OVERHEATED

This weekend was overheated.

Firstly, there was a BBQ at an ex colleague’s house. Old buddies were supposed to meet up on Friday night for a BBQ but the torrent rain had caused Kuala Lumpur’s traffic to be utterly horrendous. I was stuck in the standstill jam after office hour on Friday at Jalan Kuching for almost an hour before I decided to make a U turn to go home.

Feeling somewhat guilty for not showing up to the BBQ, (and the host had made my favorite bacon and banana sticks), I decided to go on Saturday instead. Apparently, everyone was stuck in Friday’s horrific jam and didn’t manage to make it, apart from those friends and relatives coming from Petaling Jaya or Kajang to Cheras. Speaking of Cheras – it seriously befuddling how people could stand staying in Cheras with the never ending standstill traffic jam, even after 11 pm.

It was a good to catch up with old friends; talking about mostly anything – trips, video games, movies, babies, gossips, jokes, etc. A terrific way to spend the weekend.

This morning, I had a weird dream again. We were at some place filled with people. It looked like a temple with Hindu gods figurines. Then I suddenly had the urge to use the loo. The moment I opened the door, there was a splash of blood on my feet. I screamed and jumped aside. A girl who was with me – I don’t even know her, apparently did not see the splash of blood. I looked again. There was no blood. I tried to use the next toilet – but someone else had jumped queue. The third toilet was broken. The girl who was standing next to me vanished into thin air.

I confided in a friend – I don’t even remember who she was, she suggested that I see a medium. I found myself in a hall filled with people – there was a lady in her 40s, motioned me to see her. I told her about what I saw. She appeared to be calm and motioned everyone in the hall to form a circle.

“Do not break the circle,” she said sternly.

“We will now form a circle to appease the spirit,” she continued, “Do not let your hands go.”

I noticed that we were suddenly standing on a very huge Ouija board. I freaked out. The chanting began – but it was barely audible. I tried not to let go off my hands – but the persons next to me sometimes would let go and clap. I was quite pissed off at them for not listening.

After the chanting, we were all instructed to lie on a plank with graph-like chart. I was placed on number 5; meaning – I gave the most resistance to the spirit, among other people. I asked the lady – what does this mean? She said – I would need to negotiate my way out with the spirit myself.

I was then transported again back to the toilet – but this time round, there was no blood and the toilet was clean. I then, put a pile of dirty clothes into a washing machine next to the toilet – while watching my back – so that, the splash of blood do not appear suddenly again.

Suddenly, the phone rang. My subconscious mind told me not to answer it.

“No! Don’t answer it! It’s from the Monk!”

Then I woke up. It was 11.30 a.m.

The call was from Dennis; waking me up to go to Bentong with him and Jess for a durian fiesta. I rubbed my eyes and recollect my dreams. It was freaking weird alright… and geez.. today’s the Monk’s birthday! (I only remember when I wrote this post!). Well, Happy Birthday, Monk!

Dennis’ colleague has an uncle in Bentong, who would give a good deal for durians. I was delighted. The usual prices charged for durians in KL - RM10-RM13 per kilo for D24 and RM5-RM8 per kilo for D101, etc. This knowledge is gathered from the few durians dinner with Sekinchan Boy. Here - we are getting D24 at RM4.50 per kg and D101 for RM3 per kg. Sweet!!

The thought of having durians in an orchard tucked away in Bentong was beguiling. It was a hot afternoon. We didn’t know there would be 14 of us! Kuala Lumpur convoy to Bentong for durians in four cars! There were some serious durian connoisseurs. To me – a durian is a durian, irregardless of grade or species.

Then, I suddenly turned apprehensive.

Me: Are we gonna go for jungle trekking when we enter the orchard?

Dennis: Not sure lah.

Me: Shit lor.. I am so out of shape. I don’t even go to FRIM for a walk! And now, going inside an orchard to eat durians?? Got mosquitoes or not?

It’s me – the whiner on Sunday afternoon.

Dennis: You came back from Taman Negara – you were alright what?

Me: Dude.. that was like.. 4 freaking years ago? When I was fitter?

Chamang Waterfalls

We were wrong. There was no orchard. We ended up being led to Chamang Waterfalls, where we went last year for a picnic. Actually, it was a relief for me - no need to do any trekking at all - I am that lazy!

We ordered 30 durians to be shared among ourselves. Since there were 14 of us – I thought there would be a shortage. I was ambitious to finish at least 3 durians all by myself! The feat was almost impossible as almost every durian was extremely creamy, delicious and they come in quite big chunks! We had mostly D24.

Check out the screwdriver!

It was hilarious to see some of the participants bringing their own cleaver and one even brought a screwdriver. The ladies were the first to take initiative to hack the durians apart – wow, and they did a pretty decent job!

After finishing 18 durians in less than 30 minutes, everyone was pooped. We took a walk around the waterfall for a breather. We did go for a short jungle trekking - like 50 m? *lol*

It was a good thing that the Uncle Durian took us here, rather than going into the orchard – we wouldn’t know what else we could be doing in the orchard then, other than trying not to get durians falling on our heads and letting mosquitoes sucking us dry.

We learnt a few tips today:-

1. A good durian comes with worms inside – less pesticides were used or none at all.
2. To select a good durian, place a 5 sen at the tip (bottom) of the durian – if the 5 sen covered the tip just nicely – that is a good durian.
3. The uncle thought us how to select a good durian – by blowing on the spikes of the durian. If the durian is empty (meaning – not much biji inside), it would make noise.

Heck. I will never learn.

We ta pao-ed the remaining durians to Kuala Lumpur. It was a satisfying trip. I just spent a total of RM60 – about RM40 for the durians – eat (I think I ate 2 whole biji) and 5 more (D24 and D101) to be brought home – RM20 for toll, petrol, a couple of sandwiches and a few bottles of 100 plus to wash down the heat.

There would be another trip for sure, in near future. I could smell it.