Crystal Jade to name a few. 
