MUHIBAH March|April 2017 by Jacqueline Wong

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LovelySweden La pl a nd,

BY ROYA L B R U N E I A I R L I N E S | M arc h - A p ri l 2 0 17

I T ' S T H E L I T T L E T H I N G S T H AT R E A L LY M A K E A D I F F E R E N C E

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IN THIS ISSUE

18 26 Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Mann Center, Jordan August

54 60

62 COVER Colourful Northern Lights in Sweden’s Lapland.

AWARD FOR BEST MAGAZINE Indian International Journalism Festival 2011

Editorial Board Advisor Royal Brunei Airlines Head, Corporate Communications Azhani Abu Daniel Editorial Hj Omar Hj Jaafar, Muaz Roslan, Mahyuddin Zulkipli

Print Production Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd., Brunei Darussalam

Editorial & Production General Manager Jacqueline WM Wong Editor Anis Ramli Editorial Assistant Kimberly MY Low Studio Director Lau Weng Leong Creative Director Michele Tee Digital Media Designer Tang Sze Yik Imaging Colourist June Lim Senior Account Executive Chu Pung Ping Coordinator Sa’adiah Hj Abas

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: muhibah@digital-impressions.org

Imagery & PrePress DI Expressions Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

FEATURES 08

Discover Diversity Australia’s aboriginal experiences.

Book Heroes England’s year of literary heroes.

City Spirits Finding the hidden Bangkok spirit.

Camp Wilderness Camping in Malaysia.

Sleek Sanctuary Luxury and authenticity at Soori Bali.

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.muhibah.com.bn for e-MUHIBAH.

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David Kirkland/Brunei Tourism

42 48

Best of Brunei Special Focus First In Class.

Keistimewaan Brunei Fokus Khas Pertama Dalam Kelas.

WELCOME ABOARD 05

CEO’s Message

Inside RB

Selamat Datang

LIFESTYLE

Brunei International Airport

Motoring Nissan Rogue Sport

Traveller’s Guide

In Person Soo K. Chan

Route Map & Destinations

The Buzz What’s New

Abode of Peace

Take 5 Lapland

Travel Diary

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WELCOME ONBOARD CEO’S MESSAGE

Dear Guests, Welcome aboard Royal Brunei Airlines (RB). It is my great honour to begin this issue by extending our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the people of Brunei, on the occasion of the recent 33rd National Day on 23 February, 2017. We march down memory lane to reminisce some of our past National Day contributions with this collage: celebrating Brunei’s declaration of independence in 1984 as cover in a special edition of Muhibah in 1984 and introducing RB’s present heritage-inspired uniforms to the nation with our aircraft bearing the national day theme “Generation with a Vision” in 2014. This year, in conjunction with National Day as well as Brunei Gastronomy Week, we served a selection of Bruneian meals to guests ﬂying on 23 February, 2017. You can read more on this in Inside RB. Elsewhere, despite the day’s unfavourable weather, thousands of Bruneians, including the RB Team, took part in the National Day celebrations that concluded with wonderful performances by various groups at Taman Check out eMuhibah at www.ﬂyroyalbrunei.com Be a fan on

Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan. We have also introduced many new initiatives over the past couple of months in line with this year’s National Day theme “Achieving the National Vision”. These included new codeshare ﬂights and RB Upgrades and Preferred Seats – all designed to provide our customers in Brunei and around the world a greater and easier travel experience. Lastly, a sincere word of thanks for choosing to ﬂy with RB and we look forward to earning your continued loyalty in the future.

Warmest regards, Karam Chand Chief Executive Oﬃcer

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WELCOME ONBOARD INSIGHTS

INSIDE RB Roundup of Royal Brunei Airlines happenings.

CADET PILOT INTAKE 47 On 16 January, RB welcomed four new cadet pilots into their 47th programme. They were Muhammad Zaidani Bin Hj Mohd Zaini, Randy bin Selim @ Lim Ming Poh, Dk Nur Azimah Binti Pg Anuar and Brendan Ti Zee Yung. The cadet pilot programme, CTC Wings, commenced 23 January, 2017 with RB training partner, CTC Aviation in New Zealand.

DONATION DRIVE

BRUNEI’S GASTRONOMY WEEK In support of Brunei’s Gastronomy week held from 22-26 February, and in conjunction with Brunei Darussalam’s 33rd National Day, RB marked the occasion by oﬀering inﬂight guests a spread of local dishes onboard. The menu included Nasi Katok, Bubur Si Bujang and Wajid Temburong. Brunei Gastronomy Week was launched by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, on 13 February, 2017.

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As part of RB’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, we recently donated perfectly serviceable computers that no longer meet our specifications to several non-profit organisations in Brunei. Among this year’s recipients were Majlis Kesejahteraan Masyarakat and Pusat Bahagia, Jabatan Masyarakat. With the donation drive, it is hoped that the recycled computers can be used to develop IT skills in these various organisations.

33RD NATIONAL DAY 2017 In true patriotic spirit, Team RB once again participated in the annual celebration of the nation’s birthday. This year, on 23 February, more than 130 RB management and staﬀ joined the procession in marking Brunei Darussalam’s 33rd National Day.

SALES & MARKETING FORUM 2017 Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, was guest of honour at this year’s annual threeday Sales & Marketing Forum (SMF) 2017. Held from 17-19 January, the forum saw 150 participants comprising RB’s staﬀ local and abroad. Among the forum’s aim was to explore tourism improvement in Brunei and RB’s strategy for the next ﬁve years.

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FEATURES

Discover Di versity Connect with the aborigines Down Under for a redeďŹ ned travel experience. Words & Images TOURISM AUSTRALIA

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Visions of Victoria Cathy Finch

There are many magical and unique experiences to enjoy in Australia. But for a holiday that really is the best of both worlds, you simply can’t go past having a knowledgeable aboriginal guide showing you a side of Australia you wouldn’t otherwise see. In fact, in some cases you’ll literally be given access to areas that remain closed to regular tourists. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, cultural enthusiast, foody or nature lover, you’ll beneﬁt from the knowledge and insights an aboriginal guide can provide. If you’re in the city of Melbourne but short on time, you can enjoy a guided cultural interpretive walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens just a few minutes from the city centre. Here you’ll discover the plant lore of traditional foods, medicine and tools on a site that was once a traditional camping and meeting place for the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people.

02 01 The amazing views of Tower Hill Lake.

For day tours, you can travel further aﬁeld for plenty of amazing places to discover. The diverse aboriginal heritage of the Great Ocean Road, one of southern Australia’s great touring routes, is easily accessible from Melbourne. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve near Warrnambool is the site of a dormant volcano crater where aboriginal people lived until it erupted, more than 30,000 years ago.

02 Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, Queensland.

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Visions of Victoria

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Head over to the Gariwerd Grampians National Park where you can join in a range of aboriginal cultural activities including painting and boomerang throwing lessons, didgeridoo workshops, native food tastings, viewing some of the 180 rock art sites or getting up close to the local wildlife. Other cultural attractions include the remains of a permanent Aboriginal village in heritagelisted Lake Condah and Geelong’s Aboriginal Centre and nearby cultural trail. Australia’s vast open spaces, endless horizons, blazing starscapes and ever changing landscapes makes it perfect for anyone to have a unique outback experience. In what for many seems an arduous and challenging environment, aboriginal people excelled. The outback covers more than two thirds of Australia and in remote pockets, such as the central deserts, aboriginal cultural traditions remain strong, readily blending with modern ways. In selected places there are opportunities to gain an insight into traditional and contemporary aboriginal lifestyles as you see the land through their eyes.

James Fisher/Tourism Australia

Much of the outback is a stronghold for the diverse and powerful art movement that has captured world attention. In many instances you can visit thriving community art centres and meet the artist and see their works ﬁrst hand. In Central Australia, Alice Springs is the focal point for some of Australia’s quintessential outback experiences. Deep in the heart of the Western Desert, Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are two of the more well-known sites where aboriginal Australians’ cultural identity remains strong and intact. While you’re in Alice Springs you can not only visit some of the local galleries and community art centres famous for bringing the aboriginal dot painting art movement to the world, but even join in an art workshop yourself. You can also get a literal taste of the local life with a bush tucker experience

05 03 Bush Tucker Yarn Tour at Ayers Rock Resort, Norther Territory. 04 Indigenous experiences, Western Australia. 05 Boomerang painting at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

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James Fisher/Tourism Australia

07 06 Mt Borradaile, Northern Territory.

07 Uluru Aboriginal Tours, Northern Territory.

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James Fisher/Tourism Australia

08 Netting your own dinner, Western Australia. 09 Aboriginal art at Canberraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Gallery of Australia.

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10 11

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Visions of Victoria

(traditional aboriginal food) with aboriginal guides, learn the mission history at Hermannsburg and marvel at the spectacular, multi-coloured sand pinnacles at Rainbow Valley, the ancient rock peckings at Ewaninga or the colour and diversity of the MacDonnell Ranges captured so eloquently by the famous aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira.

Aboriginal food adventures also await those eager to immerse themselves in a unique mix of modern insight and the traditional culture that make up the aboriginal life. This includes everything from nuts, seeds and fruits to wild game and fish including emu, kangaroo and other unique Aussie flavours. With so many ingredients to choose from, aboriginal people were masters at hunting and gathering their food from their ‘bush food supermarket’ – the natural environment. Today, more and more people are enjoying learning about these traditional foods and how to prepare them for meals that are as unique as they are tasty. For the truly adventurous, there are expeditions over land or sea to catch fish and mud crab, share stories around the crackling fire and camp on the beach under the abundant canopy of stars. There are many Aboriginal owned and operated enterprises across Australia that offer authentic and intimate cultural experience to travellers. This unique niche in the tourism industry goes beyond the typical tourist encounters of face-painted tribal dancing and didgeridoo playing. To find the right adventure for you, go to www.tourism.australia.com. Royal Brunei flies Melbourne daily. Discover things to do in Melbourne on www.muhibah.com.bn

13 10 Indigenous tour of volcanic rock formations at Tower Hill. 11 Share stories around the crackling ﬁre at Mt Borradaile, Northern Territory. 12 Shark Bay is home to much of Western Australia’s Indigenous landscape. 13 For the truly adventurous, there are expeditions over land or sea to catch your own meal.

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The Sherlock Holmes Museum

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BOOK Heroes From Harry Potter to The Famous Five and Sherlock Holmes, England has a rich literary heritage that is recognised and loved all over the world. Words EMMA RAMSAY

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19 The Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum

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England has declared 2017 to be the “Year of Literary Heroes”, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death and 20 years since the ﬁrst Harry Potter book, to name just two milestone events. The Year of Literary Heroes will celebrate some of the publishing phenomena that have helped put England on the map. This year more than ever, literary fans have the opportunity to explore Britain’s rich bookish history. From March 2017, England will celebrate the 200th anniversary of one of its most acclaimed authors, Jane Austen. With the “Jane Austen 200 – A Life in Hampshire” events planned across her home county, fans can look forward to visiting Jane Austen’s House Museum (her former home) in the village of Chawton, where changing exhibitions, talks, activities and other special celebrations between March and

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December will take place. Chawton and nearby Alton will host a Regency Week (June 17 – 25) with special events including talks, a Regency Day and more. A highlight of the celebrations will be Hampshire Cultural Trust’s The Mysterious Miss Austen exhibition, which will tour Winchester, Gosport and Basingstoke with special and unique Jane Austen pieces, including loans from the National Portrait Gallery, British Library and private collections. Jane’s ﬁnal resting place, Winchester Cathedral, will also be running tours exploring Jane’s life. In Basingstoke, visitors will also be able to follow a downloadable sculpture trail made up of 25 ‘BookBenches’ each uniquely designed and painted by a professional artist with their personal interpretation of a Jane Austen theme.

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The Sherlock Holmes Museum

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Tony Antoniou

And for those keen on a taste of Regency England, Jane Austen ‘Big Picnics’ across Hampshire will offer the opportunity to see some performances, try some Regency food and learn more about the author. The anniversary will no doubt also spark a resurgence in interest in key Jane Austen sites across the country. Highlights include the Jane Austen Centre in Bath and the September Jane Austen Festival, which will celebrate the bicentenary of the novel Northanger Abbey in 2017. In Kent, visitors can follow in her footsteps on a Jane Austen Trail. For a more recent literary experience, June 2017 will mark 20 years since the release of JK Rowling’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, inspiring a global phenomenon, which put many of England’s landmarks – from Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle (one of the many Hogwarts locations), to the Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo – on the map as Potter pilgrimage sites. Events already in the planning include a Harry Potter Film concert series (11–21 May) with live screenings of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone accompanied by a live orchestra performing John Williams’ unforgettable score. Locations include Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow, as well as London’s Royal Albert Hall. Later in the year, a new exhibition at the British Library, dedicated to the magic of Harry Potter (20 October, 2017 – 28 February, 2018) will be the first of its kind to celebrate a single series of books by a living author and will include previously unseen materials from author JK Rowling and the book’s publisher Bloomsbury, as well as magical treasures from the British Library’s own collection of wizarding books. Of course, no English literature can go by without mentioning the most beloved of children’s author of all times, Enid Blyton. Cue lashings of ginger beer, as Enid Blyton Entertainment and Hodder Children’s Books team up with the RHS to hold a series of events to celebrate 75 years of The Famous Five, Enid Blyton’s best-loved and phenomenally successful book series, publishing in May 2017 with newly illustrated covers. The Five Go on a Garden Adventure anniversary activity will feature across all four RHS gardens throughout 2017, bringing to life the much-loved values of The Famous Five: friendship, heroism, adventure, outdoors and daring. Each garden will offer family activities inspired by The Famous Five, including themed adventure trails and garden displays, craft workshops and storytelling. All four gardens will also be holding a picnic party on 11 August 2017, Enid Blyton’s 120th birthday.

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Â© VisitBritain, Britain on View

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The series brought rural Southern England and the coastline to life through the wild, outdoor adventures of Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy. Enid Blyton was a regular visitor to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and the area inspired locations in many of the books including Corfe Castle (Kirrin Castle) and Brownsea Island (Whispering Island). Fans of Sherlock Holmes will be interested to know that The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was published in 1892. The book was the ﬁrst collection of Holmes stories, which Conan Doyle had been publishing in magazines since 1887. Now a popular TV series, London is almost a character in itself in the Sherlock stories. Start with a visit to Sherlock and Watson’s famous address, 221B Baker Street. While it doesn’t actually exist, the exterior of their ﬂat as seen in the series

is shot in this quieter west London road, 25 minutes’ walk from Baker Street, at 187 North Gower Street. Other destinations sure to be of interest to Sherlock fans include, The Sherlock Holmes Museum (www.sherlock-holmes. co.uk), a Grade II-listed building devoted to the detective. It features a recreation of his sitting room, and a gift shop. Fans of the TV series can also take on numerous pilgrimages to ﬁlming locations including Bristol’s Sherlock Locations map. Of course, there are more milestones for many heroes of British literature to celebrate. Get the entire list from visitbritain.com.

Royal Brunei ﬂies London daily via Dubai. Discover things to do in London on www.muhibah.com.bn

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CITY

Spirits Mid-week gems and where to drop anchor in Bangkok prior to the weekend. Words ANIS RAMLI

Tourism Authority of Thailand

No one could ever fault Bangkok for its charm. Amid the luxury, antiseptic malls and soaring skyscrapers is a paradox of a city: tattered Sino-Portuguese shophouses, unsightly sprawling electric wires and broken pavements. Yet all these come together to create an alluring picture of the city. It is these scenes that are often missed out by visitors who often race to do all the must-sees listed in travel books and social media. Often times, it means missing out on scenic homely dwellings, food-ﬁlled alleys and character-bursting everything that makes one look at Bangkok with fresh new lens. Perhaps the best way to begin re-exploring the city is to take time oﬀ during mid-week – when tourist crowds are thin, and the “real” Bangkokians come out to play.

Start with the old quarters at Phra Athit. The area is a perfect mixture of old buildings and discreet noble houses, new establishments and yesteryear’s shops. Running alongside the Chao Phraya with the stunningly preserved Phra Sumen Fort at the end of the road, you can explore the area and always ﬁnd something new at every corner. Locals come here for the cheap legendary eats such as Roti Mataba. The hole in the wall shop still creates the much loved roti recipes founded by its immigrant Indian founder during World War II. If you don’t care for the roti, try other local Thai dishes on the menu such as ox tongue stew and mussamman curry. Beyond the food, it’s the stroll along this road that lets you soak in the Thai-ness of the area. Opposite the

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Tourism Authority of Thailand

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shop is the Santichaiprakarn Park with the old fort towering over it. Locals gather here in the mornings for free aerobic classes – or whatever workouts are available at dawn. In the evenings, families and couples gather for a walk, taking in the breeze from the Chao Phraya or getting ready to hop on boats from Pier 13 to explore the river further aﬁeld.

BangkokUndercover.com

A cool option, literally, to escape the heat is at the upscale Babble & Rum. Housed in the stylish Riva Surya boutique hotel, it offers a chilled-out riverside vibe, with a terrace overlooking the river to enjoy drinks and dinner. Riva Surya itself is a fine establishment to check out. Rooms with balcony overlooking the river offer a much needed respite from Bangkok’s typical trafficlogged streets, and it does feel you’re a long way away from the city’s bustle when a riverboat ride is all it takes to get you back in the groove. Says Jularat “Joi” Ouepanarangsi, a local who works at Riva Surya, “Bangkok is a diverse city and you can choose how you live; between budget living, moderate living or expensive living. You can have different lifestyle depending on your budget.” The things she finds that

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Riva Surya

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Riva Surya

Riva Surya Riva Surya Riva Surya Riva Surya

makes the city exciting to live in is the food. “It’s tasty, there’s variety – again, you find an assortment of international cuisine but if you want local fare, there are the street eateries to take advantage of.” In short, she says, Bangkok is just richly filed with culture. Willy Thuan, who runs the popular blogs BangkokUndercover.com and Phuket101.net, seems to know every corner of the city. He says, “Guests often overlook the fact that Bangkok is a bike-friendly city.” He suggests taking a ride on the nearby island of Ko Kret or in Bang Krachao, nicknamed the green lung of Bangkok. There are also various other parks to take the two-wheeler, such as Chatuchak, Benkakitti or Rama IX parks. One of the more popular places to soak in the Thai culture is of course, the markets. Thankfully, some of the city’s markets also open on weekdays. For vintage goods and a cool vibe, Rot Fai Market (Train Market) is a popular hangout place. This authentic open-air bazaar sells an incredible array of vintage collectibles and memorabilia, from antique furniture to hippie fashion and kitsch everything. But there are also sections in the market where guests can browse for modern fashion and wares. Willy also recommends going to markets patronised by locals. Khlong Lat Mayom, a floating market near Bangkok, is reachable in just 20 minutes. Devoid of tourists, it remains an authentic place where locals shop their daily needs. Highlight of the visit is the abundance of cook-on-the-spot foods you can try. Bangkok, says Joe Wigunya, is special simply because “people there come together despite speaking different dialects,” she says. Unlike other big capitals, Bangkok’s community still regards each other with deep respect – you can see the old and new generation getting along well. “So whether you are hunting for shaved ice dessert at 1am in the morning or getting lost in the maze that is Chatuchak, it is this spirit you see everywhere in Bangkok that makes any place a good place to be just to find the “real” city.” Royal Brunei flies Bangkok 6x weekly. Discover things to do in Bangkok on www.muhibah.com.bn

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CAMP Wilderness There is a lot to love about Malaysian nature, and camping is the way to go. Words & Images LIZ TAN

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How often have we heard the importance to disconnect in order to connect? To unplug from technology and re-learn to smell the roses? The best way to do it is to hit the road and drown yourself in nature. And, with the abundance of camping sites and nature in Malaysia, experiencing the rich outdoors is just a matter of timely planning. Places such as Lata Kijang in Negeri Sembilan; Kem Sangka in Raub, Pahang or Sendat in Ulu Yam, Selangor are great places for hiking and camping, and are known for their pristine nature. Day trippers may gravitate towards the waterfalls or hold picnics by the river, but families can also consider camping out for a day or two to really enjoy the scenery and more.

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For adults, camping is a chance to de-stress, especially when the daily routine is a typical nine-to-ďŹ ve. For kids, being in the outdoors lets them the chance to be explorers and seek adventure. What they see, smell, touch and listen along the way and during camping can be a lifelong educational experience they could never get from a classroom setting. Family camping is becoming increasingly popular among Malaysians for many reasons. Foremost is the various camp sites and destinations they can choose. Whether in Peninsular Malaysia or East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), there is no shortage to ďŹ nding a site that meets all your camping needs.

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Second, there are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors that it does not just mean tent backpacking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where you carry everything with you. Families can opt for car camping, travelling with other families in a 4WD and packing all the necessities with you (think foldable chairs, gas stove tops and portable fans), which is often a less intimidating choice. Kids as young as two can easily tag along as you can have almost all the creature comforts within reach, and still be able to enjoy the outdoors. Of course, it is always more fun to camp when there is at least one other kid around. Kids playing together often end up selfentertaining themselves so the adults can do whatever they need to get the campsite ready.

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The best thing about the outdoors is that families need not aim to have a lot of activities. Once in the outdoors, you will find children happy to wander around with a stick in hand, prodding and poking at interesting things on the ground. In fact, campsites are a wealth of adventure. There are interesting leaves or pebbles to be found, insects/worms/spiders to be discovered. Playtime can be stacking rocks to see how high they can build. And of course, the streams and rivers offer the chance to spot or catch some fish, or build sandcastles. It’s an activity that even the adults can do.

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Finally, with all things outdoorsy, remember to take only pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Always pack your garbage to take home with you (or discard along the way at designated areas). Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve experienced the great outdoors, it is easy to switch from urban warrior to nature lover when the time comes to unplug and unwind. Royal Brunei ďŹ&#x201A;ies Kuala Lumpur 2x daily. Discover things to do in Kuala Lumpur on www.muhibah. com.bn

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FEATURES

Sanct uary Sleek

It’s easy to get paralysed by luxury at Soori Bali. Words ANIS RAMLI Images SOORI BALI

Anyone who has ever made the journey to inner Bali will know that it is always a feast of the senses. Arriving into its airport, and as the big bustling scene that is Denpasar is left behind, the landscape changes almost into a visual storybook that details the island’s evolution. Highways give way to rickety one-lane roads where cars jostle with two-wheeled push carts selling many local staples, usually bakso, an Indonesian meatball-soup-and-noodle dish. Shops and workshops line every street, cramped close to each other, competing for space and tourists. The island’s – and generally the Indonesian archipelago’s – unique trait and heritage are well displayed: from intricate stone carvings of the people

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MARCH | APRIL 2017

FEATURES

of Western New Guinea to the detailed woodworks of the people of Java and the indigenous woven textiles of local Balinese. As the journey goes deeper into the heart of Bali’s inner regencies, these sights become scarcer. The island’s crowd and commercial vibe slowly fade away. In their place are tiny ‘warung’, simple sundry shops that serve the local villagers, fuss-free sheds offering bike repairs and moms-and-pops shops that sell gasoline by the bottle. Rice fields hug the roads; makeshift scarecrows dotting the vast green landscape and empty bottles hung low criss-crossing the fields to scare preying birds away. This lost paradise – the serenity, peace and magic of the island – is what awaits you at Soori Bali, a resort that finds itself lodged amidst a stunning backdrop of land, mountain and sea. It is the perfect introduction to the island’s last known wilderness and beauty. Found in the heart of Tabanan regency, Soori Bali is an intimate hideaway, perfect for those longing to experience Bali’s long lost primal seclusion. Yet the resort is nothing but primal. Just 48 sleek and minimalist villas are available – one with ten

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bedrooms and its own private kitchen – each oﬀering the ultimate privacy and luxury without compromising comfort. The only hard decision to be made is whether you want to wake up to a sea of green verdant rice ﬁelds, or the wide expanse of the Indian Ocean with its stunning black volcanic sand beach. This interchangeable scenery is what gives the resort an immense feel, yet it is intimate at the same time. Within its secluded sanctuary, guests are looked after by their own personal butler. Each villa has a plunge pool, private terrace, a sunken bathtub and an outdoor shower. For unobtrusive views of the Indian Ocean, the second-storey Ocean Pool Villa is top choice. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the room, the grounds are yours to explore. The three restaurants highlight the area’s local produce on their respective menus. Breakfast is a culinary adventure, taking on a tasting menu approach, allowing guests to experience the

MARCH | APRIL 2017

FEATURES

diversity of the kitchen staďŹ&#x20AC;. From homemade granola to farm-fresh village eggs, every meal is a celebration of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fertile grounds. The spa is everything you could wish for and more. Slick and sexy at the same time, this calm haven is stocked with made-in-Bali organic spa products, with programmes that include a la carte treatments or half-day pampering journeys that highlight Asian healing techniques. If the menu overwhelms, rest assure that you can do no wrong with the classic Balinese massage. At press time, the resort is planning the relaunch of its Soori Spa, expanding the services and guest experiences. In the works are the hosting of an onsite traditional medicine practitioner and visiting international wellness experts. Well-respected US-based doctor Andrew Taylor will join the team to administer a raft of therapies including reiki, acupuncture, herbology, pulse diagnosis, Chinese tea as medicine and traditional healing techniques. US-trained clinical psychologist, marriage and family therapist, Dr Harold Robers, will also be onboard to

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lead Psycare retreats from March until November 2017 designed to boost neurological shaping of the brain and nervous system. The resort aims to introduce additional clinics and retreat experiences and strive to help guests heal holistically. What also diﬀerentiates Soori Bali from other Balinese and tropical resorts is its genuine connection with nearby villages and the local culture. Architect Soo K. Chan designed Soori Bali with respect for the integrity of the centuries-old rice ﬁeld irrigation practice, “subak”, with villas and common areas built around existing irrigation paths. The award-winning architecture also drew inspiration from the local landscape and working villages, with the resort crafted out of stone from nearby village quarries and adorned with terracotta and other ceramic ornaments from local artisans. Moreover, guests are also encouraged to experience any of the Journeys by Soori programmes that really take them into the heart of Balinese culture. These one-of-a-kind experiences explore the island’s everyday traditions, from visiting the village terracotta earthenware factory to the workshop that provides much of the ceramicware found in the

villas. Or take in an exploration of the rice farming practices that are ensconced in nature conservation and the local market that takes place every day from 3am onwards. In each of these visits, you have the opportunity to instantly connect with village artisans, converse with them and experience slow travel that is so much more enriching. When evening arrives, the sunset from the beach beckons a slow walk on its ﬁne black sand. On some days, the local youths gather for a spot of beach soccer, eager to enjoy the fresh air and take advantage of such stunning vista. But there is a spot just beyond the villas that make for a perfect winding down time: a rocky ledge that juts out of a tiny peninsula. From here, you can look out to the entire resort, watch the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean, and have a 360° of the village that lends its divine natural surroundings to Soori Bali and making it a contemporary heaven on earth.

Royal Brunei ﬂies Bali 4x weekly. Discover things to do in Bali on www.muhibah.com.bn

MARCH | APRIL 2017

BEST OF BRUNEI SPECIAL FOCUS

01 01 Dr Steven Geraghty, ISB principal, at the grounds of new campus in Kampong Sungai Hanching.

FIRST

Beyond the paper chase, International School Brunei is proving qualities beyond the academics are just as important.

In Class

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The globalisation of economies and the rise of Asia are fast shaping education in the 21st century. In Brunei Darussalam, where education is generally free, a school has taken to predict the future and moving students away from mere paper chase, readying them for the changes ahead. International School Brunei (ISB) understands the continuously changing landscape of education. Globalisation means education has become multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual. This diversity of the world is perfectly mirrored in ISB’s diversity of its students. The dynamism and energy of 46 diﬀerent nationalities working and creating together is a recipe not only for individual growth, but also promoting eﬀective leadership skills and their place in the world economy. “ISB has been providing world class education in Brunei for 53 years now, equipping Bruneian and expatriate students with the skills necessary to take on whatever challenges are presented to them,” says ISB principal, Dr Steven Geraghty. The US Labor Department, he says, predicted two years ago that 65 percent of today’s students will be employed, at some time during their lifetimes, in occupations which don’t yet exist. “No school or examination system can prepare adequately for this. What ISB can do however, is ensure our students are open to new ideas, are good communicators and are prepared to take risks and accept challenges without fear.”

collaboration and self-confidence, while able to rise to the challenges that rapid change brings about. “There is a philosophical basis to how ISB retains its USP,” he continues. “ISB’s vision statement is a simple ‘Everyone Excels’. This is not a vision of collective excellence – though it could be if we use examination grades, but instead it relates to an aspiration of each individual’s starting point. We have students with ‘A’ grades across the range whose own target of excellence is an ‘A’ in every subject. Conversely, we have students who come to us because they have extreme social needs difficulties and their stroke of individual excellence may be to speak in a group situation.” To illustrate the diversity in its approach to education, ISB, for instance actively encourages its students to contribute to CSR and social responsibility. Older students perform service to the local community as an integral part of their qualification requirement. The International Baccalaureate Diploma students cannot pass without performing aspects of service, regardless of their subject results. Presently, many of ISB’s students are mentoring and coaching Year 6 PSR students in selective state schools. They are also involved in a reading recovery scheme in a different selection of schools.

Preparing for digital economy is one such challenge.

ISB was also the ﬁrst school in Brunei to start a public household recycling programme. Its much publicised ‘Million Trees Project’ was applauded by Prince Charles as an example of raising awareness of deforestation in Sabah. The school still levies a carbon fee on their travel and events. Recently, students helped to design certain ECO aspects of their new school site. For their eﬀorts, they were awarded the prestigious BCA ‘Greenmark’ Award, the only school in Borneo given the recognition. “We hope that such actions serve to give our students a sense of collective responsibility in the way they will live their lives long after they have left us,” says Dr Geraghty proudly.

Says Dr Geraghty, “The digital economy is about conﬁdence with new technology.” At ISB, he believes it is about developing their students’ unseen skills; open-mindedness, adaptability,

ISB is now approaching 1,500 students, with sites in Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait. The growth in student numbers in the past ﬁve years is almost 50 percent, fuelled by investment in a new site and

The school continues to strive for academic excellence and high achievement and indeed, its excellent examination results help to move students into the best universities all around the world. But, an ISB student is about much more than examination success. Students will no doubt graduate into a world fundamentally diﬀerent from the one which many older generation of today grow up in. There are eﬀectively a new set of challenges and adversities to be overcome.

MARCH | APRIL 2017

BEST OF BRUNEI SPECIAL FOCUS

02 02 His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, oﬃciating ISB’s new campus in Kampong Sungai Hanching on 4 February, 2016.

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also a rise in examination results to compare with the best non-selective schools in the region. Examination results at both iGCSE/O Level and IB Diploma consistently exceed world averages: up to 90% A-C pass rate at iGCSE/O Level and at age 18, 95 percent of all IB graduates leave to attend higher education all around the world. It continues to diversify its qualiﬁcation pathways, presenting the chance for its students to move into study areas they have never been able to access in previous years. In addition to areas like sports sciences, psychology and Early Years childcare, ISB is now able to oﬀer tailor-made pathways into engineering, architecture and law.

As a not-for-profit school, ISB keeps their fees as low as possible and admits that attracting teaching talent is not an easy task. However, its new examination records, move to a futuristic 21st century school site in Sungai Hanching and the huge rise in student numbers bode well for its future. Dr Geraghty admits that the longer term challenge for the school is to anticipate world economic trends, forecast on how the demand for international education in the region will develop and continue to offer world class education across a wider and more relevant range of subject areas. “Provided ISB holds tight to its significant central tenet of recognising and providing for the valuable contributions of all students, whatever their challenges are, the future looks bright.”

PERTAMA

03 KDYMM berkenan menerima pesambah dari Dr Geraghty sempena lawatan rasmi ke ISB.

Selain dari mengejar kelulusan ujian, International School Brunei telah membuktikan bahawa kualiti selain daripada kecemerlangan akademik juga penting.

Dalam Kelas MARCH | APRIL 2017

KEISTIMEWAAN BRUNEI FOKUS KHAS

04 YTM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, YTM Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim, Dr Geraghty bersama peserta renang ISB. 05 Dr Geraghty menerima plak akreditasi semula CIS untuk ISB.

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Globalisasi ekonomi dan kebangkitan Asia telah membentuk pendidikan abad ke-21 dengan lantas. Di Negara Brunei Darussalam, di mana pendidikan pada umumnya adalah percuma, sebuah sekolah telah meramal keperluaan masa depan dan sedang mempersiapkan pelajar untuk perubahan dengan memberikan persediaan jauh melebihi ujian dan pelajaran untuk masa hadapan. International School Brunei (ISB) memahami bahawa landskap pendidikan sentiasa berubah. Globalisasi bermakna bahawa pendidikan adalah berbilang kaum, berbilang budaya dan berbilang bahasa. Kepelbagaian di dunia ini dicerminkan dengan sempurna dalam kepelbagaian pelajar di ISB. Kedinamikan dan tenaga yang terdiri daripada 46 warga negara yang berbeza yang sedang bekerja dan merekacipta bersama adalah resipi bukan sahaja untuk pertumbuhan seseorang individu, tetapi juga memberikan latihan kemahiran kepimpinan yang berkesan dan tempatnya dalam ekonomi dunia. “ISB telah menyediakan pendidikan bertarafkan dunia di Brunei selama 53 tahun, dengan melengkapkan pelajar Brunei serta ekspatriat dengan kemahiran yang diperlukan untuk menanggani cabaran yang akan dihadapi mereka,” kata Dr Steven Geraghty, gurubesar ISB. Jabatan Buruh US, beliau berkata, telah meramalkan dua tahun lalu bahawa 65 peratus

daripada pelajar hari ini akan bekerja, pada suatu masa di hayat mereka, dalam pekerjaan yang belum lagi wujud. “Tiada sekolah atau sistem peperiksaan yang boleh menyediakan pelajar sepenuhnya. Apa yang boleh dilakukan oleh ISB ialah untuk memastikan pelajar kami terbuka minda kepada idea baru, mempunyai kemahiran berkomunikasi yang baik dan bersedia untuk mengambil risiko dan tidak gentar menangani cabaran.” Sekolah ini terus berusaha untuk mencapai kecemerlangan akademik dan pencapaian yang tinggi dan sememangnya, keputusan peperiksaan membantu untuk menolong pelajar memasuki universiti terbaik di seluruh dunia. Tetapi pelajar ISB lebih daripada kecemerlangan peperiksaan. Pelajar kini akan memperolehi ijazah dan melangkah ke dunia yang jauh lebih berbeza daripada generasi sebelumnya. Mereka akan menghadapi cabaran baru yang perlu diatasi dengan bijak. Menangani ekonomi digital merupakan satu daripada cabaran tersebut. Kata Dr Geraghty, “Ekonomi digital adalah mengenai keyakinan dengan teknologi baru.” Di ISB, beliau percaya bahawa ia adalah perkembangan kemahiran diri yang tidak kelihatan, pemikiran terbuka, keupayaan menyesuaikan

dan membimbing pelajar PSR Tahun 6 dari sekolah kebangsaan yang terpilih. Mereka juga terlibat dalam skim pemulihan pembacaan di sekolah terpilih yang berlainan. ISB just merupakan sekolah pertama di Brunei memulakan program kitar semula sesama penduduk. ‘Million Trees Project’ yang telah menerima banyak publisiti dipuji oleh HRH Putera Charles sebagai contoh untuk meningkatkan kesedaran akan penebangan hutan di Sabah. Sekolah ini masih mengenakan levi bayaran karbon ke atas perjalanan dan acara mereka. Baru-baru ini, pelajar telah membantu untuk membentuk suatu aspek ECO untuk laman web sekolah yang baru. Atas usaha mereka, mereka telah dianugerahkan ‘Greenmark Award’ BCA yang berprestij, satu-satunya sekolah di Borneo yang diberikan pengiktirafan ini. “Kami berharap bahawa initiatif ini akan memberi pelajar kami suatu perasaan tanggungjawab bersama dalam cara mereka menempuhi kehidupan selepas meninggalkan sekolah ini,” kata Dr Geraghty dengan perasaan bangga.

05 diri, kerjasama dan keyakinan diri, dan juga boleh menyahut cabaran yang dibawa oleh perubahan dengan cepat. “ISB mempunyai asas falsafah untuk mengekalkan USP,” beliau menyambung. “Penyataan visi ISB senang, ‘Semua Cemerlang’. Ini bukan suatu visi kecemerlangan kolektif – walaupun ia boleh digunakan jika kami menggunakan markah peperiksaan, tetapi sebaliknya, ia berkaitan dengan aspirasi titik permulaan setiap individu. Kami mempunyai pelajar dengan gred ‘A’ pada keseluruhannya, yang menetapkan sasaran kecemerlangan mereka sebagai ‘A’ dalam setiap mata pelajaran. Sebaliknya, kami juga mempunyai pelajar yang mempunyai kesukaran keperluan sosial yang ekstrem dan kecemerlangan individu mereka mungkin bergantung kepada pergaulan dalam kumpulan.” Untuk memberikan gambaran yang teliti terhadap kepelbagaian dalam pendekatan pendidikan mereka, ISB misalnya, menggalakkan pelajar untuk menyumbangkan masa dan tenaga mereka kepada CSR dan tanggungjawab sosial. Sebahagian syarat yang ditetapkan di ISB adalah pelajar tua perlu melaksanakan khidmat masyarakat. Pelajar Diploma Baccalaureate Antarabangsa tidak boleh lulus tanpa melaksanakan aspek perkhidmatan sosial, tidak mengira keputusan mata pelajaran mereka. Pada masa kini, ramai daripada pelajar ISB menjadi mentor

ISB kini menghampiri 1,500 orang pelajar, dengan tapak di Bandar Seri Begawan dan Kuala Belait. Pertumbuhan bilangan pelajar dalam tempoh lima tahun yang lalu telah menghampiri 50 peratus, didorong oleh pelaburan dalam sebuah laman web baru dan juga peningkatan dalam keputusan peperiksaan yang boleh dibanding dengan sekolah yang terbaik di rantau ini. Keputusan peperiksaan di kedua-dua iGCSE/O Level dan IB Diploma secara konsisten melebihi purata dunia: sehingga 90% kadar kelulusan A-C di iGCSE/O Level dan pada umur 18 tahun, 95 peratus daripada graduan graduan ini telah meninggalkan IB untuk menyambung pelajaran mereka di pengajian tinggi di seluruh dunia. ISB meneruskan usaha mereka untuk mempelbagaikan laluan kelayakan dan memberi peluang untuk pelajar mereka memasuki skop kajian yang mereka tidak pernah mempunyai peluang untuk mengambil pada tahun sebelumnya. Selain bidang seperti sains sukan, psikologi dan penjagaan anak Usia Muda, ISB kini juga menawarkan laluan khusus ke dalam bidang seperti kejuruteraan, seni bina dan perundangan. Sebagai sekolah bukan-untuk-keuntungan, ISB telah menghadkan pembayaran yuran sekolah serendah yang mungkin dan mengakui bahawa untuk menarik minat pengajar yang berbakat bukannya satu tugas yang mudah. Walaubagaimanapun, rekod peperiksaan yang baru, permindahan sekolah ke tapak baru yang futuristik di abad ke 21 di Sungai Hanching dan peningkatan bilangan pelajar memberikan petanda yang baik untuk masa depan ISB. Dr Geraghty mengakui bahawa cabaran jangka panjang untuk sekolah ini adalah dalam menjangka arah aliran ekonomi dunia, ramalan mengenai permintaan terhadap pendidikan antarabangsa di rantau ini akan berkembang dan meneruskan usaha mereka untuk menawarkan pendidikan bertaraf dunia yang lebih meluas dalam bidang pelajaran yang lebih berkaitan. Dengan syarat ISB terus berpegang kukuh pada apa yang penting ke semua pelajar mengiktiraf dan memperuntuk sumbangan berharga ke semua pelajar, apa jua cabaran mereka, maka masa hadapan kami pasti cerah.”

MARCH | APRIL 2017

LIFESTYLE MOTORING

GO ROGUE

Nimble and fun-to-drive, the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is more than an extension of the popular Rogue.

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The combination of the new Rogue Sport and the immensely popular redesigned 2017 Rogue will appeal to a broad audience and offers a wide spectrum of features and price points for SUV buyers. It fills a need for singles and couples who want more space and versatility than the average sedan for everyday urban use and social activities. The Rogue Sport has a 2.3-inch shorter wheelbase and a 12.1-inch shorter overall length than Rogue, helping make it more maneuverable in city traffic and an ideal size for tight city parking spaces. Other helpful city adventure features range from up to 61.1 cubic feet of cargo space (2nd row seat folded) and available innovative Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System to the Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD)4. The Rogue Sport exterior starts with an “emotional geometry” exterior design, presenting a strong contrast between dynamic movements of volume and geometric, and sharp edges and details. The sleek, compact body projects powerful fender volume and a wheel-oriented stance, along with agile and robust lower body sides, giving Rogue Sport a powerful presence. The front is highlighted by a dynamic, sporty front grille and sophisticated headlight design with LED signature Daytime Running Lights, halogen headlights with auto off function, and available fog lights. Also available are LED low-beam headlights with auto on/off function and High Beam Assist (HBA). The 5-passenger Rogue Sport interior is designed to keep up with owners’ active lifestyles. It has the commanding ride height of a compact SUV combined with a driver-oriented cockpit that provides a sporty, fun-to-drive feel. Rogue Sport incorporates Nissan’s “gliding wing” interior design, providing spatial symmetry with a sense of togetherness – combining a wide-open feeling with areas for personal space. The instrument panel features Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges and 5.0-inch center meter color display with Advanced Driver Assist™ Display. The front centre console includes an integral armrest and storage compartment, along with a 12-volt power outlet. Rogue Sport SV and SL grades include Nissan Intelligent KeyTM with Push Button Start. Standard interior features include SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), 4-speaker

AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio input jack, USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices, Siri® Eyes Free, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, Handsfree Text Messaging Assistant (compatible smartphone required) and RearView Monitor. Every 2017 Rogue Sport comes equipped with a standard 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder rated at 141 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. The engine features Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) system, Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control) on both intake and exhaust, DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated valve lifters, TCV (Tumble Control Valve) and an 11.2:1 compression ratio. The engine is matched with an Xtronic transmission with standard Eco Mode switch. The nimble handling is the result of the 104.2-inch wheelbase and 4-wheel independent suspension – a front independent-strut suspension with stabiliser bar and twin-tube shock absorbers and multi-link independent rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabiliser bar. Responsive steering is provided by an Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS) with Sport setting. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist are also standard. Hill Start Assist (HSA) is also standard, along with a suite of confidence-inspiring dynamic technologies, with Active Trace Control, Active Engine Braking and Active Ride Control. While many competitors in the compact SUV segment choose a rear torsion beam suspension, Rogue Sport offers an independent rear multi-link design to provide that extra sense of dynamic performance. In addition, the list of standard safety and security features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection; 3-point front and rear seatbelts, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors; LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren); and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS).

MARCH | APRIL 2017

LIFESTYLE IN PERSON

PLEASE RELATE YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ARCHITECT AND THE MILESTONES/CHALLENGES OF YOUR CAREER. From the time I was old enough to play with Lego I wanted to be an architect. After finishing school, I travelled to the US and studied architecture at Washington University and obtained my Master of Architecture from Yale University. I began my architectural career in New York City before returning to Singapore, where I founded SCDA Architects in 1995 with only five members of staff. Over the years the practice has grown steadily, now employing more than 100 staff. A major milestone, both professionally and personally, was designing and building my own resort, Soori Bali. I’ve designed hotels and resorts around the world and yet with Soori Bali I’ve been deeply involved in all of the decisions, from conception to operation, and the result is the most honest of my creations as you have to be honest because you don’t have a client to blame. Another profound achievement has been developing and building Soori High Line, a luxury residential building. With this development, I strived to create the most bespoke residence in NYC by marrying crafted luxury with resort-style living. Located on West 29th Street, adjacent to the famed

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High Line park. Soori High Line has 31 oneto five-bedroom apartments, with custom finishes, high ceilings and indoor saltwater pools. They also include my line of Soori Living furniture for Poliform. WHAT ARE THE DYNAMICS AND PHILOSOPHIES THAT DRIVE YOUR ARTISTIC VISION AND AESTHETICS? I strive to design well-detailed spaces. The design language of SCDA Architects refers to fundamental elements such as light, space, structural order, transparency and materiality, all in the service of tranquility and beauty. PLEASE EXPLAIN SOME OF YOUR INSPIRATIONS. I am inspired by holistic approaches. With my projects, I’m not just at the controls of architecture. For Soori Bali, for example, I also did the landscaping, interiors and the furniture, down to the staff uniforms and the cutlery. With all projects I like to oversee the architecture, interiors and landscaping and, where possible, the cabinetry and furniture. Mies van der Rohe has inspired me throughout my career. His Barcelona Pavilion has taught me so much for its structural order, free flowing plans, precision in its details and the expression of materiality, it is a rational approach to design. I also appreciate Louis Kahn’s work

for its use of light, space and structural order. His works express the integrity of the natural materials featured.

living. The residences’ private indoor saltwater pools are deﬁnitely one of Soori High Line’s diﬀerentiating qualities.

NEW YORK AND BALI ARE POLAR OPPOSITES. WHAT DREW YOU TO CREATE A LIFESTYLE CONDO IN NY AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENTIATING QUALITIES OF THIS PROJECT? Soori High Line is the synthesis of 25 years of architectural practice. When I graduated from Yale, I started my architectural career in New York so Soori High Line has seen me come full circle; it’s the ﬁrst building I have designed and built in the dynamic city where my career began. For Soori High Line, I was inspired by what makes a remarkable house. A ﬁreplace, pool, terrace, high ceilings, good natural light – all of the factors you associate with a great house – we have compressed into a dynamic apartment in the city. As highlighted earlier, I strived to create the most bespoke residence in NYC by marrying crafted luxury with resort-style

HOW WILL YOUR PROJECT AFFECT THE NEW YORK SKYLINE AND WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO WITH THIS PROJECT? Soori High Line’s facade is distinctive and adds to New York City’s iconic skyline. On the facade, even though the building is all glass, we have a series of vertical ﬁns, each about 20 feet tall. Those ﬁns cut across the whole facade of each apartment’s living room. Inside, you get all of the natural light and yet you still feel enclosed, protected. So what you see on the outside is what you see on the inside. Most of the time architects want to do the big poetic space but when you are planning something like Soori High Line, where people are going to live, it’s very important to get down to the details. In that way I consider myself a humanist in design and the goal is to evoke emotions. You are creating a lifestyle for someone and that is such a privilege.

Emotive Space From Bali to New York, architect Soo K. Chan comes full circle and returns to the city that kickstarted his career to design a bespoke New York residence.

MARCH | APRIL 2017

LIFESTYLE THE BUZZ

TABLE MANNERS Dining With Dragons is a food memoir by multi-award-winning authour, food historian, celebrity chef and writer, Carol Selva Rajah, who rekindles the glorious heritage of Asia, her fascinating life, and food’s power as an agent of social change. Explore the forgotten oath-bound traditions of China’s Ah-mah Sisterhood, British Malaya, Independence and Communist insurgency to the pursuit of identity in modern day Australia. Includes 28 personal heirloom recipes from this renowned chef.

WHAT’S

NEW Trends and gadgets from around the globe.

akasaa.com

SECOND SERVING Vacheron Constantin has revealed a fresh interpretation of one of its most iconic timepieces, the Hallmark of Geneva-certified Traditionnelle chronograph perpetual calendar. Equipped with the new Manufacture Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1142 QP, this refined timepiece combines two fine watchmaking complications, the chronograph and the perpetual calendar. The result: a combination of classical and formal elegance. vacheron-constantin.com

BOY WONDER Herban Cowboy is the world’s ﬁrst green grooming line for men. Made for a man’s needs, its organic deodorant stick is a star in its own with none of the nasties. Long lasting, dries fast and glides on easily – you’ll love the antural scent, too. herbancowboy.com

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LOVE, ACTUALLY Amp up the romance with Diptyque Limited Edition Rosa Mundi this season. Pairing two of the most exquisite roses used in perfumery: Damascena, the Damask rose, and Centifolia, the May rose, Rosa Mundi celebrates the richness of their scents with geranium to enhance their naturalness. diptyqueparis.com

FRESH FACED Infused with mineral-rich spring water sourced from the Granit Rose coast in Brittany, Rose de Vie Cream Cleanser by Dr Sebagh is ideal for all skin types, including the most dry and delicate. Organic rose hip oil, anti-ageing and anti-oxidant ingredients reduce redness, protect and smooth the skin while the rose scent is just scintillating. drsebagh.com

SHEER-IFIC!

WATER LOCKED

For silky sheer and flawless complexion, look no further than to Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder. It delivers just enough sheer colour to create the perfect, subtle glow, while brightening up the complexion with a soft-focus finish. Featuring six shades that range from light to deep offering lasting wear.

REN Flash Hydro-Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion is a water charging hydration booster designed to work in harmony with the skin, to prevent the ageing eﬀects of dehydration. Hyaluronic acid and Xylitol maximise moisture levels by helping to draw in water, locking it into the skin for an instant plumping eﬀect.

lauramercier.com

sephora.com/ren

MARCH | APRIL 2017

LIFESTYLE TAKE 5

Lovely Northern Sweden and the legendary Swedish Lapland are unique. There is nowhere else in the world where you can stay in a hotel made of ice. Or, sit around the campﬁre with a Sami guide, sharing stories of your day’s dog sledding adventure and sampling souvas, a local delicacy.

SEE The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon occurring in summer months at latitudes north of the Arctic Circle where the sun remains visible at midnight. So don’t just stay indoors. Catch a dog sled ride in Europe’s biggest nature reserve – Vindelfjällens and Padjelanta/Sarek National parks, or grab some quiet time ﬁshing for the famous Baltic salmon at Torne River. Really.

DO Explore the open space. Sweden’s north remains essentially untouched. Roam the forests and search for wild berries, herbs and mushrooms. Even top chefs in Sweden frequently forage the forest for their restaurants. In the summertime, lace up your hiking boots and tackle the world-famous King’s Trail in Kungsleden.

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LAPLAND Discover Northern Sweden’s magniﬁcent nature.

SHOP Sami, the original Swedes, makes traditional crafts of natural materials. If you’re visiting Kiruna, the largest town in Lapland, head for the Carl Wennberg shop at Bergmästaregatan 2 that has been selling Sami arts and crafts since 1907. Look out for jewellery boxes, wooden cups and knives made of reindeer horn.

STAY The Icehotel, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, is constructed entirely from ice and contains hotel rooms, a bar and art exhibitions. Now guests can enjoy the hospitality and experience year-round, as parts of the hotel will stay open, cooled with solar power from the midnight sun. For more information, go to: http://www.visitsweden.com

Royal Brunei Airlines codeshares with Turkish Airlines for ﬂights to Stockholm and easy connections to the Lapland. Discover things to do in Lapland on www.muhibah.com.bn

MARCH | APRIL 2017

LIFESTYLE TRAVEL DIARY

WHAT’S

1013

Mar

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. Not yet a member?

13TH BORNEO GLOBAL ISSUES CONFERENCE International School Brunei’s conference this year, themed “Ensuring Sustainable Development and Production Plans”, brings together around 300 secondary students in a Model United Nations (UN) simulation. This student-run conference is aimed at raising awareness of world issues while developing public speaking skills.

www.isb.edu.bn

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

TASTE OF HONG KONG

LEST WE FORGET – EMIRATI ADORNMENT: TANGIBLE & INTANGIBLE

Discover Hong Kong’s eclectic dining scene at Central Harbourfront. Over 50 exquisite tasting dishes prepared by top chefs from Hong Kong’s hottest restaurants will entice visitors, including live cooking demonstrations and special talks by top chefs on future F&B trends. www.tasteofhongkong.com

16-19

Mar

Lest We Forget – Emirati Adornment: Tangible & Intangible is an exhibition that explores the Emirati culture and heritage through ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’ forms of Emirati adornment. Concrete and physically lasting forms like garments, jewellery and weapons make up the ‘tangible’ form, while temporal and impermanent form like grooming and hairstyles make up the ‘intangible’ where the creative spirit, knowledge, skills and aesthetic sensibilities are passed down. www.warehouse421.ae/en

Now til 62

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Aug

Lest We Forget Archive

Save up to 26% on general admission tickets when using the promo code ‘tasteofhk17’ when you checkout on Ticketﬂap.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM HONG KONG

AUSTRALIA

VAN GOGH AND THE SEASONS The Green Vineyard 1888 © Kröller-Müller Museum

As part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria will play host to Van Gogh and the Seasons, the largest collection of Van Gogh artworks ever to travel to Australia. The exhibition of nearly 50 paintings and drawings will explore Van Gogh’s connection with nature through the circle of life and his distinctive style. www.ngv.vic.gov.au

28-9 1012 Apr

Jul

UNITED KINGDOM

MALAYSIA

9TH MYBALLOONFIESTA Moving from Putrajaya to Desa ParkCity, this annual balloon fest will remain as exciting. Participants from 11 countries will inflate their balloons twice a day, offering tethered rides to special ticket holders. There’ll be lots of opportunity for picnics and photos, too. www.myballoonfiesta.com

9-12

Mar

THAILAND

2017 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort plays host to one of the biggest charity events in South East Asia today, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. Come support the teams where proceeds will be donated to projects that better the lives of Thailand’s wild and domesticated elephant population. www.anantaraelephantpolo.com

6-9

Apr

THE LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL If you love your java, head down to the Old Truman Brewery at Brick Lane for the London Coffee Festival. Over 250 coffee artisans will gather, offering coffee, gourmet food, tasting stalls and demonstrations from world-class baristas. There will also be interactive workshops for those serious about their beans. londoncoffeefestival.com

MARCH | APRIL 2017

WELCOME ONBOARD

SELAMAT DATANG Selamat Datang means ‘Welcome’ in Malay, and your seamless journey begins here.

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.

Business Class

RB Impian Inﬂight Entertainment

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

RB Impian Inflight 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 and relax with our overhead movie screens. For more information, please contact your nearest Royal Brunei Airlines office.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE DECADES 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. 64

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Cuisine Everything we serve has been carefully 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.

Special Meals Royal Brunei oﬀers a variety of tasty culinary solutions to suit our passengers’ special dietary requirements. Special meals can be

1970s

1980s

> 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.

> 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. > Services to Bangkok and Manila were added.

> RB accepted the delivery of its Boeing 757 aircraft that featured a redesigned livery combining Brunei’s traditional royal colours on 16 May, 1986.

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 alcoholfree 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 Electronic devices such as Citizen’s band (CB) radio, remote-controlled devices (such as radio controlled toys), and transmitting devices that emit radio frequencies are not to be used at any time during the ﬂight. 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; mobile phones (which must be

1990s

2000s

2010s

> RB took delivery of the ﬁrst of three leased Boeing 767-200ER 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. > 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.

> 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.

> Direct services to Shanghai were re-launched in March 2010.

> RB unveiled its new heritage-inspired uniforms on 21 February, 2014.

> 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.

> The ﬁrst of RB’s two A320 CEO aircraft arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan on 26 September, 2015.

> 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.

> RB commenced four-times weekly ﬂights to Melbourne in March 2011.

MARCH | APRIL 2017

WELCOME ONBOARD

switched to ﬂight mode), personal computers, FM receivers, calculators, electronic shavers, audio and video recorders, hand-held computer games, and playback devices..

Lithium Batteries 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. Low and medium powered rechargeable batteries in equipment and limited quantity 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.

Non-smoking Policy Royal Brunei Airlines operates non-smoking ﬂights to all destinations.

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: feedback@rba.com.bn.

BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Brunei International Airport’s computerised passenger and cargo handling facilities can handle 3 million passengers and 50,000 tonnes of cargo a year. Among the facilities oﬀered at the airport are the Airport Prayer Hall (Surau Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Brunei Darussalam), telephones and Free Wi-Fi services, restaurants and shower facilities for passengers who want to rest or freshen up before their ﬂight. For customer comfort and convenience, RB Service Centre is located on the Departure Hall area. Passengers can make reservations, ticket purchase, book tour packages and redeem Royal Skies miles. The Customer Service Centre at the Brunei International Airport operates 7 days a week, from 8am to

MUHIBAH

9pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 8am to 5pm on Sundays; except for Friday midday break from 12noon to 2pm.

prior to their ﬂights. Complimentary massage chairs, shower rooms, ablution areas and High Deﬁnition TV are available.

Our Business Class and Royal Skies Elite passengers can now enjoy the service of our RB porters at departure curb-side for baggage assistance and trolley service to the check-in counters. The premium checkin lounge oﬀers our Business Class and Royal Skies Elite passengers with a relaxed check-in experience.

Duty-free shops oﬀer consumer goods at competitive prices. There are several outlets, including a money changer located at the 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.

RB Economy class passengers and groups booking may proceed to RB check-in counter Row B.

A mobile application app has been developed by the Department of Civil Aviation to help passengers/visitors experience the newly refurbished Brunei International Airport seamlessly through the ‘iFLYBRUNEI’ app on the smartphone.

Business Class and Royal Skies Elite passengers are able to access the SkyLounge

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.

Clothing Light clothing is advisable as the climate is generally warm and humid. Women are requested to dress modestly in keeping with local customs.

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.

Health Doctors provide private medical services for a nominal charge. There are a number of state health clinics and hospitals.

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 Brunei International Airport is about 11km from the capital, Car rental, public buses and registered taxis are available at the arrivals. The Land transport department strongly advise visitors to only use regulated and insured taxis. For more info on registered taxis you may visit – www.mincom.gov.bn/ brunitaxifare or contact +6737181643. 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.

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 two local daily newspapers namely: Borneo Bulletin (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.

* The visa and duty-free allowances are provided as a guideline and may change without notice.

MARCH | APRIL 2017

WELCOME ONBOARD

ROUTE MAP & DESTINATIONS

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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: melrba@rba.com.bn 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) 234 1158 / 9 F: (673) 234 1162 E: bwn@airlogisticsgroup.com

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: hkgres@rba.com.bn 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

GUANGZHOU (CAN)

BAIYUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 28 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus CNY19 • Taxi CNY2.6 Airport Tax CNY90 Currency Chinese Yuan (CNY) Language Cantonese, Mandarin GMT +8

GENERAL SALES AGENT DEKS AIR (CHINA) LTD. Room 1218, Tower A, Landmark Canton Hotel, 8 Qiao Guang Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, China T: (8620) 8332 3120 / 8332 1575 F: (8620) 8332 6369

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: shasales@rba.com.bn 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: dpsrba@rba.com.bn 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: jktrba@rba.com.bn

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: subrba@rba.com.bn 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: kulrba@rba.com.bn ORIENT PACIFIC AIR SERVICES SDN BHD Lot GFM 027A, MAS Advance Cargo Centre, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia T: (60) 3 8787 1868 / 1611 / 1622 F: (60) 3 8787 4028

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

RB MIRI OFFICE Lot 1378 (Sub Lot 7) and Lot 1345, Block 10, Miri Concession. Land District, Kubu Road, Centre Point Commercial Centre, Miri Sarawak, Malaysia T: (60) 85 426 322 / 426 334 F: (60) 85 426 355

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 AVIA-RH INC 4/F Le Rose Building, 832 A. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City, Philippines. T: (63) 632 886 7513 F: (63) 632 886 7494 E: mnlres@rba.com.bn 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 Center, Madina Road, P.O. Box 13541, Jeddah 21451 T: (96612) 665 7143 / 661 2679 / 665 7908 F: (96612) 283 1349 E: jedrba@rba.com.bn 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: sinrba@rba.com.bn

WORLDWIDE GSA (ORIENT AIR PTE LTD) Unit 05-24, Cargo Agent Building D, 9 Airline Road, Changi Airfreight Centre, Singapore 819827 T: (65) 6214 2187 F: (65) 6214 2199 E: bicargo.sin@worldwidegsa.com

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 Centurian Star, Shop Number 3, (new RB office), Opp. Deira City Centre, Deira, Dubai, UAE T: (971) 4334 4884 (Reservation) / 4686 (Sales) F: (971) 4334 4585 E: dxbres@rba.com.bn, dxbrba@rba.com.bn Tower 400 (UNB Building), Shop 7-10, Al Soor Area, Sharjah, UAE (SHJBI0301) T: (971) 6005 24444 / 6575 8575 Oman Road, Nakheel, Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasmi Street, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (RAKBI0301) T: (971) 7227 2847 / 7228 9987 Al-Ain Tower, East 4th Road, Almouror, Electra Street, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, UAE (AUHBI0301) T: (971) 2815 3444 / 2815 3450 M-201, Paris Gift Palace Building, Zayed Bin Sulthan Street, Al-Ain, UAE (AUHBI0301) T: (971) 3764 1410 / 1990 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: lonrba@rba.com.bn 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 / sales@airlogistics.co.uk 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: sales@airlogistics.co.uk

VIETNAM HO CHI MINH CITY (SGN)

TAN SON NHAT AIRPORT Airport-City 7 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus VND8,000 • Taxi VND160,000 Airport Tax USD20 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: SGNRBA@rba.com.bn 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: hansales@airlogisticsgroup.com

MARCH | APRIL 2017

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: info@bruneitourism.travel Images 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 March 2017

Jamadilakhir 1438 / Rejab 1438 Date

Hijriah

Day

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun Mon

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun Mon

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun Mon

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Imsak

5.04 5.04 5.04 5.04

5.03

5.02

5.01

5.01 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.59 4.59

4.58

4.57

4.57 4.56 4.56

4.55

4.55 4.54 4.54

4.53

4.52

Subuh

5.14

5.13

5.12

5.11

5.10

5.10 5.09 5.09 5.08 5.08 5.08

5.07

5.07 5.06 5.06

5.05

5.05 5.04 5.04

5.03

5.02

6.27

6.27 6.26 6.26

5.14

Syuruk

6.32 6.32

6.31

6.31 6.30 6.30 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.28 6.28

Doha

6.54 6.54 6.54

6.53

Zohor Asar

5.14

6.52

6.51

Sun Mon

6.25

6.25 6.24 6.24

6.23

6.23 6.22 6.22

6.51 6.50 6.50 6.49 6.49 6.48 6.48 6.48

6.47

6.47 6.46 6.46

6.45

6.21

6.21 6.20 6.20

6.45 6.44 6.44

6.43

6.43 6.42 6.42

12.34 12.34 12.33 12.33 12.33 12.33 12.32 12.32 12.32 12.32 12.31 12.31 12.31 12.31 12.30 12.30 12.30 12.29 12.29 12.29 12.29 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 3.50

3.49

3.48

3.47

3.46

3.45

3.44

3.39

3.38

3.37

3.36

3.35

3.34

Maghrib 6.33

6.33

6.33 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32

6.31

6.31 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.29 6.29

Isyak

7.43

7.42

7.40

7.43

MUHIBAH

3.44

7.41

3.43

7.41

3.42

7.41

3.41

7.41

3.41 3.40

7.41

7.40

3.33

7.39

3.32

7.39

3.31 3.30

7.39

3.29

7.39

3.29

7.39

3.28

7.39

3.27

7.38

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.

April 2017

Rejab 1438 / Sya’aban 1438 Date

Hijriah

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Tue Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Day

Sat

Sun Mon

Imsak

4.52

4.51

4.51 4.50 4.50 4.49 4.49 4.48 4.48

4.47

4.47 4.46 4.46

4.45

4.45 4.44 4.44

4.43

4.43 4.42 4.42 4.42

4.41

Subuh

5.02

5.01

5.01 5.00 5.00 4.59 4.59

4.58

4.57

4.57 4.56 4.56

4.55

4.55 4.54 4.54

4.53

4.52

4.51

4.51 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.49 4.49

Syuruk

6.19

6.18

6.16

6.15

6.14

6.13

6.12

6.11

6.10

6.10 6.09 6.09 6.09

Doha

6.42

6.41

6.41 6.40 6.40 6.40 6.39 6.39 6.38 6.38 6.38

6.37

6.37 6.36 6.36 6.36

6.35

6.35 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34

6.33

6.33 6.32 6.32 6.32

Zohor Asar

6.18

6.17

6.16

6.14

4.41 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.39 4.39

12.25 12.25 12.25 12.24 12.24 12.24 12.24 12.23 12.23 12.23 12.22 12.22 12.22 12.22 12.21 12.21 12.21 12.21 12.21 12.20 12.20 12.20 12.20 12.20 12.19 12.19 12.19 12.19 12.19 12.19 3.29 3.30 3.30 3.30

3.31

3.32

Maghrib 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28

3.26

6.27

6.27 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.26

Isyak

7.37

7.38

3.25

7.38

3.25

7.38

3.26

7.38

3.26

7.38

3.27

7.38

3.27

7.38

3.28

7.38

3.28

7.38

3.28

7.38

3.29

7.37

3.33

7.37

3.33

7.37

3.33

7.37

3.34

7.37

3.34

7.37

3.34

7.38

3.35

7.38

3.35

7.38

MARCH | APRIL 2017

3.35

7.38

THE LAST WORD

FIRST WORDS – ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH Lonely Planet Kids Say “bonjour”, “hola” and “hello” to First Words, the latest series of books from Lonely Planet Kids. Simple, striking and beautifully illustrated, these three new books – First Words: English, First Words: French and First Words: Spanish – are the perfect introduction to new languages for the whole family.

BOOKS

TO UNPLUG AND UNWIND. STRANGE THE DREAMER Laini Taylor In this sweeping and breathtaking new novel by National Book Award ﬁnalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Follow Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE Sophie Kinsella Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a ﬂat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed. Ok, so the truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers. But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

THE GENE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY Siddhartha Mukherjee Mukherjee has written a biography of the gene as deft, brilliant, and illuminating as his extraordinarily successful biography of cancer. Weaving science, social history, and personal narrative to tell us the story of one of the most important conceptual breakthroughs of modern times, Mukherjee animates the quest to understand human heredity and its surprising inﬂuence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates, and choices.

Books featured are available at

and https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/. Terms & conditions apply.

MUHIBAH

roya l b ru n e i a ir l in e s | M arch - Ap r il 20 17

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