The highlight of our afternoon excursion was without a doubt eating durian at the fruit stand. Scott saw something about the pungent smelling fruit on some food/travel show and was determined to try it. The way he explained it, the smell was almost unbearable, but the taste was nowhere near as awful. I can only guess that it is a delicacy to the Singaporeans, but I wouldn’t think many foreigners take a true liking to it.

We befriended a German man and his daughter who where also at the table pondering the culinary dare that lie ahead of them. The man took the initiative and bought a container for all of us to share. Of course, his stipulation was that Scott go first. They agreed on doing it together, and after a simple toast for encouragement, both men bit into the mysterious fruit, each with different results. Scott chewed it up and willingly swallowed, but the German man was not as brave. I don’t think he actually swallowed any of it before spitting toward a garbage can about two feet away.

Bryan and I laughed, but not without applauding their adventurous move. Unfortunately this was not enough for the German man, and he adamantly pushed the tangy treat on both of us. I was up for the challenge, and Bryan joined in after a little pressure. He was content with a single bite before handing it off to me for a couple of bites, that I did swallow, but then proceeded to trash what remained.

A round of congratulatory handshakes followed before going our separate ways. At which time my offering of Altoids was met with much appreciation. The whole experience was recorded on my camera, so I’m hoping to add a You Tube link soon.