In first place of all the firsts, I have to announce that I am no longer a durian virgin.
I have almost bought durian so many times, and then lost my nerve at the last minute – but Lauren was with me and determined to try it, so this time there was no going back. The stallholder had thoughtfully provided disposable gloves, as the smell is notoriously pervasive, and the fewer parts of your body that touch the durian, the better, it would seem.
So – I took a deep breath and tried it …
The texture is thick and custardy; it reminded me of blancmange or a patisserie cream with something pungent and rotting stirred into it. But the outside is plastic-y and rather like biting into edible cling film … bizarre.
I wasn’t sure what to make of it, really – but decided that I don’t hate it, so that’s a step in the right direction.
I also went up the Petronas Towers for the first time and, despite reading that the design is based on several Islamic motifs, I believe that the architect was heavily influenced by the daleks.
I celebrated my Petronas visit by having a barbecued frog when I got to the bottom –
– and jolly delicious it was too.
Then, in a moment of pure serendipity, we arrived at a cocktail bar to watch the sunset, and discovered that they offer free cocktails to ladies on Wednesday nights only. And here is Lauren enjoying her free Berry Margharita
I have also had my first visit to a luxury toilet, which I felt I had to try in the name of research.
The hostess, in a bow tie, gives you your official ticket (2 Ringgits = 40p-ish), and your welcome wet wipes –
But apart from some artificial flowers around the wash basins,
it looked pretty much like any other ladies loo –
Talking of loos, I’ve always thought that the signs you see everywhere telling you not to stand on the seat were a bit of a joke –
Surely nobody needs to be taught how to use a loo?
But at the shopping centre this week, I saw the first sign that these notices are not as redundant as I’d thought …
… definitely footprints.
And as I nervously approach my first winter in Malaysia, I’m pleased to see that the locals are taking the impending cold season very seriously. The temperature can apparently plummet by one whole degree Celsius, so I was relieved to find that the shops are full of –
coats …
scarves …
and hats …
… just in case I need to wrap up warmly in December, which is the coldest month of the year in KL.
So that’s all right, then – one more worry ticked off the list.