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Durian, Durian, Durian
Post Date : 2026-07-31
Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
May 17 - July 2, 2026
If there was one word that defined my 2026 trip back to Malaysia, it was durian.
The timing couldn't have been better. Durian prices had dropped so dramatically that I couldn't resist indulging. By the time my trip ended, I had spent approximately RM1,300 (US$317) on the "King of Fruits," buying them from orchards, roadside stalls, and local markets whenever the opportunity arose. It was a feast that only durian lovers would truly understand.
The entire journey lasted 53 days, with 46 days spent in Malaysia. The remaining week was devoted to traveling between the American Midwest and one of the primary gateways to Asia—San Francisco. Although I would have loved to fly business class on the long trans-Pacific flights, it simply wasn't practical. Between airfare and the cost of boarding Yang Yang while I was away, staying within budget meant flying economy.
Planning this journey actually began almost a year earlier. To keep costs down, I booked flights well in advance, piecing together a more affordable itinerary that included a one-way Breeze Airways flight from Louisville to San Francisco, now one of the major gateways for flights to Asia. Just days before my departure, however, I received an unpleasant surprise. A former student who had promised to care for Yang Yang backed out at the last minute. Fortunately, I was able to find someone else, but it was an incredibly stressful experience and, frankly, an unprofessional thing to do. I left Louisville on May 15, spent two days in San Francisco, and boarded China Airlines for Taiwan on May 17 before continuing on to Malaysia. On my return journey, I again stopped in San Francisco for three days before flying back to Louisville on July 5.
Even though this trip was shorter than my previous visits home, it turned out to be one of the most meaningful. More than anything, it allowed me to spend precious time with my mother. During my stay, I celebrated my niece's fifteenth birthday on June 6, followed ten days later by my mother's 93rd birthday. Sadly, because of her dementia, she recognized me only occasionally—perhaps one percent of the time. Yet recognition wasn't really the point. Simply being there mattered.
Each day settled into a familiar rhythm. In the morning, her caregiver would help her get dressed before transferring her from her chair to the dining table for lunch. Around 3:00 p.m., she would be wheeled away so her diaper could be changed, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m., and finally bed at 8:00 p.m. Most afternoons, I would simply sit beside her while she watched television. Inevitably, she would drift off to sleep. There wasn't much conversation, but there didn't need to be. Sharing those quiet moments together became the most meaningful part of my visit.
This trip wasn't just about family. It was also an opportunity to reconnect with old friends who have been part of my life for decades. I met Devaraj, whom I've known since middle school in 1980; Joo Kee, another longtime friend from our days at Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid; and Pam Choo, my former colleague from my years as a display artist at Daya Store in Alor Setar during the late 1980s. Between June 18 and 21, I traveled to Kuala Lumpur, where I enjoyed a reunion with cousins who now live there. Like many Malaysians these days, my family also became fascinated by shopping through Pinduoduo, taking advantage of remarkably low prices and special shipping arrangements. I ordered two Hanfu outfits, but one turned out to be far too small. Rather than return it, we joked that it had found a new purpose as wall art in my brother's house.
11 years had gone by....
Post Date : 2026-07-31
Singapore
May 25–28, 2026
Because my time in Malaysia was limited, I wanted to take care of several important tasks during this trip. At the top of my list was a visit to Singapore to finally close an old HSBC bank account that I had maintained for many years. Living about an hour from Penang International Airport meant asking my brother to drive me there before dawn. Although the drive itself wasn't particularly long, catching a 9:15 a.m. flight always made for a stressful morning. Traffic across the Penang Bridge can be unpredictable, so we had to leave home extra early to avoid getting caught in congestion.
One thing I missed was receiving a passport stamp. Immigration has become almost entirely digital, making border crossings much faster but also taking away the small pleasure of collecting stamps as souvenirs of my travels. After arriving in Singapore, I made my way to the HSBC Wealth Centre at Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, expecting what I thought would be a straightforward visit. I quickly discovered otherwise. Before I could even take the elevator to the 33rd floor, I had to register at the reception desk and obtain a QR code to access the lift. Once upstairs, I had to register all over again to receive a queue number. My waiting began at around 1:15 p.m., and it took nearly an hour and a half before my account was finally closed. It was a surprisingly lengthy process for what seemed like such a simple request.
With that task finally behind me, I met up with my longtime friend, Henry Lim, who was busy overseeing the renovation of his HDB apartment. It was wonderful to catch up after not seeing each other for quite some time. The following day, I visited the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple in Bugis. I had been uncertain about what to do with my commercial property in the United States after losing my appeal to the insurance company regarding the building damage. The property had become something of a jinx in my mind, and I found myself hoping for a little clarity and perhaps a bit of good fortune. Later, Henry and I met at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Ngee Ann City, where I picked up a S$2 postcard. For years, I've had the tradition of mailing a postcard to myself from every trip I take. This time, however, finding a post office and even a postage stamp proved surprisingly difficult. Although I eventually managed to mail the card, I wasn't entirely convinced it had enough postage, especially since similar postcards I had mailed to myself in the past never actually arrived.
On May 27, which coincided with Hari Raya Haji, Henry and I spent a relaxing afternoon sketching along Boat Quay. Sitting by the Singapore River with our sketchbooks was a welcome change of pace and one of the most peaceful moments of the trip. Since my hotel was located in Chinatown, I also took the opportunity to stock up on Chinese New Year decorations before returning home. The neighborhood remains one of my favorite places to browse, especially for festive ornaments that are often difficult to find elsewhere.
Perhaps the best part of my visit to Singapore was spending time with Henry. After many years working in the United Arab Emirates, he had recently returned to Singapore and was gradually easing into retirement. Rather than slowing down completely, he was exploring opportunities to teach part-time, a path that seemed perfectly suited to someone with his experience. It was wonderful to see an old friend entering a new chapter in life while still pursuing work that he enjoys.
A productive short trip
Post Date : 2026-07-31
Hat Yai, Thailand
June 3–4, 2026
Our two-day getaway to Hat Yai, in southern Thailand, was yet another excuse to indulge in one of my favorite fruits—Thai durian. Crossing the border from Malaysia into Thailand, however, was a reminder of how little has been done to improve the flow of traffic between the two countries. The long lines of vehicles waiting to clear immigration remain a frustrating part of the journey.
Still, it's easy to understand why so many Malaysians make the trip. Compared to Alor Setar, where I was staying, Hat Yai offers a livelier atmosphere, better shopping, and a wider variety of food. Back in Kedah, the conservative state government's policies have continued to reshape daily life. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the state has moved to ban gambling and alcohol sales, a decision viewed by many as a setback for Langkawi's tourism recovery, while similar conservative debates elsewhere in Malaysia have even extended to public discussions about dress codes and cultural values.
One of my priorities in Hat Yai was visiting the Wong Tai Sin Temple, established by a Malaysian devotee. With my store in the United States continuing to face setbacks, including the unresolved insurance dispute, I found myself seeking a little guidance and good fortune from the deity. Hoping to further improve my luck, we also visited Thong Sia Siang Thung Chinese Temple, where I made a THB200 donation to the temple's sia thing (coffin fund), a charitable tradition that helps provide coffins and funeral assistance for those in need. It felt like a meaningful way to contribute while also paying respect to an important Chinese custom. Later, we explored the city by tuk-tuk, making our way to Central Hat Yai shopping mall. On the return trip, we happened upon the old Odean Shopping Mall, which today is little more than a shell of its former self. Although much of the building has faded from its glory days, it has found new life as a collection of small artisan shops. I couldn't resist picking up four beautifully handcrafted soaps, each shaped and scented like a different tropical ingredient—coconut, lemongrass, jasmine, and lemon—for a total of THB200. Before heading back to Malaysia on our final day, we stopped by a local wet market in hopes of finding a pair of novelty durian-shaped slippers that I had previously seen in Singapore. Unfortunately, we came up empty-handed. We did, however, find some keyboard keychains, which I bought as small souvenirs for my niece and her boyfriend, whom I would be meeting for the very first time later in my trip.
Although the visit lasted only two days, Hat Yai once again proved to be an enjoyable escape—a place where good food, familiar temples, bustling markets, and small discoveries combined to make the short journey well worth the trip.
First time meeting E.T.
Post Date : 2026-07-31
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
June 18–21, 2026
This was one of the parts of the trip I had been looking forward to the most because it allowed me to visit my eldest niece, who is studying Pharmacy at Monash University in Kuala Lumpur. I had also been seeing photos of her boyfriend for quite some time but had never met him in person, so I brought along a small gift from the United States—a DVD of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It seemed like the perfect choice since his initials are E.T. We drove from Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur, making a lunch stop at the well-known Foh San Dim Sum restaurant in Ipoh. Although it has a good reputation, I found the dim sum rather disappointing and overpriced. To our surprise, we were also charged RM3.20 per person just for tea, making the meal even more expensive than expected.
While in Kuala Lumpur, we watched the Teochew-language film A Love Letter to Grandma (给阿嬷的情书), a touching family drama about a young man who travels to Thailand in search of his long-lost grandfather, only to uncover a decades-old family secret. The story resonated with me because it reminded me of my late father, who maintained close ties and regularly communicated with our relatives in southern China. Beyond its emotional storyline, the film has also sparked public and parliamentary discussions in Singapore over the country's Speak Mandarin Campaign and has even influenced political conversations in Malaysia regarding language, dialects, and cultural identity.
On June 20, I finally met up with my longtime friend Devaraj, whom I have known since our middle school days in 1980. It was a pleasure to see him again, and this time I was able to return the favor by treating him to lunch after he had generously treated me during our previous meal together at Madam Kwan's.
Meanwhile, my brother took the opportunity to try his luck with Toto, Malaysia's national lottery. The betting outlets in Alor Setar remained closed because Kedah's Menteri Besar continued to refuse to issue operating licenses, despite losing a class-action lawsuit brought by the lottery companies. As a result, many residents simply traveled to Kuala Lumpur—or neighboring states—to place their bets.
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