Fruits Native to Singapore (which you may not have seen or heard!)

I used to live in a kampong called Kang Kar, which is the present day Punggol Park, just opposite Serangoon Secondary School. The short bridge connecting Upper Serangoon Rd and Sengkang East Ave used to be the site of a famous fishing port where fishermen's catches were off-loaded in the wee hours of each morning.

Within the fencing where I lived, I remember there were 2 huge rambutan trees, a pulasan tree, custard apple trees, jambu trees, a durian tree, guavas and others. Around the kampong, I can remember coming across nutmegs, langsat and also, one big olive tree (which is around till today standing in the Nativity Church compound).

In the church compund also, there used to stand a huge fruit tree, which had to be cut down and in its place today stands a carpark. The tree used to be closed to the junction of the present Upper Serangoon Rd and Punggol Rd.

This is a native, but not well-known fruit tree that I want to enter into my blog today. Its called Buah Sentul(Malay), Buah Sng Too(Teochew & Hokkien) and Santol(English). I will not confound you - and myself - with its scientific name here though.

I used to miss the tree until quite recently, when I stumbled upon it and realised that this tree is now grown alongside many roads in Singapore. However, they are now much dwarfed in size. Some are low enough that their fruits can be picked by hands such as the one shown above. As far as I know, locally, the trees flower all year round, although they have a main season like most other fruits.

The AVA does really know their stuff and must be congratulated because, today the trees can be found along many expressways and estates all over Singapore. I understand that since the 80s, the AVA has started experimenting and growing fruit trees of many varieties, especially the native ones, all over Singapore to keep our heritage (trees being part of it).

It is not exactly the most popular fruit in this region, which explains why it is not commercialized here. On average the fruit is slightly bigger than a buah duku you see in the supermarket and slightly smaller than a tennis ball.

The rind (skin) is thick and very tough and needs a knife to open unlike the buah duku, which can be squeezed open if one has a pair of strong hands and fingers. The pulp of the buah sentul within, consisting of 4 or 5 segments, is eaten raw. It has a rather fluffy or buttery feel to it, while the taste borders between slightly acidic (sour) and sweet. It isn't very juicy either. This is based on my own taste and experience with the fruit.

The ripe fruit should be collected from the tree as fallen ones are usually already bad. Based on my own experience, the fruit is ripe when it is dark yellow, in comparison with others on the tree. You would also notice that it is relatively bigger in size. If it has a tinge of green or still a pale yellow, it should be left alone. The fruit at this stage will probably be too sour to eat.

But can one just take the fruits off any trees in Singapore? Well, it is officially an offence to pick fruits from any public trees in Singapore, notwithstanding some arguments that since we pay tax, by extension, we also own part of the tree. My own suspicion is, if you take a few for your own consumption, and do not injure or damage the trees, no one will bother you too much. However, this is only my own suspicion and one should also be aware that there are very "patriotic" people around nowadays who like to snoop on you and catch you red-handed with their camera phone. Having your face advertised in a place like Stomp and getting hit with darts is not to be taken lightly.

Cameron Highlands - Attractions

KEA FARM - (along main road just before equatorial hotel)

This row of immaculately arranged tomatoes was taken at the plantation at Kea Farm, Cameron Highlands. Most visitors often missed the varied vegetable and strawberry plantations located behind the rows of shops selling souvenirs, strawberries and vegetables. Venturing behind the shop, Kea Strawberry Farm (blue signboard), a narrow path leads one down to the many vegetables and strawberries grown in a shelter and in the open on a hill. You can buy them fresh off the soil from the farmers if you are interested. We have some fun descending the flights of steps in the cool weather and also get to see some uncommon plants such as the Lover's fruit and a strange looking bitter gourd plant.

"Wow Factor": 3/5 - Enjoyable enough as a buildup to the Tea Plantation further up the road.

That's us, excluding me.

BOH TEA PLANTATION, SUNGAI PALAS - (from main road left turn towards gunung brinchang)

Personally, the highlight of our trip is the visit to this tea valley, even though we did not arrive on time to join in the guided tour. Resplendent and majestic, the panaromic view of the tea plants against the hilly backdrop is just breathtaking. This is a must-see stop to Cameron because there is no where else quite like it in Singapore, and I understand also in Malaysia. The tour is conducted daily 4 times a day at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Each tour, lasting 45mins, includes a talk, a tea-tasting session and a walk in the plantations. After the tour, most people are so awe-inspired (you will be surprised how little you know about something as simple as the innocuous tea), you will be hooked on tea - at least for a moment long enough for you to impulse-buy the range of tea products that are on sale! Got to admit, talking from own experience...hmm.

"Wow Factor": 5/5 - Excellent, wasted trip to Cameron Highland if this is missed!

STRAWBERRY PLANTATION - (outside equatorial hotel)

By the time we get to this self-pick Strawberry Plantation, they have stopped the self-picking trade for the day at least, due to "run out of strawberries"; a sign they put up in front of the wooden gate. You still get to walk inside the "plantation", which is actually the size of about 2 basketball courts, but they are fenced up. I understand that to partake in the self-picking activity, you have to put a deposit at the front counter, after which a staff will handover a small tray to you, and from there you go in and "salvage" whatever is left behind by the people in front of you. Only 2 persons at a time are allowed.

"Wow Factor": 2/5 - Visit once to satisfy your curiosity and pay an exorbitant price for the "ooh-so-sour!" strawberries.

NIGHT MARKET/PASAR MALAM - (main roadside at brinchang town)
You cannot miss this night market as you drive along the main road up from Tana Ratah or Ringlet, where most tourists stay. Situated along the main road, this night market invariably causes a jam of vehicles heading from both the North and South. Parking your vehicle is a challenge. On the outside, the night market looks no different from the omnipresent ones we have in Singapore. However, the variety of stuff sold are refreshingly different and many of the things are only available up there. You get to buy local snacks, souvenirs, handicrafts, fresh honey, strawberries, super-fresh vegetables and even funny looking gourds (pictured below).

"Wow Factor": 4/5 - Wow! So different, with so wide a variety of items. Excellent for picking up super fresh veges and local delights.

ISKANDAR WATRFALL - (main road, 22km from Tapah Highway)

You also can't miss this Waterfall on the way up the winding road, 22km from Tapah Toll. Approximately 1/2 hour into your drive up, you notice cars park along the narrow road and roadside stalls selling Orang Asli-made handicrafts and such. The Waterfall appears on the left and you quickly find a space to slot in your vehicle. If this is your first ever encounter with a waterfall of any kind, you will be wowed by the sight of cascading water rushing down from high...it is estimated at approximately 30m. The water is cooling, but for anyone thinking of taking a dip in the pool, I advise not. Not least because of hygiene concern, but you really don't have time to dry yourself before getting into your car again.

"Wow Factor": 2/5 - Must-see for first-timers, but for most others, how much excitement can one get just staring at running water.

Old Hougang Market At Avenue 7

A truly authentic Singapore icon is about to be demolished to make way for modern buildings and be banished from our sights and thoughts forever.

Blocks 1 to 14, straddling between Hougang Ave 7 and Hougang Ave 3 are earmarked for demolition at the end of the year. These blocks have stood for around 35 years and the government probably felt they are somewhat of an anomaly in an estate surrounded by relatively new buildings.

I am powerless to change its fate, but I have attempted to take some pictures here for posterity. I hope these pictures (not exactly first grade, given that I took them with my Nokia 6500, slide) can provide poignant memories to anyone who ever stepped foot in the area; and I am quite sure there are many out there.

One day, many years from now, when I walk on the new soil and admire the new buildings in its place, I can flip through my collections and reminisce the old charm and mood of a place that once was, from the pictures that I have frozen for eternity.

On weekends, a motley crowd of laid-back visitors settles in the area for a leisurely breakfast from the many mini-stalls selling local fare.

Quaint and almost surreal, only metres away, the wet-market stalls bustle with activities as every stallholder has his/her endless stream of regular customers. Drowned in a cacophony, an overpowering smell, an overly-wet floor, one could pick out from among the confusing noise our Singaporeans' favourite art of price haggling, which these Hougang "marketeers" practise to a fine polish.

Some trades and practises are hard to find now in our modern society, such as this worker grating coconut from his old trusted coconut-grating machine.

My children, who have been to the market place on various occasions, can look at these pictures one day and reflect on the area's earlier existence. They would even be able to tell stories to their own children and grandchildren.

I grew up near this market area and still live a short distance from there. In fact, I once fought with someone in the area, or rather more accurately, I was beaten up by some guys there.

I will truly miss the market, which I regularly visit, when the inevitable happens at the end of the year. In fact, I am sadly missing it already.

Kelong Trip To Sibu - 26th July 2008

After an unexpectedly long jam at the Singapore side of the Woodlands custom, we finished our breakfast quickly at our regular spot at Sentosa in JB and set off at around 7am for Taman Leman Jetty, which was where we took our ferry ride to the Sibu Kelong.

There were 16 of us and together with another similar sized group we were to be the first groups to arrive at the HB Kelong.

We took the initiative to "chope" our area after a quick recce of the kelong and set out our rods in the holders.

First up...wah!, Sheila caught a nice table-size spotted Groupa. (Very sorry lah, no picture taken as she was the camerawoman).

There was no Tamban in sight, so we had to make do with our live prawns, which the boss, Sydney, made good use of to hook one Garfish after another. See, kana professional like that...


After that it was smallish fishes all the way till nightfall. I took out the Yozuri Sotong Jig to try my luck and after a few tries, lo and behold, we had a nice Reef Squid!

I spent the night jigging for my beloveed squids and we were able to land 7 of them in total. The following morning, Robin caught a good size Flathead without much of a struggle. It sure added to our miserable catch as the Tambans and their "relatives" were still not sighted.

In the following late morning, the boss used a small yellow kelong fish as bait in the absence of the usual Tamban. Before long his new 13ft Loomis rod exploded and arched. Suddenly, there was great excitement not seen during the 2 days at the kelong. The gong for a great battle sounded... the boss pumped his long rod hard in a whipping motion, anticipating a long duel. He whipped his rod fast and furious in a test of his skill against the unknown enemy. He held his rod firm and high, a sweat trickled down his tanned cheek. Without warning, the enemy propelled itself above the water surface and flipped, sending sparks of reflecting sunlight into our staring eyes. Before anyone of us could accurately identify the silvery disguise, it disappeared. Immediately after, we realised its split-second appearance was a tactical manoeuvre meant as much as an attempt to dislodge itself as well as to momentarily inflict blindness upon us so as to facilitate its escape. It picked the wrong guy though. The battle-hardened man knew their trickeries all too well and would not be fooled... Alas, as suddenly as the fight began, the much anticipated long battle fizzled out. The rod went limp and the 3kg Talang Queenfish was easily defeated and reeled in...Give That Man A Tiger!

We had these catch to show for our one day effort. Not bad, if you considered that others went home with only durians to show for their trip.

NDP 08 - Students Preview 5th July

Ca Mau - Vietnam Southernmost Province

Last week, four of us booked the only available flight from HCMC, Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ca Mau Airport. Although, I called up Vasco (Vietnam Air Services Company) about a week in advance, the seats had been fully taken up on one of our selected days so we had to push back our trip by a day.

We arrived at the Domestic Terminal at around 5am for our flight at 5.55am. The place was quiet, although well lit and was already filled with weary-eyed passengers. Shortly, the check-in gate opened and inside the airport, shops began to open as if on cue. We were able to have our quick breakfast before we boarded our flight that would take us to Ca Mau Airport.

Looking through the windows of the 65-seater plane, one could see that Ca Mau is a province of streams and waterways running through rice plantations and other vegetations and not much else.

The pilot did a smooth touchdown at the short runway of the airport and we taxied to the terminal nearby where ours was the only plane in sight. A control tower stood nearby, although given that there is only one flight in and one flight out of the airport a day, it could seriously be done away with.

We observed from a short distance away that our luggage were unloaded onto a canvassed mini-lorry and transported all of 20 meters to the front door of the terminal as we stood waiting. We grabbed what was ours as the workers pushed the load through the front door...nothing quite like a conveyor belt system, seriously! But then there was no need to. The claimants were orderly and there was no shoving and pushing. Such was the first of many pleasant encounters we had with the people of Ca Mau.

We stayed at Best CM Hotel, a really nice 3-Star Hotel, which cost us USD39.00/night. It was a beautiful hotel and service was excellent. The service staff at every dept were very friendly and the bosses mingled among the employees and talked to everyone like a family member. Food was good and consistent as the lady boss was ever present in the kitchen during meal times to ensure quality and consistency.

An alfresco cafe was located on the top floor (9th), which provided a breezy setting to go with your coffee. Satellite TV projected onto a huge screen was available much like any pub in a big city. There was even an outdoor swimming pool at the back of the hotel.

We went sightseeing to a place called Ap Da Bac or Da Bac village, which was about a 2-hour drive away from our hotel.

The drive for much of the way was through endless streams upon streams and small bridges across the muddy streams. However, we loved the experience because the oneness with nature could be felt and breathed. We were also full of pride to have stepped foot on a place where not many were given the opportunity to venture.

After 2 days of uneventful but incredibly absorbing and highly satisfying time immersing ourselves into the ways of life of the Ca Mau people and their nature, we left with really fond memories and a longing desire to return again in the near future... and next time, I would not be able to resist getting myself pampered with a half-hour session of pedicure and manicure for only 10000 dong, much like this friend of mine.

Pictures of Ca Mau