This year's Penang Durian Tour 2.0 + Hatyai, Southern Thailand, & Ipoh between 21st and 27 June 2013 was very successfully organised by Ms Lily Kong-Yit and Mr Alan Yit.
A total of 18 members and friends participated and had a really good time:- Ms Lily Kong-Yit, Mr Alan Yit, Mr Francis Yapp & Ms Agnes Chow, Norman Chia & Annie Wong, Mr & Mrs Kwan, Mr Michael Cheah & Mrs Anne Cheah, Helen & Wally, Dr Jeffrey Tee, Keith Yong, Mr Ivan Ho & Ms Irene Lee, and Dato' Yong & Datin Lilly.
基于去年7月非常愉快和成功的槟城榴莲北马之旅，我们公会今年6月再次组织了访问马来西亚槟城，再细细品味世界上最好的榴莲。
去年，我们在槟城参观一个榴莲农场，并在那儿品尝榴莲自助餐。然后从槟城南下怡保，金马仑高原和吉隆坡，一路上每到一站都有享受榴莲和其他旅游的景点。
今年的槟城榴莲2.0 + 南泰国之旅, 我们在槟城住上了2晚后，坐空调旅游车北上南泰的合艾和宋卡游玩，在合艾住了2晚，然后返回大马怡保 1 天才到回槟城过1夜，第二天早上从槟城经过吉隆坡散队。
21 June Fri:
Converge in Penang. 在槟城集合。
22 June Sat: Penang. 在槟城游玩。
23 June Sun: Penang – Hat Yai. 槟城 – 合艾。
24 June Mon: Hat Yai. 在合艾, 宋卡游玩。
25 June Tues: Hat Yai – Ipoh. 合艾 - 怡保。
26 June Wed: Ipoh - Penang. 怡保 – 槟城。
Day 1 Friday 21 June: Penang - 1st round of durian tasting at the Durian Fest at Penang Times Square:
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| Eating durian, as well as chempadak, mangosteen and rambutan |
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| 老外也要吃榴莲 |
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| "How do you eat this stuff?" |
Day 2 Saturday 22 June: Penang:
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| Kek Lok Si Guanyin statue |
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| Have some Penang hawker food for breakfast first before the tour starts for the day |
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| At the hawker food centre |
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| Owner of the nutmeg place, Mr Chang, a Hakka, explaining the nutmeg processing procedures |
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| Durian fruits hanging from the trees all over the place |
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| "Eat all you can" durian buffet |
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| Queuing up for a taste of the famous Penang cendol |
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| How does it taste? |
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| This is the famous cendol! Not much to look at, but heaven to taste! |
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| Wally said it was good? Mr Kwan was concentrating in the savouring |
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| Dinner at a Hakka restaurant in Penang |
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| This Hakka duck was the only dish worth writing home about, at this restaurant |
Day 3 Sunday 23 June: Penang - Hatyai:
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| On the ferry from Penang Island to Mainland Malaya |
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| Cars and people on the ferry in one go |
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| Not dance group members for nothing! Lily Kong Yit seems to be dancing in the street! |
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| Not karaoke group members for nothing! Dr Jeff Tee singing karaoke in Thailand |
Day 4, 5 & 6: Hatyai, Ipoh & Penang:
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| By the river side |
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| Legend has it that rubbing this Buddha statue's stomach may result in being awarded a child. Some members might have tried it and it might have actually worked! |
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| This is called pakis 马来菜 |
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| Musang King is the best durian variety in the opinion of some. |
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| This round of durian tasting in Ipoh was reportedly the best round |
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| Yummy! |
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| The ferry |
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| More durian yet! |
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| You just have to look at the expression on their faces to know that the taste was heavenly! |
Update 12 July 2013:
Additional photos submitted for blogging follows:
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| Nutmeg factory owner explaining |
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| Chendol time! |
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| Karaoke in Hatyai. Lily performing. |
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| Annie & Agnes |
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| Musang King 猫山王 |
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| Order more food！ |
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| Ending the Penang Durian Tour 2.0 - Anyone volunteering to organise the Durian Tour 3.0? At the KL International Airport leaving Malaysia for the Dongguan Lychee Tour (The Lychee Tour blog will be next) |
