Minggu, 27 April 2014

My trip to the Machapking Durian Farm at Machap, Johor.

Visited the Machapking Durian Farm (N1.90353 E103.24766) on the end of March 2014. We reached the farm around 10am and met up with the farm owner - Mr Cheng who is a humble, polite and knowledgeable guy. According to Mr Cheng, his farm has about 50 acres, one thousand of durian trees, palm oil trees and many more...
It's located quite a distance from the main road of the Machap town, and only 4WD is able to drive through. We were riding on Mr Cheng's 4WD into the farm...

He was explaining all the way since our farm trip started, and he introduced to us the different types of Durian trees one-by-one...

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The Machapking Durian farm at Machap, Johor
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This is the famous Musangking durian tree

After a while, he stopped the car and let us enjoy the aromatic durian's flower...that was a great moment during the trip!
The photo below was the very initial stage before the flower...

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Before blossom...

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The photo above showed that all these will be blossom in the evening around 5-7pm...

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And some of them were beautiful with flowers...

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Another type of the durian flower

After the flowers withered, the branches are going seeding...

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The whole area was so beautiful and this was my first time in life surrounded by durian tress and flowers!

Normally the blossom session will be in the evening, and most of the flowers will wither after 6-7am. If you be able to witness during that moment, it's just like watching a flower rain! I can only visualize the beautiful scene...too bad I can't be there during the flowers rain...

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The flowers were everywhere in farm...it was a wonderful scene!

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Durian's flower

According to Mr Cheng, sometime they will collect all these flowers and cook for dinner, it's just like stir fried the vegetables, and it's delicious! Said Cheng. I would like to taste it too if I have a chance...

We even tasted and drank the nectar, it was really sweet!

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Robin had his first try on the durian flower's nectar

Mr Cheng said, basically he only concentrated on the four (4) main species which are : Musangking 猫山王, Machapking, Tek-kah 竹脚 and Kim-Hong 金凤. Beside that, he also has D24, D78, nai-you-bao 奶油包 (his own creation) and many more...

There are also other fruits in his farm, like Philippines rambutan, mangosteen and many more which I didn't manage to get the name...

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The flowers of the rambutan tree

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The baby cempedak...

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And this...I didn't get the name of the fruits...

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Mr Cheng showed us another hut which produce the 'enzymes' which use as the 'fertilizer' for all his fruits in the farm.

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The enzymes produced by Mr Cheng own recipe...

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The enzymes

The water supply for all the trees in the farm is also designed by Mr Cheng himself, once he power on the motor from the water source, the water will goes to all his trees in the farm automatically! Fully automated for the whole fifty (50) acres, amazing!

Mr Cheng visit his farm 3 times a day to monitor and observe the grow of all the fruits, it is become his hobby to take care the trees and the fruits. He 'generously' shared with us his past experience since the day one inherited from his father.
We were having a precious lesson on that day and definitely worth the trip! I will be back to the farm again during the 'golden season' when all the trees full of fruits, before the harvest season.

His durians will be selling at many area within Johor Bahru, his own stall is at opposite the Daily Point Kopitiam, Tmn Molek. And all his durians will be available start from middle of June till August.

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Mr Cheng - the owner of the Machapking durian farm

The location of Machapking Durian's Farm in Machap, Johor



Jumat, 25 April 2014

Thailand : Bangkok - Rotfai Night Market

The most retro night market in Bangkok - Talad Rot Fai


"Talad" means market and "Rot Fai" means train in Thai. It literary means train market. It was previously located at an old and abandoned railway station near Chatujak Weekend Market. It is now moved to Seacon Square - not near any BTS station so better to take a cab there.

This place definitely is now one of my must go places in Bangkok. It is not the normal night market you see in Bangkok, instead it is a hottest retro lovers' hangout!

I would visit this place again to search for:
vintage collectibles
old paintings
antique furnitures
old classic vehicles
childhood games and toys
(*ok probably not unless my house theme is vintage-zen-retro-classic)

Turn in when you see this big signboard along the roadside.


This is the start of the night market where started the vintage atmosphere already! This is just a very small glimpse of what you going to see later.


My favourite Vespa~




First, we were greeted by these rows of stalls which sells snacks, cheap clothings and accessories. I have to admit that we were a little disappointed because we thought "huh, that's it? This is the retro night market?" We still continued walking... 

What I see is sugar, sugar and sugar...

KRISPY KREME??? 

Then we passed by this mini bar and saw this Mr Rilakkuma chilling lololo..

Super spacious night market!


childhood toys 

There was a crowd at one stall, of course being a typical Singaporean, I quickened my steps and to be a busybody. 

No wonder so crowded lah! These mad cute puppies were for sale! 

ahh so cute..they deserve another picture lol

What is there an abandoned train part doing here?

Then we continued walking.... then we saw.........

Oh man! The retro party finally started and so psyched that we did not give up half way and go home!

Love this sight - nicely lined up varieties type of antique cars cum stalls. Where could you ever see this sight in Singapore? 





This is my favorite vehicle of the day! It looks very new and sleek and I could just drive it off without to worry I would run out of beers lol

With the mini colourful disco ball, this place immediately transformed into a hip happening dining place!


Seems that I was in the "Back to the future" movie~











Out of nowhere... lol not suit the vintage theme leh..


Someone's home?



I was very overwhelmed about all the vintage stuffs that night. This totally can be the perfect spot on place  for "Back to the Future" sequel.



Rotfai Night Market
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday 5pm onwards till 12mn
Address: Srinakarin Soi 51, behind Seacon Square. 
No nearby BTS station - best to take a taxi and tell driver to go Seacon Square if unsure.
Nearest BTS station: On Nut station but not walking distance
Around 150 bahts from platinum mall (by meter)