Melaka Surreal Durian Experience 2026: Day 2 – From Durian Orchard to Ghosts, Cendol and Grill
Our second day in Melaka continued the durian adventure, but this time we were not spending the entire day eating the King of Fruits.
There was an orchard visit, some hands-on activities, a rather unusual lunch, a spooky attraction, a refreshing bowl of cendol and, finally, a hearty dinner of grilled food. It was one of those days where we seemed to move from one completely different experience to another.
Eco Do Bem Cafe & Durian Park, Melaka
After breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and headed to Bemban, where our first stop was Eco Do Bem.
Tucked away among greenery and durian trees, Eco Do Bem offers an interesting way of enjoying durian. Instead of simply arriving at a stall, choosing a fruit and eating it, we got to experience something closer to a mini durian farm adventure.
The surroundings were peaceful and decidedly rural, making it a pleasant change from the busier parts of Melaka. One of the activities we were looking forward to was the visit to the durian orchard.
The farm is located just across from the café, so we did not have to travel far before finding ourselves surrounded by durian trees.
We took a short walk into the orchard and learnt more about how durians are cultivated, including the importance of caring for the trees and allowing the fruit to mature properly. There is something quite different about seeing a durian tree up close.
We are so accustomed to seeing durians piled up at roadside stalls and markets that it is easy to forget that every one of those spiky fruits began life hanging from a tree.
Here, we got to see the trees for ourselves and gain a better appreciation of the work behind the fruit we love.
Hunting for freshly fallen durians
The fun really began when we were given the opportunity to look for freshly fallen durians. Rather than simply being handed prepared fruit, we got to collect durians from the orchard and bring them back.
For durian lovers, this was a surprisingly satisfying experience. There was something special about finding a freshly fallen fruit ourselves and knowing that it had come directly from the orchard. And, of course, the reward came afterwards.
Back at the café, we settled down for a tasting of fresh durians. The varieties available naturally depend on the season and what is being harvested, but the main attraction was obvious: fresh durian straight from the farm.
After walking around the orchard, the durian somehow tasted even better. We also enjoyed fresh coconut water, which was particularly welcome after our little trek around the farm. The combination of fragrant durian, refreshing coconut water and a peaceful orchard setting made this a very Malaysian countryside experience.
Durian pizza? Yes, we tried it!
Lunch brought us another surprise. We headed upstairs to the air-conditioned dining area, where we were served lunch, including something that initially sounded like a rather strange combination: durian pizza.
Durian and pizza are not exactly two foods that we would normally associate with each other. Yet, surprisingly, this combination worked well.
The sweetness and creamy texture of the durian created an interesting contrast with the savoury pizza. It was certainly not something we would have expected to encounter on a durian trip, and it became one of the more memorable dishes of the day.
Time for some Sukan Rakyat
With lunch taken care of, it was time to get active. We headed outdoors for a series of sukan rakyat, or traditional community games, together with members of the local community.
The activities formed part of a CSR programme and gave us an opportunity to interact with the local community in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
There was plenty of laughter and friendly competition. After spending so much time eating, it was probably a good thing that we had to move around a little!
The activities also added another dimension to our visit. Eco Do Bem was not simply somewhere to eat durian; it gave us an opportunity to experience the orchard, food, nature and community all in one visit.
For anyone who thinks a durian trip means nothing more than sitting at a table and opening fruit after fruit, Eco Do Bem offers something quite different. It is a countryside experience built around the King of Fruits.
ECO DO BEM CAFE & DURIAN PARK
Address: Lot 1483, Jalan Asam Kumbang, Bemban, 77200 Melaka, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g6k3W2UDPXZQeLSSA
Business hours: 9am – 9pm daily
Hotline: 019-628 1628
Ghost Museum Melaka
From the peaceful surroundings of a durian orchard, we headed back towards Melaka town for our next stop. And this was where the day’s theme took a rather unexpected turn. As it turned out, our next destination was the Ghost Museum Melaka.
Located in the historic Kampung Hulu area, the Ghost Museum offers a themed and interactive look at supernatural folklore and ghost stories.
The attraction features themed scenes with mannequins representing various ghostly and supernatural characters. Visitors can also dress up in costumes and pose for photographs, making the experience as much about entertainment and photography as it is about being frightened.
Walking through the museum, we encountered various representations of supernatural beings and characters associated with ghost stories and folklore.
Among the Malaysian supernatural figures featured are familiar names such as the Pontianak, Toyol and Orang Minyak, while the museum also introduces visitors to supernatural beliefs from other cultures.
The displays are designed to create an eerie atmosphere, with themed settings, lighting and spooky characters. But rather than being genuinely terrifying, the experience was more about having fun while learning.
There were plenty of opportunities to pose for photographs, and some of the exhibits were certainly more amusing than frightening. We found ourselves laughing as much as we were looking around cautiously!
The Ghost Museum is quite different from Melaka’s many historical museums. Whether or not we actually believe in ghosts is another matter. But ghost stories are part of the folklore and cultural traditions of many societies, and the museum provides an entertaining way to explore some of those beliefs.
For visitors looking for something a little different from the usual Melaka sightseeing circuit, this certainly fits the bill.
Ghost Museum Melaka 马六甲鬼怪博物馆
Address: 43, Jalan Kampung Hulu, Kampung Dua, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QZMjYtob9ggU2yRU9
Business hours: 11am – 8pm daily
Hotline: 06-281 1585
A Cooling Bowl of Cendol
After making our way through the Ghost Museum, we needed something refreshing. Fortunately, our next stop was simply – cendol durian at a food court across from the Ghost Museum.
With shaved ice, coconut milk, green rice-flour jelly and gula Melaka, cendol is one of those desserts that seems particularly appropriate in Melaka’s hot and humid weather.
The cold, sweet dessert topped with durian was exactly what we needed after walking around the museum. It also gave us a chance to slow down for a while before continuing with the rest of our day.
Checking In at MITC Hotel Melaka
After our afternoon adventures, we headed to Ayer Keroh to check in at MITC Hotel Melaka.
The hotel is located within the Malacca International Trade Centre area and is conveniently positioned near several attractions in Ayer Keroh. It provided a comfortable base for the night and, after a full day of travelling, eating and exploring, we were more than happy to have some time to freshen up and rest.
The hotel is a three-star property with rooms and suites, dining facilities, room service and an outdoor swimming pool. It is also close to attractions such as Melaka Wonderland and Melaka Zoo.
We did not have much time to explore the hotel, though, so I think this calls for a second stay when we return for our own personal trip.
MITC HOTEL MELAKA
Address: Lot 15232 and 15233, Jalan Food City, Malacca International Trade Centre, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RTJBAFYm7Ey5uPLG8
Hotline: 06-233 1551
Dinner at KPA Smoke & Grill
Our final destination for the day was KPA Smoke & Grill, located at Persimpangan Tiang Dua in Kampung Bukit Durian. The name itself seemed particularly appropriate for a durian trip!
KPA Smoke & Grill specialises in a mixture of kampung-style dishes, Western food and grilled favourites, giving us plenty of choices for dinner. After a day that had revolved heavily around durians and desserts, we were ready for something savoury and substantial.
The restaurant’s casual setting was a good fit for our group, and dinner gave us a chance to sit down properly and chat about everything we had experienced throughout the day.
Looking back, Day 2 had turned out to be quite a varied one. We had started the day in a durian orchard, where we got our hands dirty hunting for fallen fruit. We had tasted fresh durians and experimented with durian pizza. We had laughed our way through traditional community games, explored a museum dedicated to ghosts and supernatural folklore, cooled down with cendol and finally settled down for a hearty grilled dinner.
It was certainly not your ordinary sightseeing day in Melaka. And that was precisely what made it enjoyable.
KPA SMOKE & GRILL
Address: Lot 5154, Persimpangan Tiang Dua, Lebuh AMJ, Kampung Bukit Durian, 75460 Melaka, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kKA9HJt6y4fdkoMN9
Business hours: 5pm – midnight (closed on Wednesdays)
Hotline: 019-335 5277
Another Day Well Spent
By the time we returned to MITC Hotel, we had certainly earned a good night’s rest.
Day 2 had taken us from the countryside to the city, from durian trees to ghosts, and from traditional community games to modern grilled food.
Most importantly, it showed us another side of Melaka – one that went beyond the usual historical landmarks. Naturally, there was plenty of durian. After all, this was Melaka Surreal Durian Experience 2026! Stay tuned for Day 3.
