Virtual tour in Singapore at a durian stall near Bugis Street on Google Views. 360 photography created in 2014. Durian is a fruit which is called the “king of fruits” in southeast Asia. It has a hard spiked husk and inside is a fleshy interior. It is said to have a strong odour and this is an understatement. You can usually smell durian from at least 300 meters away! When you are walking the streets of Singapore for the first time you will usually be hit with it’s intense smell and you will quickly realise you are close to a durian stall.

Everyone who has tried it has a unique experience ranging from love to disgust. Unfortunately for me, I have heard more experiences of disgust than love. What’s more is that the taste is supposed to stay in your mouth for the rest of the day. One person told me they absolutely love it and that’s its a unique sweet flavour. Another person said it’s like eating garbage.

There are signs saying “No Durians” in many establishments and there are signs all over Singapore in places like the entrance to the MRT and in the entrances to busses. When you get into an elevator where someone has had a durian you will smell it there for the rest of the day. It’s too easy to say it smells “sickly sweet”. The smell is simply indescribable.

There are ranging prices of durian and I have been told that you cannot judge the quality by looking at the husk. It must be opened and the seller will judge it’s quality and it’s worth. The best way to try durian is NOT to buy an entire package but to approach one of the sellers and ask him to open one for you and say you would like to try. Offer him to pay for whatever you consume. That way you can decide whether you want an entire package or not. The last thing you want to do is to be stuck with a package of the stuff and no way to responsibly dispose of it.

I am a Freelance Photographer based in Singapore who specialises in 360 Photography and Virtual Tours. If you have any questions about creating a Virtual Tour for your location, please feel free to contact me.