|
|
 |
Sep 11, 2016
Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian!
GPS waypoint: 7°04'26.5"N 125°37'30.0"E
Location: Magsaysay Fruit Vendors, Davao City, Philippines
Exotic
If durian were a car, it would be no other than a Lamborghini - the most exotic production car that ever rolled off an assembly line! It's not for the faint of heart. Because of its pungent smell, it is banned in hotels, restaurants and flight hand-carrys. But for the durian lovers, it's an aromatic fragrance you may actually use as body spray if there ever was one. Yes, you can't stay in the middle with durian - love it or hate it.
Early Singapore Departure
My 2 reasons for coming back to Davao was to renew my passport and to indulge myself in my 1 kilo/day durian fix (plus or minus). When I was in Penang (Malaysia), I craved their top-of-the-line Munsang King durian. But at US$13/kilo (whole fruit), it was beyond my reach. All I could do was to salivate and leave the country wondering how it tastes like. I was frustrated to say the least. I vowed to have my durian revenge. With the durian season in full swing in Davao, it was a timely opportunity I could not refuse. I could have stayed longer in Singapore, but the spectre of arriving too late in Davao for its durian season was unacceptable. Despite standing hotel credits and increased ease, I left Singapore for my beloved Davao.
 in my elements devouring a full kilo of durian...sometimes 2!
Price Range
I savored all varieties. The price difference between the cheapest native variety (P40/k | US$0.87/k) to its Premium Puyat (P60/k | US$/1.30k) is manageable. In Penang, the price disparity between the cheapest and the dearest is a continental-divide - US$5 to US$13! Sure, I've tasted the lesser kind, but not the King!
A Woman Analogy
Durian varieties, like a woman, offer a wide range of sensory experience. Cob's meaty and creamy flesh is succulent. Puyat's sweet taste, small seed and more meat is generous and giving - almost to a fault. Arancillo's bitter sweet offering is a forbidden but tempestuous affair. The native variety's big seed, thin flesh but intense flavor is a measured indulgence, a woman telling me, "I'll let you bother me once a week". Yes, they are all magnificent and like a woman, they are infinitely fascinating.
Ending Thoughts
Durian can come across any way you like it - as an exotic Lamborghini, an infinitely fascinating woman or a fragrant body spray (I'm not sure about durian breath though...LOL!). To those who hate it, thank you - less competition on the table. After the season, I'll be a traveler without a sense of bearing - where on God's green earth do I go for my durian fix? It doesn't matter where the wind blows me knowing fully well I've exhausted my durian possiblities in Davao while the glorious season lasted.
--- TheLoneRider
 Lora Frances Lorente
(Sep. 13, 2016) Haha! Durian all you want!
 Janjira Teabchaipan
(Sep. 13, 2016) Are you like durian??? It's my love
 Davao City, Philippines
 tourist attractions
 - hotel
 Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
 van rental
 Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
 yoga | health | fitness
 tour
 resto |  cafe
 advocacy
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
- Duterte Mania in Davao Oct 12, 2016
- Sirsasana, Sarvangasana - Yoga Makaranda II Oct 7, 2016
- Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Oct 5, 2016
- Ashtanga Yoga with James Fritz Freire at Holiday Gym and Spa Oct 1, 2016
- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
- Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
- Scrubs and Hilot at Holiday Gym and Spa Sep 22-29, 2016
- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
- Nirvana Breathing Fitness with Lita C. Quisumbing Sep 21, 2016
- Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Spa and Gym Sep 17-19, 2016
- Downpour in Davao Sep 18, 2016
- Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel Sep 16, 2016
- Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian! Sep 11, 2016
- The Blast that Rocked Davao Sep 2, 2016
- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
Currency Converter
Sep 11, 2016
»» next story: Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel
»» next Food Odyssey story: Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao
»» back to Food Odyssey
»» back to Homepage
ARCHIVE 2024:
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC
1970 |
1973 |
1975 |
1976 |
1979 |
1981 |
1996 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
ALL BLOGS
|
 |
|
|
