I shall describe for you the best Lexis Suites Day ever – one that most guests, for a number of reasons, will not be able to experience. Most of it yes, but not all of it because of the uniqueness of the day. “What is unique?” You may ask.
First we shall define the word,: unique. Two definitions are applicable. 1) being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else: and 2) particularly remarkable, special, or unusual.
Reflecting upon the day I see that not only the setting, the invitation unique. I, the guest, is also unique. An exploration of the synonyms will explain.
The setting, the occasions, the invitation was special, quite remarkable, extraordinary, without equal. Matchless, beyond compare, and second to none. There was nothing unremarkable about it.
The invitation was extended to me (alone) because I am individual distinctive, idiosyncratic, quirky, single, sole, lone, unrepeated solitary, exclusive, only, one and only, in a class by itself; rare, uncommon, unusual, peculiar, strange, and odd.
What made the day so extremely special, what topped it off – was the invitation to a very special, second-to-none only once a year Penang Lexis Suite Staff Event. Staff gathered on the property’s beach. Those not familiar with Malaysia, particularly Penang Malaysia will know nothing of the cause for celebration. It is the time for harvesting a delicacy a matchless, unusual uncommon fruit Durian. “Popularly called the king of Malaysian fruits, Durian is a succulent fruit that actually looks like a king in the bandwagon of fruits.” I have been hearing about it for months because this is Durian season. People travel thousands of miles to partake of this delicacy. I, personally, met a family from Union City, California who traveled here during this season to purchase this prized tropical fruit. (It was all rather amazing because I lived for fifty years within thirty miles of Union City.)
Although I have been hearing of this fruit, it was on everyone’s thoughts and minds I did not even know what it looked like, much less its taste. One rather negative Malaysian woman told me it smelled bad. She was unique in her negativity.
WELL – yesterday morning at breakfast I was speaking to staff gathered at the staff breakfast table during our conversation I was invited to an event on the beach. Durian was the star of the show. Later, during my mani and pedi at Lex Spa the invitation was further extended, (Photos and a video of that outstanding experience will be revealed at the conclusion the blog). Amy met me in the lobby – she and Mira escorted me to the beach. As you shall see I was appropriately attired – wearing my red Lexis Suites baseball cap – my white hair was color coordinated with the white piping on the hat. (Hahaha).
SO this was a special, beyond compare staff gathering – once a year, not every day. The uniqueness continued. As I said in my loud unique American accented voice.
Me: There is nothing like this in Canada. NOTHING. The weather, the tropical fruit, and you Malaysian people, The best treat of all.
Spoke to the Malaysian staff of the beauty, the riches of the country.
He: Yes!!! We have tropical trees and greenery, land to grow crops, unique ones such as nutmeg, planted in the nineteenth century by the British East India Company. What makes it special is what we do not have – no earthquakes, no typhoons, no snow, no freezing temperatures.
Me: Yes! And no out of control raging wildfires. No atomic bombs and no Israelis with massive weaponry supplied by the taxpayers of the USA, a Muslim majority country respectful of other faiths. .
He: Very true. I forgot about that.
Me: Not me. I must give up on my world coverage and attention.
I was SO privileged, so honored to be there as you shall see by the video and photographs. I was one of the first to consume the well protected ripened fruit found within the Durian. Of course, I said something totally inappropriate.
Me: My goodness. It looks like embryos.
Only the most faithful of readers will know of this joke concocted during my Vancouver days (2017-2019) to describe my behavior.
CCC: What is the difference between Ms. McBride and a coffee pot?
Me: I hate riddles I do not know. Tell me please.
CCC: The coffee pot has a filter.
Me: That is so funny and so true. Brilliant of you to notice that.
I have no filter whatsoever. Whatever comes into my brain, the words immediately pop out of my mouth. It happened this morning with the New Chef. I said something totally inappropriate. The filter is firmly in place as I write the blog so I shall not reveal what I said. He and I laugh together. I have not informed him of his nickname (because I just thought of it). I shall dub him King.
Alter Ego: Why King? And you cannot dub a King?
Me: Answer to the first question first. His last name is Ong. So he shall be King Ong.
Alter Ego: I thought so. What about the dub.
Back to the fruits of Malaysia. There was another unique fruit which is called The Mangosteen. “It is dubbed as Malaysia’s queen of fruits, perhaps because it is available during the durian season and is often eaten during or following a durian feast. Its appearance also lends a suggestion as to why it is called the queen of fruits – its top looks like the crown of a queen.”
There is a third fruit. I am pictured holding it and I was given some to take home. “A fruit that is closely related to the lychee and even has a similar appearance, is the rambutan. It has a hairy outer which explains how its name came about – it originates from the Malay words rambut (hair) and hutan (jungle). But once you peel away the hairy exterior of this sweet fruit, you get a delicious, fleshy fruit similar to the texture of a grape which is instantly refreshing. Largely available between the months of May to December, the average prices for this fruit are from RM4 to RM7 per kilogram.”
There is a fourth fruit. “If you are familiar with the jackfruit, you will find the cempedak fruit to be similar in appearance to the former. However, do not be fooled – the size of a cempedak fruit is smaller, and its smell, stronger. Although its waxy, golden yellow flesh can be eaten as it is, Malaysians love the fried version of it (yes, fried!) which can usually be found at the local night market.”
Now you all know what I did not know We learned this together but most of you did not get to eat the fruit. I do not think the dempedkak fruit was served no frying was going on. It was hot out there on the beach but not frying pan hot. (Haha)
Now to tell you some prior events of that day. Siri told me, because I told Siri, that I had an appointment for a mani and a pedi at 1:30 in Lex Spa, conveniently located twelve floors down and there is an elevator. Both my toe nails and my finger nails have been looking good for years, sometimes absolutely beautiful. But it has been at a cost. They have not had a chance to breathe – they are soft and fragile. This mani and pedi allowed my digits to be free, uncaged from gels, chemicals etc. They are au naturel which means with no elaborate treatment, dressing, or preparation. In English, it usually means “naked.” The literal French meaning is “in the natural state. In English I have twenty naked digits. Actually rather cute, if I do say so myself. I cannot remember what we chatted about but the three of us had a fine time. We were joined by a cinematographer, a talented Lex Suites employee who has not yet received a nickname. Her video, with any sort of luck at all will be shown.
I emerged from Lex Spa 1 ( One being the room number). There is no full length mirror in my room, making it impossible to take the photo necessary for an upcoming blog. During my Medina days I was gifted with an exquisite prayer dress – it must be seen to be believed. Another Lex Spa employee, my still photographer with the nickname of Ansel Adams, took a photo of the covered me.
Then off to my room for Asr prayer and then to the event, a description of which began the blog.
August 2, 2024
I am editing the previously written blog before sending it off to Computer Guru Chris. The sunrise this morning quite beautiful, did some writing and catch up correspondence. Breakfast was absolutely delicious. Chef Ong is doing a great job. He is very happy with his nickname – I wore my tiara headdress to dub him King.
Me: So you are King Ong – I am a Queen but we are not married. You are not a Muslim and I do not like the sound of Alexis Ong. We will work together, talk about food and joke.
He: An excellent partnership.
Me: Indeed!!!
I also spoke to the General Manager of Penang Lexis Suites. His nickname is Ben Hur. Ben Hur of the No Chariot.
Surrounded by an eclectic group: Elephant Man, King Ong and Ben Hur. Eclectic describes them: deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. A diverse, many-sided, multifaceted, multifarious, assemblage of individuals.
The photos include a screen shot of the Malaysian fruit diagram found on the web. Photos of the Durian, the Mangosteen and Me, the mani and pedi in progress. Then hopefully two reels: Ben Hur breaking open the first Durian and an Alexis commentary.
