No durians allowed

Durian sold in 5 Ringit portions at Pudu Market

Durian at Pudu Market -one durian 24 Ringit by looks of it

This sign appears in the lifts of my hotel. It's not some kind of apartheid against the Durian people. It refers to 'The King of Fruits' - the durian - which has a rather strong smell. Love it or hate it - it divides opinion..........

Writing in 1856, the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace provides a much-quoted description of the flavour of the durian:

"The five cells are silky-white within, and are filled with a mass of firm, cream-coloured pulp, containing about three seeds each. This pulp is the eatable part, and its consistence and flavour are indescribable. A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It is neither acid nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience. ... as producing a food of the most exquisite flavour it is unsurpassed."

Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, is known as The Big Durian !!!