THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN BENUT, PONTIAN

   9TH AUGUST 2026    ~ The gastronomic adventure today took place a bit further, in Benut, Pontian. The eating place was located in a village area, in the compound of someone's house actually.

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One could choose to sit either in the open area under the trees or the shelter of the zink/canvas tents.

Even though it was situated further away from the city, this place was popular by looking at the number of diners when we were there. We arrived quite late for lunch at about 3:00 p.m. but there were others who came even later than us.

The signature cuisine: Cendol. Since we had travelled quite far, so we opted for the most expensive one: Blackthorn Durian Cendol.

My friend had Nasi Ayam Penyet while I chose the Barramundi fish. Unfortunately, the sambal [mashed chili] of the dish did not taste like the original version and I was somewhat confused whether I had got the correct order.

We were glad we went there, and this was our first gastronomic adventure in Pontian. We should be looking for other places in this district for our next trip.

THE DURIAN PARTY AFTER THE WEDDING RECEPTION

   25th JANUARY 2026    ~ After the feast at the wedding reception somewhere in Pantai Balok [READ HERE], we all adjourned to the next spot near Bandar Indera Mahkota. The next gathering was a Durian Party at a stall by the roadside.

The party happened in the open, by combining a few flip tables and 17 people were happy to share the durians bought from the stall.

We bade our goodbyes for now before another Kuantan gastronomic adventure that was about to happen later in the evening.

SPOT THE ERROR 198

From Melaka, while enjoying the Durian feast with friends.

It should be Black Thorn, a specific name given to one type of Durian.

THE DURIANS FIESTA AFTER THE WEDDING RECEPTION

   4TH AUGUST 2024    ~ After the heavy meal at the wedding reception [READ HERE], we decided to get something healthy to complement the lunch. We were then led by our friends to this place called Eco Do Bem Cafe & Durian Park where fruits, particularly durians, could be found in abundance.

the excited customers,
in beautiful attires

the busy workers

Durians were the centre piece of the dining tables for sure.

However, we also had Pulasan, Passion Fruit and Guava.

Initially, the tables were filled with fruits and it looked impossible for us to finish everything. When it came to food and the company of [UPM TESL Class of 1993] friends, nothing was actually impossible.

the husband and wife who arrived
late

the orchard

The gastronomic adventure in Melaka this time was a bit different as no meat or fish was involved. We still enjoyed all the fruits to the max and we felt healthier after successfully finishing [almost] everything.

[MY MELAKA TRIP 2024 MAIN PAGE]

EATING DURIANS IN THE AFTERNOON OF EID UL-ADHA

20th JULY 2021 ~ I was not expecting any visitors in the afternoon of Eid ul-Adha but an ex-student suddenly arrived at my house bringing durians. I am not an avid durian fan actually but I do eat the fruit in moderation. It must have been a very long time ago since I last ate one until I could not remember when.

Since he was here, I had the chance to force him to help me get the rambutan fruit off from the tree behind my house using a long pole. We managed to get a bagful of rambutan to bring home to his mom who happens to be an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti.

Thanks Mr. Mohd. Afif Farhan for the kind thought. I don't remember anyone who had brought durians to be eaten together before so this should be something I will remember for a long time.

VISITING A SICK FRIEND IN BATU PAHAT

3rd JANUARY 2020 ~ We got the news an old friend/ex-colleague is sick and hospitalized in Batu Pahat. The six of us decided to pay him a visit at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital after the Friday prayer. Dr. Jamil Baser is an ex-teacher of SMK Taman Universiti before he left for Universiti Teknologi Hussein Onn in 2008. He is now in the ICU unit  
We couldn't stay too long when visiting someone in an ICU ward. Let's pray may Allah heal and grant him good health soon.

Someone's car tyre was punctured as we were about to leave the hospital compound. There's always a drama nowadays 😁

And we had to get dinner after all the hard work getting the tyre fixed. When in Batu Pahat, then one must eat the Briyani. 

And visiting the durian stall in front of the briyani shop after that.

Definitely a weekend well-spent with friends. I am glad we all still take the initiative to see each other when time permits even though we are already not working under the same roof anymore, or have even left the teaching profession.

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
- Elisabeth Foley -