The rambutan, a fruit native to Southeast Asia, has always held a special place in my heart. Its vibrant vermillion red or yellow hues and the warmth and sweetness it offers evoke fond memories of my youth and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
During the rambutan season, which coincides with the durian season, I would venture into the Malay villages near my childhood home in the late afternoons. Together with the local children, we would climb the trees to harvest the fruit, creating a sea of red, hairy rambutans in the process.
The excitement of picking rambutans and the camaraderie we shared are memories I cherish dearly. After filling gunny sacks with our treasure, I would laboriously drag them down the dusty road back to my house, the setting sun casting a warm glow over everything.
