Durians at Cashew Road

 It's Sunday, the 4th day of our stay in Singapore.  Most of us are starting to get over the jet-lag.  The Wongs are spending the morning with their friend Joel and Audrey's family.  They will go to church and have lunch with them.

At Church with Joel's Family

Are you hungry?

The rest of us decided to go to Orchard Road, a street famous for shopping.  We stopped at the Uniqlo store at the Ion Orchard, then continue through the Wisma Atria building, where there are more shops, and finally, to the Takashimaya Department Store, where we had lunch.  It was very crowded and a challenge to find a table to accommodate all six of us.

Ella, Esme, Shawn and Ezra at Takashimaya

The highlight of the day is a durian party at Winnie and Wai Heng's newly-renovated flat on Cashew Road later that afternoon.  

You either like Durians or you don't.  The mention of the word durian always bring about a reaction, either disgusting or drooling.  In southeast Asia it's called the "king of fruits."  To those have never encountered durian the smell can be overpowering.  Some considered it so pungent that some hotels and public transportation services prohibit durians into their premises.  To fans, the custardy texture and taste of the flesh makes worth spending a lot of money for it.

Durians

Edible part of durian (yellow) and mangosteen (white)

Eddy and Mai-lon can't wait for a bite

Cynthia and Shawn tasting durians again since they were teenagers

Demonstrating how to open a mangosteen

The Wongs enjoying their durian

Taylor  "loves" durians

A Cheerful Durian-lovers Party

The party brought everyone together, especially all the cousins.  They are spread out over 3 continents - Australia, Asia and America.  Also invited were my friend Tobias and his family from Munich, Germany.

Cousins. 2023 (in Singapore) and 2019 (in NYC)

Cousins. L-R: Teresa, Cynthia, Shawn, Winnie

Christine, Quirren, and Tobias

Following the durian party we were hoping to catch the light show at the Marina Bay.  We arrived there at exactly 8pm, when the show is supposed to start.  Unfortunately, there was a big crowd there and we couldn't get to the front.  Only the two little ones were able to see something, sitting on their dads' shoulders.  We went to the food court to eat but the kids were so tired they fell asleep at the table.  It's time to hit the sack!