" Sometimes it is just the little things that make you happy "
If every of my travelling is a "Fruitful or Fruity" one & not a "Fishy" one, I am blessed ! Never mind if it was a stray walking & driving (without GPS) or a guided tour but if I spotted any of the iconic landmarks resembling that of a fresh fruit or vegetable or fish (look good & tasty !), I would most likely end up my sightseeing trip with a rich "harvest" & a place well remembered, be it stinky or smelly or a having a fruity smell in the surrounding or taste like "Australian Vegemite" ! So have fun in travelling ! Looking forward to spot on a "Oyster" iconic landmark as I believe the "World is your Oyster" if you grab hold of the opportunities LIFE has to offer !
My "Fruitful" & "Vegemite" Days in Travelling !
1) Durian - The King of Tropical Fruit, you either love it or hate it; very pricey Rm20 > Rm50 (US$11.40) per kilo (depending on varieties) to eat nowadays, so go slow & gentle when savouring this fruit like you enjoy eating your favourite creamy vanilla ice cream or best still a durian flavoured ice cream; interesting to note that roasted durian meat is a favourite food sold in in the ancient city of Lijiang, China !
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Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia (2020) |
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Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia (2020) |
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Durian Station, SS2, Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia (2020) |
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Alor Backspace, Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2020) |
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Broga Sak Dato Temple, Semenyih
Selangor, Malaysia (2018) |
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Sang Lee New Village
Raub, Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
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Tha Maharaj Pier, Bangkok
Thailand (2019) |
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Suria KLCC, City Center
Kuala Lumpur (2022) |
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| Lijiang, Yunnan, China (2019) |
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Sunway Giza Mall, Kota Damansara
Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
2) Mangosteen - The Queen of the Tropical fruit, rich dark-purple skin & creamy white wedge like segments inside make the royal highness a sight to behold, the fruit is sweet, & tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous with fluid-filled vesicles, contains a lot of multivitamins & antioxidants, so get a bite of the durian & mangosteen when in Malaysia, you will fall in love with both the King & Queen of the tropical fruit !
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Broga Sak Dao Temple. Semenyih
Selangor, Malaysia (2018)
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
3) Ground Nuts - major producer Shandong, China & Gujarat, India; do not over eat, you can become a crazy nut or best still get grounded, mentally & emotionally stable !
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Sempalit, Raub, Pahang
Malaysia (2022) |
4) Mixed Fruit & Vegetables - fresh, mixed fruit & vegetable juice is healthy & delicious but do not add bird eye chilli padi into it !
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Dataran Maran, Pahang
Malaysia (2022) |
5) Water Melon - melons with lots of water; after a glass of fresh water melon juice, you will probably be in a "mellow" mood especially after a joyful outing !
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| Kuala Rompin, Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
6) Green Guava & Red Jambu or Wax Apple - buy the seedless variety & pick the crunchy red Jambu but make sure no white worms inside ! Bought a kilo of guava from a fruit stall in Selangor Fruit Valley, Rawang for Rm3.50 per kilo.
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| Bidor, Perak, Malaysia (2020) |
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia 2022) |
7) Mixed Tropical Fruit in Malaysia - durian, water melon, mango, papaya, mangosteen, star fruit, red jumbu, banana, oops not to forget pineapple from my hometown, Pontian Johor); enjoy eating Malaysian tropical fruit, the more the merrier !
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Sungei Ruan Village
Raub, Pahang, Malaysia (2017) |
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Broga Sak Dato Temple, Semenyih
Selangor, Malaysia (2018) |
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Kuala Klawang, Jelebu
Negri Sembilan (2020)
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8) Sweetcorn, Tomato & Strawberry, Cabbage & Pumpkin - pretty colorful "maids" all on a neat display in Cameron Highlands, Pahang ! I enjoy making a simple to make Malaysian style ABC soup using carrots, tomatoes, onions, cucumber etc as base ingredients whenever I have the opportunity to cook using the hostel's kitchen facilities when travelling overseas ! ABC soup stands for vitamins A,B,C from carrots & easy to prepare as simple as ABC !
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Brinchang, Cameron Highland
Pahang, Malaysia (2019) |
9) Strawberry - native to North America, originally were white in color
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Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
Pahang, Malaysia (2019) |
10) Dragon fruit - introduced to Asia via Vietnam by the French in the early 1800s
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HL Dragonfruit Eco Farm
Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
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Mimi Dragonfruit Farm
Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia (2021) |
11) Carambola (Starfruit) - this yellow color tropical fruit is a native of South Asia, low in calories but high in fibre but very nutritious; bought a kilo of starfruit from a fruit stall in Selangor Fruit Valley, Rawang for Rm4.50 (US$1) per kilo.
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
12) Coconut - the edible fruit of coconut palm, the fresh is high in fat, can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk or coconut oil, the liquid of the nut ie coconut water is used in beverages; Malaysians enjoy eating black glutinous rice & coconut milk dessert soup, sai mai lo (tapioca pearl / sago dessert) & iced Bubur ChaCha (Malaysian coconut milk dessert) ! People who do not use their brain are coconut heads !
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Selangor Fruit Valley, Berjuntai Bestari
Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (2022) |
13) Corn Cobs - The iconic 88 storey Petronas Twin Towers, standing tall & highly visible in Kuala Lumpur City Centre had an affectionate nick name "The Twin Corn Cobs"; one "Corn" was built by Koreans & the other by Japanese (completed in 1998) - so the birth of a new Kor-Jap hybrid of "Corn Cobs" in Malaysia ! Look good & classy from far !
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The 88 storey Petronas Twin Towers
standing tall like a twin Sweet Corn
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2021) |
14) Wasabi - Japanese horseradish, a paste made from its ground rhizomes is used as a pungent condiment for sushi & other foods; do not try to "swallow" the wasabi in big portion, otherwise your body will instantly react like a green monster & turn into a new Incredible Hulk !
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| Wasabi Farm, Matsumoto, Japan (2017) |
15) Peach - or "Tao" in Chinese, in China, the peach is considered sacred, a blessed fruit, a symbol of longevity & immortality; peach blossoms symbolises romance, prosperity & growth; peach flowers are popular in decorations especially during the Chinese New Year in China ! China is the largest producer of peaches & nectarines in the world - 14.5 million tonnes!
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God Well Chinese Temple
Kampung Titi, Kuala Klawang
Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan (2020) |
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Broga Sak Dato Temple, Semenyih
Selangor, Malaysia (2018) |
16) Mandarin oranges - Pronounced as "Kum" in Chinese dialects sound similar to "Gold", the tradition of display & gifting mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year symbolises an abundance of wealth & the sharing of prosperity, this seasonal fruit from China & Taiwan is on sale in major supermarkets & wet markets during the Chinese New Year season in January / February period !
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Suria KLCC, City Centre
Kuala Lumpur (Feb 2018) |
17) Bananas - Do the Dubai people enjoy eating yellow skin banana or watching Donald Duck cartoon show ? In my recent Cuti Cuti Malaysia outstation trips to Penang & Kuantan, my travel buddies like buying local bananas from roadside stalls along the main trunk roads in rural areas & we usually buy a bunch & ate them in the car or in hotels. When was your last time savouring a banana ice cream split ? India is currently the largest producer of bananas, followed by China & Indonesia. You will go bananas when a monkey snatches away your spectacle from behind, I had this bad experience when I was visiting a Hindu temple in northern India in 2007 ! I passed a banana to a temple guard to help me to lure the monkey & I got back my spectacle eventually ! What a relief !
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(2018) |
18) Pineapple - an incredibly delicious & healthy tropical fruit, a popular tropical fruit in Malaysia, Pekan Nanas, a pineapple village near my hometown, Pontian Kechil is famous for pineapple growing; originally from South America, Philippines, Costa Rica & Brazil are currently the 3 top producers of pineapples.
19) Hulu - means bottle gourd in Chinese; a small, round bamboo fruit; in northern China, a traditional snack called Bintang Hulu or iced Hulu is commonly sold in a cart or carrying pole during the winter months ! If you enjoy eating sugary snack, savour one for yourself & your children when you are in northern China !
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Tian Pao Kong Temple, Yong Peng
Johor (2021) |
20) "Yuan Bao" fruit - In Dec 2021, while visiting the Black Dragon Cave Temple in Yong Peng, Johor, a temple attendant directed our group to see an unusual plant which produces an exotic fruit shaped like a "Yuanbao", a type of gold or silver ingot currency used in Imperial China during the earlier Qing dynasty ! I believe this fruit is not edible but grown on the temple ground as an ornamental plant (a symbol of prosperity) for visitors to view & appreciate ! A "Eureka" (rare discovery) for me as this is my 1st time seeing such a rare fruit in a tropical climate of my home country !
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Tian Pao Kong Temple, Yong Peng
Johor (2021) |
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Black Dragon Cave Temple
Yong Peng, Johor (2021) |
21) Green apples - heard of "Granny Smith" green or sour apples originated in Australia in 1868 ? Popularly used in many apple dishes ie apple pie, apple cobbler, apple crumble & apple cake. In May 2023, I visited the Alun Alun Kota Wisata Kota Batu (a public park) in Kota Batu, Java, Indonesia; Batu, Java is known as a "city of Apples" & this fruit is grown on the volcanic slopes of Sumbergondo village in East Java, no wonder their mini sized green apples I ate were as hard as a "rock" ! "Batu" in Malay & Indonesian language means "Rock" !
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Alun Alun Kota Wisata Batu
Java, Indonesia (2023) |
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| Batu a "Apple City" in East Java |
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My 1st bite of Batu apples
East Java, Indonesia |
My "Fishy" Days in Travelling
1) Marlin - Game Fishing keeps Rompin alive in Pahang, Malaysia ! Sword fish, Sailfish & Marlin all have a spear like snout or bill so beware ! If you see one while swimming in an open sea, run for your life !
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Marlin Statute, Rompin
Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
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Pantai Hiburan, Kuala Rompin
Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
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Pantai Hiburan, Kuala Rompin
Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
2) Patin Fish - a specie of catfish, natives to the rivers of South East Asia, Temerloh is the home of Patin, Pahang, Malaysia
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Taman Esplanade, Temerloh
Pahang, Malaysia (2022) |
3) Swordfish - swim at high speeds, up to 50mph, grow rapidly reaching a maximum length of 14 ft & almost 1,200 pounds, if a swordfish stare at you, do not try to cross sword with this fish !
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China & Russia Joint Trade Centre
Suifenhe, Heilongjiang, China (2015) |
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Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Malaysia (2011) |
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| Lumut Waterfront, Perak (2022) |
4) Crab - average life span is 3 to 5 years; in stray walking especially in free & easy travelling, sometimes you may walk a bit sideway like a mud crab in order to peek inside a building to take a candid shot !
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Pulai Ketam Ferry
Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia (2017) |
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| Krabi, Thailand (2013) |
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Bo Phut Town, Koh Samui
Thailand (2013)
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| Osaka, Japan (2010) |
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| Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan (2008) |
5) Crab Claw - this waterfront with a big monument of Crab Claw in Monbetsu, Hokkaido, Japan must be famous for crab, hairy or not, I don't know but in Hokkaido, I had tasted snow crab so for my Monbetsu package tour trip & coming to eating, it was all about crabs, crabs & crabs and after eating, clap clap clap ! Certainly not a load of crap if you have savoured a table of snow & Alaska crabs, you will sleep well at night !
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Monument of Crab Claw
Monbetsu, Hokkaido
Japan (2017) |
6) Fish Tail - I enjoy eating grouper fish head in mi hoon or rice vermicelli soup add with evaporated milk, Malaysian style !
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| Turku, Finland (2011) |
7) Trout - salmon & trout originated from the same fish, trout is a freshwater fish whereas salmon is a saltwater fish; during Chinese New Year, Malaysians enjoy eating Yee Sang or Prosperity Toss, a raw fish salad consists of strips of raw fish eg salmon mixed with shredded vegetables & a variety of sauces & condiments, very appetising !
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Omarama, South Island,
New Zealand (2016) |
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Auckland Domain, North Island
New Zealand (2016) |
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Lumut New Village Jetty
Perak, Malaysia (2016) |
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Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Malaysia (2011) |
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Muttra Corniche, Muscat
Oman (2018) |
8) Dolphin - an aquatic mammal, highly intelligent ! Be kind to them !
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Muttra Corniche, Muscat
Oman (2018) |
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| Muttra Corniche, Muscat, Oman (2018) |
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| Tower Bridge, London, England (2009) |
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Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
United Arab Emirates 2018 |
9) Mussels - New Zealand mussels - world best ? If you keep eating pot after pot of NZ mussels during your happy hours with a group of your best friends, you may end up with a muzzle placed on your mouth by your spouse !
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Havelock, South Island
New Zealand (2016) |
10) Whale - Japan has a commercial whaling industry supported by the Government, whale hunts in Japan mainly focused on Sei, Bryde & Minke, 331 whales were hunted in Japan in 2019 ! Whale meat is considered a delicacy in Japan.
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Ueno Zoological Garden
Tokyo, Japan (2008) |
11) Seal - a marine mammal, seals are friendly, trainable & intelligent, they can be taught to perform shows & provide entertainment to humans, sea lions are eared seals & much larger than seals, seals have small flippers.
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Okhotsk Tokkari Centre
Seal Protection Centre, Monbetsu
Hokkaido, Japan (2017) |
12) Golden Mermaid - a famous statute on a rock at the Samila Beach, Songkhla, Thailand; an iconic landmark built in 1966 !
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Golden Mermiad, Laem Samila
Songhkla, Thailand (2017) |
13) The Little Mermaid - a bronze statute depicting a mermaid becoming human, an icon in Copenhagen & a tourist attraction since its unveiling in 1913 !
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The Little Mermaid Statute in
Copenhagen, Denmark was temporarily
on loan to Shanghai Expo 2010, only
a framed picture of the Little Mermaid
erected near the waterfront during
my visit to Copenhagen in May 2010
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The Little Mermaid exhibited in
Denmark Pavilion, World Expo
Shanghai which I visited in Oct 2010 |
14) Koi - a colored variety of the Amur carp normally kept for decorative porposes in outdoor Koi ponds or water gardens; Feng Shui spiritual experts say that having the spirit of the Koi near you will attract good luck, fortune & spiritual benefits ! Koi can live up to 25 to 35 years, Japanese people take Koi breeding very seriously !
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Fortune Dragon, Yong Peng
Johor, Malaysia (2021) |
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West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
China (2017) |
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Tua Pek Kong Temple
Pasir Panjang, Sitiawan, Perak (2022) |
15) Seahorse - a small marine fish, there are 40 known species, dried seahorse is sold as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma, incontinence & impotence ! This picture was taken by my travel buddy, KF Wong in his group visit to Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia in Nov 2021;
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Seahorse Sculpture (Lighthouse)
Coco Copana, Miri,
Sarawak, Malaysia (2021) |
16) Octopus - octopuses are sea animals & have 3 hearts & 9 brains in addition to a central brain, each of 8 arms has a mini-brain that allows it to act independently, a bite from a blue-ringed octopus can be fatal, giant Pacific octopus can live for 3-5 years; visited the beach of Bangchui Dao, Dalian (Liaoning Province), China in August 2015 & interesting to note that the beach site is lined with a number of large painted statutes of sea creatures ie octopus, lobsters, sharks, starfish, sea shells, Dalian is a modern port city on the Liaodong Peninsula, the southern tip of of China's Liaoning Province, the city was founded by the Russians in 1898 & Russian Street is lined with Russian style architecture, Zhongshan Square is lined with colonial buildings in Renaissance style !
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Bangchui Dao, Dalian
Liaoning, China (2015) |
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Bangchui Dao, Dalian
Liaoning, China (2015) |
17) Kelah Square, Taman Negara (National Park), Pahang, Malaysia - housing a very large fish tank to showcase local new & silver Kelah (a protected specie in the Kelah Fish Sanctuary located at Lubok Tenor, 20 minutes from Kuala Tahan jetty), the Masheer Fish also known as Kelah is the most elusive freshwater spot fish in Malaysia, the name " Mahi" (Fish) & "Sher" (Tiger) originally from the Indian Gulf referred to as tiger among fish, they can be found in rapid streams, river line pools or lakes of South East Asia; this edible fish is pricey to eat selling Rm250 > Rm300 (US$68) per kilo in Malaysia !
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Taman Negara, Pahang
Malaysia (2019) |
18) Wawasan Pekelahan Kampung Sungei Bil, Slim River, Perak - a metal statute of a "Kelah" fish (an endangered species of cyprind fish or golden mahseer that normally found in rapid streams, river line pools & lakes in hilly or mountainous area) in Sungai Bil Village, Slim River ideal for family outing & picnicking !
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