Crazy about Durian

Three month ago I wrote the following text for the yearbook of my exchange organization.

Inside the lush green of a fruit plantation we walk around searching for the tastiest fruit I know: The king of all fruits, the Durian. We, that are my “siblings” Danial (8), Yasmin (6), Sophia (4), my “parents” Sarodin and Aliza and some relatives and friends. Once again they’ve surprised me with an interesting weekend trip. After some month I covered with them almost entire Malaysia, which is full of fascinating secrets. Everywhere Malaysians like to talk with me, and that is probably, what I like most here. My parents are very sociable and curious which is why I feel very comfortable with them. We learn from each other about all kinds of topics. In that way we constantly learn about the culture of one another. And I am fluently in the Malay Language now.

My host father teaches me how to open the thorny shell of the durian-fruit and immediately the air is saturated with the intensive smell. Many people don’t like the smell and thus Durians aren’t allowed in hotels or trains. Anyway, I love the smell and the taste as well. With pleasure I gorge several lumps of the creamy, yellowish fruit flesh. Awesome!

Every day I look forward to the various foods in this multicultural country, that I am given at home or on the way. Of some of the Indian and Malay dishes I can’t get enough whereas I am not so fond in the Chinese cuisine.

But eating is only one part of my everyday life here in one of Shah Alam’s suburbs. I also find pleasure in other things such as going to school. It is very bustling and amusing there so that I quickly forget about the stressful examinations. I have so many friends, who like to chatter with me. In the afternoon I play soccer with them. I also participate in the co-curriculum activities, e.g. the traditional Malay martial arts Silat and the Indian language Tamil. In the afternoon I help my siblings with their homework and teach them some basic German. They can already converse and sing some songs in German.

On organized AFS trips I can exchange experiences with other students, but anyway the most important exchange is that with my Family, with whom I live together for one whole year. I am happy to live together with such a cordial and open minded family.

In my future life, I’ll always love to “balik kampung” (back to home). My “kampung” is Bukit Jelutong in Shah Alam. Saya Anak Malaysia (I’m Malay).

After the picnic we take home the remaining Durians. Unfortunately there are no Durian trees in Germany! Even thou: thanks to AFS and my parents for this marvelous experience.

Paradise Malaysia

The people, who I meet are very interested in the things that I like most about Malaysia. I am always stuttering first because instantly I am thinking of so many different aspect that I love.

Malaysians themselves are the best Malaysia has to offer. Everywhere I go here the people like to chat. Sometimes I just sit down on a bench in a mall knowing that somebody will start a conversation with me or the other way around. I think Malaysia shares this characteristic with Indonesia and some other south-east-Asian countries.

Furthermore am I exposed to multiple totally different cultures and thus I learn a lot about traditions, the mentality and way of proper behavior. I love the situations, when I smell the fragrance of incense sticks of a Chinese shop altar, talking to a Hinduist Indian woman with a Bindi o her forehead and dressed in a colorful Sari while the muezzin’s voice resounds from the nearby mosque’s high-rising minaret, calling the Muslims to come for prayers. This and many more fascinating things became every-day-life for me. People keep on astonishing me with absorbing stories about culture and religion.

To change from the humane composition to the physical properties of Malaysia I must admit that I have never had my jaw dropping down so often because of stunning scenery. Palm-lined, kilometer long stretches of white sandy beach, hilly mountain ranges with lush rainforests and finally the bustling activity in the cities make this country an indulgence for the eyes.

I will definitely not forget to mention the Malaysian cuisine of which I personally prefer the Indian and Malay one. Before arriving in Malaysia I made it an objective for me to try every food that I am given at least three times before judging it. I would like to present you the Top 5 Selection of my favorite Malaysian dishes.

Unmistakably on the Top of my list is the fruit Durian, that I have talked of so many times. I still remember that I didn’t like it when trying it for the first two times. Besides the fresh fruit flesh I also like Durian Ice Cream (Aiskrim Malaysia).

Now I have problems to choose only four other of the vast variety of mouth watering food. I give Nasi Lemak the priority that evolved to one of my favorites only after some six month. Now I love to eat the spicy chilli Sambal (My favourite is Anchovies Sambal) together with the rice, that was cooked in coconut cream, and amendments (groundnuts, cucumber, boiled eggs and fried anchovies).

I entitle Nasi Biryani as #3. I prefer to eat this savory, hot Indian dish with either chicken curry or Kurma sauce. Accomplished with vegetables, Papadam bread and other amendments this is always a heaven.

I proudly announce Roti Cheese Naan on the fourth position. This Indian bread, made of wheat flour is stuffed with cheese. I get rebates and additional cheese in some Mamak’s as I am a frequent customer there. The employees are happy when I talk some Tamil with them.

Last but not least I want to emphasize that I love the fruits that grow here. From to hairy Rambutans over the watery pineapple to the juicy papayas and mangoes. Here I get them all fresh and I even have the opportunity to pluck them myself.

I think from the beginning of this blog you already noticed how marvelous Malaysia is, but I want to recommend visiting this country once again.

Cameron Highlands

After the highland resorts Genting Highland and Fraser’s Hill this weekend I went with my family and some relatives to the third and probably most popular hill station in Malaysia: Cameron Highlands.

It is Saturday morning as we reach the resting area on the North-South-Expressway to wait for Busu and her family. I like them very much, because they are very talkative and we have a lot of fun. Shortly after crossing the Selangor-Perak-border we spot a Durian-middleman with his car boot brimful of the thorny fruits. We get them much cheaper than in KL. The road curls continuously upwards. I catch sight of an orang asli settlement. The temperatures drop steadily.

Finally we reach Cameron Highlands, which is actually located in the state of Pahang. The mountain range is especially famous for tea plantations, strawberry farms and other agricultural products that cannot be grown elsewhere in Malaysia. We enjoy tea and good brownies and a stunning view over the valley that is entirely covered with the islets-like looking tea shrubs. The sun is shining. The temperatures up here are very comfortable at about 20.

In our apartment we cook our lunch. But I prefer to indulge Durian as it will be difficult to get them in Germany. In the afternoon we explore the other small towns, Branching and Tanah Rata. We also visit some beautiful valleys, driving on their narrow roads built into the steep slopes. The scenery is stunning. Unfortunately the tea plantation we want to visit is closed. We take some photos before returning to the city where a night market has just opened. Most of the souvenirs are cheesy or represent strawberries in any form. By the way are German strawberries much tastier, than those I try here. The sweet potatoes and corncobs are more delicious. Later in the evening we go back home to have diner. Our apartment is saturated with the durian’s fragrance.

On the next morning we’re having Nasi Lemak and some more Durians for breakfast before we visit a strawberry farm. My family likes the strawberry ice cream and the jam there.

Right after the strawberry farm we leave for Penang and take the new East-West-Highway, which has just opened. The view over the mountainous Cameron Highlands that I’m enjoying on this route is staggering, but the environmental impact of this jungle highway on the nature is not less staggering. I feel ashamed using this road. Whole hills were cut, dams built and they didn’t even built it properly. Everywhere landslides run down the steep slopes devastating even vaster areas. The destructive impact on this once remote jungle is irreversible.

Upon arrival in our hotel in Penang I go swimming with the kids. Aliza and Sarodin also join us. We’re having big fun, but sometimes it is difficult to give equal attention to all three, otherwise Sophia starts crying.

Afterwards we start running down the Penang specialty menu, driving from Balik Pulau (Mee Udang=Noodles with Shrimps in Tomato sauce) to Gelugor (Nasi Kandar=Rice with mixed curries) and on to Pulau Tikus (Rojak=Fruitpieces with sweet sauce). The Nasi Kandar in Penang is very delicious. If you ever come here, try the street hawker in Penang Road/Leith Road!

On Monday morning we go swimming again, eat Nasi Kandar and head back to Shah Alam. It was a very amusing trip together with all of Busu’s family and us.