in www.borneo
VISIT OUR WEB si SITE! de
rsg uide.com
Jan // Mar 2017
The Fantastic League of Artisans AVAILABLE ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, AIRLINE OFFICES, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & CAFES THROUGHOUT BORNEO
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Editor’s Note
How to experience Augmented Reality
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t’s a new year, again. And we’ve been asked, have you made any New Year resolutions? Err… no, because we’ve been busy making magic. For our shiny New Year issue, we partnered with the cool people at Progresif to make our magazine come alive. Now you can interact with biG Magazine using an Augmented Reality capability managed by Progresif. If you have an Android smartphone, download the Karya app and use it to find interactive content on selected pages of our magazine. Watch a video or see images appear on your phone, it’s a whole new way to experience biG Magazine. Also in this issue, we talk about the brave people who bring their own magic by following their own hearts and doing what they love. A growing community of artisans in Borneo has been turning up at festivals in their hometowns throughout 2016 and they have drawn much love for their handmade/homemade products. Tech-savvy and well connected, these artisanal entrepreneurs have built their Farmer’s-Market-stand business with the marketing power of the social media and a whole lot of passion. By the way, we have a new website. The all new Borneo Insider’s Guide website (www.borneoinsidersguide.com) is a vibrant supplement to our print magazine with more up-to-date coverage of travel, lifestyle, cultural and social news. It’s double the joy and another way for us to connect with you.
@bigborneo BIG: Borneo Insider’s Guide
Step 1 Download the Karya app from the Play Store onto your phone
Publisher
CHMP MEDIA Editor-At-Large
Wan Zainal Shazali Editor
Step 2 Launch the Karya app
Pauline Chan Online Editor
Intan Abu Daniel Designer
Novri Rinaldi Step 3 Point your phone camera at a page which has the AR icon and watch the special effects appear on your phone!
Editorial
Pamela Fletcher Irene Chan Chang Yi Intern
Shaf Said
So, read on and have fun with our new AR features (Hint: You can start with the cover). To get started, follow the 3 steps shown here and see the magic unfold!
Sales & Marketing
Bina Chauhan Look for this icon on the page
biG stands for Borneo Insider’s Guide. It is a quarterly magazine that aims to entertain and share with readers the best there is to offer on lifestyle and travel in enigmatic Borneo and beyond. It is distributed at travel fairs, international events and Brunei high commissions abroad. biG is available at the arrival hall of Brunei International Airport, Brunei Tourism offices, Royal Brunei Airlines business class, all hotels, popular food and beverage outlets and foreign missions in Brunei. biG has a distribution network in the neighbouring states through the Sabah and Sarawak Tourism Boards as well as via prominent hotels in the respective capitals. Besides being Brunei’s very own publication for bridging its residents with a myriad of commercial and cultural offerings within the country, each issue also serves as the world’s window into the rich tapestry of Borneo’s life and culture. www.borneoinsidersguide.com
@bigborneo
Brunei | biG contact@borneoinsidersguide.com T: (673) 2331031 F: (673) 2231031 Unit 49, Second Floor Haji Munchit & Hajah Dayang Rapiah Complex Kg Jaya Setia, Berakas, BD2713 Brunei Darussalam The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of biG Magazine.
events TO look
out FOR
this quarter
Feb 25-26
Miri Country Music Festival 2017 Sarawak Time to dust off that ol’ cowboy hat - the Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) is back again for another knee slappin’ good time!
Feb 23 National Day
Feb 25-28 GenerationGR3EN Brunei
Brunei
Jan 28 Lunar New Year
Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak The annual Spring Festival for the Chinese community promises a festive celebration with lots of bright red decorations, lion and dragon dances and red money packets for kids. It is a time when the Chinese get together with friends and relatives for feasting and bonding over a two-week period.
The streets of Bandar Seri Begawan come alive with the celebration of Brunei’s 33rd National Day as locals and visitors gather at the city centre to watch the grand parade and enjoy the fireworks.
Feb 26 -Mar 7 Brunei Book Fair
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka will be bringing in international book publishers for this book festival. Tons of books will be on sale and look out for special offers during the fair.
Sarawak Marathon 2017 Sarawak The third edition Sarawak Marathon is back in Kuching city. Conquer the full marathon (42km) or half marathon (21km), or just sign up for fun 10km and 5 km runs. Whichever you choose, it will be a rewarding day spent working out all your muscles! www.bruneitourism.travel | www.sabahtourism.com | www.sarawaktourism.com
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Contents
Brunei
Mar 12
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This 4-day eco-entrepreneurship workshop will focus on eco-tourism this year. 50 delegrates aged 20-35 from all ten YSEALI member countries are expected to attend and learn from ‘green business’ experts, explore tourism in Brunei and connect with like-minded youth leaders.
biG dates See what’s happening in Borneo this quarter biG scoop Presenting our scoop on things to love and desire biG feature Stories so unique it can only be from Borneo biG trail Follow our trails and discover what is on the island biG special Celebrate our different cultures and festivals biG buzz We put our ears up and
find out what’s buzzing in town biG focus See who and what we are pointing our cameras at made in Borneo Traditional or new, see what the locals are creating
biG getaway Near or far, we go on holiday for your benefit biG listings Where to eat, drink and chill? Come with us and see biG essentials Helpful tips for visitors arriving on our shores
biG appetite We try the food so you can follow suit
biG navigator Find your bearings with our walking maps
biG drive What has wheels and is cool to be seen in, let us show you.
biG screen See what’s playing in the cinemas around town
biG scoop
Hola Llao Llao
Oh, it’s Borneo! Malaysian homegrown design start-up, The Great Indoors, has designed a range of home accessories aimed at promoting local Malaysian culture. ‘Oh, it’s Borneo!’ is the company’s contemporary interpretation of traditional Borneo textiles and craft work set on a collection of table napkins, cushion covers and throws. By weaving the past with present, the collection aims to provide an insight into Borneo’s rich culture and heritage, their folklore, way of life and relationship with the forest. The ‘Oh, it’s Borneo!’ collection can be purchased from The Great Indoors website.
The Spanish frozen yogurt franchise that has been swiftly gaining popularity world-wide has finally landed in Borneo! Located at the Spring Shopping Mall in Kuching, Llao Llao (pronounced yao-yao) natural frozen yogurt is made on the premises from skimmed milk. The natural sweetness in the milk lingers delicately on the palate. The franchise aims to provide healthier snacks to the healthconscious and they can customise their frozen yogurt with a choice of premium toppings. ••
Lower Grd Flr, The Spring Shopping Mall, Kuching FB: llaollaoMalaysia
••
A Scholarly Advantage Students, you will be happy to learn that Progresif Cellular has a fabulous deal just for you – the Progresif Uni Plan - a prepaid plan designed specially for young people studying in one of the local participating institutions of learning (see their website for a list). Purchase a Uni SIM card and qualify for the Uni Plan. Available in weekly plans for $7/week or $25/ week, with just one flat rate, you can get unlimited WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook access, and make unlimited calls and texts to your friends on the same Uni Plan. And when you need more data or voice minutes, simply buy add-on packs that suit your budget. Staying in school certainly has its privileges. •• Progresif.com/home/ uniplan/
www.thegreatindoors.store
Drawing Dreams And Memories Joanita Zain’s artwork has brightened up the walls of the women and children’s block at the RIPAS hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan. The four levels of wall art depicting cheerful scenes of the sea world is a welcomed sight in a place of healing. Besides painting murals, Joanita gets plenty of orders to create prints for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions with her signature ‘Dreamworlds’ illustrations of her customers or places and things that have special meaning to them. Follow Joanita’s work on Instagram or e-mail her to enquire about creating your own memories. •• IG: jellybeandreams
E-mail: jellybeandreams@live.com
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biG scoop
A Swinging Time If floor yoga is not stretching you enough, then take it a notch higher and explore yoga in the air. OmPlace Studio in Kiulap now offers antigravity aerial yoga using a soft fabric hammock that hangs from the ceiling. Using gravity and your own bodyweight to perform the exercises in the air gives you a deeper stretch. Practising aerial yoga can increase muscular flexibility and joint mobility, and help to strengthen your core. Even Mick Jagger is doing it at the age of 73! But be sure to review your own physical condition first or consult a doctor before attempting this class. If you’re pregnant or suffer from vertigo, spine problems or injuries, please pick up walking instead. ••
A9, 1st Flr, Blk A, Spg 150, Bangunan Habza, Kpg Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan IG: theflyingyogini
Seaside Hideout Hidden among sea cliffs and away from the Miri/Bintulu Coastal Road is a cluster of prettily coloured chalets called Tim’s Seaside Hideout Café and
Lodge. Few people would know about this little family-run jewel by the beach if they are not observant enough to see the signboard at the road junction. Hardly two years old, Tim’s Hideout has attracted a multitude of visitors who appreciate a spectacular sunset, good food and cosy chalets. The white beach alone is stunning and provides more than three miles of good walk. It is the perfect place to rest and relax after exploring the outskirts of Miri. The owners are building more chalets to meet a growing demand. If you are just stopping by for a meal they serve some excellent food personally prepared by the owner/operator who is famous for her salmon steak. ••
Lot 524, Beraya Lama, Miri FB: Tim’s Seaside Hideout Cafe & Lodge
Sweet Little Things Authentic Nyonya kuih that use only natural colouring is hard to find nowadays. Not willing to let her late great great grandmother’s Nyonya kuih recipes to be forgotten, Caroline Lim-Narcis started Sugarushbiz four years ago to sell these traditional kuih so people can continue to enjoy them. She makes 13 types including such gems as Bingka Ubi, Abok Sago, Kuih Koswee, Ondeh Ondeh, Changkir and Ang Ku Kuih. Caroline’s desserts are all coloured naturally with flowers and vegetables, and the process of making them is labour-intensive – steaming root vegetables, grating fresh coconuts, extracting the juice from them or pandan leaves, drying the colouring in the sun for days and patiently cooking each type of kuih. •• IG: sugarushbiz
Tel: 673-8742800
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BiG
feature Brunei’s Kampong Ayer is not just a labyrinth of houses on stilts clustered over the river, it is made up of many small villages connected by walkways, once made entirely of wood but now, reinforced with concrete in certain sections. Kampong Ayer has existed for centuries and families who live there continue to hold fort for their ancestors who lived here long ago, despite the offer of modern concrete houses on land.
s d r a c t Pos A m o r F e g a l l i V r e t a W Pauline Chan
a home and traveller’s lodge
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s one walks along the warren of connecting walkways, one can see tired and old dilapidated structures - some with families still living in them - standing meekly beside new double storey accommodations and brightly coloured renovated houses, a stark contrast in landscape in Brunei’s most famous ancient landmark. The BIG team followed Kem, owner and operator of a quaint homestay just steps away from the jetty, for a morning walk through her village called Kampong Bakut Berumput. With the fierce sun biting into our necks, we searched for stories of the resilient inhabitants who live in this part of the Brunei Bay.
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Wall At Large
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Kunyit 7 is Kem’s family home since 1926 and now it is her business. Her home is open to visitors from around the world who want a taste of living in a typical water village house. Kem made modifications to it bit by bit, transforming it into a cosy pad offering visitors a glimpse of life on Kampong Ayer for a few days.
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What can you do in a homestay on water? Try to do as little as possible and just enjoy the calm setting.
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Breakfast bought from a peddler who goes around the villages carrying his basket of traditional Bruneian cakes.
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glitter and grandeur
One of the biggest surprise in the village is the home of one Hj Sufri, whose family has been living there since the 1950s. The house looks impressive on the outside, being larger and taller than its neighbours, and the inside is twice as grand.
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The gold-themed interior is decorated with sparkling chandeliers and finished with polished wood for the ceiling.
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treasures of the past
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Antique brassware that were once daily household items are now only used as decoration and a reminder of the past.
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The original cordless irons, sturdy and problem-free.
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children of the river
animal patrol
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Who better to guard your home than a vigilant golden goose? Strangers will get honked at for trespassing.
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Rats can be a problem when the tide is low and when the rubbish under the house shows up. The feline patrol keeps these vermins under control.
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A much-loved photograph of the late Begawan Omar Ali Saifuddin engaging in a game of tug-of-war. Black and white photos show the days when life was simpler and neighbours would get together like one big family.
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deck the walls If there is a prize for the most-decorated house in the water village, it will surely go to Awang Ahmad bin Hj Timbang. The colourful walls of his house in Kampong Peramu are embellished with every imaginable decorative item.
old and new
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Old walls made new with a coat of colour. One villager said she waited for the tide to go up so she could paint the higher parts while standing in a boat with a brush attached to a long stick.
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Newer and taller homes built with sturdier materials stand alongside existing wooden houses.
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river s occupation Waste not, want not. A resourceful villager fashions furniture from discarded packing pellets.
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Keropok production is a cottage industry in Kampong Ayer. Dough made from prawns and tapioca flour is sliced thinly and spread out on woven rattan trays to dry in the sun.
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Kids in the village walking home from school. Besides primary, secondary and religious schools, there are clinics, mosques, shops, police stations and a fire station.
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Kampong Ayer is a large playground for kids who grow up in the water village.
Kampong Ayer is home to many fishermen who still scour the Brunei Bay for a day’s catch.
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BiG trail
MADE
WITH LOVE Handmade and homemade, two words that instantly bring to mind the cottage industries that are thriving with the help of the widereaching social media arms. From indigenous woven handicrafts and intricate jewellery to natural skincare products and Borneoinspired art, there are plenty of them on the Internet market and best of all, they are made with love.
Sejalin Enterprises Sdn. Bhd. Office: +673 242 0166 Shop No. 1, Ground Floor Lot no. 47322 SPG 41-1-12, Kg Kiarong Negara Brunei Darussalam Instagram: sejalin.living Facebook: @SejalinLiving
biG feature trail
Anne Maundrell Designs Original art quilts and hand dyed fabrics
The Natural Bar Natural skincare Patricia Chin and her cousin Adrenne created The Natural Bar range of natural, chemicalfree balms, creams, scrubs and salves because they wanted something that is safe for their own kids to use. What these two ladies made in their home in 2013 turned out to be just what their friends wanted too. If they are good enough for their kids, they’re good enough for the grown-ups. What flies off their shelves? Their cleansing grains, deodorants and mosquito repellent! Available in Chaps & Rebels in Kiulap, and Nollybook. •• IG: THENATURALBAR FB: The Natural Bar
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Anne Maundrell knows the Borneo landscape well, after all, she has been living in Brunei for over 20 years. Her art quilts are inspired by the Borneo rainforest and are one of a kind as she dyes the fabric herself to get the colours she wants. Every piece is unique because the fabrics and the way she puts them together will always be different. FB: Anne Maundrell Designs annemaundrelldesigns.com
Aloha Nature House Brunei Natural skincare, bath and body products Founder Adelyne V.Y wanted to provide skincare, bath and body products that don’t contain harmful ingredients and help people who can’t use store-bought commercial products. Her bath bombs add fizz and fun to bath time and her colourful soap ‘cakes’ look deliciously perfect for shower time. New in her collection are face powder blush and foundation loose powder. For festive holidays, Adelyne creates limited edition products so watch out for these specials on her social media sites. •• IG: ALOHANATURE_HOUSE.BRUNEI FB: Aloha Nature House
Atlantis Charms Bespoke jewellery At Atlantis Charms, sisters Rozie and Zarina Jade turn discarded glass into fashionable accessories and believe us, discarded glass has never looked so good! Sea glass pieces are made from smooth recycled glass naturally polished by the ocean waves. These colourful glass bits are refined and given a new lease of life by the dynamic duo who combines them with sea-themed or alphabet charms and wraps coloured wires around them. And the results? Utterly charming! ••
IG: atlantischarms
biG feature trail
Betye Kuan Coconut based products
Helping Hands Penan Baskets woven by the Penan tribe of Limbang, Sarawak When you buy a basket made by Penan weavers, you are contributing to their survival and their children’s education. The Helping Hands Penan is a non-profit organisation that sells basket ware made by these tribal weavers and gives every cent back to them, allowing them to continue using their weaving skills to provide for the welfare of their family. The baskets are made with durable plastic packing strips as they are more easily available than traditional rattan, which command a higher price as they are harder to process and are short in supply. ••
IG: helpinghandspenan FB: Helping Hands Penan
Left & Right Artisan Handcraft Wearable Art Who says mechanical engineers can’t be jewellery makers? Eileen Phoan and Fabian Tan have proven that when the left and right brain work together, beautiful works of engineering precision can be achieved. They hand craft jewellery for individuals who want wearable art to express who they really are. Eileen and Fabian share the stories behind their creations on social media, turning them into storytellers as they connect with their readers who want to own a piece of a story. Look out for their new collection ‘Counting Stars’ this January. ••
The uses of a coconut are endless, and the extra virgin coconut oil extracted by the cold press method is a natural wonder food and skincare ingredient. Founder of Betye Kuan, Normezi Rozita Omar, from the Tutong district in Brunei, knows the skin-loving properties of the coconut and has made a range of skincare with the coconut oil as the star ingredient. It’s a family business Normezi’s family members are actively involved in the manufacturing, sales and marketing of her products which are not limited to soaps, lotions and oils, she also sells snacks and cookies made with coconuts. •• IG: betyekuan 28, Spg 1185-73-193 RPN, Bukit Beruang, Tutong
GkLAM Handmade beaded bracelets Three years ago Kamal Bahrin (Gk) made a bracelet for his niece. From that little trinket, he started GkLAM and is aiming to put a GkLAM bracelet on every wrist. In his Prestige Collection, he makes exclusive pieces using diamonds for the centrepiece and high-grade precious stones, usually limited to one piece per design. His Royal Raya Collection is only available once a year for a short period before the Eid celebration, and finally, there’s the custom made tasbih (prayer beads). Gk makes six types of bracelets – beaded elastic, wrap, cuff, leather, macramé and chain, and each one can be unique, according to what components a customer wants, and there are plenty of choices, from pearls and Czech glass beads to Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones. Brides-to-be can look forward to their upcoming Bridal Collection this year. ••
IG: g.klam Tel: 673-8250433
IG: leftnrighthandmade | FB: leftNright.juxtapose | www.lnrartisanhandcraft.com
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biG trail
Little Red Designs Juste Leather Leather Craft Tired of loud, brash logos splashed across your leather accessory? Satisfy your craving for simplicity and create your own bag with a little instruction from leather craftswoman, Jasmyne Koh of Juste Leather. She will show you how to turn a piece of hide into a fine piece of accessory with personalized embellishments that gently whispers simply chic. Workshops with Jasmyne will involve some measuring, cutting and hammering but nothing too strenuous, promise.
The fun thing about artisanal crafts businesses that are big on social media is the workshops that they conduct. You can register and attend these special pop-up classes for a fee and make your own craft for a couple of hours, a day or a weekend. Gather a few friends and join them together. You’ll never know, you might end up starting a little business of your own.
MAKE A BOOK Book binding Rozi, who has a Masters in Book Arts, and her cousin Wina know a thing or two about making a book – and they’re here to teach you how. The two ladies conduct workshops to teach one how to literally ‘make a book’.
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Banish boring mugs with watercolour artist, Eliza Elaine, who can jazz up any plain old mug with a swish of her brush. Eliza, a self-taught artist who specialises in combining watercolour and calligraphy, works her pretty art on paper, cards as well as mugs. If you want to learn to do it yourself, Eliza conducts workshops to bring out the artist in you too, just follow her on Instagram to find out when she will have a class.
Two years ago, Christine Galera Chu started Little Red Designs to produce her digital works. And when she discovered the art of calligraphy, she realized that flowing letters rule. She can personalize your name cards, envelopes and invitations with calligraphy strokes and she makes sure that yours will stand out and be noticed. She has some merchandise available for purchase in limited quantities that you can view on her social media sites. Her calligraphy workshops are structured for beginner and intermediate levels, and participants will be provided with a basic kit that consists of a nib, a nib holder, calligraphy-friendly paper, two ink bottles and a specially designed guidebook.
IG: designedbyeli Email: designedbyeli@gmail.com Tel: 673-7100898
IG: littleredesigns FB: littleredcalligraphyandletterpress www.littleredesigns.com
Designed By Eli Calligraphy, brush lettering and watercolour designs
IG: justeleather FB: Juste Leather Email: justeleather@gmail.com Tel: 673-8328688
They have 3-hour workshops or longer workshop retreats for people who want to unleash their creativity and learn the age-old art of basic bookbinding techniques. They also accept custom orders and offer pre-bound books for sale, so if you’re not crafty enough to make your own
Calligraphy and brush lettering
book, not to worry, they have plenty of pretty choices to brighten up your bookshelves!
FB: Make A Book Brunei IG: makeabookbrunei Email: makeabookbrunei@gmail.com Tel: 673-8720079 (Rozi) / 8764958 (Wina)
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special 2
Red-ifying our homes
Decorate the home with red lanterns, spring couplets, flowers, paper cutouts and paper fire crackers, it’s time for red alert. This auspicious colour, along with gold and orange, is considered to be lucky. It is the colour of life and happiness, and touches of red is most auspicious for a home and its occupants.
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Tossing Yusheng
The yusheng is a colourful salad of finely julienned vegetables and raw fish with some deep fried pillow-shaped flour crisps thrown in for some pop and crackle. After pouring in the oil, a handful of pomelo flesh, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, sweet plum sauce and a dash of pepper, eager diners dive in with their chopsticks and mix up the whole lot while saying auspicious words loudly. This may seem like a circus to outsiders but it is a fun ritual that only happens during Chinese New Year.
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3 ces into onkey dan As the M inese year, we h the new C celebrate with to y d a re t ge lly. Here’s d festive jo drums an we love about gs eight thin the spring festival. g n ti celebra
Eating sticky rice cake
Niangao is a musthave dessert during this time. The sweetness of the cake symbolises a sweet life so eating it represents increasing prosperity year after year. The word nian means year and gao means high, so as the years go by, one hopes to reach higher and go further in life.
4 Dancing lions and dragons
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It’s always auspicious when a friendly dancing lion or dragon comes a calling and when they do, invite them in and have them bring blessings throughout your home. The dance is always rewarded with a big fat hongbao but sometimes the brave lion has to work hard for it. Some hosts like to dangle the hongbao from high locations or hide them in hard-to-reach places just to see how nimble the lion is. The dancers under these lion suits are highly trained so everyone on the scene will be treated to a thrilling acrobatic show.
Setting off firecrackers
The Chinese usher in the Lunar New Year literally with a big bang. Just before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s eve, folks come out to light fireworks and set the skies ablaze with colour. At midnight, firecrackers are set off to welcome the arrival of the New Year. Firecrackers are sometimes strung together to make a long chain, producing a rowdy din.
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Giving/receiving hongbaos
This is the time for kids to fill up their piggy banks with lucky money. If you are single, you will benefit too for unmarried men and women are entitled to receive hongbaos (red envelopes) from their parents or married relatives and friends. Those giving out hongbaos have to find new notes weeks in advance (usually from the bank) and pack them into pretty money packets, the amount will depend on how close you are to the recipient so naturally the closer the ties, the larger the amount. Although traditionally red, hongbaos nowadays come in all sorts of warm colours.
Wearing new clothes Red is the quintessential colour for the occasion, but these days as long as you’re not wearing black, you’re good to go. Go top-to-toe red, right down to the knickers if you wish, or simply add red accessories to your outfit to qualify for being in the spirit of festivities.
8 Reunion dinner All the members of the family will try to make it for this important dinner on New Year’s eve. It is customary to see whole steamed fish, big prawns, and dried oysters with hair moss and a whole host of other food with special significance during Chinese New Year.
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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Once More for The Guys The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on September 25 brought out some finely dressed gentlemen and women on their classy rides, all in the name of men’s health. This year, it was yet another triumphant road trip for the dapper gentlemen and women who took part and collected nearly US$2,000 for the Movember Foundation’s programmes for men’s health. The official flag-off was held at SAMO Furniture in Kg Kiulap, where a host of classic and vintage two and three-wheeled motorcycles stood in proud display along with over 70 local riders dressed in their Sunday best. The riders took their motorcycles on a route passing local landmarks before returning to Kiulap. Prizes were given for the best dressed, the best bike, the highest individual donor and even the best moustache. The event also featured talks about men’s health issues by speakers from the Ministry of Health. In the four years since the DGR began, the event has raised more than USD7 million for men’s health. To find out how you can participate in next year’s ride, visit www.gentlemansride.com.
Nitro Cold Brew has gotten some people bubbling with joy. So, what is Nitro Cold Brew and why does it look like something you’ll get from a tap in a pub in England? In looks, it’s cold-brew coffee with frothy bubbles on top. But in taste, it’s something completely other. Nitro cold brew is what you get when you imbue cold brew coffee
with nitrogen gas, and the result is richer and creamier tasting than your average iceblended caffeine beverage. The texture is velvety and the tiny bubbles make the coffee more luxurious, giving you a different coffee-drinking experience. For coffee snobs and casual coffee drinkers alike, we highly recommend it!
Want to give nitrogenized coffee a try? Nitro Cold Brew is available on tap at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf outlet at Times Square Shopping Centre. Call 673-2337358 for more details. Coffee start-up business TwentyFive.BN has a nitro tap unit available for rent for private events and functions. For more information, follow them on Instagram (@twentyfive.bn).
Double The Fun When Chef Siti Mastura took over the Bake Culture kitchen to give a demonstration of her famous local-fusion desserts, she was assisted by Brunei’s own superstar Wu Chun who, dressed in his chef attire, whisked and stirred under Chef Siti’s watchful eye, prompting her to crack a joke, “If only all male chefs looked this good.” The charismatic Chef Siti, author of the pastry and desserts recipe book “Ignite The Flame… Bonding the Generations” comprising
60 mouth-watering recipes, is a celebrity chef well-known in Singapore for her award-winning recipes, personalised baking workshops and her cake-mix brand ‘Vanila’. She also appeared as a guest judge in cooking shows such as ‘Chef Selebriti’ and ‘MasterChef Malaysia’. The two celebrities baked up a frenzy that afternoon making Chempedak Muffins, fudgey brownies from her ‘Vanila’ cakemix and Banana Nagasari with Gula Melaka Butterscotch. Gleaning inspiration from Chef Siti, Bake Culture hopes to introduce more local Malay fusion desserts to Brunei and aims to eventually promote these unique cakes to other parts of the world.
No car? No problem! October 2nd marked the first car-free Sunday in the nation’s capital, an initiative from the Municipal Department that is giving the capital a much-needed revival. The “Bandarku Ceria” programme has turned the area from the Royal Regalia to the Waterfront into a car-free zone between 6 and 10am every Sunday. Droves of people turned up to jog, walk, run, cycle, ride scooters and skate down the vehicle-free streets of Bandar, making the downtown area a new hotspot for tourists and locals alike. There is something for everyone - free aerobic sessions, handicraft stalls, street artists and market stalls, it’s a haven of local entrepreneurs. Come by with the family for a stroll about town because for the first time in a long time, Sundays in Bandar are a whole lot more fun!
Bake Culture #6 Grd Flr & 1st Flr Blk B Urairah Complex, Kg Kiulap, BSB, Brunei Tel: 673-2233663
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Before Instagram, personal style blogs were more of a creative outlet than a career path, but much has changed since social media platforms came into play. A love for fashion and personal branding has become a lucrative career path, and doors have opened wide for those possessing the combined skills of good style, slick photo-taking and the willingness to self-promote. Intan Abu Daniel
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he concept of fashion blogging has taken root in Brunei, and these days our local fashion scene is ruled by our local fashionistas. These are bloggers with look books that are curated to a T –effortlessly infusing personal style with sponsored content. Charging up style with personality is a no-brainer for UBD student May Cho (www.themayden.com). Dreamy and poetic, May’s writings reads like lyrical prose, peppered with images of the young fashion blogger in her unique style: gothic, dark, grungy, a little bit dangerous. Despite the fact that she has over 2,000 followers on her Instagram account and has begun collaborating with local fashion designers, this 19-yearold doesn’t yet see blogging as a career path. “I’m prioritising my studies, so I still view blogging as a hobby. It’s a way to vent my creativity. I’m hoping that in five years’ time blogging will still be a thing, and that my blog may become a source of inspiration some day. Fashion is not a priority in my blogging – I really just want to inspire people.” Nabeela Fadzil (www. lipstickmyname.com) started earlier than most. She began a beauty blog back in 2010 but retreated into her shell when she started to feel self-conscious. She overcame this hurdle five years later when she documented her outfits on Instagram, and with over 11,000 followers, her style did not go unnoticed. A hugely likeable and candid blogger with great style, it’s not difficult to understand Nabeela’s nearly overnight success in the regional fashion industry. “Since I started all of this, alhamdulillah, I’ve had a few collaborations with designers and
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1. Nurafina Muhamad 2. May Cho 3. Nabeela Fadzil
stores both locally and abroad. But the most amazing thing about this is meeting new people! I’ve had the opportunity to meet inspiring people who do amazing things.” When asked where she sees her blog in the future, she replied, “To be honest, I haven’t a clue. Never in a million years did I imagine my blog would become what it is today.” For Nurafina Muhamad or Fina (www.weekend-frocks.com), her first official foray into the world of fashion was in October 2015 when she was given a front of house role in Digital Fashion Week (which became an official part of Singapore Fashion Week in 2016), and ended up being inspired by everything she saw. She took a businesslike approach to this new sense of purpose – she took an online Fashion Journalism course with the University of Arts London for a few months and discovered her passion for writing about fashion and the challenges it presented. “Ever since I started my blog, it has given me opportunities to attend events that allowed me to network. It’s been absolutely enlightening to meet people in
“Stay strong... Ultimately, it’s all about doing what you enjoy.”
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the creative industry, whether it’s designers, marketing people, make-up artists or other influencers - there’s always something to learn. I had local and regional designers get in touch for a feature or even to send over freebies! It’s far from being financially sustainable just yet but I’m enjoying the ride for now.” May, Nabeela and Fina are just three of the many fashion bloggers from Brunei today. Although somewhat later than their international counterparts, and with comparatively less resources, regional designers are already recognising their potential. So what does an aspiring fashion blogger need to have for this role? Fina believes having thick skin is essential: “Stay strong because your blog is out there for the public to see and there might be some backlash or criticism by others. Ultimately, it’s all about doing what you enjoy.” “I say if you love it and you have a passion for it, do it,” Nabeela advised. “And when you do start, let me know! Coz I want to read it!”
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borneo Chic Simplicity Jasmyne Koh expertly cuts a piece of brown leather on a green cutting board with her fair dainty hands. Then she picks up a mallet and strikes an alphabet stamp placed over another piece of leather several times and shows us the impression the stamp makes on the leather. Her worktable has a collection of tools, leather pieces of various shapes and sizes, pen knives and embossing stamps, illuminated by an overhanging white table lamp. This is where Jasmyne feels most at home.
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asmyne, who is the cofounder and designer at Juste Leather, didn’t plan on becoming a leather craft maker. Although she pursued a degree in Art and Design and went on to work as a multimedia designer, she decided that she would rather be making beautiful things with her hands. While doing a product design course
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in Korea, she felt that leather was the material she wanted to work with and immediately enrolled herself in classes on leather crafting, expanding her knowledge through online tutorials and DIY books, and started Juste Leather in Brunei to sell her simply-styled handmade leather products that have a natural look and feel.
Jasmyne conducts workshops too for people who want to try their hand at creating their own leather accessory. It’s not all just fun and tinkering with tools but one can learn a lot about the qualities of the leather she uses too. “We want to educate people about what they are actually buying rather than just buying a product because it comes from
a famous brand. We explain why we use vegetable tanned leather that is free from harmful chemicals, their characteristics and other useful information about leather.” Jasmyne’s first attempt at leather craftwork was a strap keychain – she wanted to make the simplest possible item so she could finish it quickly and see what it looks like when assembled. “Most of my initial designs come from my own practical experiences in life. Later on, we decided to take people’s feedback as a reference so we can improve our products.” Her favourite piece is the Envelope Clutch. “As a designer, you want your brand/design to be easily recognised and this clutch is actually one of our best selling items which I am very proud of.” Jasmyne intends to continue with her signature minimalistic style in her designs and hopes to take Juste Leather outside Brunei, to the international market. But in the meantime, she is carving out a niche market for her homemade leather goods and bringing chic simplicity back into a world of excess overload.
Instagram: justeleather Facebook: Juste Leather Email: justeleather@gmail.com Tel: 673-8328688
made in Borneo
are all sourced in Malaysia. We can’t get essential oils locally so we source them from a trusted company in Australia. How long do you cure your soaps before they are ready for sale? We use the cold-process method to make our soaps. We let them stand for three weeks to let the extra moisture evaporate. After this curing process, the soap will get harder and feel milder on the skin.
Bubbly Pursuits It’s not hard to find homemade artisanal skincare products made with natural ingredients from one’s backyard these days. Some people say they are tired of the big-corporation commercial products that contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals that give them unpleasant reactions. The entrepreneurial ones have turned to mother nature to whip up simple, no-fuss skincare in their kitchen with the help of nothing more than some pots and pans, a computer and the World Wide Web.
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ishing on the internet, we found Native Body & Skin soaps, made in Sabah, Malaysia, by a young lady who learnt how to make them through lessons learnt entirely from online resources. Natalie Lo developed a passion for skincare when she was still in college studying marketing and management. She was curious about what is good and bad for her skin, and the various ways of making soap. 101 questions later, she decided to make soaps as a hobby. Natalie went through many blogs, Facebook pages and ‘how-
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to’ articles online, and after countless trials and failures, made some things that she could use. She continued to learn and experiment until she was satisfied with the end products. About 18 months ago, she met a local soap maker. After a few chats and some pondering, she arrived at an a-ha moment – she could make skincare products as a business. We asked her to tell us about her collection of handmade soaps. When did you start your soap business and what were the
IG: nativebodyandskin FB: Native Body & Skin Website: www.nativebodyskin.com
initial challenges? I started this business last November. The main challenge was to find ways to sell in the local market and increase public awareness of the differences between natural and commercial soap. Natural soaps tend to be more expensive, I have to educate my customers on the benefits of natural soaps so I started a blog for this purpose. Where do you get your ingredients from? The key ingredients such as herb extracts and plant oil/butter
What is special about your soaps? All our natural soaps are formulated in-house through extensive experimentation to achieve a balance of cleansing and moisturising properties. We make use of local ingredients such as ginger, illipe butter, coffee and jungle honey. Our handmade soaps retain glycerin, a by-product of the soap making process, and it attracts moisture, making the soap moisturising. Upon curing, the amount of glycerin in a soap bar is between 7-10%. Glycerin makes soap gentler but softer compared to commercial soaps. To prolong the life span of the soap, we recommend our customers keep them dry between each use. We are proud to say that all our soaps are made using the most natural ingredients without compromising on the lathering property that our customers want. Do you ship your products to Brunei? We ship our products worldwide including Brunei! Simply choose the option “shipping within Southeast Asian Region” at the checkout on our website. If you are in KK, you can find us at “the roofless art market” at Lido Plaza (an art market hosted by The B Side café) on the last Sunday of every month. We are there from 10am to 5pm selling our soaps, lip balms and virgin coconut oil.
made in Borneo
A Woman With Many Hats In a little enclave of the new Miri Handicraft Centre at High Street, Kenyah handicraft lady, Sandra Ahie, takes out 10 strips of refined bamboo and soaks them in a pail of water. She is going to demonstrate in what she calls, ‘just a short few minutes’, how to make the bamboo base or band of a Kenyah headdress. Chang Yi
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he deftly places the 10 strips under her foot and starts weaving. In lightning speed, her agile hands and feet help her to finish the headband. She explains her weaving like she is a celebrity chef explaining how to make an intricate dish. Sandra tells me that after preparing several of these bands or ‘skeletons’ for custom made headgears, she will then prepare the beadwork for it, in between
customers dropping in at her little craft shop. Sometimes good bamboo is hard to come by, so she will do beading first while waiting for the next batch of bamboo to arrive. Sandra was trained by her own mother in their village in Long Bungan, Baram, from the age of 10. After her secondary school education, she worked as a library assistant until her retirement, then she opened
her handicraft shop to fulfill her lifelong dream of creating beautiful bead, bamboo and rattan crafts and carry on the legacy of her people. A Kenyah lady’s headdress can cost up to RM600 each, depending on the quality of the beads used. It normally takes her five to seven days to assemble all the beads for one headdress, literally bead by bead. The designs are usually chosen by the customers
themselves but sometimes she makes up her own designs, which are not very different from the traditional patterns. The beads she uses tend to be the traditional black, white, yellow and red. However, some people may choose to incorporate other colours for a unique look. Black velvet material is used to cover the headband. After covering the band, Sandra will slowly stitch the bead ‘belt’ on to the velvet cover. The sewing has to be slow and steady to ensure that the headgear is properly made. Any loose stitching will cause the beads to slip and it will not be smooth. Great care is taken to assemble the headpiece in order to showcase the beautiful Kenyah craftsmanship. Sandra makes bands of beads with circumferences of 20, 21 or 22 inches. The readymade headdresses on the shelves in her shop are 21 inches, an indication of the norm. Some ladies with smaller heads take 19 inches, and on the other end, some need 23 inches. Every time she prepares a headdress, she will have to measure the head very carefully otherwise it will not rest on the head gracefully. So her customers have to go to her shop to have their headdress specially measured and made, and a Kenyah woman generally has one that will last her a lifetime.
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Eat, Drink Brunei Pauline Chan
FLOUR & BUTTER CAFE
Novri Rinaldi
29, Grd Flr, Bangunan Hj Hassan Abdullah Jln Gadong, Menglait Tel: 673-2422323 Open: 6.30pm-11pm Thurs & Sun 2.30pm – 11pm Fri & Sat. Closed on Wed IG: flourandbutterbn
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CHARCOAL BBQ & GRILL Km2.5, Jalan Tutong Tel: 673-2221171/2240998 Open daily: 11am-11pm IG: charcoalbrunei
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harcoal BBQ & Grill is a meat lovers’ haven that you can bring your whole family to. The lamb, beef ribs and steaks and other barbeque dishes are the star temptations here and they have added some new dishes to their menu. Their latest attraction is the aged steaks. Whether you choose dry or wet aged steaks, these are limited each day so call ahead to check for availability. Some new items have been added to the old favourites. The new Roasted Turkey Drumstick
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is a massive shareable size and comes with two free side dishes of your choice. The Cheese Burger Tray Bake is made different with a bun dripping with sauce and baked in the oven. The Charcoal Ribs Pizza, topped with smoked honey ribs, onion, capsicum and two types of cheese, was as juicy as it looked. As for the lighter offerings, we loved the peppery fried wantan skins, tangy coleslaw and the large golden onion rings. Portions are generous, so they’re good
for one hungry soul or for sharing with a friend. Charcoal has also introduced a series of quick lunch sets with free flow of coffee, tea or sparkling juice and they are so well priced that seats are filling up from Monday to Saturdays. The lunch menu is available from 11am to 5pm and if time is of the essence, they promise a fifteen-minute serve time so you can eat up and be on your way, perfect for those who need to dine and dash!
lour & Butter is a new little café that is slowly growing its wings in the chaotic nesting ground of Menglait. Opened for only four days a week and several hours each day (this schedule could have changed by the time you read this), this diner may be a smallish space but it has big ideas. We took an instant liking to their Quattro Fries – chunky fries sprinkled with ground coffee. We spotted a tray of chicken pies in short crust pastry the size of a muffin and ordered one to try, after a bite, we realised one was not enough. If you are here for cakes and coffee, then let us speak lovingly of their Black Forest Peanut Butter cake, Nutella and Blueberry Crepe Cake and Durian Crepe – a cool moist crepe concealing a cold creamy durian filling that will sit well with durian fans. They have a handful of savoury offerings, it’s a short list at the moment but we assume they will eventually add on to that list which has a mix of the novel, Mac & Cheese Burger, and the familiar good old Fish & Chips.
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URBN KITCHEN A5, Grd Flr, Purnama Complex, Kg Kiulap Tel: 673-8646793 Open: Tue-Sat 6.30-10pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm IG: urbnkitchen.bn
f I had more than two thumbs, I would put them all up. It’s not often that one can throw up multiple thumbs for a new dining destination in Brunei. We’re talking about our dinner experience at the newly opened Urbn Kitchen, hidden in that little-known Purnama Complex in Kiulap. Let’s start with service. Their leading hostess Elaine took service with a smile to new heights. Not only did she guide us through the menu with a polished performance, she cheerfully fulfilled our mundane requests and checked on our needs from time to time throughout dinner. Food. It is obvious the chefs put as much emphasis on food presentation as taste. The plating is creative, tantalising your eyes first before attempting to seduce
your taste buds. If you are tired of unexceptional offerings burdened by intense flavours and overpowering seasonings that pervade our dining industry, then your palate will be relieved because here, the ingredients are allowed to shine in dishes thoughtfully created by the chef. Even the drinks are made refreshingly light to complement your meal instead of competing to dominate your senses. We would gladly have had second helpings of their Caramalized Oyster Mushroom, Compressed Lamb, Salmon with Creamy Caviar Pasta, Braised Green Mussels and the Tokyo Sour Sky dessert. Finally, a gourmet meal that respects the ingredients, true and authentic without the flashy prices. Urbn Kitchen is a long awaited addition to the culinary scene in our city.
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Eat, Drink Sabah Pamela Fletcher
Santan WHAT ASEAN Cuisine INSIDER’S TIP One of the newest restaurants at the popular Waterfront, Santan boasts a menu of favourites from the ASEAN region. Lots of flavourful dishes with a generous dose of aromatic spices, herbs and of course, santan (coconut milk) that is sure to whet the appetite with dishes such as Asam Pedas fish fillet, deep fried calamari in spicy herb batter, Chicken Limau Purut, Sayur Masak Lemak, grilled vegetables and lots more. Great for group lunches or dinners as you get to share a bit of everything without being totally overwhelmed by the richness of the flavours. You can sit outside if you enjoy the lively atmosphere of the bustling waterfront at night.
Lot 7, The Waterfront, Anjung Samudera, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Open daily: noon – midnight FB: Santan
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Joe Sun Food & Coffee Co. WHAT Café with cakes INSIDER’S TIP The name Joe Sun is a deliberate play on the words meaning ‘good morning’ in Cantonese, and Joe Sun Food & Coffee Co. is more than your average neighbourhood café with a breakfast menu that will perk up your mornings as much as their coffee. Why have maple syrup on your pancakes when you can have buttermilk chicken? Or have Southern fried chicken coated in rich salted egg yolk with your waffles? Sweet or savoury, Joe Sun is all about western experimental fusion with dishes designed to titillate the senses. They include standouts like Chimi-Canai (rolled roti with sautéed minced duck and leek
stuffing), Mac N’ Cheese Balls with turkey ham and bonito flakes, and Ramen Cheeseburger with a beef patty, teriyaki sauce, sunny side up egg, cheese and mushrooms served in between layers of pan seared crispy ramen. All you need now is a slice of Salted Egg Yolk Cheesecake and Rainbow Latte to make your trip to Joe Sun a gastronomical adventure. Lot 47-0, Damai Plaza Phase 4, Luyang, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Open daily: 7am – 10pm FB: Joe Sun - Food and Coffee Co.
Mother India WHAT North Indian and Mughal cuisine INSIDER’S TIP Named after a classic Bollywood movie, newly opened Mother India at Oceanus Mall is upping the ante on authentic North Indian cuisine in the city. Its richly decorated interior with deep red walls, mosaic floor tiles and hanging decorated lamp shades will transport you to exotic India. Mughal cuisine originates from North India and liberally uses milk, cream and yoghurt, as well as spices, nuts and fruits. Prepared by trained chefs from India, every dish at Mother India is a bite to be savoured. The appetizer
of crispy papadums with fresh mint sauce is an absolute must before diving into their extensive menu of soups, naan, paneer, tandoor and briyani dishes which cater to both meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Make sure you leave room for desserts such as the rich Rasmalai or Indian ice-cream Kulfi, and a cup of hot aromatic Masala chai to end your meal. Ground Floor, Lot 40A, Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Kota Kinabalu Open daily: 11am - 3pm, 5.30pm -11pm FB: Mother India North Indian Restaurant,Oceanus Mall, Kota Kinabalu
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Eat, Drink Kuching
COCOPURI
Irene Chan
WHAT Ice cream INSIDER’S TIP Another business that has taken the concept of reconstructing traditional favourites in stride is COCOPURI, an ice cream parlour in the hip new township of Metro City within the Matang area. COCOPURI’s menu consists only of ice cream inspired by local favourites, such as Red Kacang Blend (red bean), Keladi Blend (yam), and Sweet Potato Blend, as well as its first dairy-based offering: the Teh C Special blend. The ice cream ensembles are topped with familiar elements from local cuisine such as kerisik (pan-toasted grated coconut), and gula apong (palm sugar). The ice creams themselves are amazingly smooth and creamy. There is a hint of coconut in all the ice cream blends except for the Teh C Special, but the other flavour elements are delicately well-balanced, and none of the ice creams feel cloyingly rich or sweet in the least. Occasional weekend specials which are posted on COCOPURI’s social media feature limited edition flavours or locally-inspired additions such as apam balik. What is starkly noteworthy is the fact that there are no drinks on the menu, with the exception of COCOPURI’s latest exercise in dessert decadence: a rich and creamy coconut shake. Patrons are however encouraged to help themselves to the water dispenser provided. Ground Floor, Lot 14139 (SL.6), Blk 1, Metrocity, Jalan Matang, Kuching Open daily except Mondays, from noon to 10pm FB: cocopuridesserts IG: cocopuridesserts
Nuromen WHAT Beef noodles INSIDER’S TIP Noodles are a staple in Kuching, with kolomee being the quintessential noodle dish which defines standard Kuching kopitiam fare. Arguably an improvement upon the simple kolomee is the gubak mee – basically kolomee with the addition of a beef broth containing lean beef slices, beef tripe and bean sprouts.
Nuromen Café derives its name from the Mandarin term for beef noodles, nu rou mian, and presents a trendy establishment that could almost be accused of attempting to marry old-school fare with hipster sensibilities. With its bright, minimalist layout, and monochrome colour scheme, Nuromen affords a dining experience vastly different from the usual coffee-shop setting. The café uses quality imported beef, and that, along with the inclusion of add-ons such as sous
vide eggs, makes for an unexpectedly luxe reinvention of the humble noodle dish. Whilst it would be unreasonable to pit Nuromen’s noodles against those from traditional noodle stalls, they surprisingly do hold their own against scrutiny – they are springy and flavoursome, with a broth that places it firmly in comfort-food category. Jalan Chan Chin Ann, Kuching Open daily except Tuesdays, 8am-2pm, 5.30pm-10pm FB: nuromencafe
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THE APPLE OF MY EYE We often hear the saying, ‘as American as apple pie’, indeed, apple pies are often associated with the American tradition of Thanksgiving when families get together for a turkey dinner and a slice of apple pie, pumpkin pie or other seasonal fruit pies. The apple pie is as much a representation of American culture as baseball and rock-n-roll music.
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e want you to flour your rolling pins and put a pie in the oven, so here’s a recipe for a Classic All American Apple Pie.
(The BIG team thanks Madam Micheline Tusenius, wife of H.E Mr Craig Allen, the
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U.S Ambassador to Brunei for kindly sharing this recipe, lending us one of her favourite photographs in her house, providing the perfect setting for our pie tribute, and finally, letting us eat apple pie!)
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SARAWAK
A Classic All American Apple Pie • • • • • •
5-6 green apples, or a mixture of red and green apples (or even a few pears), all peeled and cut into pieces Some cloves and cinnamon A handful of raisins (optional) A squeeze of lemon (optional, according to taste) Sugar, according to taste Pie crust dough (double this if using the recipe below)
• • • • • • • •
Preheat the oven to 375°F Cook the apples and spices over a low flame in a small saucepan. Do not add liquid unless really necessary otherwise the filling will be runny. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half the dough to form a 12-inch round. Place this in a 9-inch diameter glass pie dish and make a base. Some cook this pie base slightly in the oven, others don’t, it’s up to you. Roll out the other half of the dough into a 12-inch round. Place the apple mixture in the pie dish and distribute evenly. Place the other rolled-out pie dough on top and seal the two pieces of dough together, crimping the edges decoratively. You can also make a lattice pattern on the top with strips of pastry dough. Bake in oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350°F and bake for another 40 minutes. Serve the pie warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
John’s Pie (Kuching)
Pining for pies? Whether you like it sweet or savoury, here are a few places in Borneo where pies rule:
Besides the quintessential meat pies, there are unique offerings such as Laksa Pie, Beef and Egg Pie and Vegan Pie. Prices from RM7 each. Look out for their monthly signature pie.
Lot 11411, Jalan Song, Kuching (6016-8891693) Pete’s Deli (Miri) Pete’s Deli serves good old puff pastry chicken, meat and Shepherd’s pie, you can have them as a full meal with gravy, mash and coleslaw. Prices RM7-9 each, RM10-12 with mash and coleslaw.
Lot 284 Ground Floor, Brighton Centre, Miri (6085-422403)
Pie Crust Dough This recipe makes one 9-inch crust. If you wish to serve the pie ‘covered’ then double this recipe. 1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 8 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces 3 tablespoons (or more) ice water • • • •
Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor or by hand. Add the butter. Using on/off turns, process until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Drizzle the ice water over the mixture. Process until moist clumps form, add more ice water by the teaspoon if necessary. Gather dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill (about 30 minutes) until the dough is firm enough to roll out.
BRUNEI
SABAH
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Muffinz (Kota Kinabalu)
Coffee and pie definitely go hand in hand so pair CBTL’s Chicken Pie, Spicy Chicken Puff or Honey Garlic (BND4.50) with their enormous range of coffees. Check their Facebook for branches and locations.
This deli café at The Magellan Sutera Resort is kid-friendly and offers a good selection of savoury pies: Chicken & Mushroom, Salmon, Potato & Leek, Shepherd’s pie (RM18-21), and some sweet nutty pies: Apple & Hazelnut and Mixed Nut pie.
FB: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Brunei Darussalam The Tea Colony Set in the Gadong Mall overlooking the Rizqun Hotel lobby, this place serves fish, Shepherd’s and apple pies besides the meaty ones. Prices range between BND4.60 to BND5.80.
Lot 2.16 B, 2nd Floor, The Mall, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong (673-2454307)
Level 1, The Magellan Sutera Resort, Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu (6088-318888) English Tea House & Restaurant (Sandakan)
Take your pick of the rectangular chicken pies (BND4.20) or the other variations with flaky, crispy crust: Thai Green Curry, Chicken Curry, Chicken and Leek and Beef Goulash. (BND5.90-6.90)
This colonial style English Tea House is not just good with tea and scones, their pies are charming too. They have Chicken & Mushroom, Steak & Onion in a puff pastry, and a classic Shepherd’s Pie with potato and cheese topping.
C5, Kiarong Complex, Kg Kiarong & A1, Seri Qlap Mall, Kiulap (673–2451851)
#2002, Jln Istana, Sandakan (6089-222545)
Fleur-de-lys Bakeshop
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Kai Joo Lane Night Market: On The Heritage Food Trail Irene Chan
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ed bean soy jelly. Noodle soup. Fried oyster omelette. Hammered dried cuttlefish. Chinese crullers. And then: zinc sheets, coffins and Charles Brooke. As improbable a combination as all of those things sounds, that is precisely the amalgamation of elements that the increasingly popular Kai Joo Lane Night Market is made up of.
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Hidden in the heart of Old Kuching, next to the central police station, Kai Joo Lane consists of two rows of 32 shops built in 1923 by a Teochew businessman – Teo Kai Joo. Kai Joo was supposedly friendly with the White Rajah of the day, Charles Brooke, and the locality was thus named by the latter. Despite that, Kai Joo Lane was colloquially known as sa lee hung,
or “zinc sheet lane”, because the shops along Kai Joo Lane were covered with a distinctive zinc sheet roofing. The name was eventually replaced by a more foreboding new designation – kua cha hung or Coffin Lane, as a few shops along Kai Joo Lane went into the business of coffinmaking. The street remained synonymous with its sombre trade even after those coffin shops
eventually closed down. Over 70 years later, Kai Joo Lane is finally known by its given name. In its most recent incarnation, Kai Joo Lane has become the unlikely venue for one of the most popular preoccupations among the residents of Kuching – food-hunting. Every Friday and Saturday, hip young millennials and avid foodies alike throng the unassuming little lane which is nestled next
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to the looming shopping mall, Plaza Merdeka. Heritage foods, some still popular, some almostforgotten, can be found here, much to the delight of hipsters seeking new experiences that hearken back to Old Kuching. The satay vendor can be observed diligently hammering freshly-grilled sotong bakar, a once-popular chewy dried cuttlefish snack. A group of young people watches on in fascination as the proprietor of the kantong stall deftly assembles a cool creation of shaved ice and syrup packed onto a stick, a cold treat from a time before ice-creams were commercially-available.
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1. The bustling Kai Joo Lane 2. Kai Joo Lane in the daytime 3. Heng Hua noodles 4. Peanut coated muah chee 5. Kai Joo Café
However, it is not all just about nostalgia. Families and the older people flock to this hidden haven to indulge in the comforting familiarity of some of Kuching’s finest street foods. Humble dishes such as steaming bowls of Heng Hua mee, hearty servings of chicken porridge, peanut-coated Muah Chee and the ubiquitous or-chien (oyster omelette) are the reasons many frequent the night market. For thirst-quenchers, you will find teh c peng special and freshlypressed sugar-cane juice. Modern culinary innovations serve as an interesting interlude to the “traditional eats” theme. Taiwan sausages and Japanese burgers are among some of the non-local offerings. A cake stall with its quirky take on the ever-popular traditional butter cake, presents their version in the shape of cat paws and rounds out this food market experience. There are tables along the entire lane but for those who prefer to settle down at a table with a roof over their heads to savour their food haul, they are always welcomed to seat themselves at the airconditioned Kai Joo Café or at any of the coffee-shops on either side of the lane, provided they order a drink there. With food being a huge deal to Kuching residents, Kai Joo Lane Night Market has the potential to become a permanent fixture. The food bazaar currently features 30 vendors but the committee that is running the market is looking into the possibility of bringing in even more vendors to offer a greater food experience to patrons.
For more updates on the Kai Joo Lane Night Market, check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/kaijoolane/
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drive
When the Bugatti Chiron comes to town, super sports car fans and admirers appear in droves. The French super sports car with the celebrity status was on its world tour, stopping in South-East Asia to ‘meet’ its fans during the Singapore F1 Grand Prix last September. The world’s most powerful, fastest, most exclusive and most luxurious production super sports car premiered in Singapore at a specially created Bugatti world decorated in Bugatti Blue. Guests were treated to presentation of exhibits and animations highlighting the
extraordinary achievements as well as the history of the brand. Before the public unveiling, the car was presented to an exclusive group of customers at private appointments. This 16-cylinder beast boasts 1,500hp and thanks to its double-powered 4 turbochargers, it guarantees a torque of 1,600 Nm between 2,000rpm and 6,000rpm. The result is a crazy acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds and reaches a road-limit maximum speed of 420km/h. This dreamy car is limited to 500 units. Since it is rarer than a Supermoon sighting, we will just have to contend with a pin-up of this super star for now.
www.bugatti.com/chiron/
Make Way for The Boss
Intelligence On Wheels The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes with a set of technical innovations that will elevate your driving experience to a whole new level. Laden with technology that fits a dream, this intelligent vehicle was launched in Brunei last November at the Radisson Hotel. At the exclusive preview, the General Manager of Jati Transport, the authorized distributor for Daimler AG in Brunei, Alfred So, had this to say, “The new E-Class enhances efficiency, safety and comfort, reduces the stress level while driving and increases the motoring pleasure.” Among the plethora of innovations is the Active Lane-change Assistant which allows the driver to steer into the selected lanes as if by magic, making the E-Class the most intelligent saloon in the business class. Throw in a Drive Pilot function that controls speed, steering and distance in front using a series of sensors, and Adaptive cruise control and selfparking systems, the driver can almost just sit back and enjoy the ride. On top of that, the car is beautiful and seriously luxurious, complete with an infotainment system that can be controlled, for the first time in a car, by finger swipes, earning an Interior Innovation of the Year for the Touch Control system. It has received other design awards including the ‘Red Dot Award: Product Design 2016’ for the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and the ‘Automotive Interiors Expo Awards’ for the best interior of a standardproduction automobile.
Jati Transport Sdn Bhd www.mercedes-benz.com.bn
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biG drive
Unleash the Beauty The Range Rover Evoque is a beauty born from the wild and raised in the city. The utilitarian Range Rover that once could slog through jungles and deserts has, over the years, evolved into a sleek mover that we will take to a five-star country club.
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vailable in 5-door body styles, Evoque’s bold physique has a more muscular appearance with its new bumper and a set of significantly enlarged lower air intakes. The new slimline LED fog lamps are repositioned from the middle to the top of the air intakes creating a more streamlined appearance. Land Rover’s awardwinning design team has further enhanced Evoque’s contemporary interior for 2016. The highly-distinctive cabin is defined by premium quality materials, clean surface treatments, and the bold intersection between the solid horizontal elements of the instrument panel and the powerful vertical lines of the centre console. Luxurious front and rear seats retain Evoque’s outstanding levels of comfort and support while introducing a sportier, more technical aesthetic to perfectly complement the progressive exterior design. The InControl™ Touch - an innovative infotainment system featuring a highly intuitive 8-inch touchscreen with capacitive technology for an enhanced user experience - is perfectly positioned in the fascia. Bluetooth audio and phone capability, a 6-speaker stereo system and
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USB connectivity are included for all specifications. The Evoque is powered by the Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine with four-wheel drive and an advanced ZF 9-speed automatic transmission. Producing 240 horsepower and 340Nm torque, this compact, lightweight but powerful engine ensures the flexibility essential for responsive in-gear acceleration, towing up to
1,800kg and tackling all-terrain conditions. Si4 derivatives can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 7.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217km/h. Evoque is outstanding to drive off-road as well as on, it has a wading depth of 500mm and a suite of advanced all-terrain technologies. The All-Terrain Progress Control allows a very low speed – lower than the natural
creep speed of the vehicle, if desired – to be automatically maintained in challenging offroad environments where steep gradients, rough terrain and lowgrip levels make maintaining an ideal speed difficult. Whatever the weather conditions, Evoque continues to deliver an all-terrain capability that is a hallmark of the Land Rover brand.
BiG getaway
Old Cotton Fields At Home Blessed with pleasant temperature and sunshine most of the year, and boasting some of Europe’s most stunning architectural wonders, Barcelona has always been a destination for architecture aficionados who seek a sophisticated weekend of sun and style. The recent opening of the Cotton House Hotel reaffirms the city’s longstanding affinity with great design and architecture, and will certainly be the hotel of choice for design buffs. Wan Zainal Abidin
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trategically located on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes in the Eixample District, the Cotton House Hotel within walking distance to Passieg de Gracia, Barcelona’s famed shopping boulevard. Barcelona is a city that is designed to be appreciated on foot, hence the wide boulevards with dedicated shaded pedestrian and cyclist lanes. It is great to know that the location of this hotel allows you to explore nearby neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter on foot while making stops to admire the architectural marvels like La Pedrera, Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia; all works from the Spanish
starchitect, Antoni Gaudí. And of course, no visit to Barcelona would be complete without venturing out to the emblematic La Rambla boulevard and the compulsory pit stop at La Boqueria market both located about five minutes walk away from the hotel. The Cotton House Hotel stands on what was originally the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation, an imposing neoclassical 19th century landmark building in the heart of Barcelona. Built for a Catalan bourgeoisie family at the height of the local textile industry, it was later sold in the mid 20th century to the Cotton Producers Guild, which made the building its headquarters.
The building underwent a massive refurbishment under the tasteful eye of designer, Lázaro Rosa-Violán, transforming the historical building into the Cotton House Hotel in January 2015. Post renovation, the building is back to its former glory, a historical gem in the heart of Barcelona. The original elements of the building have been conserved, such as the imposing marble staircase, the delicate parquet, the boiserie embellished ceilings and the original decorative floors and walls in some of the rooms, while the new areas have been done in a contemporary and sophisticated style that seamlessly blends the old with the new.
1. The spiral
staircase 2. The Terrace 3. Suite Damask 4. The Library
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One of my favourite spaces in the hotel is the Library – one of the rooms that the members of the Cotton Producers Guild used for meetings and as a social club that has been painstakingly restored. The Library is filled with beautiful antique furnishings and contemporary accessories, making it the perfect spot to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while soaking in the building’s history and architecture. The roof garden, now a Cocktail Bar and Restaurant called Batuar, is a true reflection of the spirit of the hotel. Peppered with lush vegetation and part colonial in flavour, the venue is popular with local scenesters and it is a sophisticated and elegant place to indulge in tapas and Mediterranean cuisine from 7am till midnight – something that is uncommon in this city. The hotel has 83 refined and comfortable rooms themed around cotton. The rooms are furnished with sumptuous fabrics and colours in soothing combinations of white, black and sepia evoking tones of the cotton plant and everything else associated with it. In keeping with the theme of cotton and fabrics, the hotel also offers its guests an artisanal tailor service by Santa Eulalia, the most prestigious tailor in Barcelona. With a recent notable mention in the style bible, Monocle, the hotel will undoubtedly be a popular destination for the most curious travellers who want to discover the true essence of this Catalonia capital city.
COTTON HOUSE HOTEL, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 670, 08010 Barcelona, Spain www.hotelcottonhouse.com
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biG listings
ADVERTISERS
Brunei
Guidelines: The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked. In Brunei, all restaurants are closed between 12 noon and 2 pm on Fridays.
All Seasons Restaurant 17 1st Flr Times Square Shopping Centre, Kg Jaya Setia (673 233 8068) Aminah Arif 2 & 3 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 223 6198) – Call for other branches Aneka Rasa Blk A #17 & 16 Grd & 1st Flr Bgn Begawan Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yussof, Kg Kiulap (673 223 1728) Anjung Layar Luncur (Nur Wanita Serasa Branch) Simpang 287, Pantai Serasa (673 277 1879) Ar Ruhma Restaurant 329 Blk D Bgn Gadong Central, Kg Menglait (673 242 7847) Axtivo Restaurant Spg 13 Hj Uthman Complex, Berakas (673 233 5642) Babu’s Kitchen C44 Blk C Grd Flr Gadong Central, Kg Menglait (673 245 7868)
Cocina De Lola Our Picks Ranging from quick & easy meals to lobster & caviar, these are our favourite haunts around town! Amulya This North Indian restaurant serves our favourite briyani in town. Grd Flr Jln Setia Square Berakas, Kg Jaya Setia (673 233 9230) Chop Jing Chew Freshly made Roti Kahwin perfectly paired with a teh tarik 10 Spg 5 Jln Gadong, Kg Menglait (673 242 4132) Gwad Basha Arabian Restaurant Arabic cuisine at its finest #1A&1B Heng Thai Property Centre Spg 22 Jln Dato Ratna, Kiarong (673 245 0009) – call for other branches Restoran Makan & Soto Rosmini Our favourite soto hang-out 1 Spg 15, Jln Gadong (673 871 9946) Mei Kong Coffee Shop A trip to Brunei isn’t complete without sampling their famous kolo mee 108 Jln Pemancha, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 224 0688)
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Kaizen Sushi served fresh on your table plus a variety of other Japanese cuisine Yayasan Complex Waterfront Side, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 222 6336) – call for other branches Pondok Sari Wangi Restaurant Serving the best of Indonesian cuisine 12-13 1st Flr Blk A Abd Razak Complex, Gadong (673 244 5043) – call for other branches Thien Thien Restaurant Purveyors of arguably the best Nasi Ayam in town 10 Grd Flr Mas Panchawarna Complex (673 222 2435) – call for other branches Ximply Chriz Café Divine desserts, great coffee and scrumptious meals 8 Blk B Regent Square, Kiulap (673 223 4918) Taste of Asia Vietnamese pho, Thai tom yam, Japanese sushi, Korean kimchi and Bruneian ambuyat – this list covers most of our favourite Asian delights Ahan Thai 10 Blk B Abd Razak Complex, Gadong (673 245 2852)
Welcome to Grandma’s Kitchen, a new restaurant in Times Square Shopping Complex that serves international dishes with a twist of Kapampangan flare. Kapampangan cuisine originates from the province of Pampanga – a culinary spot in the Philippines well known for their gastronomical delights. This quaint little restaurant offers an all-day menu, breakfast, lunch, dinner and even hi-tea sets, with a variety of unique Filipino and western dishes. So if you’re hankering for a good Filipino meal, what are you waiting for? Tayo’y magsikain! G6A & G7A Grd Flr Times Square Shopping Complex, Kg Jaya Setia, BSB Tel: (673) 233 7917
Bali Pit-Stop 15 &16, Spg 150 Grd Floor, Block A Bangunan Habza, Kuilap (673 720 9992) Chatterbox Kopitiam 2 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbullah 2, Gadong (673 820 1212) G S Seafood Restaurant Sri Aman Complex, Tutong (673 422 1882) Golden Leaf Coffee House Blk 1 Grd Flr PAP Hjh Norain Building, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 222 0422) Gratitude Café Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 234 1123) Impian Rasa Restaurant #5 Bgn Pg Hjh Rafiah Spg 607 Jln Jangsak, Gadong (673 265 3858) – Call for other branches
GALLERY Bello Café
‘Bello’, which is Italian for ‘beautiful’, is certainly the right name for this elegantly designed café with their beautifully-styled food. Offering a tasty range of snacks, desserts, western and local main dishes, they are famed for their Swiss Burger and Chocolate Lava Pudding. OPEN DAILY Mon-Fri 7.30am-10pm, Sat 7.30am11pm, Sun 8am-10pm; L1/12 Seri Kiulap Mall, KIULAP (673 223 3989) Casbah London Kebab
Pick lamb, chicken, beef or fish and have it dressed and wrapped your way – tikka, kebab, doner or shawarma style! A quick and deliciously meaty meal for hungry diners on the go. OPEN DAILY; #G2a Grd Flr Times Square Complex, KG JAYA SETIA (673 234 3001) (Times Square Branch) or #204 Spg 210 Kg Lambak, JLN BERAKAS (673 880 3183) – Call for other branches Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Despite new coffee shops popping up around town, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf undoubtedly remains the most popular purveyor of caffeine in Brunei with over five branches throughout the country. This global coffee chain continues brewing their specialty coffee for the masses, including their ever-popular Ice-Blended coffee drinks.
Kaka Restaurant 2 & 3 Spg 100 Jln Jerudong (673 267 2333) – Call for other branches
OPEN DAILY 8am-11pm; 36 & 37 Maya Puri Building, JLN SULTAN (673 222 0589) or #1-16A 1st Flr The Mall, GADONG (673 245 7460) – Call for other branches
La Mee #1B & 1c Grd Flr Spg 41-112, Jln Kiarong (673 243 0113)
Deals
Lee Loi Fatt Blk A #7 Grd Flr Serusop Complex, Kg Delima Satu (673 234 2384) – Call for other branches Mangrove Paradise Resort Spg 912 Kg Sungai Belukut, Jln Kota Batu (278 6868)
This modern, refreshing and contemporary restaurant offers set menu for dinner for a gastronomic experience. OPEN 7pm onwards (Mon-Sat), closed on Sundays and public holidays; Radisson Hotel Jln Tasek, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (673 224 4272)
biG listings MY Favoureat Restaurant 9 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Munchit & Hjh Rapiah, Kg Jaya Setia (673 233 9410) MyTown Eating House Grd Flr The Crown Princess Complex, Jalan Tutong (673 224 1880) Nyonya 3 Grd Flr Bgn Hasbollah, Gadong (673 244 7090) Old Time Kopitiam G2 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Ibrahim, Kg Menglait (673 244 8282) PappaRich Blk G Grd Flr Abd Razak Complex, Gadong (673 243 2333) Pho Hoa Restaurant #6 Grd Flr Blk B Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kg Kiulap (673 223 6218) Pho Real 1st Flr Times Square Food Court, Kg Jaya Setia Rice Bowl 72 T.C.Y Building, Batu Bersurat (673 863 0665) Sapphira Cake House 3 Grd Flr Seri Anigma, Kiulap (673 223 2021) Seasons Restaurant Lvl 2 The Centrepoint, Gadong (673 242 2291) Seafood Palace #1, 2 & 3 Blk B An-Nuha Building, Kg Tanjung Bunut (673 267 1299)
Seaworld Neptune 8 Spg 791, Jerudong (673 261 2613) Shikai 1 & 2 Blk E Grd Flr Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat Taty’s Café A9 Grd Flr Muara Centre, Muara Town Spicy Curry & Wraps From Arabic to Indian cuisine, check out these restaurants if you like a spicy kick to your meals Amsarra Shawarma & Espresso Grd Flr Airport Mall, Kg Jaya Setia Bombay Palace Restaurant #9 Grd & 1st Flr Blk B Bgn Pg Mainuddin & Anak2, Batu Bersurat (673 242 7313) C’Fu Curry House Restaurant Spg 103 #5 & 6 Grd Flr Bgn Hj Md Salleh, Gadong (673 245 7000) Delhi Darbar Restaurant & Catering Spg 38 Jln Jerudong (673 267 2826) Le Taj 2-3 2nd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex, Kiulap (673 223 8996)
Lotus Family Restaurant 27B Grd Flr Delima Jaya Complex, Berakas (673 234 2049) Rajah’s Restaurant 3 Grd Flr Blk A Bangunan PAP Umi Kalthum, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 224 0379) Saffron Restaurant 8 Blk C Shakirin Complex, Kiulap (673 223 5888) Sameer Restaurant & Catering G1 Grd Flr Sg Akar Sentral, Berakas (673 233 6613) Spices Retaurant #1 Grd Flr Blk A Aman Complex, Jln Muara (673 233 0081) The Wrap #2 Jerudong Park Food Court, Jerudong Ya Nur Restaurant #7 1st Flr Bgn Hj Tahir 2, Kg Menglait (673 871 9986) Zaika Restaurant A4 Lot 308 Bgn Maju Jln Bunga Raya, Kuala Belait (673 334 7430) Western Food Italian pizzas, American steaks and burgers, British cottage pies – we list down the restaurants that serve the best from the west. Buccaneer Steak House 92-93 (B) 94 Grd Flr Jln McKerron, Kuala Belait (673 333 0406)
ADVERTISERS
M-Strike Billiards House & Café Recently opened M-Strike Billiards House & Café offers a solution to those who want to shoot some pool and those who’d rather sit down with a cup of coffee – combine the two and everyone wins! The café is located at the Setia Kenangan II area in Kiulap, and features six billiards tables, one snooker table, and a cozy dining area. Typical café fare are offered here along with a variety of teas, mocktails and smoothies, but coffee aficionados take heed – they serve some pretty good caffeine here too. Now let’s go shoot some pool! Blk E #11 (1st Flr) #E10&11 (2nd Flr) Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap, BSB Tel: (673) 242 0518
GALLERY Ideal Café and Grill
Homegrown fast-food brand Ideal Café & Grill has been serving Brunei its signature grilled rotisserie chicken since 1996, when it first started off selling its homemade grilled chicken in a modest stall. The restaurant chain remains strong as ever today, serving customers their farm-fresh, freshly grilled rotisserie chicken in restaurants in five different locations, and remains a local favourite. OPEN DAILY 9am-10pm; Goodwood Building Kg Menglait, GADONG (673 245 5595) – Call for other branches Tasek Brasserie
A perfect spot to dine with family and friends in the heart of the city, Tasek Brasserie provides casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Customers can enjoy light snacks and a cool mocktail while lounging at the outdoor pool, or dine on the variety of cuisine from their ala carte menu or sumptuous buffets. OPEN DAILY 6am-6pm; Radisson Hotel Jln Tasek, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (673 224 4272) The Empire Hotel & Country Club Kg Jerudong BG3122 (673 241 8888) Atrium Café
The Atrium Café is located on level 3 of the main Atrium building, nestled amidst The Empire’s signature grand marble columns and offering a spectacular view of the sea. Opened for buffet breakfast and lunch only with a variety of international and local cuisine. OPEN DAILY 6.30am-10.30am (buffet breakfast) / 11.30am-3pm (buffet lunch) / 2pm-4pm (à la carte lunch – on Fridays only) Lobby Lounge
The perfect place for casual or formal get-togethers or just to enjoy a cup of tea – the Lobby Lounge offers a selection of refreshments throughout
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biG listings
ADVERTISERS
GALLERY the day and their popular traditional English High Tea in the afternoons, and on weekends there is a buffet of pastries and cakes. OPEN DAILY 8am-10pm / 2pm-6pm (Afternoon Tea/ High Tea Stand) Pantai Restaurant
Old Time Kopitiam
Element Fusion #8&9 Blk A 1st Flr Gadong Central, Kg Menglait (673 717 2992)
Fratini’s Restaurant #1 Grd Flr The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong (673 245 1200) – Call for other branches
Cheezbox Café External Café Ramp A The Mall, Gadong (673 242 5506)
Flapjack House #6 Bagn Majid Mohamad Jln Pasar Baharu, Kg Kiarong (673 245 0987)
De’ Olde Cottage 2 Grd Flr Blk C Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 242 6982) – Call for other branches
Fish & Co 18 & 19 Grd Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 239 2555)
Home Kitchen by Tree-Bit Café D8 & D9 Lot 11620 Grd Flr Jln Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata (673 242 9366)
Deli-Bites Royal Brunei Recreation Club (Poolside Terrace) Jln Terunjing Lama, Berakas (673 877 928)
Fleur-de-lys L1/1 Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kiulap (673 223 1777) – Call for other branches
Charcoal BBQ & Grill Restaurant Grd Flr Le Gallery Suites Hotel, Jln Tutong (673 222 1171) – Call for other branches
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Old Time Kopitiam has always been the go-to restaurant for a good old kopitiam fix. Renovations saw the old time favourite hangout closed for a while, but it reopened its doors to a bigger and better, albeit familiar version of the original. It’s not just the space and design that was given a reboot, the menu has also been changed to include more varieties. But regular customers of Old Time need not worry – it’s still the same kopitiam with the same great food. Nice to know that some things haven’t changed. G2 Grd Flr Bangunan Hj Ibrahim Spg 24, Kg Menglait, BSB Tel: (673) 244 8282
Magherita Pizzeria #5 Blk A Scout Complex Jln Gadong, Kg Mata-Mata (673 868 8884)
Pastamania #9 Grd Flr Blk H Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong (673 245 7441) – Call for other branches
Paddington House of Pancakes 3&4 Spg 58, Berakas (673 233 1668)
Pepper Lunch Brunei C9/10 Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kg Kiulap (673 225 3000)
Enjoy buffet meals combined with daily specials or the popular Sunday brunch at the elegant Pantai Restaurant. Their buffet dinners will spoil you with their wide variety of dishes that include plenty of fresh seafood. OPEN 6.30pm-10pm (closed Thursdays) / 11am3pm (Sunday Brunch) Spaghettini
Fine dining at its best, this restaurant offers authentic Italian and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in divine settings. A private room is available upon request for special occasions. OPEN DAILY 6am-6pm Zen Teppanyaki
Located just beyond Pantai Restaurant, Zen Teppanyaki serves authentic Japanese cuisine while you watch the chef prepare beautiful teppanyaki dishes. OPEN 6pm-9pm (closed Thursdays) – advance booking is required Zest
A stylish café located at Empire Arcade, enjoy a hot beverage with a selection of pastries, cakes, savoury treats, confectionary and chocolates, made fresh daily with the finest quality ingredients. OPEN DAILY 24 hours (midnight-6am for Empire Hotel residents only)
biG listings Games & Lattes Café #E9 Grd Flr Blk E Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 223 5200)
Piccolo Café #11 Jln McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 224 1558)
Atrium Café The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 241 8888)
Gloria Jean’s Coffee G17 Citis Square, Berakas (673 233 8452)
Rack & Brew #9 Blk H 1st & 2nd Flr Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong (673 729 9668)
Dynasty Restaurant Grd Flr The Centrepoint Hotel, Gadong (673 243 0185)
Rafia’s VK Café G13 Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 890 6990)
Fratini’s Restaurant The Centrepoint, Spg 137, Gadong (673 245 1200)
High Frequency Lifestyle Café 1st Flr Unit 5 Blk B Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 242 8262) It’s a Grind Coffeehouse 1, Grd Floor, Bgn Al-Warasah, Muara Town (673 277 2424) – call for other branches Kapra Coffee #26 Grd Flr Blk C Spg 440, Jln Muara (673 234 5656) Kitchen of Jasmine by Aranda Café #17, Blk E, Atiya Complex, Spg 100, Jln Jerudong (673 899 7333) Ner Dee Café #F11 1st Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap (673 721 4977) Peppermint Café 14, Blk A, Grd Floor, Spg 493, Beribi (673 8221888)
Seoul Garden This Singaporebased Korean restaurant franchise opened last September and here you’ll find such Korean delights as Fried Korean Chicken and Kimchi Fried Rice for our local Seoul lovers at affordable prices. Their ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ buffet features an extensive array of dishes and offers two styles of cooking – barbeque or steamboat. With its first branch located in Parkview Hotel in Jerudong, expect to see more Seoul Garden outlets in the future. Grd Flr Parkview Hotel, Jln Pertanian Luahan, Jerudong, Brunei Tel: (673) 261 0263
Qasehmaisara Café House #206-209 2nd Flr Plaza Athirah, Jln Kubah Makam DiRaja (673 278 9898) RMS Diner A5 Lot 308 Bgn Maju Jln Bunga Raya, Kuala Belait (673 334 7455) Rovansil Restaurant #36-38 1st Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 233 7129) Red Canopy Café #5 Blk C Sempurna Complex, Batu Bersurat (673 245 3878) Sorriso Restaurant & Pizzeria 14 Blk B Grd Flr Regent Square, Kiulap (673 223 3030)
HORIZONS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Waterfront, Jln McArthur (673 2233400)
The Frenz Café Grd Flr #13 Blk A Q-lap Complex, Kg Kiulap (673 279 1374)
I-Lotus 20 Spg 12-26 Perumahan Rakyat Jati, Kg Rimba (673 242 2466)
The Krema Coffee #D31 Lim Eng Ming Complex Blk D, Kg Kiulap (673 897 3600)
Lobby Lounge The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 241 8888)
The Library Café #6 Blk C Bangunan Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap
Pantai Restaurant The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 241 8888)
Divine Dining Exquisite meals in beautiful settings – perfect for special occasions
Savy’s Brasserie 204 Lvl 2 Mabohai Shopping Complex, Mabohai (673 224 0829)
local coffee industry Another Café #2 Grd Flr Blk A Bgn Hj Abd Rahman & Hjh Siti Ajar, Kiulap (673 223 3593) Baristas by Modesto Grd Flr Foor Areana Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kg Kiulap (673 720 3777/223 7771) Beanery & Co #81 A/1 Grd Flr, Jln Bunga Rambai, Kuala Belait (673 334 7772) BELLUNO Café #2 Blk C Kiarong Complex, Kg Kiarong (673 242 9010) Brew Café & Bakery #47 Grd Flr Blk C Gadong Central, Menglait (673 242 7554)
Swensen’s 2.34-2.36 2nd Flr The Mall, Gadong (673 245 1864)
Caffé Verve #6A Spg 68, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 875 7382)
Wing-It #16 Grd Flr Citis Square, Kg Jaya Setia (673 722 4999)
Countrypatch Café 3 Grd Flr Blk D Bgn Hj Abd Rahman, Kiulap (673 223 2368) – call for other branches
Coffee & Cafes Gourmet, premium-grade, specialty coffee – this list accommodates the best of the burgeoning
Ran’s Coffee 1st Flr The Centrepoint Hotel Abdul Razak Complex Terminal 1 T1-05, Gadong (673 869 7700)
Fleur-de-lys L1/1 Seri Q-Lap Mall, Kiulap (673 223 1777) – call for other branches
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biG listings
The Tuckshop Kopitiam
Senja Restaurant 8&9 Grd Flr Seri Kiulap Complex, Kiulap (673 223 5313)
Tien Hsing Vegetarian Restaurant Bangunan Hj Abdullah, Jalan Gadong, Menglait
Spaghettini The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong (673 241 8888)
Quick Eats Fast and delicious meals for those on the go
Tarindak d’Polo Royal Brunei Polo & Riding Club, Jerudong (673 261 2500) Tarindak D’Seni Brunei Arts & Handicrafts Centre, Kota Batu (673 224 0422) Go Green Healthy and vegetarian friendly options Mituo Vegetarian Restaurant Grd Flr Pg Anak Puteri Norain Complex, Batu Satu (673 222 2821) Pureland Vegetarian Restaurant #15 Blk B Grd Flr Bgn Hj Awg Ahmad bin Hassan & Anak-anak, Kiulap (673 223 6503) The Energy Kitchen Grd Flr Fitness Zone Kiulap (673 223 3323)
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Bento Brothers #B19 Blk B Bgn Habza Spg 150, Kg Kiulap (673 2236800) Nasi Katok Mama Express 3 Blk A Grd Flr Kompleks Madang, Madang (673 864 1681) Pan & Wok #28A Grd Flr Airport Mall, Kg Jaya Setia (673 234 2836) Non-Halal Options Danes Café #102, Bgn Batu Bersurat, Jln Batu Bersurat (673 242 8914) Phongmun Restaurant 2nd Flr Teck Guan Plaza Jln Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan (673 222 9561) Sui Heng Restaurant Grd Flr Hj Munchit & Hjh Rapiah Complex, Kg Jaya Setia (673 233 8321)
In a sea of specialised coffee shops, sometimes all you want is a simple cup of coffee and a good meal! Offering good food, good service in a cozy kopitiam setting is The Tuckshop, which opened late last year at Setia Kenangan II. The little restaurant offers plenty of kopitiam comfort food, and even some Western choices. Highly recommended is the variety of kolomee available, from kolomee kosong to the more adventurous kolomee served with chicken feet – delicious! Blk C #5 Grd Flr Setia Kenangan II, Kiulap, BSB Tel: (673) 223 3775
IDEAL CAFÉ & GRILL GP-Goodwood Building Tel: +673 2453254 +673 2455595 IDEAL CAFÉ & GRILL Abdul Razak Complex Tel: +673 2420596 +673 2456244 IDEAL CAFÉ & GRILL Delima Jaya Complex Tel: +673 2341104 +673 2341493 IDEAL CAFÉ & GRILL Petani Mall Tutong Tel: +673 4220745 Fax: +673 4220744 Long Black
IDEAL CAFÉ & GRILL Mentiri Tel: +673 4220745 Fax: +673 4220744
Cappuccino Chicken Burger
Cafe Latte
biG listings
Sabah & Sarawak
Hot Rod Sausage House No 1-G-02 Blk A Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu (6016 804 3999)
The restaurants and eateries listed are arranged by food types, and not in order of our preference. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective and written based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the prior knowledge of the restaurants. Information given on menus, hours or prices may change and should be checked.
Hut Steak House & Restaurant 29 Blk E Damai Plaza, Kota Kinabalu (6088 238 558)
Credit Cards : AE | American Express MC | MasterCard V | Visa
Eat (Sabah) Bar Tzar Bistro Lot 12 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 260 211) Bella Italia 69 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 313 366) Borneo Wild Treasure Lot 27-0 Blk C Lrg Bundusan Square1D, Kota Kinabalu (6088 732 222) Brass Monkey Lot 1-0 Lorong Lintas Plaza 4, Kota Kinabalu (6088 261 543)
Jothy’s Fish head Curry & Banana Leaf Blk 1 Lot G9 Api Api Centre, Kota Kinabalu (6088 261 595)
Cabo Lot 32-0, Lorong Lintas Plaza 3, Kota Kinabalu (6088) 252 182 - Mexican cuisine
Full House G7&1-10 Suria Sabah Jln Tun Fuad Stephens (014 559 9306)
K. Sanba’s Curry Specials Blk F Lorong Plaza Utama 1 Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu (6016 833 2308)
Café De Vie Lot D-0-6 Lorong Metro Town 3, Kota Kinabalu (6088 393 863)
Gam Tong Hong Kong Recipe Lot G-823 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 488 833)
Kampung Nelayan Taman Tun Fuad Bukit Padan, Kota Kinabalu (6088 256 001)
Circle Restaurant Le Meridien Hotel, Kota Kinabalu (6088 322 222) Emperor’s Delight Lot 6 Grd Flr Jln Pantai, Kota Kinabalu (6088 288 686) Fong Ip Café Lot 100 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 213 618)
Grand Port View Sea View Restaurant 16 Jln Tun Fuad Stephen, Kota Kinabalu (6088 538 178) Hana Japanese Restaurant Lot S21&S22 Blk E City Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 538 178)
Kirishima Japanese Restaurant Cititel Express No 1 Jln Singgah Mata 1 Asia City, Kota Kinabalu (6088 217 868) Kohinoor North Indian Restaurant Lot 4 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 235 160)
Korean Club Restaurant 4 Jln Aru, Kota Kinabalu (6088 232 213) Kudos Bistro 69 Gaya Street (inside Jesselton Hotel), Kota Kinabalu (6088 313 366) La Fuente G-816 Grd Flr 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 488 000) La Safran Grd Flr, The Peak Vista, Blk B, Lorong Puncak 1, Tg Lipat, 88400 Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 266 489 - non-halal French cuisine Little Italy Grd Flr Hotel Capital Jln Hj Saman, Kota Kinabalu (6088 232 231) Mad Ben Café Lot 121, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 255 073 - classic western food Mai Yai Thai Orchid Restaurant Lot 13 KK Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu (6088 234 841)
Mdm Ing Fish Noodle Lot 21 Towering Koidupan Perdana Jln Tambunan, Penampang (6016 831 8726) Mr Ho’s Fine Foods L-72-G Grd Flr Blk L KK Times Square Phase 1, Kota Kinabalu (6088 222 623) Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant No 19 Grd Flr Bangunan Harrison Jln Hj Saman, Kota Kinabalu (6088 216 623) Nam Chai Restaurant Bah Kut Teh 10 Blk D Bdr Nam Tung, Sandakan (6089 612 603) Nan Yang Chic Kut Teh Grd Flr Lot 47 Jln Pantai, Kota Kinabalu (6016 833 5722) Natural Kitchen Lot No B10 & B11, Suria Sabah Shoppin Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 487 180) Nishiki Japanese Restaurant Shop 4 Grd Flr 63 Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu (6088 230 582)
Feast and Furious Nestled in the heart of Kuching’s golden triangle is an unlikely homage to hearty meals and racing enthusiasts. Feast and Furious promises “great food and cool wheels”, and is opened from 7.30am to 11.30pm daily. The restaurant is halal and serves mostly Western cuisine, along with some local favourites. Portions here are sizeable, and patrons get to dine in an unusual setting among actual race-cars, powerbikes and other racing memorabilia, all from the private collection of one of restaurant owners. 244 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching, Malaysia Facebook: http:// www.facebook.com/ feastfuriouscafe Phone: 016-262 0916
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biG listings
October Coffee House Blk B The Peak Vista Lorong Puncak 1 Tjg Lipat, Kota Kinabalu (6010 346 954) Open Kitchen Grd Flr, Unit 8, Blk 1, Metro Town, 88300 Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 254 161 - Asian food incorporating health conscious ingredients Pancake House Concourse Flr 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 448 110) Lot G94-94A Karamunsing Complex, Kota Kinabalu (6088 319 168) Party Play 117 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 311 210) Pasta Pasta 108 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6014 371 4665) Peppermint Vietnamese Cuisine No. 85 Grd Flr Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6012 802 4582) Port View Seafood Village Lot 18 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 221 753) Restaurant Baba & Nyonya Recipe Blk E Grd Flr Grand Millennium Plaza, Penampang (6016 810 8206) Restoran Makanan Sedap No 1-0-1 Blk B Jln Kolam Centre Phase 2 Jln Lintas, Kota Kinabalu (6088 247 459) Sailors Lot 36 1st Flr Grand Millennium Plaza, Penampang (6088 731 960) Sakura Japanese Restaurant G-23A & G-25, Oceanus Waterfront Mall Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 273 604 - Japanese cuisine Santola Café Lot 14 Blk B Damai Point, Kota Kinabalu (6088 260 188) Seng Hing Restaurant Ruang Sinsugan 2, Kota Kinabalu (6088 211 594) Seremban Seafood Restaurant Lot 126 Blk O Plaza Permai, Kota Kinabalu (6088 484 922)
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Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant Lot 12 Blk A Grd Flr SEDCO Complex, Kota Kinabalu (6088 223 080) Supul Korean BBQ Restaurant Lot S-1-8 1st Flr City Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 448 844) Toscani’s Lot 14 The Waterfront Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu (6088 242 879) Vino Vino Bistro Unit J-57, 1st Flr, KK Times Square, 88100 Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 486 363 - non-halal European fare with extensive wine collection Wah San Restaurant D2-G Blk 17 Jln Pryer, Sandakan (6089 212 626) Yamagoya Ramen Lot 109 Jln Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (6088 253 701) Yoshimi Japanese Restaurant Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu (6088 488 388) Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh 74, Jln Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu Tel: (6088) 221 192 - All pork dishes served in herbal soup
Eat (Sarawak) A One Seafood Restaurant Lrg Chew Siik Hiong 1, Sibu (6084 215 803) Absolute Tribal Restaurant Hills Shopping Mall, Kuching (6082 237 468) Alfian Restaurant 52 Pekan Marudi, Marudi (6085 755 215) All Joy Café 8-1 Jln Khoo Hun Yeang, Kuching (6082 243 535) Apollo Seafood Centre 4 Jln Yu Seng Selatan, Miri (6085 420 813) Apple Restaurant 78 Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Bintulu (6086 333 377) Aroma Café 126 Jln Tabuan, Kuching (6082 417 163) Asian Express Restaurant G40 The Spring, Kuching (6082 414 088)
Bee Hiong Restaurant Café 157G Jln Muhibbah, Lawas (6085 285 137) Beei Jing Restaurant Sdn Bhd 157 Jln Kg Nyabor, Sibu (6084 330 955) Bismi Restaurant 27 Jln Sommerville, Bintulu (6086 331 835) Bites by the Batik 38 Jln Pandungan, Kuching (6082 422 845) Bla Bla Bla 27, Jln Tabuan, 93000 Kuching Tel: (6082) 233 944 - Chinese-inspired fusion dishes Black Bean Coffe & Tea 87, Ewe Hai Street, 93000 Kuching (6082) 420 290 - Most aromatic shop in town with the finest brews Boardriders Café Plaza Merdeka Jln Pearl, Kuching (6082 237 526) Boulevard Restaurant 2228 Jln Saberkas, Lutong (6085 653 175) Buenas Filipino Lechon & Restaurant 329 Jln Tj Batu, Bintulu (6086 310 860) Café Café at Original Carwash Lot 211-214, Section 9, KTLD, Rubber Rd, Kuching Tel: (6082) 256 396 - Asian and western fare including Nyonya and Foochow cuisine Café Min Xin Lot 1126-27 Riam Comm Centre, Miri (6085 628 839) Capital Restaurant 86 Jln Keppel, Bintulu (6086 331 160) Carvery Restaurant Jln Abell, Kuching (6082 239 449) Casabella Mediterranean Restaurant Crown Square, Kuching (6082 346 612) Chef at Home Lorong Green 1 Blk 10, Kuching (6016 858 5159) Chuan Hong Restaurant 123 Jln Council Saman (6083 322 466) Crown Dynasty Restaurant Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Bintulu (6086 335 908)
Cuppa-Kap Coffee Jln Song, Kuching (6019 8869636) Da Mi Xiang Gu Tou Bao Restaurant Tabuan Hts Comm Centre, Kuching (6082 458 952) Dynasty Chinese Restaurant Oil Town Comm Complex, Miri (6085 424 000) Earthlings Coffee Workshop Coffee shop, roaster, academy Lot 45, Grd Flr, No.1, CityONE Megamall, Jln Song East Court Chicken Rice 867 Jln Club SAman (6083 326 818) Eden Everise Wisma Nation Horizon, Block C, Kuching (6016 888 4522) Escobar SF3 Damai Cenral Pantai Damai Santubong, Kuching (6014 288 1160) Fac Bravo Restaurant 7778 Jln Sultan Iskandar, Bintulu (6086 316 920) Farley Restaurant 1721 Jln Salim, Sibu (6019 816 3052)
Restoran Muara Lalapan Nasi Lalapan is an Indonesian dish that consists of fried meat or fish that is accompanied by vegetables, pieces of fried tempe and dried bean-curd arranged around a platter, unified by a spicy sambal sauce that is integral to bringing together all elements of this dish. Located right at the heart of the vibrant business centre, Icom Square, the new Restoran Muara Lalapan serves a variety of lalapan dishes as well as other popular Indonesian offerings to tantalise the taste-buds. 21, Jalan Pending, Poh Hua Park, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Feast & Furious Café 244, Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman (6016 2620916) Fisherman Restaurant 4 Jln Chew Geok Lin, Sibu (6084 316 888) Fratini’s Restaurant 2512 Jln Boulevard 3, Miri (6085 431 115) Fu Lai Siang Restaurant 108 Jln Pekan Bt Niah, Bt Niah (6085 737 168) Golden City Restaurant 87, Jln Ong Chu Seng, Saratok (6083 436 139) Highlands Seafood Restaurant 298 Jln Tj Bt, Bintulu (6086 318 828) Hock Chu Leu Restaurant 28 Jln Tukang Besi, Sibu (6084 316 524) Imperial Duck Restaurant 313 Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 336 313) James Brooke Bistro & Café Western and signature local
cuisine by the waterfront Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 93100 Kuching Tel: (6082) 412 210
Li Garden Restaurant Hock Lee Centre, Kuching (6082 340 785)
Jubilee Restaurant 49G Jln India, Kuching (6082 245 626)
Lim Hock Ann 96 1 Jln Kg Kuntal, Kuching (6082 846 533)
Khan’s Bilal Restaurant 229-G Jln Maju, Miri (6085 418 440)
Lok Thian Restaurant 317 Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 3313 310)
Kim Bay HK Macau Restaurant Boulevard Shopping Mall Jln Datuk Tawi, Kuching (6082 239 308) Koreana Restaurant 10002 Jln Tun Jugah, Kuching (6082 575 072) Kuching Noodle Porridge House 115-1 Wisma Saberkas, Kuching (6082 426 005) L.L. Banana Leaf 7G Lorong Rubber 1 Jln Rubber, Kuching (6082 239 404)
Lu Lai Vegetarian 3641, Lrg 2 Off Jln Rock, Kuching (6082 242 863) Lucky Restaurant 65C G Pekan Marudi, Marudi (6085 755 562) Lyn’s Thandoori Restaurant 7 Jln Song Thian Cheok, Kuching (6082 234 934) Mango Tree Restaurant Jalan Crookshank, Kuching (6082 235 353)
biG listings Sri Menanti Coffee House Restaurant 15 Lrg Pahlawan 7b, Sibu (6084 218 196)
Xin Tsui Siang Kitchen Wisma Nation Horizon Blk D, Kuching (6082 414 616)
Surabaya Restaurant 288 Jln Bendahara, Miri (6085 411 239)
Yun Yan Restaurant Stutong Comm Centre, Kuching (6082 366 115)
Sushi Kin The Spring, Kuching (6082 245 355)
Zhun San Yen Vegetarian Food Lot 165 Jln Chan Ann, Kuching (6082 230 068)
Sushi Tie-tts Wisma Sanyan, Sibu (6084 342 875) Ten-Ichi Japanese Restaurant 317 Jln Padungan, Kuching (6082 331 310) Teo Seafood 787 Jln Kg Buntal, Kuching (6082 846 532) The Banquet 4560 Jln Datuk Tawi Sli, Kuching (6082 451 414) The Dyak Restaurant Indigenous Dayak cuisine Sublot 29, Grd Flr, Panovel Commercial Complex, Jln Simpang Tiga, 93300, Kuching (6016) 868 0071
Portico 17A Lorong Park Lane, Kuching (6019 819 8046)
Sea View Restaurant G Pusat Tmn SDagang, Bintulu (6086 334 929)
Pot & Grill Restaurant 9 Jln Tun Abd Rahman Yaakub, Kuching (6082 425 525)
Seventy2 Restaurant 894 Jln Permaisuri, Miri (6085 366 318)
Rejang Restaurant 6 Lrg Lanang 2 Sibu (6016 860 2636)
Shabu-kun Restaurant 253 Jln Tj Bt, Bintulu (6086 317 311)
Robata Yaki 493 Jln Rambutan, Kuching (6082 235 372)
Sheraton Restaurant 37 Psn Brooke, Sibu (6084 336 341)
Pin Pin Café 18 Jln Krokong Bau (6082 763 486)
Rock Road Seafood Restaurant 1230 Jln Rock Bt 2½ , Kuching (6082 241 575)
Pinang Nyonya Non-halal nyonya cuisine 18, Grd Flr, 2nd Precinct, Jln Setia Raja 93450 Kuching Tel: (6082) 459 162
Sin Lung Sheng Fu Tiao Qiang Restaurant 10788 Jln Simpang Tiga, Kuching (6082 231 260)
Sajian Warisan Restaurant 537 Jln Gartak, Miri (6085 429 911)
Sin Soon Chin Restaurant 2415 Jln Boulevard 2, Miri (6012 808 5456)
Nam Hoi Restaurant 110 Jln Penrissen Bt 7, Kuching (6082 612 379)
Medan Seafood Restaurant 56, Jln Mdn Setiaraja, Mukah (6084 874 145)
Orion Tropical Jln Merpati, Miri (6085 417 417)
Merry Restaurant 187 Jln Song Thian Cheok, Kuching (6082 240 118)
Padungan Restaurant 268 Jln Tunku Abd Rahman, Kuching (6082 233 417)
Metro Café 781 Jln Bangkita, Limbang (6085 215 488)
Patz Dayak Home Cook Special New Fulll 3 Foodcourt, Stutong (next to Giant Hypermart, Tabuan Jaya) (6016 864 4763)
Min Hua (89) Restaurant G 13 Jln Bintang Utara, Bintangor (6084 693 240) Momoyama Wisma Phoenix, Kuching (6082 420 561) My Little Kitchen Home cooked style Scandinavian food inspired by the owner’s grandma’s recipes
Hakod Oasis Day Spa Warisan Square, Kota Kinabalu (6088 487 700)
Mandara Spa The Magellan Sutera, 1 Sutera Habour Boulevard, Kota Kinabalu (6088 318 888)
Topspot Bukit Mata Seafood Centre Halal seafood centre with seafood fresh off the boats Jln Padungan, Bukit Mata, Kuching (6019) 889 9838
Marco Polo Restaurant 116A BDA Shahida, Bintulu (6086 332 458)
Chi, The Spa Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa, Jln Aru, Kota Kinabalu (6088 327 882)
Tian Xian Relish Restaurant 313 Jln Melaka Raya, MC (606 288 1120)
Tong Xin Court Restaurant 151 Lrg Datuk Abang Abd Rahim 5a, Kuching (6082 482 252)
Popular Corner Seafoods Restaurant Bda Shahida Commercial Centre, Bintulu (6086 319 688)
AC Beauty Lane #2-10B Lvl 2 Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu (6088 487 242)
Jari Jari Spa Blk B 2nd Flr Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jln Mat Salleh, Kota Kinabalu (6088 272 606)
Salleh’s Corner Café RPR Phase 2 Shoplot Jln Astana Petra Jaya, Kuching (6012 807 8033)
56, Upper China Street, D’tea Pavilion, Friendship Park Jln Song, Kuching Tel: (6016) 858 6669
SABAH
The Junk Western fare 80, Jln Wayang, 93000 Kuching (6082) 259 450
Tong Lok Restaurant 1367 Jln Buangsiol, Limbang (6085 216 188) Map Restaurant Bang Terminal, Kuching (6082 459 087)
INVIGORATE
Tribal Stove Blk H Jln Borneo Taman Sri, Kuching (6082 234 873) Wang Hin Restaurant 1 Soon Hup Comm Complex, Miri (6085 413 129) Warung Nasi Kuning Jln Tun Jugah, Kuching (6016 809 1286) Wei Thian Restaurant Golden Square, Siburan (6082 862 968)
South Sea Sanctuary Spa Jln Tugu Pusat Bandar, Kota Kinabalu (6088 248 221)
SARAWAK Borneo Odyssey Spa Blk 13 Hilltop Wing, Damai Beach Resort, Santubong (6082 846 999) Damaipuri Resort & Spa Teluk Penyuk, Santubong (6082 846 900) Jungle Spa Borneo Highlands Resort, Jln Borneo Heights, Kuching (6019 828 0790) Mirage Spa Lot 151 Sect 28, KUCHING (6082 424 022) Putri Sejinjang Spa Rumah Kedai Mara, Heritage Jargen, Jln Rahman Yaakob, Kuching (6082 428 660)
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biG essentials
BRUNEI Banks Banks in Brunei Darussalam are usually open Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 4pm and on Saturdays, 9am 11am. Some banks have branches with later closing times. Islamic banks follow the same operation hours except on Fridays when they are closed for prayers between 11am - 2.30pm. Cash withdrawals and deposits can be made from Automated Teller Machines (ATM) that can be found in various shopping complexes and bank branches all over the country. ATM cards affiliated with the international Plus or Cirrus systems are accepted at most ATMs.
Credit cards VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards in hotels, restaurants and major shopping complexes. Some establishments accept American Express.
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Money Changer Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, hotels, various shopping complexes and banks. To cash or exchange travelers cheques, visit major international banks in the capital.
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Telecommunications Friday Prayer Time All retail, food and beverage outlets and business offices are closed between 12 noon and 2pm on Fridays to observe the Friday prayer time for Muslims.
Islamic Etiquette Although Islam is the state religion of Brunei Darussalam, it is also a country that prides itself on the diversity of its people – including their religions. Visitors are welcome to mosques, provided some etiquette is followed. In general, proper attire is required; women are required to cover their head, shoulders, and knees. Some mosques will provide simple robes and shawls to meet these standards. Shoes are to be removed before entering a mosque. Please do not pass in front of people in prayer, and do not touch the Al-Quran. Please ask for permission before taking photographs – particularly inside! Mosques are usually closed on Thursday and Friday, and during prayer times – your hotel, tour guide, or Muslim locals can help you determine a good time to visit.
Most public phones operate on calling cards such as Hello card, Netkad and Payless. These cards can be purchased at any store and comes in $5, $10, $20 and $50 denominations. Prepaid calling cards for the two mobile telephone operators, DST and Progresif Cellular, can be purchased from their respective authorised dealers in major shopping areas.
Taxis
Tourist Information
Centre
Located at the Kg. Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery (9am - 2pm). Visitors can obtain information about Brunei and related pamphlets and maps free from here.
B uses There are six bus routes servicing the BSB area: the Central Line, Circle Line, Eastern Line, Southern Line, Western Line and Northern Line. Normal operating hours are from 6.30am - 6pm. Bus fares start from B$1.00. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Kuala Belait and Seria depart from the bus terminal located at the multistorey carpark on Jalan Cator in BSB.
Water
Smoking Smoking is prohibited in both air-conditioned and non airconditioned areas in Brunei Darussalam. Smoking is banned in specific places, including government buildings, hospitals, recreational and educational centres, public transport and restaurants. Offenders could be fined.
Taxis can be found at the airport, hotels, shopping centres, and the central bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan. For your convenience it is also recommended to take your preferred taxi driver’s number to organize prearranged trips.
Taxis Unique to Brunei, the water taxi is the most common means of transportation in Kampong Ayer. You can hail a water taxi from the numerous jetties along the banks of Brunei River. Fares are negotiable but usually a standard ride costs about B$1.00. Regular boat services to Temburong operate between 7.45am to 4pm daily and a round trip costs B$15.00.
Ferry Services Passenger ferry services to the Malaysian island of Labuan operate from 7am to 4pm and departs from the Serasa Terminal in Muara town. The journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
USEFUL local Malay words Good morning Good afternoon Goodnight Thank you You’re welcome What is your name? My name is … Excuse me Yes No How much? Where is the toilet? I want to go to … Turn right Turn left
Selamat pagi
Jalan terus
Selamat petang
Lapangan Terbang
Go straight Airport Selamat malam Town Terima kasih Home Sama-sama Shops Siapa nama awda? Eat Nama saya … Drink Maafkan saya Walk Ya Chicken Tidak Beef Berapa? Seafood Di mana tandas? Vegetables Saya mahu pergi ke... Rice Belok ke kanan 1, 2, 3...
Bandar Rumah Kedai Makan Minum Jalan-jalan Ayam Daging Makanan laut Sayur-sayuran Nasi Satu, Dua, Tiga...
Belok ke kiri
NUMBERS TO NOTE
FOREIGN MISSIONS
EMERGENCY Police 993 Fire 995 Ambulance 991 Directory enquiries 113 Darussalam Hotline 123
Australia 222 9436/426
FLIGHT INFORMATION General 2331747
Bangladesh 223 8420 Cambodia 242 6450 Canada 222 0043 China 233 9609 France 222 0969/961
AIRLINES Royal Brunei Airlines 2212222, 2240500 Air Asia 2333045 Malaysian Airlines 2224141/2, 2223074 Singapore Airlines 2244901/2/3/4 Cebu Pacific Air 2222666, 2227965, 2239888
Germany 222 5574
MEDICAL SERVICES RIPAS Hospital 2242424 Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) 2611433 Gleneagles JPMC 2611212 Tutong Hospital 4221336 Ext 991 Kuala Belait Hospital 3332366 Ext 991 Temburong Hospital 5221526 Ext 127
Pakistan 242 4600
India 233 9685
Unit 1.45B, First Floor The Mall, Abdul Razak Complex Gadong, Brunei, BE3519 Tel: (673) 245 7700
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm www.missha.net
Indonesia 233 0180 Japan 222 9265/6010 Korea 233 0248 Laos 238 4382 Malaysia 238 1095/1097 Myanmar 245 1960/1965
Philippines 224 1465/1466 Russia 261 2142 Saudi Arabia 279 2822/2823 Singapore 226 2714/2742 Thailand 265 3108 United Kingdom 222 2231 USA 238 4616 Vietnam 265 1580/1587
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biG essentials
Tourist Information Centre
SABAH Banks
Banks open from 9am to 4pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.
Credit Cards Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.
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Money Changer
Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks.
SARAWAK Banks
Banks open from 9.30am to 3pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.
Credit Cards Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.
Telecommunications
Buses
There are three main bus terminals that operate regular services. The terminal along Jalan Tun Razak provides services within the city and its outskirts. For destinations south of the city (Papar, Beaufort, Tenom, Tambunan, Keningau), use the terminal near Padang Merdeka. For any other destinations north of the city and all the way to the east coast towns of Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna, you have to take a bus to the Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal in Inanam and from there proceed to your destination of choice. Kinabalu Park is located en route from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
Air Travel
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia and is the main terminal for Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, Firefly, Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragonair, Silkair and Asiana Airlines. Terminal 2 caters to low-cost carriers Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Eastar Jet.
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A free city-tram service is available for sightseeing around Kuching with pick up points at designated hotels. A daily bus service between Kuching and the airport operates from 6am-7pm and takes 40 minutes. The main intercity bus terminal is at Penrissen Bus Terminal southeast of Kuching. Ask Tourism Information Centres for bus timetables; a ‘green bus’ in the Kuching area goes to Santubong (SCV).
Air Travel
Kuching International Airport services airlines to destinations within Malaysia and overseas via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Tiger Airways, Royal Brunei, Silk Air and Batavia Air (Pontianak, Kalimantan). A network of services using smaller aircrafts provides access to remote destinations within Sarawak such as Bario, Mulu and Ba Kelalan.
Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks. Some money changers may not accept foreign currency in small denomination or notes with a date or serial number that they don’t approve of.
Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
Taxis
Taxis are available at both airport terminals and cost about RM30.00 to get to the city. The journey takes between 10-15 minutes. Within the city, taxi stations are located next to major shopping malls and hotels. Long distance taxi services can be found next to Padang Merdeka.
Buses
Money Changer
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It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.
Telecommunications
It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.
Sabah Tourism Board Jalan Gaya Tel: (6088) 212 121 Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sinsuran Complex Tel: (6088) 232 121 Tourism Malaysia (Sabah) Api Api Centre Tel: (6088) 211 732 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 1 Tel: (6088) 413 359 Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 2 Tel: (6088) 447 075
Ferry Services Jesselton Point is the main terminal for boats to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands and to Labuan Island. If you wish to drive to Labuan, use the ferry terminal at Menumbok south of the city where car ferries are available.
Express Boats and Ferry Services A boat service locally known as tambang is available for the short trip across Kuching River to the riverside villages on the other side and along the river for sightseeing. Fast and comfortable express boats connect coastal towns (Kuching, Sibu, Kapit) and villages on the major rivers in Sarawak. The Express Ferry Terminal in Kuching offers trips to Sibu and onwards to Kapit for upriver journeys. Take a bus from Sibu to Miri for ferries to Brunei and onwards to Labuan island and Kota Kinabalu.
Taxis
Taxi fare from Kuching Tourist airport to the city cost about Information Centre RM22.00 per way. Taxies are easily found at large hotels, or at taxi stands in all the major towns in Sarawak. Taxis don’t use meters so always negotiate the fare before getting into a cab!
Kuching Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6082) 410 944/2 Miri Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6085) 434 181 Sibu Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6084) 340 980
biG navigator Brunei Museum Jal a
Embassy Row
International Convention Centre
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Brunei Arts & Handicraft Centre Kampong Ayer
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Edinburgh Palace Times Square Hotel
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Orchid Garden Hotel
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Secretariat Building Pearce
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Takaful IBB Building
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Jubilee Hotel
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Jalan Tutong
Tamu Selera (Hawker Stalls)
Jalan
Batu Satu and RIPAS Hospital Jalan Ista
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Jalan S toney
Syariah Courts
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Sumb i
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Dewan Bahasa (Library)
Yayasan SHHB Complex
Jalan McArthur
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Gadong Fish & Night Markets
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And the Moonlight 21 October 2016 Based on the play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” by Tarell Alvin McCraney, this is the story of Chiron via three chapters of his life, following him as he comes of age, discovers his sexuality, and learns to embrace his masculinity. Hailed as a masterpiece and declared one of the year’s best films, Moonlight is a surefire bet to snag a Best Picture nomination.
With Sundance, Cannes, New York, Telluride, Venice, Toronto and other film festivals behind us, the Oscar race is well under way. Before the big 10 Best Movie contenders are announced in late January, we’ve assembled a few educated guesses of our own. Read on below to find out which “Oscar baits” we’ll be watching before the 89th Academy Awards airs on February 26th, 2017.
Arrival
Loving 4 November 2016 A biopic set in 1958, this film tells the story of interracial couple Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), who are sentenced to prison in Virginia for getting married. They spent nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown, a battle that finally resulted in a reaffirmation of the right to marry by the Supreme Court in 1967. This is a real-life tale of courage and devotion that reminds us all that true love is indeed colour blind.
10 November 2016 This sci-fi tale begins when a mysterious spacecraft arrives on Earth, and a team led by linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is brought together to investigate and communicate with the aliens. Helmed by the incredible Denis Villeneuve and featuring an Oscar-nomination worthy performance by Amy Adams, Arrival looks to be the black sheep contender of the Oscar Race. And if you haven’t heard of Ted Chiang, the author of the 1998 short story ‘Story of Your Life’ which Arrival is based on, then it’s time to acquaint yourself with this award-winning author.
Manchester by the Sea 18 November 2016 Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is forced to return to Manchesterby-the-Sea, a fishing village where his family has lived for generations, when he is made sole guardian of his nephew after the passing of his older brother. Once there, he confronts his past, and the reason that made him leave the village and his wife. The movie has generated Oscar buzz at all of the film festival showings and features a haunting performance by Casey Affleck. The film is almost certainly a Best Film contender, and most definitely a Best Director and a Best Actor nominee as well.
La La Land 2 December 2016 Directed by Whiplash director Damien Chazelle, this is the love story about an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) and their shared pursuit to stardom. It’s a dazzling homage to classic Hollywood musicals and has received stellar reviews since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It’s been 15 years since the last musical – the film adaptation of Chicago – won the Oscar for Best Picture, and La La Land looks set to break that hiatus. And just like Catherine Zeta-Jones took home the Oscar for Best Actress then, Emma Stone looks set to do the same in 2017.
Jackie 9 December 2016 Pablo Larrain’s ‘Jackie’ tells the tale of Jacqueline Kennedy, the iconic First Lady who witnessed one of the most tragic moments in American history: the assassination of her husband. The movie takes us through the days immediately following President Kennedy’s death, seen through the eyes of his poised but grieving widow. Along with being a nearly certain contender for Best Picture, Natalie Portman’s amazing performance makes her a shoo-in for Best Actress nominee.
Other movies to look out for: Clint Eastwood’s Sully - a remarkable true story about a pilot (Tom Hank) who makes an emergency plane landing in New York’s Hudson River, saving the lives of his 155 passengers and crew. Lion – a movie about an adopted boy setting out back to India 25 years later to track down his lost family. Starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara.
Nate Parker directs and stars in Birth of a Nation, a film about Nat Turner’s quest for justice and freedom for his people that leads to a historic rebellion in Southampton County. The legendary Martin Scorsese directs Silence, a movie that follows two missionaries in the 17th century who travel to Japan and face persecution for spreading the word of God. Borneo.Insider’s.Guide
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Movies to look out for this quarter
FEB
FEB
MAR
The Lego Batman Movie Starring: Will Arnett, Rosario Dawson, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera Everything is awesome in Batman’s world – he has a son and sidekick Robin, a beautiful Batgirl, and together they battle the insane Joker and his bunch of criminals in Gotham City. You can be sure this spin-off from The Lego Movie will come with slick humour and memorable puns.
The Great Wall
Power Rangers
Starring: Matt Damon, Andy Lau, Willem Dafoe, Lu Han
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston, Naomi Scott
Renowned director Zhang Yimou directs a sterling cast from East and West in this epic fantasy movie that reveals the mystery of one of the greatest wonders of our world.
Watch Bryan Cranston, who plays a wise sage, recruit a bunch of high-school teens who can transform into superheroes to save the world from a female villain.
MAR
JAN
The Boss Baby Voices by: Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow
JAN
JAN
La La Land
A Dog’s Purpose
Starring: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Aimee Conn
Starring: Josh Gad (voice), Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling stars in this soft and dreamy musical about an aspiring actress and a struggling jazz pianist who try to keep their relationship alive while pursuing their individual dreams in Hollywood.
A dog is trying to learn his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. With each reincarnation as another dog, he bonds with his new owners and brings something wonderful to their lives. Warning: Extreme levels of cuteness.
MAR
Beauty and the Beast Starring: Emma Watson, Luke Wilson, Dan Stevens, Ian McKellan, Emma Thompson
The Disney heroine, Belle, played by Emma Watson, falls in love with a cursed prince who comes under attack by the villagers who fear him.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter
Milla Jovovich returns as Alice in this final chapter of the series to fight the hordes of undead and new mutant monsters that are threatening to destroy humanity for good. She teams up with old friends, and an unlikely ally, in this action-packed good vs evil saga. 66
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DreamWorks’ new animated star is a briefcase-carrying corporate executive baby with a penchant for business suits. The baby, voiced by Alec Baldwin, tries to stop a nefarious CEO from destroying the love in the world.
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