Highlight of the Month

This book started out as a series of urban legends and personal questions, which blossomed into a multipart quest, taking me to some of the Earth’s most exotic places.

I ended up on 30 acres of misty melon fields in Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson; as the morning sun played gently over the dew in the fields, conjuring the most brilliant mosaic, I observed the delicate pollination and athletic harvesting required to produce watermelon and honeydew.

I faced off with the king of fruits on plantations in Raub, as I scaled mountains in a feeble attempt to keep up with seasoned durian farmers, navigating invisible threats to uncover the origins of a fruit that had been my favourite since childhood.

Deep within the mountain ranges of Perak, amongst Paleozoic limestone hills, I sought to discover ancient springs and caves that could grant tranquillity, spiritual renewal and even a cure for sickness.

I stayed at luxurious accommodations, forming a family with fellow residents and staff, and discovering the ultimate luxury: a place to call home.

Finally, I saw life from the perspective of a coffee bean, learning not only the process that takes the famous plant from tender upbringing to aromatic brew, but also the story of the people who tend, dry and roast each coffee bean to help its flavour shine.