Wu Chun - Royal Brunei Airlines
Transcription
Wu Chun - Royal Brunei Airlines
roya l b ru n e i a ir li nes | J a n ua ry - F ebrua ry 2 0 15 Royal Brunei wishes you a Happy 2015 W u Chu n R B ’ S I N T E R N AT I O N A L B R A N D A M BA S S A D O R IN THIS ISSUE 08 16 22 52 60 COVER Wu Chun, RB’s International Brand Ambassador. AWARD FOR BEST MAGAZINE Indian International Journalism Festival 2011 Editorial Board Advisor Royal Brunei Airlines Head, Corporate Communications Azhani Abu Daniel Editorial Muaz Roslan, Mahyuddin Zulkipli Editorial & Production General Manager Jacqueline W M Wong Editor Anis Ramli Editorial Assistant Kim Low Studio Manager Lau Weng Leong Creative Director Michele Tee Digital Media Designer Tang Sze Yik Imaging Colourist June Lim Studio Assistant Wong Fu Yong Coordinator Sa’adiah Hj Abas Print Production Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd., Brunei Darussalam Imagery & PrePress DI Expressions Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia Publishing & AdSales Digital Impressions Lot 20010, Taman Alam Jalan Telanai, Beribi BE1118 Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam T: +673 2654 851 F: +673 2650 276 E: [email protected] FEATURES 08 Indie Escape A Bali just for you. 16 Cine Magic Outdoor cinema in Melbourne. 22 Offbeat Oddities London’s quirky museums. 28 Meals On Wheels KL’s food truck trend. 34 Bamboo Beauty AO Saigon Show. MUHIBAH is published by Digital Impressions. All rights reserved. Copyright by Royal Brunei Airlines. Unsolicited materials will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and sufficient return postage. While every reasonable care is taken by the editor, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material. The contents of this magazine are entirely the personal views of the author(s) and/or contributors and do not in any way reflect the views or opinions of the publisher. The publisher disclaims all and any liability to any person arising from the printing, sale or use of the materials in this magazine. The Editorial team reserves the right to edit and/or rewrite all materials according to the needs of the publication upon usage. MUHIBAH is complimentary for passengers on Royal Brunei Airlines. It is also available on subscription at BND7 per copy, excluding postage. Alternatively, log on www.flyroyalbrunei.com for e-MUHIBAH. 2 MUHIBAH 34 62 David Kirkland/Brunei Tourism 70 28 WELCOME ABOARD 42 Best of Brunei Pure Substance. 05 46 Keistimewaan Brunei Destinasi Idaman. 06 64 66 LIFESTYLE 52 55 58 60 62 Motoring Holland & Holland Range Rover In Person Wu Chun The Buzz What’s New Take 5 Hong Kong Travel Diary 67 68 70 Deputy Chairman’s Message Inside RB Selamat Datang Brunei International Airport Traveller’s Guide Route Map & Destinations Abode of Peace 58 Media & Sales Representatives • AUSTRIA Publimedia GmbH, T: (43) 1 211 53 61, F: (43) 1 21 21 602, E: [email protected] • AUSTRALIA Mass Media Publicitas, T: (61) 2 9252 3476, F: (61) 2 9251 3726, E: [email protected] • CANADA McGown/INTERMAC - Publicitas, T: (514) 7355191, F: (514) 3429406, E: [email protected] • CHINA Publicitas (Beijing) Advertising Co., Ltd., Rm 1108, Derun Tower, No. 3 Yong’an Dongli, Jianwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022, T: (86) 10 5879 5885 ext. 328, F: (86) 10 5879 3884, E: [email protected] • FRANCE Publicitas S.A., T: (33) 1 53 64 88 76, F: (33) 1 45 00 94 81, E: [email protected] • GERMANY Publicitas Germany GmbH, T: (49) 89 921 06 10, F: (49) 89 921 06 30, E: ppn-frankfurt@ publicitas.com • HONG KONG Emphasis Media Limited, T: (852) 2516 1000, F: (852) 2561 3349, E: [email protected] • ITALY Siper Media SpA, T: (39) 027 6007743, F: (39) 027 6006836, E: [email protected] • INDIA Mediascope Publicitas, T: (91) 22 2204 8890, F: (91) 2282 4889, E: [email protected] • INDONESIA PT Medianet Intisarana, T: (62) 21 798 7314, F: (62) 21 798 7316, E: [email protected] • JAPAN Nakayama Media International Inc., Fonte Aoyama 701, 2-22-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, T: 81-3-3479-6131, F: 81-3-3479-6130, E: [email protected] • KOREA DooBee Inc., T: (82) 23702 1742, (82) 23702 1777, E: [email protected] • MALAYSIA Publicitas International Sdn Bhd, T: (603) 7729 6923, F: (603) 7729 7115, E: [email protected] | Mind Sense Sdn Bhd, T: (603) 7781 7700, F: (603) 7781 7880, E: [email protected] • MIDDLE EAST Integrated Advertising Services FZ LLC, T: (971) 4 391 3360, E: [email protected] • NEPAL Media South Asia (P) Ltd., T: (977) 1442 0848, F: (977) 1442 1179, E: [email protected] • PHILIPPINES Adreflex International, T: (632) 638 8374, F: (977) 1442 1179, E: clang-garcia@adreflexintl.com • SPAIN Publicitas Internacional, S.A., T: (34) 91 323 79 18, F: (34) 91 323 79 23, E: [email protected] • SINGAPORE Emphasis (SINGAPORE), T: (65) 6735 8681, F: (65) 6733 5681, E: [email protected] • SOUTH AFRICA International Media Representatives (Pty ) Ltd, T: (27) 11 258 4250, F: (27) 11 258 4043, E: [email protected] • SWEDEN Publicitas Nordic AB, T: (46) 8 442 7050, F: (46) 8 442 7059, E: [email protected] • SWITZERLAND Triservice S.A., T: (41) 22 796 46 26, F: (41) 22 797 02 70, E: [email protected] • THAILAND Thai Representation Limited, T: (662) 332 0503-4, F: (662) 331 9303, E: [email protected] • TAIWAN Emphasis (Taiwan), T: (886) 2 2764 5011, F: (886) 22760 8439, E: [email protected] • UNITED KINGDOM The Powers Turner Group, T: (44) 207 592 8333, F: (44) 207 592 8301, E: [email protected] • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Publicitas North America, 330 Seventh Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001, T: (1) 212-330-0729, F: (1) 212 599 8298, E: [email protected] JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 3 WELCOME ONBOARD DEPUTY CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Royal Brunei Airlines Commercial Department led by Karam Chand, Chief Commercial and Planning Officer (2nd row, 7th from the left). Dear Guests, Welcome aboard Royal Brunei Airlines. As this is the first issue of Muhibah for 2015, on behalf of all of my colleagues at RB, I wish to take this opportunity to extend our sincere and best wishes to all of our passengers for a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. In addition, we would also like to send greetings in advance to our Chinese passengers who will usher in the Year of the Sheep on 19 February, 2015. RB would also like to send greetings and best wishes to all Bruneians in anticipation of their 31st National Day celebrations on 23 February, 2015. At RB, we remain optimistic about the future. The year ahead is set to be an exciting one as we look forward to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of RB’s first ever flight in May. We also anticipate the arrival of two new leased A320 aircraft in September/ October. These aircraft will contain the very latest in passenger comfort and amenities and will provide a sneak preview of what to expect with our new generation of A320 NEO fleet in 2017. Also this year, RB will roll out our rebranded state-of-the-art Customer Service Centre here in Brunei. This issue of Muhibah contains an interesting feature on our Commercial team who work tirelessly to ensure we provide a comprehensive flights schedule and range of fares to meet customer Check out eMuhibah at www.flyroyalbrunei.com Be a fan on needs. Presently, the team is making a big push in China working with our hugely popular International Brand Ambassador, Wu Chun. In fact, some of our passengers today may be travelling on our special package from China to Brunei and Kota Kinabalu where they will have the opportunity to meet Wu Chun in his favourite surroundings. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Team RB for their spirit of sportsmanship in the recently concluded Brunei Darussalam National Games 2014 held from 29 November to 6 December, 2014. We had 175 managers and staff competing in 13 of the 23 sporting categories winning a total of two silver medals for Golf Individual and Men’s Softball, and one bronze for Golf Team Event. As always, it is my privilege to close with a sincere thank you for flying with RB today and on our part, we will continue to do our very best to retain your loyalty and support in the future. With warm wishes, Dermot Mannion Deputy Chairman facebook.com/RoyalBruneiAirlines Follow us on twitter.com/RoyalBruneiAir JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 5 WELCOME ONBOARD INSIGHTS INSIDE RB Roundup of Royal Brunei Airlines happenings. ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES 40TH ANNIVERSARY In conjunction with RB’s 40th Anniversary, several key activities were organised. The first was a mass prayer by RB’s Religious Committee on 18 November, 2014. Present were RB Chairman, Dato Paduka Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah, RB’s Board of Directors, Islamic Scholars from various institutions and RB’s Muslim staff. RB’s Kitab Yassin and Tahlil was also launched at the event. On 22 November, 2014 RB hosted the RB40 Gala Dinner. Attended by staff and board of directors and held at the Royal Brunei Recreation Club, the theme was “Back to 1974”. The evening also saw presentation of awards to staff who have been with RB for 20 and 30 years respectively. 6 MUHIBAH A DAY WITH ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES AND WU CHUN RB International Brand Ambassador, Wu Chun, made a much anticipated and highly successful personal appearance at RB travel trade roadshow in Guangzhou, China. ROYAL SKIES LATEST PARTNERS RB’s frequent flyer programme, Royal Skies, announced three more exciting partners providing Royal Skies members with more options to earn miles: Paloma, All Seasons Restaurant and Shinobu Shabu Shabu. Various fun activities were held with patrons of these new partners where they had a chance to win RB merchandise. Fun games and activities were held for fans and visitors throughout this one day event. RB’s “Where Are Brunei and Sabah?” competition proved very popular with fans and visitors who won prizes for correctly locating both destinations on the map. The roadshow also saw the launch of an exciting special promotion to enable Wu Chun fans to fly RB on a special twin package to Brunei and Kota Kinabalu on 4 February, 2015. The package includes exclusive opportunities to meet Wu Chun in Brunei and attend a special Island picnic in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. SUKAN KEBANGSAAN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 2014 Team RB, consisting of 179 RB management and staff, recently participated in the Sukan Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam 2014 (Brunei Darussalam National Games). The team competed in 13 out of 23 tournaments. Appointed as Chef De Mission was Captain Khalidkhan Hj Asmakhan whilst RB’s flag bearer was Ali Akhbar Gapor, Brunei’s renowned marathon runner. Team RB was generously sponsored by Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance, Petrokon Utama Sdn. Bhd., Abacus Distribution System, AWAS, Aewon Garments, Brunei International Air Cargo Centre (BIACC), Harun Gym, Kingston Food & Beverages, Royal Brunei Catering (RBC) and Royal Brunei Golf County Club (RBGCC). JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 7 FEATURES 8 MUHIBAH INDIE ESCAPE Whatever traveller you are, there’s a slice of Bali made for you. Words EMMA RAMSAY Here’s a fact: Bali currently has over 90,000 rooms. And the hotel growth continues with no signs of stopping. With so many options to choose from, where does the visitor start? Certainly it’s tempting to stay at the same, reliable hotel you did the last visit. But before you return to the same lodging, here’s a cheat sheet to inspire whatever inner traveller that you may be. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 9 FEATURES THE BOHO HIPSTER 10 MUHIBAH It’s about being part of the community – with art, cinema and events. Luna2 Studiotel (luna2.com) in fashionable Seminyak, aims at making the hotel more of a social hub than anything. Designer Melanie Hall succeeds with interiors dripping with funked-up modernism, adding huge doses of humour into the mix. The Space rooftop bar for sunset mocktails has a view to die for. Outdoors, the 25m Mondrianesque colour-blocked lap pool is the ultimate escape, with sun loungers for catching rays. Orbit restaurant is where you find all manner of fun takes on the classics. Descend its spiral staircase from the underground Pop! lounge bar where you’ll find the ultra-plush Lunaplex, a16seat cinema, with three daily showings – a cool combo of nostalgic classics and new releases. The rooms aren’t too bad, either – equipped with fully-loaded iPods & iPad, a retro Smeg fridge, Nespresso machine amid Jasper Morrison chairs, Cassina Philippe Starck dining chairs and a Brionvega retro TV. ROMANTIC DIE-HARDS THE If it’s private couple time you’re looking for, look no further than to Viceroy Bali (viceroybali.com), an elegant boutique hotel, poised on a ridge overlooking the verdant Valley of the Kings. Viceroy Bali is a revered retreat for utter tranquility. Snag any of its 25 expansive yet intimate villas and you’ll not be blamed to stay holed up in it throughout the length of your stay. Each villa comes with its own pool and a mesmerising view of the serene valley below that was once a favoured retreat of royals. Everywhere you’ll find romantic alang-alang (thatched roofs) Balinese gazebos or daybeds that drive home the rustic but chic Balinese theme. Luxury comes in the form of its onsite helipad, the launching point for a variety of tours to the many wonders of Bali, including coastlines, volcanoes and nature parks. Meanwhile, the CasCades Restaurant is acclaimed as one of the island’s top dining venues, having been named as one of Indonesia’s top five restaurants by The Miele Guide 2011/2012. Just don’t leave without first trying out any of the sublime treatments at the Lembah Spa, where the views of padi fields and coconut trees make the best prelude to the pampering that’s about to come. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 11 FEATURES Discover how Bali and business can mix when you make Conrad Bali (conradbali.com) as your base. Long a favourite with corporate travellers, Conrad Bali has a solid reputation for business- and meeting-friendly facilities. Additionally, all of its 353 guestrooms are equipped with the usual amenities to make any business traveller comfortable. But for something more specific, consider the Conrad Suites. Located on a private wing and adjacent to the main resort, the suites are perfect when your business requires a more private setting and personalised attention. You have exclusive access to the Conrad Suites Lounge, private pool and Beach Club, daily afternoon tea and evening mocktails, wireless internet, laundry and dry cleaning, 15 percent off food and beverage, spa treatments and business centre services. Other Suite services include a personal assistant service on call 24 hours, in-room check in and check out, pre-arrival arrangements and a multilingual team to assist you. And when it’s time to mix business with leisure, Conrad Bali certainly knows how to entertain. It has a 350-metre beach at its disposal, lagoons and pools, and the award-winning Jiwa Spa & Wellness Studio offering wholistic traditional Balinese treatments in spa pavillions that face the ocean. 12 MUHIBAH CORPORATE WARRIOR THE JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 13 FEATURES THE STYLISH CAMPER 2.0 14 MUHIBAH Get your tents on. Oh wait. They’ve been put up for you. Sandat Glamping (glampingsandat.com) lets you commune with bucolic Bali; but in style and comfort. The island’s first luxury camping experience certainly lives up to its name. Immaculate interiors grace all five tented lodges and three lumbung cabins (local huts). Styled to be eco-friendly, each blends naturally with the outdoors and the surroundings. King-size beds under floaty muslin canopies, bamboo bedframes and hand-carved wood furnitures complete the rustic look. Certainly the views over the gardens are sensational; and the atmosphere itself is tranquil and soothing. But it’s the Regency chairs and chandeliers (in some tents) that take the whole commune-with-nature experience up a notch. Walk barefoot across the hardwood floors to your own plunge pool, wake up to the serene beauty of the padi fields outside, and sleep lulled by the lovely chorus of Balinese cicadas. INSPIRED EARTH MOTHER THE Bambu Indah (bambuindah.com) is the kind of place that will leave you inspired to do more for the world. They have their own natural pool with water so pure you can actually drink it. They grow their own herbs and vegetables, all organic, of course, that make their way to the menu plates in their restaurant, Dapoer. Take leisurely walks on tranquil pathways that cut through padi fields and a bridge that brings you to a natural river. Cocoon yourself in this lush, green retreat that overlooks the Sayan Valley and Ayung River. The houses are all once antique homes, belonging to Javanese noblemen before being brought to Bali to make this eco-friendly retreat. You’ll make no mistake in choosing any one of the 11 houses available, as each has its own character and style. But a stay in Udang House lets you find your inner zen. Set over a freshwater shrimp pond, it features a bedroom with glass floor panels where you can watch tiny fish swim by. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Bali 4x weekly. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 15 FEATURES Cine Come Summer, Melbournians head outdoors … for a movie! Words JEFFREY LIM Images MOONLIGHT CINEMA 16 MUHIBAH Magic JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 17 FEATURES What could be better than watching all the hottest new release films outside in the fresh night air this summer? Seeing them before they’ve even hit cinemas, of course! Australia’s favourite and biggest outdoor cinema, Moonlight Cinema, rolled out the red carpet across the pristine green lawns of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens to kick off its 2014/15 season. And what a huge season this one is already shaping up to be! In a star-studded VIP red carpet event, Moonlight Cinema was officially launched with an exclusive advance screening of zany comedy Dumb and Dumber To on December 18. It’s been a whole 20 years since Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels brought their lovable imbeciles, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, to the big screen. Fans of Bill Murray (let’s face it, that’s pretty much everyone) should jump on the chance to catch him in upcoming indie drama St Vincent more than a week before it hits cinemas. Other titles to catch at Moonlight before the rest of Australia include Disney’s latest cute-fest, Big Hero 6 about a boy and his plus-size, inflatable robot; the superhero film with an art-house edge, Birdman starring Michael Keaton and Emma Stone; WWII drama filmed in Sydney and directed by Angelina Jolie, Unbroken; and the latest Liam Neeson shoot-em-up action movie, Taken 3. Also joining the stellar programme will be Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, The Imitation Game staring Benedict Cumberbatch about the life of WW2 codebreaker Alan Turing. Steve Carell and Channing Tatum will also team up to tell the story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz in Foxcatcher, and Jake Gyllenhaal becomes Nightcrawler who enters into the world of L.A. crime journalism. 18 MUHIBAH Bring Australia Day in early with some Aussie cinema. The Water Diviner will be showing at Moonlight Cinema on Australia Day Eve, January 25. It tells the moving tale of an Australian man, played by Russell Crowe, who travels to Turkey after the Battle at Gallipoli to try and locate his three missing sons. Moonlight Cinema is also introducing its very own LA-style food truck onsite – serving up tantalising street fare. Or you can BYO picnic! Audiences can expect to tuck into an epic range of burgers including wagyu beef cheeseburgers, pulled beef brisket burgers and Southernfried chicken burgers, as well as New Yorker chilli cheese dogs, buffalo fried chicken, parmesan truffle fries and fresh churros. Make sure you come early, because you’ll be tempted to try everything on the menu! Group Director of Culinary, Adam Petta, who currently manages over 120 kitchens with the AHL group including QT Hotels, Event Cinemas and Rydges, is taking up the challenge. Counting Ananas, Sake and CUT as former employers, excitement is JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 19 FEATURES 20 MUHIBAH mounting for what Petta has in store. “I’m a bit of a film buff myself, so to be able to combine my love of great food with cinema in the great outdoors is a dream gig. I’ve worked hard to put together a tasty menu, with a wide variety of options that go perfectly with the film-watching experience as well as giving that great festival vibe that we all love so much about Moonlight Cinema,” Petta said. “This season is by far the biggest yet for Moonlight Cinema, especially when it comes to advance screenings and new release films,” said Ian Sutherland, the Director of Moonlight Cinema. “We’re very proud of this programme and excited to be screening so many big summer blockbusters before their general release dates. It certainly adds an extra level of thrill and enjoyment to watching a film outside under the stars, knowing that you’re amongst the first audience in Australia and sometimes, even the first in the world, to be seeing it!” As always, Moonlight Cinema’s Gold Grass offers the ultimate outdoor cinema experience: the perfect treat for someone special in your life. With reserved bean beds in a premium viewing location and wait service, you won’t even have to get up from your bean bed! There’s something for absolutely every kind of film fanatic at this season’s Moonlight Cinema. And this is only just the first half of the programme! Gates are open at 7pm so grab all your mates and loved ones for many nights of summer fun, food and films under the stars! Moonlight Cinema in Melbourne runs till 29 March, 2015. Other Moonlight Cinema cities include Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Melbourne daily. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 21 FEATURES 22 MUHIBAH ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL MUSEUM & ARCHIVES London and its surrounds offer some of the best museums for the traveller. But when you’ve had enough of Matiseeses and van Goghs, why not look for something different to do? Some of the city’s offbeat museums offer a more culturally quirky side to London as well as a slice of unique English culture. If you’re ever curious about Jack the Ripper or the Elephant Man, then start your journey at the Royal London Hospital Museum and Archives (bartshealth. nhs.uk) in Whitechapel. Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, was cared for in the hospital until the end of his life. A replica of his skeleton is on display (his bones are kept with the medical school for research), together with his hat and veil and other photos. For fans of Jack the Ripper, there is a showcase on forensic medicine featuring original material on the Whitechapel (Jack the Ripper) murders and hospital surgeon and curator, Thomas Horrocks Openshaw who helped investigate. O The best London oddities and offbeat museums. Words SURIANI ARIFF FFBEAT DDITIES JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 23 24 MUHIBAH Moving away from the macabre and for a lighter outing, try the Fan Museum (thefanmuseum.org.uk) in Greenwich. While it may erroneously heed only to lady guests, you would be remiss not to check out the museum for its detailed story-telling on fans as a cultural tool. The building itself is worth a look – a Georgian townhouse that dates back to the 18th century. Inside is a collection of over 4,000 fans, including a 13th century Chinese fan leaf and a bladeless Dyson. Discover how fans are a cultural representation of change, used at one time to ward off evil spirit and as status symbols in another. ©The Fan Museum, UK FAN MUSEUM ©The Fan Museum, UK FEATURES MUSEUM OF BRANDS, PACKAGING & ADVERTISING At the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising (museumofbrands. com), it’s a trip down memory lane with 12,000 original daily consumer items that have impacted the world. You will certainly identify with many of them, if not all. You’ll see Rimmel cosmetics from the 1890s, a 1970s Chopper Bike, the changing faces of Johnson’s Baby Powder throughout the years and various candy wrappers including a KitKat from the 1930s. Started by consumer historian Robert Opie, the museum is easily located around the corner from the worldfamous Portobello Road Market, making this treasure trove of retro design and memories a nice half-day outing. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 25 Roelof Bakker FEATURES Dennis Severs House (dennissevershouse.co.uk) by Spitalfields Market is not really a museum. It’s a private home but it is open to the public. It’s quite hard to describe what it is actually, except that going through the 10 rooms, you will definitely feel you’ve entered the home of the Jervis family. The Jervises aren’t real; but Severs wants you to think that – to wander from room to room experiencing how they lived in the 18th century, as though they’ve just stepped out for awhile. There is fresh fruit on the table, half drunk cups of tea, jackets draped over chairs and smells of cooked food from the kitchen. It’s an outing that requires you to fully engage the senses to experience time travel. 26 MUHIBAH Roelof Bakker DENNIS SEVERS HOUSE © Sophie Mutevelian GARDEN MUSEUM © Sophie Mutevelian Finally, what better way to end your London museum outing than to immerse yourself in lush greenery? The Garden Museum (gardenmuseum.org.uk) is truly a labour of love. Beautiful and tranquil, with the Thames surging past its door, the focus point of the museum is the outdoor knot garden tended by their small horticultural team of staff and volunteers. The knot garden is significantly historical as it includes species introduced by John Tradescant the Elder and Younger, prominent gardeners and horticulturists of the 16th and 17h centuries respectively. Plants such as the scarlet runner bean, red maple and tulip tree can be traced back to the Tradescants, and they also add lush and beauty to the centre of London. The museum organises three main temporary exhibitions annually, often bringing new light to how the public views gardens and its societal impact. Royal Brunei Airlines flies London daily via Dubai. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 27 FEATURES Th e fo o dt ru ck tre nd hits Kuala Lumpur. Words A R NIS Meals Wheels On 28 MUHIBAH AM LI JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 29 FEATURES Kuala Lumpur’s famous traffic crawl, penchant for fast food and the trend of curbside eats have given rise to a new culture: Food trucks. Having evolved from the white and non-descript rojak/cendol and tau foo fa vans, the new mobile kitchens are often funky, offer culinary menus that can rival their brick-and-mortar cafe cousins, and served by passionate young foodpreneurs. At a recent gathering of food trucks for an event in Petaling Jaya recently, fans can be seen equally busy checking out the food as well as taking selfies and wefies with the colourful trucks in the background. Says Adel Ibrahim of Little Fat Duck, “Yes, people are just as curious about our trucks as they are about our food. So my waiters sometime do double duty – they take orders but also do PR. It’s great for building rapport with our customers.” Adel’s sleek black-and-white truck is a far cry from yesterday’s construction-site food wagons. His joins a new generation of food trucks that are sleek, snazzy and dressed up to the nines to attract customers. There’s the funky, hard-to-miss fuchsia truck of OMFJ (Oh My Fruit Juice) and the banana-bright Laughing Monkey van in a yellow that just makes you feel all happy inside. Looks aside, what really drives the trend is the mobile menu. More takeaway than dine-in cafe, the public are embracing food trucks for its easy access – both physically and financially. Take Little Fat Duck’s menu, for example. Adel’s bestseller, the Chicken Confit, is 30 MUHIBAH priced at RM12 while most pasta dishes begin at RM5. Over at Big Hug, the gargantuan Big Hug Burger XXL – best shared for two, in our opinion, is a loaded mix of chicken thigh, cheddar cheese, veggies and their secret sauce. And it’s a mere RM15. OMFJ’s drinks, whose menu reflects a flair for upping the ante on Asian ingredients (watermelon and tomatoes, anyone?), begin at RM7.50. As co-founder Dec Low explains, “We want to make it easy for people to graband-go at lower costs.” Still, affordability alone cannot explain why consumers are embracing the trucks. Hunting the food trucks is akin to an adult scavenger’s hunt. There’s certainly an element of fun to it. Many, if not all, rely on social media for fans to track their locations and the day’s specials. There’s a sense or urgency to make a run for them before the food runs out. Or before the authorities chase them away. Because for now unfortunately, Malaysia does not have a dedicated law to address these rolling eateries. Licenses are presently issued for stationary or roving traders. Food trucks are neither. So truckers are at the mercy of the authorities who simply see them as running, well ... a non-descript and inbetween business. Another challenge of running the mobile business is the cramped kitchens. Yet, despite battling for cooking space, this has not deterred food truckers from whipping up culinary delights to please their followers. Flaming Wheels exemplifies how a small kitchen is no hurdle to producing great food. The truck is self-sufficient and can prepare up to 1,000 meals at one time with all the food freshly made on board. Considering itself a revolutionary street JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 31 FEATURES 32 MUHIBAH food vendor, Flaming Wheels has a menu that reflects popular bistro pickings such as BBQ Buffalo Wings, Guy’s Lamb Meatballs and homemade Grilled Chicken Mushroom Burger. For owners, a truck can be up and running for RM150,000. After that, a truck’s success remains very much a combination of menu/ location/service. Says Hanns Yong, the other half of OMFJ, “Keeping the menu fresh and listening to customers’ feedback certainly drives our business.” Between him and Dec, their experiments have resulted in the richly satisfying “Purple Tango” (dragonfruits/ oranges/sour plums) while the formulaic mélange of pineapple, kyuri, mint leaves and honey is sinfully exotic. When it comes to location, Calvin Yeo of Wheeloaf that offers panini sandwiches and pastries says, “The beauty of this mobile concept is that if one location fails, there’s always the flexibility of moving to another location.” But how owners engage with customers essentially builds fan base too, he continues, as food trucks go beyond the traditional business sense. Much has been said about the impact of creating a micro-community from the birth of food trucks. Observing the owners at work, it was evident that customers love having conversations with them. It creates a great social scene where fans understand their passion, what inspires the menu, and interact with others queuing up for the same thing. Likewise, the small community of food truckers have also banded together. There’s healthy competition all around with some sharing news of impending events and possible new locations to venture together. It’s difficult to predict how far food trucks popularity will prevail. Calvin believes that it has yet to tap into its full market potential “especially with the diverse cuisine we have in this country.” What’s certain is that foodloving Malaysians are creating the demand for what foodpreneurs have to offer. For now, as a consumer, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt – running after the mobile kitchens and hoping to spot them before they (temporarily) disappear. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Kuala Lumpur double daily. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 33 FEATURES 34 MUHIBAH B A novel way of journeying through romantic southern Vietnam. Words ANGELA LES FERNANDEZ Images AO SHOW SAIGON AMBOO eauty JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 35 FEATURES 36 MUHIBAH The A O Show is best described as a groundbreaking contemporary show that showcases the growing performing arts scene in Vietnam. Commonly acknowledged globally as a “new circus”, the show surpasses all the limits previously constructed by many other art shows in Vietnam over the years. A mixture of acrobatic acts, contemporary dance and theatre, the A O Show is a visual drama with a wonderful medley of traditional and modern values. The “A” and “O” of the title basically translates phonetically as the Ahhh! and Ohhh!, and certainly, the audience is offered the opportunity to let loose their imagination and gasp in delight and pleasure, entertained by the visual creation and lighting of each performance. Delivered with amazing choreography and perfect background sound, the show features 17 Vietnamese musical instruments in an interactive play of bamboo cirque, acrobatics and contemporary dance. It depicts the charming beauty that Vietnam is known for, the richness of its culture through its eventual and inevitable urbanisation. Twenty-two performers mix athletics, acrobatics, theatrical visual drama with live music that echoes the Southern work songs and scenes. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 37 FEATURES 38 MUHIBAH The word “amaze” does not even begin to describe the moment the audience see themselves walking on a small walkway of the breezy south, or when they find themselves wondering pass the surging dunes of the Southern Central plains before finding themselves in front of a lotus swamp. Every now and then there are the haunting echoes of the spirited southern Vietnam and “Don Ca Tai Tu”, the music and song that resonate with the lifestyles of the people of the South. All the details that are portrayed and recorded in the show were selectively chosen to reflect the spirit of working in the southern delta and the lifestyles of the Vietnamese people and their unique heritage. A O Show has no script, no climax and no sequence. Yet in that 60 minutes of the performance, the audience will feel as though they have travelled a lifetime. Show Director Tuan Le successfully captures an authentic, realistic Vietnamese flavour in this play. In every scene, the audience is given the opportunity to experience comfort and serenity mixed with astonishment and joy. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 39 FEATURES 40 MUHIBAH His is a smooth, dynamic production which cleverly uses traditional instruments and everyday raw materials to the fullest, gently transporting the audience to a time gone past. With each scene of yesteryear, emotions are tugged as the audience readily identifies with the vivid yet poetical rendering of a historical journey. For the visitor, the A O Show represents the best way to experience a slice of Southern Vietnam and understanding its history, heritage and culture. It allows the outsider to view the country through the lens of the locals. And what a beautiful and romantic view it is. The cast themselves give a wonderfully raw, intimate show, drawing upon the Vietnamese dream of life, survival, love and everything else in between to entertain. There are unexpected laughs at times, but the cast’s physical agility and impeccable discipline expressed in leaps and spins is what keeps the audiences enthralled every night. Choreographer Nguyen Tan Loc, arguably one of the most sought after choreographers in Vietnam, cleverly weaves together folk music, dance, and contemporary art into a well crafted ensemble that will continue to be remembered long after the curtain falls. The A O Show is presently performed daily at the 115-year-old historic Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City. 30% discount for tickets to the performance when passengers show their RB boarding passes not exceeding 7 days. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Ho Chi Minh City 4x weekly. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 41 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI Pure Substance Why Brunei Darussalam is the ultimate halal vacation. Words ANIS RAMLI Images DAVID KIRKLAND/BRUNEI TOURISM 42 MUHIBAH Pete Wong Halal Travel is fast becoming a catchphrase in the travel industry. The Muslim travel market segment was estimated to be worth US$140 billion in 2013, representing almost 13 percent of global travel expenditures. Brunei Darussalam joins an increasing number of countries that are now keen on tapping into this segment. With 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide as potential customers expected to spend US$181 billion on travelling by 2018, Brunei would be remiss not to tap into this growing and lucrative market. Already known internationally as one of the world’s foremost Islamic countries, many of Brunei’s tourism products and services are already Muslim-friendly while others are adapting their services to take into account the unique faith-based needs of Muslim travellers. In short, Brunei makes for a wonderful and easy destination for the Muslim vacationer as well as those interested to experience an Islamic country that is both modern and tolerant. Mosques that are majestic in its design and highlight the unique culture and architecture of the country can easily be found everywhere. The larger and more well-known mosques, such as the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, also offer both Muslims and people of other faiths the opportunity to discover its history and architecture through its scheduled guided tour. Located in the heart of capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a great starting point to understand Islam and its cultural context as well as its role in the community. But halal travel means more than just mosque visits. Brunei as a Muslim-friendly destination also factors in the ease of vacationing in the 21st century, in compliance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. Hotels across the country have rooms equipped with the prayer direction (qiblah), prayer mats and in some rooms, Qur’an for remembrance. Minibars are Muslim-friendly as the entire country is alcohol-free. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 43 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI The observation of the five daily prayers is made even easy as prayer times are provided in all local publications. Royal Brunei’s award-winning inflight magazine, Muhibah, available to guests of high-end hotels, also publish the prayer times for easy reference. Meanwhile, the musolla (praying room) is also available in major tourist attractions. Tour companies that operate in Brunei also respect prayer times, further providing peace of mind and ease for the Muslim traveller as they vacation around the country. It’s also interesting to note that on Fridays, the holy day for Muslims, businesses close for the duration of the entire Friday prayer as a sign of respect. This includes restaurants and eateries (although hotel staying guests can still make use of inroom dining facilities), and allows the visitor a unique insight into the everyday Islamic practices of the faithful in Brunei. Ease of vacationing is further provided by the widespread availability of halal food. From fine dining to street food, there are plenty of choices to satisfy the traveller. All fast food and international F&B chains are halal certified, too. Muslim tourists visiting during the holy month of Ramadhan will also find a number of places that offer iftar (breaking fast) and Ramadhan bazaars. Major hotels also provide suhoor (pre-dawn meal) while the iftar spreads are often a culinary adventure in themselves. For lovers of Islamic culture and history, Brunei will appease their appetite for these and more. It is simply a country filled with rich historical and Islamic references. Visitors can truly understand this when they visit the famed Kampong Ayer. This cluster of homes built on stilts over Brunei River is where Brunei’s civilisation was thought to have stemmed from. It was through here that Islam first came to Brunei and, it was also once an important trading port for ships sailing from Straits of Malacca. 44 MUHIBAH The Arabs that came to the Malay archipelago to trade spices would make Brunei their port of call. Fast forward to the present day, you will see how remnants of that trading have lodged itself into Brunei’s cultural realm. Those same spices have come full circle and used not only for local cooking, but extend into healing therapies unique to Brunei and the South East Asian region. Visitors may explore the spas in major hotels that highlight the use of these historically traded spices in various indulging and relaxing treatments. It is also a good time to familiarise yourself with the local coffee shops, or ‘kopitiam’. Brunei’s kopitiam revive the art of coffeehouses that thrive in many early Muslim civilisations. Where once coffee beans were chewed to keep worshippers alert at night, Brunei has taken the coffee concept and localised it to reflect the country’s cultural diaspora. Of course, other mainstream attractions are there too for the traveller to explore, such as the Royal Regalia Building, Brunei Museum and Ulu Temburong National Park. Brunei is an easy country for one to have a shariah-compliant vacation. From the airlines to hotels and local businesses, Brunei’s everyday lifestyle centres around putting Islam first and everything else second. Royal Brunei, for instance, is the only South East Asian airline that maintains an alcohol-free environment. It is for these reasons that the country is poised to capture the huge halal travel market and remain among one of the top destinations for the Muslim vacationer. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 45 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI Idaman Destinasi Negara Brunei Darussalam untuk percutian halal terulung. Teks ANIS RAMLI Imej DAVID KIRKLAND/BRUNEI TOURISM 46 MUHIBAH JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 47 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI 48 MUHIBAH Pelancongan Halal kini semakin hangat diperkatakan dalam industri pelancongan. Segmen pelancongan Muslim dianggarkan bernilai AS$140 bilion dollar pada tahun 2013, mewakili hampir 13 peratus perbelanjaan pelancongan dunia. Negara Brunei Darussalam adalah salah sebuah negara yang kini semakin menonjol dalam menceburi segmen pelancongan halal. Dengan umat Islam seramai 1.8 billion orang di seluruh dunia dan berpotensi membelanjakan AS$181 bilion menjelang tahun 2018, Brunei semestinya akan meraih untung menembusi pasaran lumayan yang semakin berkembang ini. Dengan reputasi sebagai sebuah negara Islam yang dikenali di seluruh dunia, kebanyakkan produk dan perkhidmatan pelancongan Brunei sudahpun menepati Syariah manakala yang lain kini dalam proses mengambil kira kehendak dan keperluan unik pelancong beragama Islam. Pendek kata, Brunei dengan mudah merupakan pilihan destinasi yang menarik, bukan sahaja buat pelancong Muslim malah sesiapa sahaja yang berminat untuk melawat sebuah negara Islam yang moden dan toleran. Masjid-masjid indah yang agung dengan rekabentuk unik bercirikan budaya dan senibina tempatan boleh ditemui dengan mudah di seluruh negara ini. Masjid-masjid yang lebih besar dan terkenal, seperti Masjid Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, juga menawarkan lawatan berpandu kepada pelancong Muslim dan juga mereka dari agama lain untuk mengenali sejarah dan senibinanya. Terletak di tengah-tengah ibu negara Bandar Seri Begawan, Masjid Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin merupakan titik tolak terbaik untuk para pelancong memahami kedudukan Islam dalam konteks kebudayaan tempatan serta peranannya dalam kehidupan masyarakat setempat. Pelancongan halal tidak terbatas kepada lawatan di masjid sahaja. Sebagai destinasi yang mesra Islam, Brunei mengambil kira faktor-faktor pelancongan lain dalam abad ke-21, namun masih tetap berasaskan Al-Qur’an serta ajaran Sunnah. Semua hotel tempatan menyediakan panduan arah Kiblat dan sejadah, serta ada yang menyediakan kitab suci Al-Qur’an. Malah peti sejuk dalam semua bilik hotel juga bebas dari sebarang minuman keras. Panduan waktu solat terkandung dalam semua penerbitan tempatan untuk memudahkan orang ramai menjalankan ibadat. Muhibah, majalah dalam Penerbangan DiRaja Brunei yang berprestij, disediakan untuk semua tetamu hotel-hotel mewah dan turut mengandungi panduan waktu solat untuk rujukan mudah. Surau ada disediakan di semua tarikan pelancong utama. Dan semua syarikat pemandu pelancong yang beroperasi di Brunei juga peka pada waktu solat untuk kemudahan para pelancong Muslim menjalankan ibadat. Pada setiap hari Jumaat, hari yang mulia dalam Islam, semua perniagaan akan tutup ketika waktu solat Jumaat sebagai tanda hormat. Ini termasuklah restoran dan kedai-kedai makan lain (namun tetamu hotel tetap dibenarkan membuat pesanan ke bilik), sekaligus memberikan para pelancong satu lagi pengalaman unik tentang amalan umat Islam Brunei dalam menjalankan ibadat seharian. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 49 Pete Wong FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI Tidak kira di restoran mewah atau di tepi jalan, makanan halal boleh diperolehi di mana-mana sahaja di seluruh negara dan pilihannya luas dan menyelerakan. Semua restoran makanan segera dan francais antarabangsa juga memiliki pensijilan halal. Pengunjung Muslim yang melawat negara ini ketika bulan Ramadhan akan mudah mencari tempat-tempat untuk berbuka puasa serta dapat mengunjungi bazar Ramadhan. Hotel-hotel utama turut menyediakan santapan sahur, manakala hidangan iftar yang ditawarkan pula sememangnya sesuatu pengalaman tersendiri yang tidak boleh dilepaskan. Bagi mereka yang meminati budaya dan sejarah tamadun Islam, tentunya Brunei akan dapat menyemarakkan lagi minat mereka ini. Negara ini begitu kaya dengan ciri-ciri sejarah Islam. Para pengunjung akan dapat mengalaminya apabila melawat Kampong Ayer yang tersohor. Perkampungan rumah air di Sungai Brunei ini telah lama dianggap sebagai tapak di mana lahirnya tamadun Brunei. Di sinilah tempat di mana Islam mula bertapak di 50 MUHIBAH Brunei, dan ia juga salah satu pelabuhan penting untuk kapal-kapal dagang yang menyusuri Selat Melaka. Para pedagang Arab yang mengunjungi kepulauan Melayu untuk mencari rempah ratus menjadikan Brunei salah satu pelabuhan yang wajib disinggah. Kesan peninggalan dagangan mereka dapat dilihat dalam budaya tempatan Brunei sehingga ke hari ini. Rempah ratus yang sama bukan sahaja digunakan dalam masakan tempatan, malah juga digunakan untuk pelbagai terapi tradisional yang unik di Brunei dan juga rantau Asia Tenggara. Para pengunjung boleh memanjakan diri dengan melawat spa di hotel-hotel utama di negara ini yang mengenengahkan rempah-rempah dagangan sama dalam pelbagai jenis rawatan yang menenangkan. Ini juga masa terbaik untuk para pelawat mengenali kedai-kedai kopi tempatan, juga dikenali sebagai ‘kopitiam’. Kedaikedai ini menghidupkan kembali nostalgia kedai-kedai kopi kecil yang popular dalam tamadun-tamadun Islam awal. Di mana dahulunya biji kopi dikunyah oleh mereka yang menjalankan ibadah di waktu malam, Brunei telah mengambil konsep kopi ini dan menyetempatkannya dengan citarasa tersendiri. Terdapat pelbagai pilihan tarikan perdana lain untuk diterokai para pelancong, seperti Bangunan Alat Kebesaran Diraja, Museum Brunei dan Taman Negara Ulu Temburong. Pete Wong Cukup mudah untuk merancang percutian yang menepati Syariah di Brunei. Dari syarikat penerbangan, hingga ke hotel-hotel, serta perniagaan tempatan, kehidupan harian di negara ini sememangnya sudah berpaksikan ajaran Islam. Sebagai contoh, Penerbangan DiRaja Brunei merupakan satu-satunya syarikat penerbangan di rantau Asia Tenggara yang tidak menawarkan minuman keras. Inilah antara sebab utama mengapa negara ini dalam kedudukan terbaik untuk menakluk pasaran pelancongan halal dan terus kekal antara destinasi utama yang menjadi pilihan pelancong Muslim dari seluruh dunia. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 51 LIFESTYLE MOTORING 52 MUHIBAH The Holland & Holland Range Rover builds upon the strengths of the two iconic British brands to provide the perfect vehicle for customers. Thanks to the skill and craftsmanship of the team at Special Vehicle Operations, the new car is able to combine the unrivalled off-road capability of the Range Rover with an extensive range of bespoke features. Both Land Rover and Holland & Holland hold Royal Warrants and the collaboration between them has resulted in the most luxurious, and most expensive, Range Rover ever. Based on the Range Rover Autobiography Black, the summit of the Land Rover model portfolio, the new model has been designed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), which will build 40 units per year over a three-year period. The collaboration demonstrates the new division’s rapidly growing and ambitious repertoire of high-end luxury bespoke commissions, as well as extreme performance vehicles. Fit PURPOSE John Edwards, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said, “The whole SVO team is very proud of this car, a bespoke design, which perfectly meets the very particular needs of Holland & Holland’s customers. This shows the huge potential of SVO, which encapsulates both off- and on-road performance as well as luxury and craftsmanship.” for Land Rover unveils its most expensive vehicle ever. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 53 LIFESTYLE MOTORING gunstock checkering and the exquisite engraving of the centre console panel has been inspired by Holland & Holland’s distinctive forend diamonds. The Holland & Holland Range Rover is available with a choice of powertrains: the diesel-powered 4.4-litre SDV8, which delivers 339PS and the 510PS petrolpowered 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged. Both SVO and Holland & Holland represent the very pinnacle of craftsmanship, and the new car is where their collective skills combine. It is instantly discernable from a distance, even among other Range Rovers, thanks to the unique Holland & Holland Green of the full bodywork, mirrors and bonnet vent. The grille is painted in the same deep green and has chrome highlights. Holland & Holland badging can be found on the lower accent door badges of both long and standard wheelbase versions, as well as on the tailgate. On the inside, the Range Rover Autobiography Black has been tailored to accommodate the lifestyle pursuits of Holland & Holland’s customers. The Executive Class seating package in the long wheelbase car makes the most of the additional 186mm (7.3 inches) of legroom and 17 degrees recline available to the rear seat passengers. Two individual fully adjustable seats are complemented by an extended and re- 54 MUHIBAH designed centre console with electrically deployable walnut tables, integrated USB charging sockets, enhanced stowage and bespoke lighting. In the Holland & Holland car, the interior is upholstered with the softest tan and espresso leather hides, with precision leather detailing including Holland & Holland embroidery on the front seats. Even the sides of the transmission tunnel are trimmed in the same shade of leather. This is perfectly complemented by the sustainably-sourced French walnut veneer, subtly polished to resemble the oil-finished gunstocks for which Holland & Holland’s craftsmen have been famous since the company’s foundation in 1835. To mark this, their logo is inlaid into the front centre console. The car’s woodwork is made from a single huge piece of walnut, 1500mm long by 500mm wide, to ensure that every veneer is perfectly matched. The engraver’s art is well represented too, with Holland & Holland’s brand-defining acanthus scroll turning the internal door handles into works of art. The fascia letterbox panels are decorated with What really sets the new Holland & Holland Range Rover apart, though, is located in the boot. A stunning leathertrimmed aluminium loadspace cabinet - debossed with the Holland & Holland logo - has been designed especially for this car. Its espresso Alcantaratrimmed interior can be precisely fitted to safely transport the owner of the car’s pair of Holland & Hollands –although it is also removable when maximum luggage capacity is required. It sits on a deployable loadspace floor, engineered from aluminium and carbon fibre and finished with leather and wood veneer. The floor components are machined and cut to produce a unique platform that slides out with a perfectly damped action, to ensure that the cabinet is easily accessible, even when the tailgate is open. The sliding floor is also designed to be load-bearing so that it can still be sat upon when owners wish to change their footwear or stop for a brief picnic. When floor and box are in their travel position, they sit low and well back in the boot to ensure that there is still plenty of room for luggage or sports equipment. Daryl Greatrex, managing director of Holland & Holland, commented: “This project represents two great British brands working together to produce a car that perfectly represents our shared brand values. Stunning form and perfect functionality unite in a car that is supremely fit for purpose.” LIFESTYLE IN PERSON Homeboy Wu Chun speaks to Muhibah on being Brand Ambassador to Royal Brunei Ailrines and his New Year plans. Brunei BRAND JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 55 LIFESTYLE IN PERSON How and why did you become Royal Brunei’s brand ambassador? As an artiste, there were instances where foreign media wanted to come to Brunei to interview me. That’s when I approached Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) to sponsor air tickets. Also, I run a wellness club in Brunei and started a Loyalty Programme where I collaborated with RB for their frequent flyer 56 MUHIBAH programme Royal Skies. So RB and I had collaborated long before I was appointed as their Brand Ambassador. Honestly, I have been a Brand Ambassador for several brands overseas such as Levis, Taiwan Tourism, Coca Cola, etc, but none of this was from my homeland Brunei. I’m a Bruneian. I wanted to do something for my country. So I gladly accepted the offer when the opportunity came to be RB’s brand ambassador. What are some of the collaborations you’ve done with Royal Brunei since? We went to Shanghai to do a few press conferences to raise RB’s presence and profile. We will be going to a few other cities to promote RB in conjunction with RB’s celebration of its 40-year anniversary of establishment. This is quite an achievement for Brunei’s national carrier. What does the role of being Brand Ambassador entail? I hope to promote Brunei’s culture: our warmth, hospitality, simplicity, friendliness, etc. I would like to promote tourism to Brunei. With the launch of RB’s new fleet of B787 Dreamliner this is an opportune time for me to promote RB and my country – Brunei. In the activities you’ve worked with as Brand Ambassador, how much input do you give to Royal Brunei – do you communicate your thoughts and ideas before launching on a programme together? I travel frequently, and I am in contact with my fans, the people, culture, etc of many countries. When RB plans for a promotion in a certain city/destination, I will contribute to help them understand better the people and culture there. But I should say my working relationship with RB is a two-way communication. I have been constantly inspired by RB’s ideas and concepts, too. How do you find balance between being an artiste and an ambassador for the airline? I guess it’s a matter of time management. As an artiste, a business entrepreneur, and having my own young family, I always plan ahead and share my schedule with RB. From there, we plan our activities. How do you think your experience as an artiste add value to the Royal Brunei brand? As an artiste, I constantly live and hope to set a good example as a role model. Before I was a celebrity I follow my idols’ behaviour and lifestyle, and I know how they influenced me. Now that I have a fan base, I want to promote good values. For instance, giving to charity. Fans used to give me presents, but I told them not to and instead save and channel the money to charity. When they donate money to charity organisations, they get the receipts and pass them to me. So I’m accumulating these receipts as presents from fans to keep me going. I have also written a book, a biography – Ignite Courage. Through this book, I hope to inspire individuals to strive in overcoming any obstacles to achieve their dreams and not take what we already have for granted. in some countries this year and most importantly, I hope to involve myself with more charity projects in 2015! I am like all Bruneians. I place great emphasis on family and I am amazed at how RB has created a working culture where everyone treats each other like family. In short, I hope to maximise my time for meaningful things and contribute in small ways like these to make this world a better place to live. Anything you like to say to your fans? I hope everyone can feel RB’s sincerity from their beautiful smiles. It may not be ranked as the top airline, but it is sincere in wanting to improve and provide their best to their customers. What do you think when you think of Royal Brunei and what’s your favourite destination? Since young, my father used to take us travelling. These have turned out to be very good experiences. The experiences have enriched my life, widened my vision and given me lots of inspiration. Since young, we travelled on RB. As I grew, RB also grew. Today they are 40 years old. Over the years, I have seen how RB has grown and improved. I am touched. As RB is going through a rebranding exercise, I hope to help to bring RB to greater heights, and to promote our unique Bruneian culture to the world. Brunei is a beautiful and peaceful country with plentiful natural attractions. Simple lifestyle, less commercialised. Come to Brunei to relax, enjoy the simple and tranquil lifestyle, be amazed at the beautiful and natural landscape and savour the delicious cuisine. Melbourne is one of my favourite destinations. I studied there. Now I travel with my family to Melbourne once a year to renew the good memories I had there. My wish is to travel around the world with my family one day. What can we expect this year from you both from your role as RB’s Brand Ambassador and your personal projects? I did a TV Show called Daddy Is Back with my precious daughter last year and there will be a new movie which will be released soon. I’ll work with RB to do promotions Your New Year’s resolution and plans for the Lunar New Year? My motto in life: Never give up. Never stop learning. As we usher in a new year, forget the past, stay positive and strive forward. Festive seasons are special to us. Bruneians love to preserve our tradition and culture and show our warmth. For the coming Chinese New Year which falls on 19 February, I will start with playing Chinese New Year songs and decorate my home in red. During this time, we will dress up in new clothes, visit loved ones, relatives and friends and enjoy the offerings of open houses, etc. Festive celebrations are celebrated in generosity and a big way here in Brunei. Even my foreign friends who visited me in Brunei can attest to that. So join us. Make your holiday plans and come to Brunei! JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 57 LIFESTYLE THE BUZZ SMART COVER Contemporary British brand London Undercover provides a distinguished way to stay dry and dapper on rainy days. This impeccable Britishmade umbrella blends old-school craftsmanship with of-the-moment styles, like this King of Clubs print with traditional beech wood shaft and handle. www.londonundercover.co.uk REFINED ART Diehard watch WHAT’S NEW Highlights and trends from around the globe. fans will attest to H. Moser & Cie’s dedication to timepiece traditions. The company pays tribute to Bucherer, the famous Swiss watch retailer founded in 1888 by creating the Venturer Small Seconds Bucherer Edition. The watch is presented in an 18K white gold case and features an all-new midnight blue fumé dial. www.h-moser.com TRUE BREW Silkenty has generations of master planters that have devoted their time to crafting the best tea. Each silken pyramid tea bag contains ultra-fine quality tea. You can sample the many blends with this gorgeous pyramid gift box packed in premium burlwood and find your favourite flavour. www.silkenty.com 58 MUHIBAH POWER CLEAN BadLab wants to make all man rituals easy and fuss-free. So you’ll fine 3-in-ones, sunscreen that doubles as as a mossie repellant, and cleansers that work on the face and body. Edgy packaging a big plus. badlabco.com/jackpot.php GOOD EARTH Here is an extravirgin olive oil that is not only organic and fair trade, but also produced by beleaguered farmers in Palestine. The Jerusalem Blend Olive Oil is among the many high quality exports from Palestine carried by Canaan Fair Trade. Purchase of this olive oil and other Palestine products from Canaan supports small-scale farmers throughout the West Bank of Palestine. MAKE SCENTS Lavender grown and distilled by Welsh Lavender in Mid Wales goes into this luscious Farmers’ Hand Cream. Refreshing rosemary and peppermint add an amazing earthy scent while other naturally derived ingredients nourish hardworking hands. www.welshlavender.com www.canaanfairtrade.com FAB FOUR We love Miyu Beauty for its pairing of luxurious skincare with artisanal teas. If you’re new to the brand, try its introductory four-piece A Prettea Little Tea Quartet set. It includes two tea samples and two beauty essences to lovingly hydrate and soothe complexions from the inside out. www.miyubeauty.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 59 LIFESTYLE TAKE 5 RECLA M HONG KONG ࡷ ೫ Let not the protests stop you from discovering this energetic and ever changing city. g ࡷ ೫ 60 MUHIBAH Elizabeth Tan SE E DO Quote “Muhibah” Discount Code when at Print House or buy online at www.print-house.hk for exclusive reader 20% discount. Love it or hate it, the Observation Wheel next to Central waterfront is here to stay. Why not just enjoy the ride? In 20 minutes, you get to see the magnificent Hong Kong skyline from 60 metres high in a comfy gondola with built-in wifi so you can share your experience instantly with the folks back home. Valid till 31 March, 2015. SH O See Hong Kong through a jaw-dropping aerial tour. The Peninsula, Hong Kong’s ‘Grand Dame’, provides a whirlwind 15-minutes helicopter tour that takes in the incredible sights of Hong Kong Island. Your departure point for the chopper ride will be at the China Clipper, a swanky lounge on the hotel’s 30th floor that houses an impressive collection of aviation memorabilia. P A new shop opening every other week means there are plenty of gems to be found. Your best bet is a bespoke experience. Try London’s Rigby & Peller for stylish lingerie shopping with stellar service. Or, bring back an original at Print House in Stanley Market. This DIY t-shirt outfit lets you decide your own creation and sure beats buying off the rack! ST AY Hunger for slice of old Hong Kong? Hullet House takes you back to colonial romance through all its 10 bespoke suites. Expect rich Chinese heritage; each suite with its own terrace, sweeping gardens, a polish service from staff all around, all packaged in a historic 19th century white-stucco building. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Hong Kong daily. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 61 LIFESTYLE TRAVEL DIARY BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 23 WHAT’S ON Feb 31ST NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION A world of adventure and new experiences await you when you fly with Royal Brunei Airlines. Make your trip even more memorable with free flights, seat upgrades and other privileges with Royal Skies, our frequent flyer programme. It’s always fun to watch how Brunei celebrates its national day. Rough the crowd to catch a glimpse of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as he delivers his annual message in Bandar Seri Begawan. Then treat yourself to the parade of colourful floats and performances as reward for your patience. www.bruneitourism.travel HONG KONG 19 Feb So, what is good about being a Royal Skies member? Earn up to 1,000 bonus Royal Skies Miles upon registration Earn miles when you dine, stay, travel and lots more with our exclusive partners Enjoy special privileges when you become Elite Silver or Gold members Miles can be exchanged for flight redemptions, upgrades and baggage allowances Free air tickets, upgrades, and lots more Signing up is free! Find out how you can enrol, earn and enjoy more benefits and privileges with our Royal Skies Partners at www.flyroyalbrunei.com/royalskies CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE Hong Kong does Chinese New Year in style. Tsim Sha Tsui is the place to be this year, as floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances spill out to the street under the moonlit sky. Be armed for a torrent of sounds and colours. www.discoverhongkong.com 9-12 MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY FAIR Head over to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to check out what’s hot in Spring jewellery. Be the first to discover the season’s hottest trends and styles and get the chance to speak to the experts on your choice of stones. There’ll also be workshops, free jewellery cleaning services, a fashion show and a private tea party where diamonds will dazzle. www.mijf.com.my MALAYSIA 62 MUHIBAH Jan Stéphane Sednaoui UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 6-28 Feb DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL Now til 8 A pop-up Beach Canteen, a food truck lunchtime market, mystery dining tours, a food carnival and street food events. This is what you can expect of the city-wide Dubai Food Festival. So mark your calendar and prepare to discover Emirati, homegrown, multicultural and international cuisine at your leisure. Feb SINGAPORE 17-25 www.dubaifoodfestival.com Jan THE FASHION WORLD OF JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SINGAPORE ART WEEK Art enthusiasts, pay attention! With close to 100 events, including blockbuster art fairs, thoughtprovoking art exhibitions, as well as exciting gallery openings, you will find your senses captivated. There will be a myriad of activities such as art walks, block parties, and riveting art discussions during the 9-day event. Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria pays homage to the unconventional and playful designs of French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier. From haute couture to ready-to-wear, 140 superbly crafted garments will be on display together with photographs, sketches, stage costumes and short video excerpts. www.ngv.vic.gov.au www.artweek.sg AUSTRALIA UNITED KINGDOM HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW This is your last chance to catch the most magical snowfall of the season. Harry Potter’s world gets a festive makeover at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. See the famous castle blanketed in snow, the Great Hall comes to live with real props from the movie, and see how magic is created for the holidays. www.wbstudiotour.co.uk Now til 1 Feb JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 63 WELCOME ONBOARD SELAMAT DATANG Selamat Datang means ‘Welcome’ in Malay, and your seamless journey begins here. Business Class The Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Dreamliner Business Class cabin features “Contour” seats that reclines to a 180 degree flat bed, along with a plush duvet and larger pillow, offer a peaceful rest. Each seat is equiped with a 15.4 touchscreen LCD Monitor with Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system; as well as in seat power connecter. The Business Class cabin lavatories are also equipped with bidets for passengers convenience. Economy Class Comfort Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Dreamliner Economy cabin offers comfortable seats with semiarticulating recline and adjustable headrest, and with very spacious leg-rooms for passengers comfort. Each seat is intergrated with the Eco 9-Inch personal touch screen monitors filled with great entertainment content. Each seat also comes with a USB port as well as shared power supply. and relax with our overhead movie screens. For more information, please contact your nearest Royal Brunei Airlines office. Cuisine Everything we serve has been carefully SkyShow Inflight Entertainment Royal Brunei’s SkyShow Entertainment system gives passengers a number of entertainment options throughout their flight. A library of hit movies, classic Hollywood films and TV and audio programmes for all ages are available onboard. Refer to the Impian entertainment guide located in the seat pocket in front of you for the list of movies, TV and audio programmes. For Business Class seats; the sockets for earphones and channel/volume remote control are located in your seat armrest. Seatback-mounted personal screens are only available on our Boeing 787s. Elsewhere, passengers can avail our service, sit back chosen for freshness and flavour. In fact, there’s nothing you can’t enjoy even when dining at 35,000 feet. Our award winning menu has been meticulously created by our Royal Brunei Catering chefs, combining both Western and Oriental flavours using the best seasonal and fresh produce available. For our Business Class passengers on long-haul flights, you can now select your desired meal times. Our ‘Dine upon Request’ service is available throughout the flight up until 90 minutes before landing. Passengers on all classes also enjoy our ‘Food Fit to Fly by’ service menu that features healthier and lighter meal options, complemented by our award-winning cabin service from our crew. 1970s 1980s FLYING HIGH > The maiden Royal Brunei Airlines flight to Singapore left Bandar Seri Begawan on a Boeing 737-200 on 14 May, 1975. > RB added a Boeing 737, the quick change convertible aircraft, to its fleet. This aircraft allowed for either an all-passenger or an all-cargo configuration, or a combination of both. As Brunei Darussalam’s national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines serves not only as the coming of age of this tiny Sultanate, but today cements itself as a serious competitor in the region. > Two Boeing 737 aircraft were put into service flying five times a week to Singapore, two times to Hong Kong, and seven times to Kota Kinabalu. > RB accepted the delivery of its Boeing 757 aircraft that featured a redesigned livery combining Brunei’s traditional royal colours on 16 May, 1986. 64 MUHIBAH > Services to Bangkok and Manila were added. Special Meals Royal Brunei offers a variety of tasty culinary solutions to suit our passengers’ special dietary requirements. Special meals can be ordered when you make your reservation; please confirm your request at least 24 hours before boarding your flight. Alcohol-free Environment Policy Royal Brunei Airlines operates alcohol-free flights to all destinations. Hand Luggage For your safety and comfort, you may store your hand luggage in the overhead lockers or under the seat in front of you. Please do not hesitate to ask our cabin crew for help in stowing your luggage properly. Be careful when opening the overhead luggage compartments, as items dislodged by aircraft movement may fall on you or fellow passengers. Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAG) Various countries have implemented restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in compliance with new guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Passengers transiting through airports and carrying any liquids, pastes and gels in containers over 100ml may be asked to dispose of the items at security checkpoints. These restrictions may affect your ability to carry duty-free purchases onboard the aircraft. Customers are advised to check with duty free personnel before making their purchases. All liquids, aerosols and gels must be carried in containers of no greater than 100ml/3.3oz capacity (approximately 100gm in weight) and placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag. The plastic bag must be removed from carry on baggage and presented to security personnel at the checkpoint for inspection and separate x-ray screening. Exceptions to the new regulations are medicines and dietary supplements needed during a flight, including baby food. Proof of need may be required. Use of Electronic Equipment Mobile phones cannot be used at any time during the flight. They should be switched off as soon as the cabin crew makes the announcement. Other electronic devices included in this list are: Citizen’s band (CB) radio, remote-controlled devices (such as 1990s 2000s 2010s > RB took delivery of the first of three leased Boeing 767200ER aircraft in June 1990 and set a long distance world record for twin-engine commercial airlines. > RB took delivery of two new Airbus A319 aircraft in August and September 2003. > In October 2012, RB launched a rebranding journey with a new logo and livery. > Two more Airbus A320s were delivered in December 2003 and January 2004. > RB launched “A betterfly”, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and commenced its first commercial flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to Singapore on 18 October, 2013, followed by flights to Dubai and London on 1 December, 2013 and to Melbourne on 2 April, 2014. > The delivery of Boeing 767-200ER aircraft enabled RB’s route to extend to London Gatwick in November 1990. > Twice-weekly flights to London Heathrow began in May 1991. The route became a daily service on 1 December, 1996. > RB employed the use of a Fokker 50 aircraft to service Miri and Labuan in Malaysia, two destinations that were significant to the growth of Brunei’s oil and gas industry. > The opportunity to expand regional connections saw RB establishing a service to Surabaya in 1997. > In January 2010, RB introduced Royal Brunei Holidays, a revamp of its Golden Touch Holidays, which offers passengers value-for-money holiday packages available locally and abroad. > Direct services to Shanghai were re-launched in March 2010. > RB’s newly-leased Boeing 777-200ER aircraft took off on its first commercial flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to London via Dubai in June 2010. > RB unveiled its new heritage-inspired uniforms on 21 February, 2014. > RB commenced four-times weekly flights to Melbourne in March 2011. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 65 WELCOME ONBOARD radio-controlled toys), and transmitting devices that emit radio frequencies. These devices may interfere with the aircraft’s electronic equipment, compromising aircraft safety and endangering the lives of passengers and crew. The following devices may be used on board, except during take-off, initial climb, approach and landing: Personal computers, FM receivers, calculators, electronic shavers, audio and video recorders, hand-held computer games, and playback devices. of spares are recommended as carry on baggage. All spare units must be in the original packaging or packed to insulate the terminals. Medium and large nonrechargeable must be carried as cargo/ freight in accordance with current Dangerous Goods Regulations. High-Powered batteries are not permitted onboard passenger aircraft. Information of safe carriage of lithium batteries on-board RB flights are also available at the RB websites www.bruneiair.com. Lithium Batteries Non-smoking Policy The abundant stored energy that makes lithium batteries practical also makes them dangerous when they are not packed and carried properly. Royal Brunei takes the initiatives to increase the safety onboard with the carriage limitations (from industry initiatives, ICAO and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations guidance) to mitigate against the risks of the hazards. Royal Brunei Airlines operates non-smoking flights to all destinations. Low and medium powered rechargeable batteries in equipment and limited quantity Reconfirmation Reconfirmation is not required except for passengers travelling to and from the Middle East. Please reconfirm your departure flight at least 72 hours in advance with the local Royal Brunei Airlines office or your travel agent. Failure to do so could result in the cancellation of your reservations. Online Booking Fly through the airport. You can now book online at www.flyroyalbrunei.com, check in online and print your own electronic ticket (e-ticket). Online check in is available 24 hours before flight departure and closes 60 minutes before departure time. Check In Check in counters at the Brunei International Airport are open three hours before flight departure. Passengers are advised to check in at least two hours before departure to allow for security and baggage checks. Check in counters will be closed 45 minutes before departure, after which no boarding passes will be issued. Royal Brunei Airlines also advises its passengers to reach the boarding gate 20 minutes before the flight departs to avoid missing their flights. Passenger Comments Your comments and suggestions will help us enhance our services. Please e-mail us at: [email protected]. BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Brunei International Airport’s computerised passenger and cargo handling facilities can handle 1.5 million passengers and 50,000 tonnes of cargo a year. Among the facilities offered at the airport are a prayer room, telephones and internet services, restaurants, a viewing gallery and day rooms for transit passengers who want to rest or freshen up before their flight. For customers’ comfort and convenience, Royal Brunei Airlines’ Service Centre and SkyLounge are both located on the departure level. The former is a one-stop centre providing 66 MUHIBAH services such as reservations, ticketing and booking of tour packages. Customers who book online can get their tickets at the SkyLounge before departure. Royal Skies members may also redeem their miles here. For Royal Brunei’s Business Class passengers and Royal Skies’ Gold and Silver members, the SkyLounge boasts plush seating for 120 people. Complimentary massage chairs, shower rooms, ablution areas, and widescreen plasma televisions are also available. Duty-free shops offer consumer goods at competitive prices. There are several outlets, including a money changer located at the main departure/transit hall. On sale are portable electrical goods with international warranties, designer goods, perfumes and confectionery. Brunei International Airport is a smoke-free airport. Brunei International Airport is also currently undergoing a modernisation programme to upgrade its facilities and allow for a smoother journey for passengers along with expansion for traffic growth. Airport renovations are expected to be completed by November 2014. STAYING FIT At Royal Brunei Airlines, your health, safety and comfort is of prime importance to us. For your general well-being onboard our flights, we would recommend the basic inflight exercises. Ankle circles While seated, raise one foot and draw a circle with your toes. Rotate clockwise for 15 seconds and repeat the same counterclockwise. Repeat with the other foot. You can do one foot at a time or both simultaneously. Knee lifts Lift and hug your knee to your chest as close as you can. Hold for 15 seconds. Alternate knee. Repeat 10-15 times for each knee. Shoulder roll Relax shoulders then hunch them forward. Rotate gently 10-15 times. Neck roll With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and back, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times. Upper back flex Stretch hands forward, then pull back slowly as far as possible. Repeat 10-15 times. Trunk flex With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs toward your ankles. Hold stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up. TRAVELLER’S GUIDE Brunei Visitor Information Visas* Austrian, German, Malaysian, Singaporean, British nationals with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and New Zealand nationals are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. American passport holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for three months without visas. For nationals of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Republic of Maldives, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and The Principality of Liechtenstein — visas are waived for 14day visits. Nationals of Australia are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 30 days. All other visitors entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic mission abroad. These visas are normally issued for a two-week stay but can be renewed in Brunei. Visitors must hold onward tickets and sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country. N.B. For more details, please contact your nearest Brunei Embassy or diplomatic representative. Currency Bearer Negotiation Instrument Declaration Passengers entering or leaving Brunei who carry physical currency or bearer negotiable instruments valued at BND15,000 or more are required to complete a declaration form and submit it to a customs officer (if arriving in Brunei) or an immigration officer (if departing Brunei). Duty-free Allowance* The import of the following products is subject to restrictions imposed by Brunei’s Customs and Excise Department. Cigarettes: Passengers will be charged duty on cigarettes of $0.25 tax per stick, equal to $5 per pack of 20 sticks of cigarette, and $50 for one carton of 10 packs. Other tobacco products - Import duty on other tobacco products has increased significantly. Passengers will be charged duty for the import of tobacco products. Alcohol: Non-Muslim passengers may bring in two bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of beer for personal consumption only; and a reasonable quantity of perfumes. Transportation The airport is about 11km from the capital. Taxis, car rentals and buses are available. Currency The Brunei dollar is on a par with the Singapore dollar, which is also accepted in Brunei. Banks, hotels and many department stores will cash traveller’s cheques. Language Malay is the official language but English is widely used. Other languages include Chinese and its dialect variants and other indigenous dialects. Although the official religion is Islam, other faiths including Christianity and Buddhism are practised. Clothing Light clothing is advisable as the climate is generally warm and humid. Women are requested to dress modestly in keeping with local customs. * The visa and duty-free allowances are provided as a guideline and may change without notice. Health Doctors provide private medical services for a nominal charge. There are a number of state health clinics and hospitals. Credit Cards Hotels, department stores and other major establishments generally accept all internationally known credit cards. Tipping Optional. Some hotels add a 10 per cent service charge to their room rates. Telephones Overseas calls can be made from hotel rooms through the operator, or via international direct dialling (IDD). There are also coin and phonecard operated public telephones. Utilities Power supply is 220 - 240v, 50 cycles. The PAL and NTSC systems are used by local television. Tap water is generally safe to drink although some take the precaution of boiling it. Media Radio Television Brunei has nightly news bulletins and a range of popular entertainment in both English and Malay. Cable network and Malaysian television programmes can also be received. There are three local daily newspapers namely: Borneo Bulletin (English), The Brunei Times (English) and Media Permata (Malay). Other regional and international publications are also available at newstands. Food For the adventurous, the food stalls offer Malay favourites, such as satay (barbecued meat on a skewer) and local dishes prepared with curry or coconut milk. Chinese, European and Indian cuisines are also available. All F&B businesses, including hotel restaurants, close for Friday prayer 12pm to 2pm. For hotel guests, room service dining operates as usual. Hotels Accommodation in the capital ranges from international standard to middle range hotels. Service apartments are also available at reasonable rates. Shopping Department stores and shops offer goods ranging from cosmetics and stereos to local handicrafts such as the keris (an ornamental dagger), miniature brass cannons, and kain tenunan, a cloth woven with gold or silver threads. Festivals and Celebrations National Day, 23 February, Hari Raya, the end of the Muslim fasting month, and His Majesty The Sultan’s birthday, 15 July. Other public holidays include Chinese Lunar New Year and Christmas. Customs and Courtesy • In mosques, visitors should remove their shoes and should not pass in front of people at prayer. A woman should ensure that her head, knees and arms are covered before entering mosques. Robes are provided at the entrance to the mosque. • A Bruneian shakes hands lightly and brings his hands to his chest. Members of the opposite sex do not shake hands. • It is impolite to point with the index finger (use the right thumb instead) or to beckon someone with fingers and palm facing upwards. Instead the whole hand should be waved with palm facing downwards. The right fist should never be smacked into the left palm. • Gifts, particularly food, are passed with the right hand. JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 67 WELCOME ONBOARD ROUTE MAP & DESTINATIONS London Jeddah Dubai Shanghai Hong Kong Bangkok Ho Chi Minh City Manila Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur Bandar Seri Begawan Singapore Jakarta Surabaya Bali CODESHARE AIRLINES Melbourne 68 MUHIBAH AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE (MEL) TULLAMARINE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 22 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus AUD16 • Taxi AUD85 Airport Tax AUD38 Currency Australian Dollar (AUD) Language English GMT +10 RB OFFICE Level 10, 45 William Street Melbourne, VIC 3000 T: (61) 3 8651 1000 T: Toll Free Aust wide 1300 721271 E: [email protected] MCH AVIATION HOLDING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Suite 6, 7-9 Mallet Road, Tullamarine Vic 3043 T: (61) 3 8318 5100 / 5109 M: (61) 4 3046 3324 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (BWN) BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 8 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus BND1 • Taxi BND25 Airport Tax BND12, BKI: BND5 Currency Brunei Dollar (BND) Language Malay, Mandarin, Hokkien, English GMT +8 RB OFFICE RBA Plaza, Jalan Sultan Bandar Seri Begawan, BS 8811 T: (673) 2 212 222 / 2 240 500 F: (673) 2 244 737 AIR LOGISTICS SDN BHD Unit 6, Ground Floor Madang Complex, Berakas BC3715, Negara Brunei Darussalam T: (673) 865 7913 CHINA HONG KONG (HKG) CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT Airport-City 32 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi Kowloon HKD300, Hong Kong HKD400 Airport Tax HKD120 Currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) Language Cantonese, Mandarin, English GMT +8 GENERAL SALES AGENT DEKS AIR (HONG KONG) LTD Room 1804-5, Jubilee Centre 18 Fenwick Street, Wanchai T: (852) 2529 3883 F: (852) 2527 7300 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS LIMITED 1205A, 12th Floor, Tower II Cheung Sha Wan Plaza 833 Cheung Sha Wan Road Kowloon, Hong Kong T: (852) 2328 0278 F: (852) 2328 0221 M: (852) 9161 1747 / 9181 9146 SHANGHAI (PVG) PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 35 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus CNY50 • Taxi CNY160 Airport Tax CNY90 Currency Chinese Yuan (CNY) Language Chinese (dialects include Mandarin, Shanghainese) GMT +8 PASSENGER SALES AGENT BEIJING LONGWAY INTERNATIONAL Room 0, 22nd Floor Zhiyuan Building, No.768 Xietu Road, Luwan District Shanghai, China Post code: 200023 T: (86) 21 5302 7288 F: (86) 21 6304 7686 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS GROUP Room 1631, No. 333, North Chengdu Road, Jing’an District Shanghai, China 200040 T: (86) 21 2215 7645 M: (852) 9161 1747 INDONESIA BALI (DPS) NGURAH RAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City approximately 16 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus IDR25,000 • Taxi IDR70,000 - 90,000 Airport Tax IDR150,000 Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) Language Bahasa Indonesia, English GMT +8 GENERAL SALES AGENT PT DEKS AVIATION INTERNUSA Suite #3, Lobby Level, Kuta Paradiso Hotel, Jl Kartika Plaza, Kuta, Tuban Bali (ID) T: (62) 361 757355 F: (62) 361 757785 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS GROUP Wisthi Sabha Builing, 2nd FI Room 19, Ngurah Rai International Airport, Tuban 80361, Bali, Indonesia T: (62) 361 936 3345 F: (62) 361 936 0284 JAKARTA (JKT) SOEKARNO-HATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 50 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus IDR7,000 • Taxi IDR150,000 Airport Tax IDR150,000 Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) Language Bahasa Indonesia, English GMT +7 GENERAL SALES AGENT PT DEKS AVIATION INTERNUSA Wisma Tamara, 6th Floor #668 Jalan Jend Sudirman Kav 24 Jakarta 1290, Indonesia T: (62) 21 520 6338 F: (62) 21 527 9990 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS GROUP Suite 3K, 3rd Floor, Wisma Soewarna, Soewarna Business Park, Block E Lot 1 & 2, Soekarno Hata International Airport, Jakarta 19110, Indonesia T: (62) 21 5591 1311 F: (62) 21 5591 1662 M: (62) 81 2165 799 22 SURABAYA (SUB) JUANDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 17 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi IDR29,500 Airport Tax IDR150,000 Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) Language Bahasa Indonesia, English, Madurese GMT +7 GENERAL SALES AGENT PT DEKS AVIATION INTERNUSA Wisma BII, 6th Floor #606 Jalan Pemuda No: 60-70 Surabaya 60271, Indonesia T: (62) 31 535 6377 F: (62) 31 535 6166 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS GROUP Suite 3K, 3rd Floor Wisma Soewarna, Soewarna Business Park, Block E Lot 1 & 2, Soekarno Hata International Airport, Jakarta 19110, Indonesia T: (62) 21 5591 2839 F: (62) 21 5591 1662 M: (62) 81 653 6501 MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 80 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus Luxury RM25 • Taxi Budget MYR70-80, Limo MYR100-120 Airport Tax MYR51 Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Language Malay, English, Cantonese, Tamil, Mandarin GMT +8 RB OFFICE Lot 25, 1st Floor, UBN Tower (Shangri-la Shopping Arcade) P.O. Box 99, Jln P. Ramlee 50250 Kuala Lumpur T: (60) 3 2070 7166 / 2070 6628 F: (60) 3 2070 6899 E: [email protected] APPLE AVIATION SDN BHD No 57-59 (3FL), Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: (60) 3 2145 2029 / 2143 8877 F: (60) 3 2143 8876 M: (60) 12 388 5319 KOTA KINABALU (BKI) KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 8.5 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi MYR13.50 Airport Tax MYR26 To/ Transit via Brunei: MYR20 Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Language Malay, Mandarin, English GMT +8 RB OFFICE Lot BG - 3B Ground Floor Block B, Komplex KWSP Jalan Karamunsing 8000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah T: (60) 88 242 193 / 6 E: sskkoff@rba.com.bn APPLE AVIATION SDN BHD No 57-59 (3FL), Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: (60) 3 2145 2029 / 2143 8877 F: (60) 3 2143 8876 M: (60) 12 388 5319 PHILIPPINES MANILA (MNL) NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 9 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus PhP13 • Taxi PhP120 Airport Tax PhP750 Currency Philippine Peso (PhP) Language Tagalog, English GMT +8 GENERAL SALES AGENT GLOBAL AIR SERVICES CORPORATION G/F SGV II Bldg, 6758 Ayala Ave, Makati City The Philippines 1200 T: (63) 2 864 0801 to 05 F: (63) 2 891 0435 E: [email protected] AIR CARGO PARTNERS CORPORATION True North GSA Inc., Unit 26 Cargo Village Complex, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Paranaque City Metro Manila, Philippines 1700 T: (63) 2 500 9114 F: (63) 2 854 0244 SAUDI ARABIA JEDDAH (JED) KING ABDUL AZIZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 25 kms (from North Terminal); 15 kms (from South Terminal) Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi SAR50 Airport Tax SAR50 except Haj & Umrah pax, diplomats and escorts for human remains Currency Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) Language Arabic, English, French GMT +3 GENERAL SALES AGENT ELAF AVIATION Al Nakheel Centre, Madina Road Jeddah 21414, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia T: (9662) 665 7143 / 661 2679 / 665 7908 E: [email protected] LEISURE CARGO FZCO Saudi Airline Cargo Terminal Building, Jeddah, K.S.A (SITA DXBFBAB) T: (966) 56 512 5101 M: (966) 56 512 5101 SINGAPORE SINGAPORE (SIN) CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 20 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus SGD1.40 • Taxi SGD18 Airport Tax SGD21 Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD) Language Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil GMT +8 RB OFFICE 81 Clemenceau Avenue #03-13, UE Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 239917 T: (65) 6235 4672 E: [email protected] AIR-ABDA (S) PTE LTD Room 234-236, SATS Airfreight Terminal 3 105 Airport Cargo Road Singapore 819462 Airmail Transit Centre, P.O.Box 0846 Singapore 918154 T: (65) 6543 2290 / 2260 F: (65) 6543 2296 M: (65) 9679 2259 / 9641 0393 / 9651 3944 THAILAND BANGKOK (BKK) SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT Airport-City 25 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus BHT150 • Taxi BHT200-250 Airport Tax BHT700 Currency Baht (BHT) Language Thai, English GMT +7 GENERAL SALES AGENT DEKS AIR THAILAND 4th Floor, C.P. Tower, 313 Silom Road Bangrak 10500, Thailand T: (66) 02 638 3050 F: (66) 02 638 2969 ABDA CARGO INTERNATIONAL 999 Moo 7, B-FZ Cargo Terminal Room 302, 3rd Fl, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangphli. Samutprakarn 10540 Bangkok, Thailand T: (66) 2134 2305 / 6 F: (66) 2134 2307 M: (66) 86 392 1132 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DUBAI (DXB) DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 4 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi AED20 + 50 fils for every 500m Airport Tax AED30 Currency Dirham (AED) Language Arabic, English GMT +4 RB OFFICE Ground Floor Shop No.5 Bu Haleeba Lamcy Building 319 Community, 6B Street Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai T: (971) 4334 4884/686 F: (971) 4334 4585 E: [email protected] LEISURE CARGO Office No 3069, Air Cargo Terminal Building, Dubai Cargo Village, P.O. Box 293051 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (SITA DXBFBLT) T: (971) 4 286 9666 F: (971) 4 286 9995 M: (971) 55 954 6066 Office No. M25 Freight Gate-4, Dubai Airport Free Zone, P.O. Box 54385, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (SITA DXBFBLT) T: (971) 4 299 7924 F: (971) 4 299 7989 M: (971) 55 221 6289 UNITED KINGDOM LONDON (LHR) HEATHROW AIRPORT Airport-City 35 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus GBP7 • Taxi GBP40 Airport Tax F & J Class Pax: GBP80; Y Class Pax: GBP40; PSC: GBP9 Currency Pound Sterling (GBP) Language English GMT +0 RB OFFICE 49 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2ED, England, United Kingdom T: (44) 207 584 6660 E: [email protected] AIR LOGISTICS LIMITED Cargo Terminal 4, East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2SA (SITA LONALXH) T: (44) 0 1332 850021 / 7885 875184 F: (44) 0 1332 811961 E: airlogistics@airlogistics. co.uk / operations@ airlogistics.co.uk / [email protected] 2nd Floor Building 558, Shoreham Road West, Heathrow Airport Hounslow, Middlesex TW6 3RN T: (44) 0 208 759 8686 F: (44) 0 208 990 9005 M: (44) 7713 506614 E: [email protected] VIETNAM HO CHI MINH CITY (SGN) TAN SON NHAT AIRPORT Airport-City 7 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus VND2,000 • Taxi VND50,000 Airport Tax USD14 Currency Vietnam Dong (VND) Language Vietnamese, Mandarin, English, French GMT +7 GENERAL SALES AGENT DEKS AIR VIETNAM SERVICE Ground Floor Citilight Tower 45 Vo Thi Sau St., Dakao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T: (84) 8 3820 7327 F: (84) 8 3820 7329 E: [email protected] 7th Floor, 163 Ba Trieu St. Ba Trieu St., Le Dai Hanh Ward Hai Ba Trung Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam T: (84) 4 3820 2828 F: (84) 4 3974 3595 AIR CARGO LOGISTICS VIETNAM CO. LTD Air Logistics Limited, Room 06 2nd Floor, New TCS Building 46-48 Hau Giang Str., Ward 4 Ho Chi Minh City T: (84) 8 3848 8567 M: (84) 9 0380 7939 Air Cargo Logistics Vietnam - HCM City, Unit 206 - New TCS Building, 46 Hau Giang Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T: (84) 8 7305 0988 Ext 8400 F: (84) 8 3547 0004 Room 1308A, 13rd Floor, Dao Duy Anh Tower, No. 9 Dao Duy Anh Street, Phuong Mai Ward Dong Da District, Hanoi City T: (84) 4 3577 2454 / 3577 0942 F: (84) 4 3577 2146 M: (852) 6892 4588 / (84) 9 0380 7939 E: [email protected] JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 69 WELCOME ONBOARD CAPITAL ATTRACTIONS ABODE OF PEACE Small in size but big in attractions, Brunei’s capital has lots to offer. Brunei Darussalam is a country rich in culture and heritage. It is a small, peaceful, prosperous kingdom on the northern shore of the ecologically-rich island of Borneo. Come and discover Brunei, a Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures. Brunei is arguably best known today as an oil producing country. The nation became independent in 1984 and, thanks to its large reserves of oil and gas, now has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Its population of just over 408,000 is made up of two-thirds ethnic Malay, with the remainder being Chinese, Indian and other indigenous groups. The Sultanate has four districts: Brunei-Muara (which includes the capital Bandar Seri Begawan), Temburong, Tutong and Belait. ‘Darussalam’, the Arabic word for ‘Abode of Peace’ describes Brunei’s Islamic history that dates back some 1,500 years. Today, Brunei remains the world’s only Malay Islamic Monarchy with an unbroken royal lineage that has ruled the nation for the past 600 years. www.bruneitourism.travel For more information on Brunei, email: [email protected] Images PETE WONG & DAVID KIRKLAND/ BRUNEI TOURISM Brunei-Muara 1 2 3 THE OMAR ‘ALI SAIFUDDIEN MOSQUE Brunei Darussalam’s iconic landmark, the mosque was completed in 1958 and is named after the 28th Sultan, the late Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, who is referred to as the Architect of Modern Brunei. ISTANA NURUL IMAN The official residence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Although not open to public, except during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, its golden domes and vaulted roof can be viewed from Kampong Ayer. LAPAU AND DEWAN MAJLIS The Royal Ceremonial Hall features an exquisite golden dome and hosts all of the Sultanate’s traditional royal ceremonies. MUSLIM PRAYER TIMES in Brunei Darussalam January 2015 Rabiulawal 1436 / Rabiulakhir 1436 Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Day Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Thu Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Imsak 4.55 4.56 4.56 4.57 4.57 4.58 5.05 5.05 5.06 5.06 5.06 5.06 Subuh 5.05 5.06 5.06 5.07 5.07 5.08 5.08 5.09 5.09 Syuruk 6.28 6.28 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.30 6.30 Hijriah Doha Zohor Asar 6.53 6.53 6.54 6.54 6.54 6.55 Sun Mon 4.58 4.59 4.59 5.00 5.00 5.00 6.31 6.31 5.10 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Fri Sat 5.02 5.02 5.03 5.03 5.03 5.04 5.04 5.04 5.05 5.13 5.13 5.13 5.05 5.11 5.11 5.12 5.12 5.12 5.14 5.14 5.14 5.15 5.15 5.15 5.15 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.57 6.58 6.58 6.58 6.58 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 6.57 5.10 Thu 5.02 5.01 6.31 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.55 6.56 6.56 6.56 5.10 Tue Wed 5.01 6.57 5.16 7.00 5.16 7.00 5.16 7.00 5.16 7.00 12.25 12.25 12.26 12.26 12.27 12.27 12.28 12.28 12.29 12.29 12.29 12.30 12.30 12.31 12.31 12.31 12.32 12.32 12.32 12.33 12.33 12.33 12.33 12.34 12.34 12.34 12.34 12.35 12.35 12.35 12.35 3.48 3.48 3.49 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.51 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.53 3.53 3.54 3.56 3.56 3.56 3.56 3.56 Maghrib 6.19 6.20 6.20 6.21 6.21 6.22 6.22 6.23 6.23 6.24 6.24 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.26 6.26 6.27 6.27 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.31 6.31 6.31 6.31 Isyak 7.35 7.36 7.37 7.37 7.39 7.39 7.39 7.40 7.41 7.43 7.43 7.43 7.43 70 3.47 7.34 3.47 7.34 7.35 MUHIBAH 3.49 7.36 7.37 3.51 7.38 7.38 3.53 7.40 7.40 3.54 7.41 3.54 7.41 3.55 7.41 3.55 7.42 3.55 7.42 3.55 7.42 3.55 7.42 3.56 7.43 7.43 4 THE ROYAL REGALIA BUILDING 7 8 9 10 BRUNEI MUSEUM The museum is home to a collection of royal regalia, including the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armoury, the jewel encrusted crowns used during the coronation and a replica of the throne, which is used by the Sultan on state occasions. 5 6 ISTANA DARUSSALAM Located on Jalan Sumbiling, this wooden palace captures the architectural heritage of old Malay palaces. Visitors may view only from outside. THE SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH FOUNDATION COMPLEX The capital’s most popular shopping venues, it combines both traditional Malay and modern architecture. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Brunei’s national museum spotlights Brunei’s role in Southeast Asia’s history. The Islamic Art Gallery has historical pieces of Islamic art and a commendable Quran collection. Temburong 11 12 13 ULU TEMBURONG NATIONAL PARK BRUNEI ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS CENTRE Brunei’s ancient and traditional arts and crafts – kain tenunan, silver & brass ware, wood carving and basketry – are showcased in this centre, aimed to preserve its rich legacy. TAMU KIANGGEH The Tamu, or open air market, on the banks of the Kianggeh River is a popular local market for traditional dishes, fruits, vegetables, flowers and handicrafts. Explore Brunei’s lush virgin forest through lofty canopy walkways, scenic hiking trails and a thrilling river ride to the park on the Temburong River. Tutong TASEK MERIMBUN Brunei’s largest lake that curves in an ‘S’ has an island in the centre accessible via a wooden walkway and various facilities for picnics and recreation. Belait OIL & GAS DISCOVERY CENTRE An ‘edutainment’ facility, this interactive science centre aims to make science exciting and accessible to all with more than 100 hands-on exhibits in themed areas to explore. KAMPONG AYER The world’s largest water village that is home to more than 30,000 people living on unique wooden houses on stilts over the Brunei River. February 2015 Rabiulakhir 1436 / Jamadilawal 1436 Date Hijriah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Day Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 28 Imsak 5.06 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.06 5.06 5.06 5.06 5.06 5.05 5.05 Subuh 5.16 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.17 5.16 5.16 5.16 5.16 5.15 5.15 Syuruk 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.57 6.57 6.56 6.56 6.56 Doha Zohor Asar 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.59 6.58 6.58 6.58 6.58 6.57 6.57 5.16 6.55 12.35 12.35 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.36 12.35 12.35 12.35 12.35 12.35 12.35 12.34 3.57 3.57 3.56 3.56 3.56 3.56 3.56 3.56 Maghrib 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 3.56 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 Isyak 7.44 7.44 7.44 7.44 7.44 7.44 7.44 7.44 3.56 7.44 3.57 7.44 7.44 3.56 7.44 3.56 7.44 3.56 7.44 3.55 7.44 3.55 7.44 3.55 7.44 3.55 7.44 3.54 7.44 3.54 7.44 3.54 7.44 3.53 7.44 3.53 7.44 3.53 7.44 3.52 7.44 3.52 7.44 3.51 7.44 3.51 7.44 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015 71 MIND TEASERS Crossword Puzzle 9 13 14 27 31 Osso Buco is an Italian dish consisting primarily of what ingredient? 5. What was the only Ancient Wonder of the World located in Iraq? 6. Which beverage was named after its resemblance to the dark brown clothing warn by 16th century Italian monks? 36 Sudoku 1 7 4 © Copyright 2008 Sudogo.com 9 2 8 8 7 9 1 Answers 1. Occident 2. Cote D’Azur 3. Tea 4. Braised veal 5. Hanging Gardens Of Babylon 6. Cappuccino/cappucine monks 7. Alaska, with Canada, 1,538 miles 8. Wok 9. Strawberry Fields (Forever) 10. Lettuce - from Latin lac, lact-, milk 29 23 24 C E E S 30 25 40 33 34 18 15 12 1 M A N E 2 I N N S 3 S T A T 4 31 20 16 17 13 6 7 43 44 T E E S N S 27 28 22 19 5 42 36 26 21 A S A P 41 35 14 8 9 L E A R 10 L E W D 11 6 7 1 4 5 8 2 3 4 3 9 2 4 8 5 1 7 7 4 9 3 6 1 2 6 7 7 1 6 5 5 4 2 8 3 2 25 Snakes 27 ___-gallon hat 28 19th letter 30 Average grades 33 Relaxed (2 wds.) 34 Small hound 35 Mouth parts 38 Locale 39 Freshwater fish 41 Floor model 42 Revise 43 Fishing string 44 Thailand’s neighbor 46 Director ___ Brooks 47 Fellow 1 2 37 1 PDQ’s kin 2 Lion’s hair 3 Country lodgings 4 EMT’s word 5 Chump 6 Mouth liquid 7 Stated a viewpoint 8 Positively! 9 Adventure 10 Shakespearean king 11 Bawdy 16 Finished 20 Insane 21 Prevent 22 Fine fabric 23 Baltic, e.g. 24 Association (abbr.) 4 1 7 4 9 6 8 4 9 3 5 1 4 2 2 8 39 32 Pleasant 36 14th letters 37 Relate 38 Lincoln, et al. 40 Psychic letters 41 Valley 45 Moved swiftly 46 TV and radio (2 wds.) 48 Newark time zone (abbr.) 49 Compass point (abbr.) 50 ___ acid (nutrient) 51 Braying beast 52 Rent 53 Musical tones 3 9 32 Down 38 Across 3 © Boatload Puzzles, LLC 9 53 5 52 1 51 10. The name of which plant, cultivated for its edible leaves, comes from Latin word for milk, because of its milky juice? 7 50 As a youth in Liverpool, John Lennon and friends played in the trees behind a Salvation Army orphanage, in a garden-like location that became the title of one of the Beatles. What was it? 6 49 9. 9 1 3 7 8 4 48 44 6 47 43 9 8 3 5 2 46 42 What is the name of the basic container in which most Chinese dishes are prepared? 5 41 What U.S. state shares the longest border with a foreign country? 8. 8 40 7. 1 4 9 2 35 L A O S 34 45 1 Off Kilter 6 Asian sauce 9 Building extension 12 Yule visitor 13 King Kong, e.g. 14 View 15 Maryland’s capital 17 Crow’s call 18 Nuisance 19 Wine (Fr.) 20 Fat for frying 21 Mature 23 Distress letters 26 Wipe out 29 Upright 31 Lymph ___ 4. L I N E 33 39 It was imported to Europe for the first time by Dutch traders around 1610. It was sold for the first time in Britain around 1660. What was it? E Y S E C S L A L O P I C A N O D E E N D E M E D A M I N O T 30 28 37 38 3. 22 26 32 In English it’s called the French Riviera; in French it’s known as what? 53 29 2. 47 25 If the eastern end of the earth is called the Orient, what is the western end called? 20 21 24 1. 17 50 19 Have your friends told you that you’re totally random? Take this quiz and show them you know it all! S O S A P A P O L I V I N D E V E E R A D T E A B L R T A I E S P M A S S E S E L E T 18 11 52 16 10 46 15 23 Random Questions 8 49 12 7 S O S E R E A G R P E N T S 6 B A S S 5 A R E A 4 45 3 48 2 51 1 6 8 1 6 7 2 3 9 4 3 5 2 8 9 8 7 5 6 9 4 1 Solutions 72 MUHIBAH