This retired couple built a life around durians and creativity

Nasur Yusof tending to one of the many durian trees on his 4.2-ha orchard, which also has longan trees. (Bernama pic)

SEREMBAN: While many slow down after retirement, Nasur Yusof and his wife Siti Zulaina Bahro have embraced a different rhythm of life – one surrounded by durian trees, morning walks, and handmade art.

After decades in the oil and gas industry, Nasura, 65, now spends his days tending to DusunNas, the 4.2-ha orchard and homestay he and Siti Zulaina, 59, began building together in Lenggeng in 2010.

From a modest plot with about 25 village durian trees, they now have a thriving orchard with over 300 trees, including Musang King, IOI and kampung durian varieties.

The couple, who live in Kajang, initially bought around 0.8 ha of land before steadily expanding over the years.

“My interest in gardening and my love for eating durians motivated me to own an orchard,” Nasura told Bernama with a laugh.

Today, DusunNas not only attracts durian lovers eager to savour the fruit fresh from the trees, but also visitors looking for a slower and more grounded countryside experience.

The site includes accommodation, allowing guests to spend time amidst greenery and soak in village life.

Blue skies and an abundance of greenery await visitors to DusunNas in Lenggang, Negeri Sembilan. (Bernama pic)

Retirement has allowed Nasura to reconnect with nature while maintaining an active lifestyle. Every morning, he and Siti Zulaina take brisk walks around their property and the village – a routine that keeps them healthy while offering a peaceful start to the day.

And beyond durians, Nasura also cultivates about 30 Brazilian longan trees, prized for their distinctive taste and strong demand.

The orchard received myGAP certification from the agriculture department about five years ago, making it one of the earliest orchards in the area to receive the recognition.

“We also collaborate with the department to organise programmes and courses related to durian cultivation here,” he added.

For Siti Zulaina, art serves as a form of personal therapy that calms the mind and fills her free time meaningfully. (Bernama pic)

Besides helping her husband run the homestay, Siti Zulaina has also found fulfilment through a different form of cultivation – art.

A lifelong lover of drawing, she now creates decorative pieces using the decoupage technique, transforming old household items and souvenir containers into colourful handcrafted works.

For her, it has become more than just a hobby: “It calms my mind and fills my free time meaningfully,” she said, adding that she attended classes to deepen her understanding of the technique, which involves gluing paper or fabric cutouts onto surfaces.

Siti Zulaina gravitates towards floral-themed designs that require patience and attention to detail. Her creations include decorative food covers, wooden tissue boxes, kitchenware and soaps, many of which are displayed throughout the homestay.

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DusunNas
Lot 766, Kampung Celogeh Ulu Beranang,
Lenggeng, 71750 Negeri Sembilan