I visited an old friend LF this morning and was amazed by the fruit and vegetables they have planted in the garden. It was like walking down memory lane seeing some of the fruit trees that we used to have in our old family home and at the same time it was an eye opener for me to see what the flowers for some of the fruit we buy off the shelf at supermarkets or at the markets look like.

1. star fruit
We used to have a huge star fruit tree in our back garden in Sandakan and seeing it today really brought back old memories how I used to pluck the nice flowers and play with them.

2. ciku / sapodilla
I love this fruit, they are very sweet when ripen and have an interesting texture with big black seeds. In Chinese they are known as the “heart fruit” (人心果) because their shape is like a human heart. They are not easy to find nowadays and we usually only see them at the farmer’s markets.

3. custard apples
I love custard apples but I guess the fruit here can never compete with the custard apples that I have tasted in Australia which are huge and really fleshy, simply delicious!

4. dragon fruit
I have seen a dragon fruit tree/cactus bearing fruit before but never had the chance to see what the dragon fruit flowers are like so I was screaming with delight when I saw them today. But my excitement deflated a little when I realised what I saw were actually wilted flowers and the flowers had bloomed the night before and they lasted only for one night.

I found out later that the flowers open only at night and they are usually in full bloom at around 9:00pm. I really hope I will get to witness the beauty one day. Nevertheless, I must say the cacti with the flowers that have passed their best were still an impressive sight to see!!!

I am sure I will be back when there are fruit. Until then.

Post note:
When I was just about to post this blog my friend LF sent me a few pictures of the one dragon fruit flower that was expected to open tonight in full bloom, absolutely amazing! Thank you LF for sending the pictures.