In 1989, Ching NB and his friend, Yew TL, bought a 16-acre durian orchard on Maxwell Hill, Taiping — not for business, but so they would never run out of durians to eat! π It was also a weekend adventure, indulging their interest in farming.
The orchard offered a breathtaking scenic view over Taiping, as it is situated halfway up Maxwell Hill. To reach it, we would ride our scrambler bikes along the 3 km dirt track from the tar road near the Cantonese cemetery on Jalan Tupai — a journey as exciting as the orchard itself!
An old hut standing guard over the durian orchard, a timeless view.
The orchard offered a breathtaking scenic view over Taiping, as it is situated halfway up Maxwell Hill. To reach it, we would ride our scrambler bikes along the 3 km dirt track from the tar road near the Cantonese cemetery on Jalan Tupai — a journey as exciting as the orchard itself!
An old hut standing guard over the durian orchard, a timeless view.
An old hut standing guard over the durian orchard, a timeless view.
Durian orchard view π³π³
Durian orchard view π³π³
Durian orchard view + Nutmeg treesπ³π³
Durian orchard view + Nutmeg trees with fruitsπ³π³
A crystal-clear mountain stream meandering through the durian orchard.
Rows and rows of durian trees π³π³ — paradise for durian lovers! π
Rows and rows of durian trees π³π³ — paradise for durian lovers! π
Rows and rows of durian trees π³π³ — paradise for durian lovers! π
The new hut in the orchard, we call it the chalet.
The new hut living area in the orchard.
The new hut toilet area in the orchard.
The new hut 24 hours running water in the orchard.
The chalet in the durian orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³in the orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³in the orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³in the orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³in the orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³in the orchard.
A sea of durian trees π³π³
Behind the durian orchard lies the reserved forest.
The road that cuts through the durian orchard.
The road that cuts through the durian orchard.
A sea of D24 durian trees π³π³
Yew Thean Lye at the middle hut.
Ching Neng Bin at the middle hut.
Ching Neng Bin at the middle hut.
Scenic view of the neighbouring hill with Taiping town visible in the distance.
Scenic view of the Taiping town below.
Scenic view of the Taiping town below.
Another view of the old hut below.
The caretaker has just arrived at the orchard on his bike.
The new hut is home to some adorable puppies, all under the caretaker’s watchful eye! ππΎ
Puppies at the orchard hut πΆ cared for by our caretaker π³
Puppies at the orchard hut πΆ cared for by our caretaker π³
Puppies at the orchard hut πΆ cared for by our caretaker π³
Ching Neng Bin holding on to one of the puppies.
Our dedicated husband-and-wife team taking care of the durian orchard. π³❤️
Our dedicated husband-and-wife team taking care of the durian orchard. π³❤️
There’s even a small fish pond beside the new hut, or chalet.
Fish pond beside the orchard chalet ππ‘
Fish pond beside the orchard chalet ππ‘
A charming little fish pond sits beside the new hut, our orchard chalet.
There’s even a small fish pond beside the new hut, or chalet.
Fish pond beside the orchard chalet ππ‘
A 16-acre freehold durian orchard in Maxwell Hill, Taiping is actually a very valuable and rare asset.
A big Jambu Air tree, full of fruits.
Some wild orchids in the durian orchard.
A king in the making — a big durian waiting for its grand fall! π
The two large durians Ching brought back to Sitiawan for his parents to enjoy.
My son Jin Wei happily posing with the prized durian from Taiping.
Ching’s mother is so happy to taste this durian from Taiping.
A big Jambu Air tree, full of fruits.
Some wild orchids in the durian orchard.
Some wild orchids in the durian orchard.
A king in the making — a big durian waiting for its grand fall! π
The two large durians Ching brought back to Sitiawan for his parents to enjoy.
My son Jin Wei happily posing with the prized durian from Taiping.
Ching’s mother is so happy to taste this durian from Taiping.
Taiping durians — simply the best! π
The 16-acre durian orchard is covered by 3 freehold titles.
Lot No.157
Lot No.158
In conclusion, the 16-acre durian orchard on Maxwell Hill was never just land or trees. It was youth, friendship, adventure, and the simple happiness of sharing durians with the people we love. It was the roar of scrambler bikes on dirt roads, the quiet flow of the mountain stream, the laughter at the chalet, and the pride of bringing the best fruits home to our parents. Time may pass, but those memories remain deeply rooted — just like the durian trees we planted. π³
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These are fantastic pictures of the orchard. It reminds me of my childhood days in Malaysia. I love this type of enviroment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for enlightment.
Wow what big durians. Do they taste as good as their look?
ReplyDelete