Tropical delicacies, a photo from Brunei and Muara, West

Photographer's Note

My last three photos from Brunei in 1976 were taken at a market place in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The main photo is not just the technically best but also the most appetizing, showing a display of delicious tropical fruits.

The very large fruits in the foreground are jackfruits, obviously of two different kinds. The round green ones to the right, looking like some kind of hedgehogs, are durians. When ripe it has a strong smell that could remind you of the odours from a public toilet, but the creamy fruit inside tastes like a mixture of vanilla and strawberries.

The small 'hairy' red fruits are called rambutan ('rambut' means 'hair' in Malay), while the small light brown fruits seen between the jackfruits and the rambutan look like 'longan'. Rambutan and longan have a similar soft, white and tasty pulp.

I'm afraid I can't identify the very small fruits, or berries, some of which are placed in a tin.

Another two photos from the market are shown in the WS. They are technically inferior, but I decided that showing them won't do any harm. As usual these photos were all scanned from Kodachrome slides.

I will probably return to digital Stockholm for my next upload.

pajaran, ikeharel, Fis2, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, jean113, jhm, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, mcmtanyel, adramad, aliabazari ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115989) 2021-09-01 0:36

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst ...
Lepa scena sa pijace, dobro pokaznao sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Lepe fotografije u radionici i secanje.
Dobra ponuda na pijaci davne 1976.godine.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novom mesecu koji je poceo.
Paja.

ikeharel (113427) 2021-09-01 1:24

Three picture from long ago show the street market. I guess I cannot recognize any of the fruits on the display, but the sight looks attractive, Gert.
Well scanned, as always.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

Fis2 (170861) 2021-09-01 1:30

Witaj Gerta my neighbour today:)!
Amazing scene from etreet market.
Good framing and colors.
Nice presentation.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-09-01 2:18

Hello Gert,

The workshops were certainly worth including for they expand our understanding of the setting for this market.

I am so glad that you were able to identify the fruits, most of which I have never seen before. They may arrive in our supermarkets at some point, as the range of produce is constantly expanding!
The fruits have obviously been weighed or counted for they are wrapped together, ready for sale.

It is a really bright, colourful shot. A fine result of your scanning.
I like how you have angled the scene to create a natural flow.
I love the inclusion of the parasol. It seems to hold attention, uniting the two ladies.
I wonder if they were expecting sunshine or whether they had used it to protect themselves from the rain which had obviously been descending recently.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

PaulVDV (62978) 2021-09-01 3:34

Hello Gert,
I recognize the place in the photo in your second WS. But I have not seen a market there. It may of course have been a weekly market where I was just not in Brunei that day.
Still, I wonder if such markets still exist in Bandar Seri Begawan. By that I mean the kind of markets where the sellers sit on the floor and the fruit/food is unpacked on mats on the floor.
I can't say for sure that this is a scene that is definitely a thing of the past in BSB, but I only saw modern or semi-modern shops there.
Your main photo shows the beautiful scene I have seen in other countries of Southeast Asia, but not during my (limited) time in Brunei.
Somehow I also have the feeling that you can no longer expect to find such a market in BSB these days. Maybe somewhere in rural Brunei.
It is of course possible that I simply missed such a beautiful market scene in BSB.
Your main photo is very beautiful, well composed and shows two ladies in colourful clothes as well as the tropical fruit on display.
In two of your pictures I see a bag with Chinese characters.
But the ladies don't look Chinese. In your main photo, one is reading a newspaper in the English language. That could of course be a local newspaper.
I also notice such a beautiful parasol in two photos. Thai style I would think, but they can just as well be locally made.
These market images show something more of BSB than the classic golden domes and I really them.
If I hadn't been to Brunei yet, your main photo would certainly be a small recommendation to take a detour along this country in Southeast Asia.
Best regards, Paul

pierrefonds (114536) 2021-09-01 4:31

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the serious expression of the women. The point of view is showing the details of the fruits. The light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

clic (76) 2021-09-01 8:06

Hallo Gert
Thank for the prior warning about the round thorny fruits of the right-hand side; they don't spoil anyway the attractive gaze of this casual market layout featuring the juxtaposed red and green complementary prickled colors.
The presence of the two ladies is a good asset for scale evaluation of these rarities.
Basta halsningar

jean113 (27893) 2021-09-01 8:26

Hello Gert, three excellent scanned shots.
Your main post is so full of interesting details, and thank you for identifying the different fruits.
The woman on the right appears to be wearing only one shoe, and I note that she has a western style handbag. I also note that they are both wearing gold jewellery.
Kind regards, Jean.

lousat (139332) 2021-09-01 9:06

Hi Gert,I know these fruits well, they are certainly very good to eat on the spot, while they are often insignificant if they are bought in our supermarkets, after a long journey by ship and unripe crops. The scene is really very beautiful and colorful, not bad also the elegant lady in the WS, while the other offers a particular view with the mosque in the background. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Tue (92470) 2021-09-01 10:08

Hej Gert,
Et godt og farverigt billede med de mange forskellige slags frugt med blandt dem mange som jeg aldrig har smagt på og heller ikke har set før (skønt durians ry som en ganske dårligt lugtende frugt er kendt). Sælgerne er også godt kommet med i baggrunden.
Lars

jmdias (115252) 2021-09-01 10:15

gert

the main post and the last WS are the better photos here. I can recognize only the jackfruits. I remember I saw durians in china. nice mix of people and the display of fruits. it is rare to find jackfruits to buy in our stores and markets, it is considered a not so "chic" fruit and you can find them easily in rural zone. anyway some of our jackfruit trees were killed by the frost last month.

take care

jorge

jhm (211736) 2021-09-01 10:32

Hello Gert,

You chose a nice angle of this daily life image.
I would stopped for buy the nice fruits.
Pleasant colours too for a picture of 1976, one of the most hot summers in Belgium
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Silvio1953 (221729) 2021-09-01 10:41

Ciao Gert, nice market scene with a lot of fruits and lovely couple, wonderful colors, splendid sharpness, fine details and beautiful light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (171884) 2021-09-01 10:59

Hi Gert

I tried some jackfruit in Java. It was okay. I practically lived on Rambutans in Sumatra, and can recommend the Durian Icecream in Thailand. The longans taste like grapes. Like you I wasn't sure at first what the chickpea like or nut products were, but I am leaning towards betelnuts, a dentist's nightmare and something I have never tried. Tfs!

emka (158204) 2021-09-01 12:59

Hi Gert, I left TE but I can give here some explanation. I know well rambutans, jackfruit and durians. I have eaten many times jackfruits and rambutans, they are very popular, but as you know, I find durians disgusting. Not only the smell, I saw pieces of it in the shops and they looked not inviting. This different kind of jackfruit is called cempedak (Artocarpus integer). I do not remember if I have eaten longan, it is similar to Lychee. These small fruits could be duku langsat. There is also something black - maybe dialium. My favourite is mangosteen, I liked also salaks in Bali.
See https://www.carousell.sg/p/chuan-thye-paper-merchant-paper-bag-1007818969/

Regards

Malgo

dedee (3099) 2021-09-01 13:23

Hi Gert
A lovely display of fruits. Colors very good and very well balanced.
David

ifege (48159) 2021-09-01 21:55

Hi Gert
3 good market photos. When I've been to Malaysia and Indonesia lots of hotels had signs up banning durians. I also notice some longans in the background.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116580) 2021-09-01 22:54

Hello dear Gert and have a nice
new month September
what a pleasant photo...
so many colors which are
very well composed...
I like the fruits too and
I would like to taste them
I red carefully your useful notes
and the description of the very
large fruits in the foreground
which are jackfruits
every photo of yours is a great
treasure
GREETINGS FOR YOU
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147224) 2021-09-01 23:32

Hi Gert,
interesting view of this market in the street with all these tropical fruits, well taken, good sharpness an tones, well done, tfs.

foxy (3461) 2021-09-02 3:09

Hello Gert,
Today is the day ... I'm feeling so fruity and juicy :-)
From the 'hairy' to 'thorny' and 'bulky' to 'tiny' in all shapes and sizes , these are truly a feast for the eyes ... I can already smell and taste them , just looking at it.
These ladies , good job they were wearing 'sarong' so that it can be used as 'floormat' :-)
She must has a good business , the money she has in the small plastic bag and still counting ...
I do like the WS pictures too.
The pretty young lady in 'orange-dress' ... look like she is dressing up for a special occasion , carrying a Chinese trendy paper bag. The lady with a baby , could be her sister ... both have beautiful dresses.
I like the man with a hat in WS2. His 'attired' is very British. Of course , it has the Commonwealth influenced.
Well ... thanks for sharing these fruits delicacies !!!
My favourite ... got to be the Durians !!! Not so much the Langsats , in the tin.
Loong

GyurMaster (24840) 2021-09-02 10:26

Dear Gert,

Again, all three photos are good, with nice Koda' colours, but this time your pick was obvious. I think I have already heard about durians. I'm not sure if I would taste them after I feel the smell. The red ones, first I though were large strawberries.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

PS: Have you heard about the mobile app, fruit ninja? I used to play a lot, while preparing for exams. Maybe that's why my degree was only qualified as passed and not excellent. :)

mcmtanyel (68623) 2021-09-02 19:33

Hello Gert,
I have heard of that fruit that smells obnoxious but is delicious. What a treat to the eyes!
Regards,
MT

adramad (73006) 2021-09-05 6:29

Hi Gert.
A sensational composition with this great variety of delicious tropical fruits, many of them I do not know, the vendors put a magnificent vital touch to the composition, which also gives us a splendid color.
Excellent POV, with very good lighting, color and sharpness to enjoy the details.
Very good work. I like it
Enjoy a happy Sunday.
Very best regards.
Luis.

PiotrF (54788) 2021-09-23 16:19

Hello Gert,
Interesting picture from market place in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Beautiful view of tropical fruits.
Interesting presentation
Regards
Piotr

mkamionka (74535) 2021-09-24 23:35

Hi Gert,
I was already overwhelmed by the variety of fruit which I have seen on Madeira earlier this year. Here I would have a dilemma. I remember having a dim sum in Los Angeles chinatown invited by friends from Taiwan. They were placing the orders since the waiters didn't speak English. I am nervous about trying new food so I told them I just want something vegetarian. But even though I got a desert made from lotus -its appearance made it too strange for me to swallow.
I mention that looking at the fruit. I normally avoid trying strange meats but I always thought I can always try new fruit. I am not so sure about it anymore...
Great market scenes here.
I see you have thought about catching ladies in red dress many years ago,
M

kasianowak (17676) 2021-10-06 1:42

The variety of fruit in the main image is indeed both fascinating and appetising and deservedly they were given a prominent place within the frame.
As usual, I can't see anything wrong with the WS photos you have labelled "inferior". But I realise you must be looking at them on a better monitor than the one I'm using at the moment. Still (sorry to sound like broken record) the lady in orange (yes, almost red!) should have been yet another main upload.
I must say - I did enjoy looking at your photos from Brunei, reading your notes and comparing those to Paul's.
Have a nice day.
Kasia

aliabazari (22281) 2022-01-14 18:58

Hello Gert
A beautiful view of the life of the Brunei people. Appetizing fruits. Thanks for sharing