Excellent Abodes Excellent Abodes Excellent Abodes
Transcription
Excellent Abodes Excellent Abodes Excellent Abodes
roya l b ru n e i a ir l in e s | S ep tember - October 20 15 BY ROYA L B R U N E I A I R L I N E S | S ep t e mb er - O ctob e r 2 01 5 Ex xcel c e l l een nt Ab bo od des es Sout So South uth ut h Ea East a st s A Asia s a si IN THIS ISSUE © Les Watling for the Mountains in the Sea Research Team, IFE, URI-IAO, and NOAA Spa Village Tembok Bali 08 62 14 22 68 COVER A surreal underwater park, the Philippines. AWARD FOR BEST MAGAZINE Indian International Journalism Festival 2011 Editorial Board Advisor Royal Brunei Airlines Head, Corporate Communications Azhani Abu Daniel Editorial Muaz Roslan, Mahyuddin Zulkipli Editorial & Production General Manager Jacqueline W M Wong Editor Anis Ramli Editorial Assistant Kim Low Studio Manager Lau Weng Leong Creative Director Michele Tee Digital Media Designer Tang Sze Yik Imaging Colourist June Lim Studio Assistant Wong Fu Yong Coordinator Sa’adiah Hj Abas Print Production Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd., Brunei Darussalam Imagery & PrePress DI Expressions Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia Publishing & AdSales Digital Impressions Lot 20010, Taman Alam Jalan Telanai, Beribi BE1118 Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam T: +673 2654 851 F: +673 2650 276 E: muhibah@digital-impressions.org FEATURES 08 Life, Literature, Legacy. Remembering Agatha Christie, United Kingdom. 14 The Other World The creatures of the deep, Singapore. 22 Bookmark Melbourne Literature is hot in Melbourne! 30 Excellent Abodes South East Asia has the best hotels. 46 Drawing The Devout Combining faith and clean fun, Malaysia. MUHIBAH is published by Digital Impressions. All rights reserved. Copyright by Royal Brunei Airlines. Unsolicited materials will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and sufficient return postage. While every reasonable care is taken by the editor, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material. The contents of this magazine are entirely the personal views of the author(s) and/or contributors and do not in any way reflect the views or opinions of the publisher. The publisher disclaims all and any liability to any person arising from the printing, sale or use of the materials in this magazine. The Editorial team reserves the right to edit and/or rewrite all materials according to the needs of the publication upon usage. MUHIBAH is complimentary for passengers on Royal Brunei Airlines. It is also available on subscription at BND7 per copy, excluding postage. Alternatively, log on www.flyroyalbrunei.com for e-MUHIBAH. 2 MUHIBAH 46 30 David Kirkland/Brunei Tourism 78 70 54 54 Best of Brunei Maritime Heritage. 05 Keistimewaan Brunei Warisan Maritim. 06 LIFESTYLE 62 64 66 68 70 WELCOME ABOARD Deputy Chairman’s Message Inside RB 72 74 75 76 78 Selamat Datang Brunei International Airport Traveller’s Guide Route Map & Destinations Abode of Peace Motoring Mitsubishi Attrage In Person Tom Schmidt The Buzz What’s New Take 5 Bali Travel Diary 66 Media & Sales Representatives • AUSTRIA Publimedia GmbH, T: (43) 1 211 53 61, F: (43) 1 21 21 602, E: fcsokor@publicitas.com • AUSTRALIA Mass Media Publicitas, T: (61) 2 9252 3476, F: (61) 2 9251 3726, E: ppnaustralia@publicitas.com • CANADA McGown/INTERMAC - Publicitas, T: (514) 7355191, F: (514) 3429406, E: tgalic@publicitas.com • CHINA Publicitas (Beijing) Advertising Co., Ltd., Rm 1108, Derun Tower, No. 3 Yong’an Dongli, Jianwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022, T: (86) 10 5879 5885 ext. 328, F: (86) 10 5879 3884, E: wendy.lin@publicitas.com.cn • FRANCE Publicitas S.A., T: (33) 1 53 64 88 76, F: (33) 1 45 00 94 81, E: mbadollefeick@publicitas.com • GERMANY Publicitas Germany GmbH, T: (49) 89 921 06 10, F: (49) 89 921 06 30, E: ppn-frankfurt@ publicitas.com • HONG KONG Emphasis Media Limited, T: (852) 2516 1000, F: (852) 2561 3349, E: acheung@emphasis.net • ITALY Siper Media SpA, T: (39) 027 6007743, F: (39) 027 6006836, E: jbigan@publicitas.com • INDIA Mediascope Publicitas, T: (91) 22 2204 8890, F: (91) 2282 4889, E: ppn-india@publicitas.com • INDONESIA PT Medianet Intisarana, T: (62) 21 798 7314, F: (62) 21 798 7316, E: mediana@centrin.net.id • JAPAN Nakayama Media International Inc., Fonte Aoyama 701, 2-22-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, T: 81-3-3479-6131, F: 81-3-3479-6130, E: nmi@tka.att.ne.jp • KOREA DooBee Inc., T: (82) 23702 1742, (82) 23702 1777, E: dbi@doobee.com • MALAYSIA Publicitas International Sdn Bhd, T: (603) 7729 6923, F: (603) 7729 7115, E: scheng@publicitas.com | Mind Sense Sdn Bhd, T: (603) 7781 7700, F: (603) 7781 7880, E: shalliecheng@gmail.com • MIDDLE EAST Integrated Advertising Services FZ LLC, T: (971) 4 391 3360, E: info@iasmedia.com • NEPAL Media South Asia (P) Ltd., T: (977) 1442 0848, F: (977) 1442 1179, E: mediarep@mos.com.np • PHILIPPINES Adreflex International, T: (632) 638 8374, F: (977) 1442 1179, E: clang-garcia@adreflexintl.com • SPAIN Publicitas Internacional, S.A., T: (34) 91 323 79 18, F: (34) 91 323 79 23, E: aokumura@publicitas.com • SINGAPORE Emphasis (SINGAPORE), T: (65) 6735 8681, F: (65) 6733 5681, E: jong@emphasis.net • SOUTH AFRICA International Media Representatives (Pty ) Ltd, T: (27) 11 258 4250, F: (27) 11 258 4043, E: gisela@imrsa.co.za • SWEDEN Publicitas Nordic AB, T: (46) 8 442 7050, F: (46) 8 442 7059, E: mtsaving@publicitas.com • SWITZERLAND Triservice S.A., T: (41) 22 796 46 26, F: (41) 22 797 02 70, E: info@triservice.ch • THAILAND Thai Representation Limited, T: (662) 332 0503-4, F: (662) 331 9303, E: thitiporn.p@sharmathailand.com • TAIWAN Emphasis (Taiwan), T: (886) 2 2764 5011, F: (886) 22760 8439, E: advertising@procomintl.com.tw • UNITED KINGDOM The Powers Turner Group, T: (44) 207 592 8333, F: (44) 207 592 8301, E: cmorgan@publicitas.com • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Publicitas North America, 330 Seventh Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001, T: (1) 212-330-0729, F: (1) 212 599 8298, E: laura.saitta@publicitas.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 3 Now 5x w e e k ly to b a l i EFFECTIVE 25 OCTOBER 2015 Better pack for a big adventure as you now have more options to fly on our increased direct flight from Brunei to Bali. Get ready, it’s time to fly. Flight Schedule* FROM DESTINATION Brunei Denpasar, Bali Denpasar, Bali Brunei SCHEDULE Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri FLIGHT NO. DEPART BI757 BI758 Contact Royal Brunei Airlines at 221 2222 or visit our website. *Flight schedule is subject to change. Conditions apply. WWW.FLYROYALBRUNEI.COM ROYALBRUNEIAIR ROYALBRUNEIAIR 21:05 07:10 ARRIVE 23:30 09:35 WELCOME ONBOARD DEPUTY CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE The RB Welfare Committee. Dear Guests, Welcome aboard your flight today with Royal Brunei Airlines (RB). Whether you’re travelling for leisure or business, we wish you a very pleasant trip. Rest assure that our team both on the ground and in the air will do their utmost to make sure you have a comfortable and restful journey. For my message this issue, we are proud to highlight the social, charitable and religious activities undertaken by the dedicated and hardworking members of the RB Welfare Committee. Led by my senior colleague, Captain Khalidkhan Hj Asmakhan, the RB Welfare Committee focuses on three key areas: Religious, Social and Sporting Affairs. The months of Ramadhan (fasting month) and Syawal (Eid-ul Fitr) were especially busy for the committee with many charitable fundraising and social activities organised. This year, our staff contributed generously towards a special annual fundraising drive for orphans, distributing BND$6,300 to needy individuals. On the sporting front, the committee has also been actively involved in organising the prestigious World Check out eMuhibah at www.flyroyalbrunei.com Be a fan on Airline Badminton Championship that was hosted in Brunei for the very first time in August. On the fleet front, you may be flying with RB today on the latest addition to the family: the first of two brand new Airbus A320 CEO aircraft. This features the very latest in passenger comfort and amenity and provides a sneak preview of what to expect when our new generation A320 NEO fleet arrives in 2017. As always, I would like to conclude with a sincere word of thanks to you for flying with RB today and, for our part, we will continue do our best to earn your support in the future. With warm good wishes, Dermot Mannion Deputy Chairman facebook.com/RoyalBruneiAirlines Follow us on twitter.com/RoyalBruneiAir SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 5 WELCOME ONBOARD INSIGHTS INSIDE RB Roundup of Royal Brunei Airlines happenings. RB WELFARE ACTIVITIES IN RAMADHAN RB’s Welfare Committee organised various activities during the month of Ramadhan. One such activity was the Sungkai or Berbuka Puasa (breaking of fast) at the new Brunei International Airport surau on 3 July. Other events included The Ramadhan Charity Drive on 4 July, where the committee and its members visited two needy families and presented financial aid and everyday household items. On 10 July, the committee presented collected donation to 42 orphans of RB employees. On 7 July, organised with the RB Train-The-Trainers committee as well as the Management Information System (MIS) department, RB donated 20 computers and various stationery items to the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei. On 9 July, a Tahlil ceremony was conducted for the late parents of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, at the Royal Mausoleum. Present were members of RB’s Board of Directors, YM Junaidi Hj Masri and YM Ahmad Jefri Abd Rahman, RB senior management and staff. 6 MUHIBAH WORLD AIRLINE BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 RB hosted the annual World Airline Badminton Championship (WABC) 2015 at RBRC from 19-22 August, 2015. Nine airlines took part including AirAsia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, MASwings, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. HIS MAJESTY’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION RB took part in the annual “Bersama Rakyat” event organised by the Brunei Muara District Office as part of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 69th Birthday celebration. AIDILFITRI CELEBRATION 2015 RB organised a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration on 10 August at RBRC. Present were Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Awang Hj Bahrin, RB’s Chairman; members of RB’s board of directors; management; staff as well as RB’s corporate partners and clients from around Brunei. Over in Malaysia, celebrating Hari Raya in Kuala Lumpur for the first time, Dato Paduka Hj Alaihuddin Mohamad Taha, Brunei’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and Datin Mariani welcomed diplomats, envoys, esteemed guests from Malaysia and Brunei to a ‘Brunei-style’ open house at their residence. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 7 FEATURES Remembering Agatha Christie 125 years on. Words SURIANI ARIFF Images IACF MEDIA RESOURCES 8 MUHIBAH SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 9 FEATURES The doyenne of crime fiction, Agatha Christie, is known worldwide as one of British’s most loved mystery writers. Her legacy is remarkable. Her books are thought to have been sold an estimated two billion copies worldwide; translated into 103 languages, making her the most translated author to date; and her works remain just as popular today 36 years after her demise. The master mystery story-teller lived in Torquay, “The English Riviera”, in Devon, south-west England, which is now synonymous with Christie and a must-visit for her fans. This year marks the 125th anniversary of her birth, and Torquay is rolling out the red carpet for a nine-day international festival, from September 11 – 20, to celebrate the Queen of Crime’s life, literature and legacy. At the heart of the programme will be a birthday party on September 15 at the festival’s main venue, Torre Abbey, while other highlights and locations will include an exhibition of previously unpublished photos from the Christie family’s private archives; a cooking session with French cookery writer Anne Martinetti, author of a series of recipe books linked to writers/film-makers, who will prepare food from Christie stories in the kitchen at Agatha’s long-time Devon home: Greenway on the river Dart, near Brixham; and an introduction to poisons by A Is For Arsenic author Dr Kathryn Harkup together with a guided tour of the potent plants garden at Torre Abbey. Few may know that Christie is a qualified pharmacy dispenser, using her inside knowledge of poisons in her books to detail with great accuracy not just the amount of poison required to administer a fatal dose, but the symptoms as well. In describing this year’s programme, Dr Anna Farthing, director of the 2015 festival, said, “As well as being the world’s best-selling author, its most translated novelist and the UK’s most successful woman playwright, Dame Agatha Christie was a fascinating character, whose work was shaped by her life and times and whose enduring impact reaches much further than her writings. In programming this 125th anniversary festival, my aim has been to fully reflect this breadth and depth by supplementing favourite and familiar stories with new viewpoints and fresh insights – some of them never made public before – in ways that will appeal as much to younger people and newcomers as they will to lifelong fans.” FEW MAY KNOW THAT CHRISTIE IS A QUALIFIED PHARMACY DISPENSER. 10 MUHIBAH The Christie Archive More than 100 events will be on the festival menu with each day taking a special theme, starting on Saturday 12 September with a Family Day of children’s author-led workshops, trails, stories and an outdoor show on the lawns where a young Agatha herself performed. The week then continues with focuses on the First World War years; Miss Marple; the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, International Agatha, Agatha & Theatre and Agatha For Everyone. The Christie Archive SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 11 FEATURES AGATHA CHRISTIE REMAINS THE MOST WIDELY PUBLISHED AUTHOR OF ALL TIME. The festival’s board is chaired by the author’s grandson Mathew Prichard, who also chairs Agatha Christie Ltd, which manages the worldwide literary and media rights to the author’s works. He says, “I am delighted that the 125th anniversary of my grandmother’s birth in Torquay is being celebrated with such a lively and wide-ranging programme. I am also pleased that we have been able to release so much new material from the family’s collections so enabling visitors to see photographs which have never been on public view before, learn more about Archie Christie, the grandfather I never met, and to hear recordings of my grandmother’s voice when we mark the 80th anniversary of the RNIB’s Talking Books for the Blind service.” He added, “I feel sure that my grandmother would have welcomed the diversity of the programme and how it will reach so many different audiences, particularly through the workshop programme for emerging writers and the many new opportunities for children, older people, film-makers and local students to get involved.” The International Agatha Christie Festival (IACF) was created in 2014 to honour Christie who remains the most widely published author of all time and, in Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, the creator of two of literature’s best known characters. The elegant seaside town of Torquay was where the author was born on 15 September, 1890. Christie grew up and first started to write here. Today, visitors can explore the many places which inspired settings for her stories, among them Greenway, the memorabilia-filled holiday home where she spent nearly every summer from 1938 until her death in 1976. Royal Brunei Airlines flies London daily via Dubai. Agatha Christie’s MISS MARPLE and HERCULE POIROT books can be found in bookstores. MPH members get 10% discount. Alternatively, enjoy free delivery* when you purchase at: www.mphonline.com * Terms & conditions apply. 12 MUHIBAH SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 13 FEATURES Other World The Discover Earth’s last unexplored frontier at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum. Words EMMA RAMSAY Survival beneath the surface. This is the subject matter being explored in The Deep, presently showing at the ArtScience Museum. In this first-of-its-kind exhibition in South East Asia, The Deep introduces audiences to the other side of the ocean. A side where the sun rarely penetrates its darkest depths, shedding light on life that exists 4,000 metres below. Set in a pitch-black environment, visitors can experience what it is like to view the creatures in their ‘natural habitat’. Featuring over 40 stunning, rarely seen and sometimes strange-looking deep-sea creatures, the exhibition explores the miraculous findings scientists have discovered in the ocean deep. There are also 67 images of sea fauna and bioluminescent creatures, some of which have never been photographed before. Organised into eight zones, the exhibition will showcase the different depths of the sea, such as life in the mid-water (up to 4,000 metres below the surface) and on the ocean floor. 14 MUHIBAH © 2002 MBARI 01 01 Unlike other jellyfishes that use their sting, Tiburonia granrojo, the Big Red jellyfish, deploys its long fleshy arms to capture prey. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 15 02 02 Himantolophus groenlandicus (Atlantic football fish) has a luminous lure to attract prey. 16 MUHIBAH Marina Bay Sands FEATURES © 2006 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution 03 03 The American submersible Johnson Sea Link-1 has a maximum operating depth of 3,000 feet. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 17 FEATURES 04 04 Brochiraja asperula (Smooth Asperula) is endemic to New Zealand. 05 Allan Gottini, stage manager and taxidermist for The Deep. 18 MUHIBAH Marina Bay Sands Marina Bay Sands 05 .A key highlight of the exhibition is Hidden/ Depths, an installation by Australian artist, Lynette Wallworth, which encourages visitors to take on the role of deep-sea explorers. This interactive installation, commissioned for the exhibition by ArtScience Museum, allows visitors to use UV torches to uncover seven, never-beforeseen, deep-sea specimens and three films of bioluminescent animals, hidden in 18 luminescent glass sculptures. One deep-sea specimen on display in Hidden/Depths is the Widenosed chimeare, otherwise known as the Pinocchio of the deep-sea. In the murky depths of the ocean, the Widenosed chimeare depends on its extremely long and very flexible snout to source for food in the deep ocean. Another creature, Idiacanthus sp.(BlackDragon Fish) stands out with its body covered in minuscule photophores, which light up when it is disturbed. Their luminous chin barbel serves as a lure to attract prey, yet only the females are supplied with these features. Interestingly, the males of this particular species can be 10 times smaller than the females and do not possess a lure or teeth. For the installation, Wallworth worked with a series of experts from Great Britain and Singapore to ensure these creatures were presented in the best manner possible. Wallworth says, “Hidden/Depths is a tribute to the wonders that exist in the deep ocean, those that we know, those we have yet to encounter. I hope the glimpse it offers into this other-worldy environment will remind as we are much to protect as much to discover. This is not another world, it is the one, we have to share with the creatures of the deep.” SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 19 © 2002 MBARI FEATURES 06 07 06 Careproctus longifilis (Threadfin snailfish) has a face perforated with large sensory pores. 07 Riftia pachyptila (Giant tube worm) has no eyes, no mouth, no obvious organs for ingesting food or secreting waste. 20 MUHIBAH © 2003 MBARI 08 Jelly Benthocodon sp. is distinguished by its myriad tentacles (between 1,000 and 2,000). © 2002 MBARI 08 Honor Harger, Executive Director of ArtScience Museum, added, “The Deep uses both art and science to shed light on the deepest parts of our ocean, which have long been a mystery to many. In order to address the critical environmental challenges that the ocean faces, we need both the emotional connections created through art, and the understanding generated by science. That is why we commissioned Lynette Wallworth to create Hidden/Depths. Lynette is at the forefront of art and science practice internationally, having created several exquisite artworks that give visitors emotional encounters with the ocean. We are thrilled to present her latest work, which is a truly striking installation that skillfully weaves scientific discoveries from the deep sea into a stunning, interactive display.” The Deep curator, Claire Nouvian, says, “There’s a vast number of astounding creatures living deep beneath the sea, and it’s both exciting and humbling to think about how many more of them we have yet to discover. Hopefully The Deep will bring to our attention the beauty that surrounds us and the possibility that if we don’t act now, there may be nothing left to discover in the future.” In conjunction with the exhibition, there are also a wide-range of programmes and activities being offered for audiences of all ages. From fact-filled guided tours to fascinating storytelling, creative hands-on workshops to arts and crafts, the activities have been designed to enhance visitors’ journey through the realm of the deep sea. The Deep runs until October 27, 2015. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Singapore 2x daily. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 21 M O RO B EL B E N O U K K R O A M FEATURES O Bookmark Melbourne Get the fine print on the best nooks and corners for lovers of the written word. Words JEFFREY LIM 22 MUHIBAH Visions of Victoria K K R O A M M O RO 01 01 Melbourne has the highest concentration of bookshops and publishers in Australia. Melbourne is a page-turner for the literary-loving traveller. As the world’s second only official City of Literature by UNESCO, Melbourne prides itself on its literary heritage. The city is home to some of Australia’s greatest writers, has the largest publishing sector in Australia, a successful culture of independent bookselling, a healthy reading/writing culture, and an engaging calendar of literary events. One such event is the recently concluded Melbourne Writers Festival which takes place every year. Keynote speakers in the past included British actor, director and writer, Simon Callow, and prolific Melbourne-born writer and journalist, Germaine Greer. A contingent of heavyweight editorial staff from ‘The New Yorker’ magazine have also spoken at different events and a series of walking tours discovering the history and diversity of Melbourne’s literary and arts culture all contribute to an inspiring overall programme. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 23 FEATURES Visions of Victoria 02 24 MUHIBAH B EL B E K UN K R O A M The Melbourne Writers Festival came on the heels of the popular Emerging Writers Festival, one of the city’s most influential events, that celebrates creativity and innovation while nurturing diverse talents and voice across Australia. The festival has also made possible The Digital Writers’ Festival, an online-first writers’ festival dedicated to celebrating the work of Australian writers and fostering new relationships through collaboration between writers, with interactive live-streamed discussions between some of Australia’s and the world’s best authors, reviewers, editors, and general publishing community. Melbourne’s readers are voracious. More people borrow more books from local libraries in Melbourne than anywhere else in Australia. Reading groups are also extremely popular; the Ivanhoe Reading Circle, which is Australia’s oldest book group, has met continuously since the 1920s. At anytime of year, book-loving visitors can inhale the nostalgia and pen and ink at the State Library of Victoria. A magnificent 19th-century building in inner-city Melbourne, the library houses more than two million books, hundreds of thousands of pictures, newspapers, maps, manuscripts and multimedia materials – all reflecting the culture of Victoria over the past 150 years. The La Trobe Reading Room, with its majestic domed ceiling, is a must-do on any ‘lit-tourist’ itinerary. 03 02 The State Library’s collections include over two million books, newspapers, pictures, maps and other references. Melbourne Writers Festival 03 Australia’s finest literary celebration, the Melbourne Writers Festival. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 25 Ben King/Visions of Victoria FEATURES 04 26 MUHIBAH B EL B E K UN K R O A M 05 The Wheeler Centre is a hub and home for writers. Inside the library is the state-of-the-art Wheeler Centre, Australia’s first centre for books, writing and ideas. Opened in 2010, The Centre brings together writers and literary organisations such as Writers Victoria, Express Media, the Australian Poetry Centre, and hosts a number of literary events throughout the year. .The rise in online book sales and demise of some of the larger retail book chains has meant a revival of independent bookshops for Melbourne. Some of the best include Embiggen, Hill of Content, The Paperback Store, Metropolis and Kay Craddock Antiquarian Booksellers. There are also specialised bookstores such as Books for Cooks, the Travellers Bookstore, Artisan Books and The Haunted Bookshop. Book browsing is hungry work and Melbourne’s famous cafe and coffee culture does not fail to deliver on suitable places to retreat and refuel. Mr Tulk at the State Library, the Moat Bar and Cafe underneath the Wheeler Centre; or the Journal cafe, inside Melbourne’s City Library offer the most convenient eats for readers. Other cafes with bookish bents include 1000 £ Bend, a hybrid city venue that combines a cafe, exhibition space and cinema in an old garage; Manchester Press down a cool city laneway; the League of Honest Coffee; or the Reading Room at Victoria University’s Footscray campus. Visitors wanting to get the full low-down on Melbourne’s literary roots should let the locals be their guide. Walking tour specialist Hidden Secrets is offering Melbourne by the Book 05 The Wheeler Centre 04 Climbing three floors up to Metropolis Bookstore is worth it. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 27 FEATURES Page To Pose 06 28 MUHIBAH 06 & 07 Page to Pose is a book club with an asana thrown in the mix. Page To Pose B EL B O U K R O A M 07 Tour which takes in some of the best-loved bookstores and significant sites in the city’s publishing, bookselling and literary history. MelTours offers a similar two-hour Literary Tour of Melbourne that snakes through laneways and arcades. Then, there’s Stephanie Sta Maria. A journalist by profession and a yoga teacher by passion, Stephanie is the creator of Page To Pose, an unusual series of themed workshops shaped around books and yoga. Unlike a traditional book club that features a single book, Page To Pose’s participants bring a book of their choice based on that workshop’s theme, like courage, surrender and quiet. The workshop begins in book club style and then flows into the yoga session where the poses further reflect the day’s theme. Since its conception in March this year, Stephanie has brought Page To Pose to Melbourne’s libraries, community houses and business events where it has sparked conversations and connections. But what truly delights her is being able to bring yoga to non-practitioners and adding more books to their reading list. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Melbourne daily. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 29 Exce FEATURES 30 Abod MUHIBAH ellent Extravagant South East Asia hotels that range from palace-like resorts to forest hideaways to guarantee a memorable getaway. des Words ANIS RAMLI SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 31 FEATURES Hist Historical Homestead 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai, Thailand This elegant 1889 property once belonged to Louis Leonowens, son of Anna (of Anna and the King movie fame). It is no surprise then that the hotel strives to offer a personal home-awayfrom-home feel with its rooms and grounds. Rooms are spacious with private balconies. Some have fourposter or super-king beds with indoor and outdoor showers. For a splurge, the two ground-floor Louis Leonowens Pool Suites will make you feel totally at home. Laze away the afternoons by the 25-metre lap pool surrounded by a lush vertical plant wall. It’s a great hideaway in busy Chiang Mai that blends nostalgic with historic Thai architecture. 32 MUHIBAH t rical SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 33 FEATURES 34 MUHIBAH cean nside Oceanside Opulence Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bali, Indonesia A sophisticated oceanfront property, the sprawling Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is an excellent showcase of authentic Balinese heritage and culture. The resort has welcomed kings and queens, presidents, and other dignitaries over the years. Designed to resemble a Balinese palace, it combines regal presence with warm tropical hospitality. The three outdoor pools and a private beach are just amazing. Guests can soak in all things Balinese with the resort’s inhouse activities such as Balinese dance classes, the art of Balinese beauty rituals, coconut weaving and fruit carving. Rooms range from comfortable to extravagant, including one that was previously reserved only for royalty. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 35 FEATURES Traditional Tranquility Angkor Village Resort & Spa, Siem Reap, Cambodia Styled like a traditional Cambodian village, Angkor Village Resort is an enchanting tropical oasis just minutes away from Siem Reap city centre. The grounds boast of an amazing landscape dotted with big old trees, water ponds with lilies and flowers while the hotel’s pool winds like a river through the tropical gardens. The main building is a stunning and traditional Khmer wooden structure, while rooms are designed cottage-like to further provide guests the Khmer aesthetics and feel. 36 MUHIBAH Trad diti nal SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 37 Italian FEATURES 38 MUHIBAH Italian Opulence The Reverie Saigon, Vietnam Discover Italian opulence at this hotel that wows the senses with eye-popping interiors. Stepping into its many-styled rooms is like stumbling into a Prada advert with interiors that range from modern sophistication to classical European and whimsically sassy. Four of Italy’s leading furniture designers – Provasi, Colombostile, Giorgetti and Visionnaire – have lent their legendary talents to design the hotel’s spaces, rooms and suites. Further decadence is when you can request a butler or private chef and get a lift in a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, which are among the house cars. It’s all about glamorous lifestyle at this property. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 39 FEATURES Eco Glam The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia Jet-setters looking for jungle luxury will find no complaints here. The Datai offers peaceful privacy amid an exquisite virgin rainforest through its 124 secluded villas, each leading down to a private bay and the hotel’s white sand beach. In-room decor matches its lush surrounding with polished dark wood floors and beige-upholstered furniture. The Villa Hutan Datai is a Malay-style villa on stilts offering four bedrooms surrounding a 15m-long central pool and an outdoor bar/barbecue area. You can further commune with nature at the onsite spa that offers exquisite rainforest-inspired menu in open-air wooden villas. 40 MUHIBAH Ec SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 41 Design FEATURES 42 MUHIBAH ner Designer Den Naumi Hotel, Singapore If you want customised living, then Naumi is for you. In compact-living Singapore, the hotel cleverly sets out to provide guests an oasis of serenity and top-notch service. It may appear to be cramped from the outside, but once you step in, you’ll see Naumi triumphing in design. Rooms are conceptual and unique; take inspiration from the cool abodes – some contemporary, others arty – to recreate at home as everything from the toiletries to the mattress and bathrobe is for sale. Service is personalised to a fault. Staff will go out of their way to make you feel at home. Perfect for long-term vacations or even a staycation. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 43 FEATURES Legendary Luxurious The Peninsula Manila, The Philippines The Peninsula brand is synonymous with refined and personalised service, and The Peninsula Manila does not disappoint. The highest standards of luxury will define your stay. Rooms are equipped with signature tech-savvy amenities unique to the Pen brand and if you can tear yourself away from these havens for comfort, the Peninsula Academy programmes are stellar examples of how the hotel strives to provide a peek into the local culture. Take advantage of Burda, the local hand embroidery art; a personalised tour of Intramuros or an in depth look at the old houses at Taal town. 44 MUHIBAH Lege endary SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 45 FEATURES DRAWING THE DEVOUT Malaysia emerges as a favourite destination to combine Islamic conferences and a halal getaway. Words ANIS RAMLI Images TOURISM MALAYSIA 46 MUHIBAH 01 Malaysia is becoming a key fixture on the international Islamic lecture circuit as more and more notable speakers pencil in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang on their speaking calendars. Interestingly, speakers of the calibre of Zimbabwe’s Mufti Ismail Menk, Jamaican-born Dr Bilal Philips and British Sheikh Abdurraheem Green aren’t just drawing the faithful of Malaysia, but also devout English-speaking and affluent Muslims from across the region who shuttle in on budget and full-fare airlines. In the last calendar month, Malaysia has hosted some of the biggest and most notable events such as The Straight Path Convention, Ilm Fest 2015, Journey of Faith and, in Ramadhan 2014, a whole month of lectures on “Getting to Know the Companions of Muhammad” by the respected scholar Mufti Menk. These events are always well publicised and attended by a full house. What’s even more interesting is that conference audiences come from far and wide. Zalina Omar, manager of Dakwah Corner Bookstore (DCB), organisers of The Straight Path Convention says, “It was very encouraging to note that among our audience were representatives of over 10 countries.” Some came from as far as the Philippines and Australia. 02 01 The availability of mosques and prayer places across Malaysia attracts many Muslim visitors to the country. 02 Malaysia’s events calendar has seen a growth in Islamicthemed conventions. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 47 FEATURES 48 MUHIBAH 03 04 Zalina is not alone in noticing that Englishmedium international Islamic conferences are becoming popular not just with Malaysians, but overseas guests as well. Laila Hassan, who’s company LightUp7 was tasked to organise the first international conference for Sri Lankan’s The Daily Reminder in Malaysia says, “I believe the public’s gravitation towards these events is due to its content that seek to educate Muslims on authentic knowledge untainted by cultural bias and traditions.” Today’s Muslims, she says, are more aware of the importance to understand Islam based on the real teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) exemplary behaviours and manners. Observers opine that this sudden reawakening could perhaps be a result of the rise and continuous perpetuation of Islamophobia in the West and around the world. As more Muslims realise that they have to take a stand and mobilise the authentic teachings of Islam – which is a religion of peace – and transform the negative mindset, these new platforms for Islamic education provide the means to remind and educate. 03 Nature enthusiasts will find lots to discover in the country. 04 Sheikh Saeed Rageah at The Straight Path. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 49 FEATURES 50 MUHIBAH 05 In fact, scholars such as Menk, Philips, Green and many others have been singled out for their contemporary Islamic views and approach, while maintaining Islam’s authentic teachings. This may also explain why some of these events have also attracted audiences of other faiths. At a conference entitled “One God, Why So Many Religions?” last year, organiser Multiracial Reverted Muslims (MRM) reported a wide range of people in the audience that included various races and religious backgrounds. MRM’s Vice President, MaryAnn Gooi explains, “We chose that particular theme because we felt that it was important for people to understand the message that Islam carries – that it is a faith that unites humanity regardless of race or status. We also wanted to provide a platform for people of different faiths to clear misconceptions and have their questions on Islam answered by an expert in the field.” Interestingly, the conference’s speakers, Dr Bilal Philips and Malaysian scholar Sheikh Hussain Yee, are both reverts to Islam, further lending an authentic voice to the event’s purpose. In addition, these events are not just food for the spiritual soul. They also feature a secular dimension – notably, packaging speaking engagements to boost a specific segment of the halal and Islamic tourism market. Linda Harris from Perth purposely arrived in Malaysia a week prior to The Daily Reminder Conference that took place 29-30 August. During that time, she journeyed to Penang to admire its pre-war architecture and then to Terengganu to get acquainted with the gentle giants of Tasik Kenyir’s elephant sanctuary. She says, “I was super excited about the event itself and the speaker line-up was impressive. It was not difficult to make that decision to come here for a short holiday and include a session where I can increase my knowledge in Islam.” 06 07 08 05 Mosques have also become major tourist attractions. 06 Mufti Menk is known for his humorous and broad-minded lectures. 07 Dr Bilal Philips and Sheikh Hussain Yee are unique personalities in the Islamic world who are popular for their simple yet insightful talks. 08 Mini bazaars at conventions create a festive air. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 51 FEATURES 52 MUHIBAH 09 10 09 Malaysia’s untouched rainforests are among some of South East Asia’s best. 10 Halal food choices are aplenty in Malaysia. Malaysia as a brand has increased its efforts in developing its destination products and visitor experiences, especially in the Muslim travel sector. In marketing itself as a preferred destination for Islamic events and conferences, Malaysia continues to create new opportunities for innovative services and processes while meeting planner and audience perceptions about value and experience. The presence of these attributes – halal food and services, accessibility of prayer places, a tolerant culture that generally embraces a gentle and warm etiquette and mannerism – coupled with competitively priced lodgings, pristine nature, beautiful beaches and UNESCO-awarded cities and sites – help to enhance conference attendee experience. Internet-savvy travellers also help drive the trend of this particular market forward. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Weibo are often used as a communications platform to promote the events and create interest. And, with customers increasingly seeking a personalised travel experience, combining conferences with travel appears to be a winning combination. Particularly for the devout Muslims. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Kuala Lumpur 2x daily. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 53 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI Herit age Maritime A new museum reflects the maritime culture and history of Brunei and adds credit to its past community. 54 MUHIBAH Warisan Maritim Sebuah muzium baru yang mencerminkan budaya dan sejarah maritim Brunei kini menjadi mercu tanda penghargaan negara untuk generasi terdahulu. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 55 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI In 1997, a routine geophysical survey by Elf Petroleum (now known as TotalFinaElf) discovered a shipwreck 40 kilometres off the coast of Brunei. Preliminary research done by the Brunei Museums Department and Départment des Recherches Archeolelogiues Subaquatiques et Sous-Marines (DRASSM), involving 130 experts from different countries including Brunei, uncovered over 13,000 artefacts from the wreck originating from Thailand, Vietnam, and China. The discovery soon was known as The Brunei Shipwreck, and its finding gave a glimpse of Brunei’s maritime history that demonstrated Brunei’s role in maritime trades with other countries about 500 years ago. The ship was thought to have sunk between late 15th to early 16th century, and about 50 years after the great Chinese explorer, Zheng He’s expedition. 56 MUHIBAH Today, many of the contents from the shipwreck are proudly displayed at the newly opened Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum. Among the items exhibited are the Chinese blue and white porcelain, likely made in Jingdezhen, China, “the porcelain capital of the world”. Jingdezhen produced porcelain for the emperor’s household and these were often referred to as ‘Imperial ware’. Pada tahun 1997, pengkaji geofizik Elf Petroleum (kini dikenali sebagai TotalFinaElf) menemui sebuah bangkai kapal di dasar laut, 40 kilometer dari pesisir pantai Brunei. Kajian awal yang dikendali oleh Jabatan Muzium Brunei serta Départment des Recherches Archeolelogiues Subaquatiques et Sous-Marines (DRASSM) melibatkan 130 orang pakar dari pelbagai negara termasuk Brunei, berjaya menemui lebih 13,000 artifak berasal dari Thailand, Vietnam, dan China di lokasi tersebut. Penemuan ini dikenali sebagai The Brunei Shipwreck, dan ia mencerahkan sejarah maritim Brunei dengan bukti kukuh akan peranan penting negara dalam perdagangan maritim antarabangsa 500 tahun lalu. Kapal yang dijumpai itu dipercayai karam pada lewat kurun ke-15 atau awal kurun ke-16, lebih kurang 50 tahun selepas ekspedisi penjelajah China terkenal, Zheng He. Hari ini, kebanyakkan penemuan tersebut dipamerkan dengan bangganya di Muzium Maritim Brunei Darussalam yang baru dibuka. Antara artifak yang dipamerkan adalah tembikar porselin biru dan putih dipercayai diperbuat di Jingdezhen, China yang dikenali sebagai pusat porselin dunia. Jingdezhen menghasilkan produk porselin yang digunakan oleh keluarga maharaja China, dikenali sebagai ‘Imperial ware’. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 57 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI These, along with other salvaged items from The Brunei Shipwreck, such as glass bracelets, beads, ivory bronze and metal objects, make up the museum’s permanent collection. They help tell the compelling story of Brunei as a past trading port, how it built the community and the growth of the Sultanate. The museum’s other gallery includes an introduction to Kota Batu and the man-made island, Pulau Terendak. The latter was a significant archaeological discovery, as it gave historians an understanding of its life at the heart of the trade routes through which trade from Arab, Europe and China entered Brunei. A collection of trading ship replicas and local boats and water vessels are displayed here. There is also a section on Brunei handicrafts, including kain tenunan (woven fabric), representing the various handicrafts locally made that would have been part of the trade with visiting ships. 58 MUHIBAH Barang-barangan berharga ini, serta artifak-artifak lain yang ditemui dari The Brunei Shipwreck, seperti gelang tangan kaca, manik, dan objek-objek diperbuat dari gading, gangsa dan besi, merupakan sebahagian dari pameran kekal di muzium ini. Objek-objek bersejarah ini menjadi bukti kepada kisah menarik perkembangan Brunei dari sebuah pelabuhan dagangan purba hingga menjadi sebuah Kesultanan yang maju pada hari ini. Galeri-galeri lain di muzium ini turut mempamerkan pengenalan kepada Kota Batu dan pulau buatan manusia, Pulau Terendak. Pulau ini merupakan penemuan kaji purba yang berharga kerana memberikan para sejarawan gambaran lebih jelas tentang laluan dagangan penting menghubungkan Brunei dengan pedagang-pedagang Arab, Eropah dan China Koleksi replika-replika kapal dagang dan bot tempatan turut dipamerkan di muzium ini. Juga terdapat pameran khas untuk kraftangan Brunei, termasuk kain tenunan, antara barangan tempatan yang dahulunya digunakan dalam urusniaga dengan kapal-kapal dagangan yang tiba di pelabuhan. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 59 FEATURES BEST OF BRUNEI Presently, a temporary exhibition, Sailing Deep Into The Sea, is being held. Showcasing the maritime Silk Road connecting Brunei and China over 2,000 years ago, it is jointly organised by the Quanzhou Maritime Museum of China and the Brunei Maritime Museum. The exhibition features some 130 exhibits – mostly from Quanzhou, China and include porcelain, gravestones, ship models, ancient coins, historical images and documents. The museum is open to the public from 9am to 5pm on Saturday to Thursday and on Friday from 9am to 11.30am and then 2.30pm to 5pm. For further information, contact the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum at 224 0083. 60 MUHIBAH Pada ketika ini, sebuah pameran sementara berjudul Sailing Deep Into The Sea, sedang berlangsung. Pameran ini menonjolkan laluan Jalan Sutera maritim yang menghubungkan Brunei dan China lebih 2,000 tahun lalu, anjuran bersama Muzium Maritim Quanzhou dari China dengan Muzium Maritim Brunei. Ia melibatkan 130 barang pameran menarik – kebanyakkannya dari Quanzhou, China termasuk porselin, batu nesan, replika kapal, duit purba, serta imej-imej dan dokumen-dokumen bersejarah. Muzium dibuka kepada umum dari 9 pagi hingga 5 petang pada hari Sabtu hingga Khamis, dan 9 pagi hingga 11.30 pagi diikuti 2.30 petang hingga 5 petang setiap Jumaat. Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi Muzium Maritim Brunei Darussalam di talian 224 0083. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 61 LIFESTYLE MOTORING DRIVING PLEASURE The Attrage brings styling and befitting a next-generation global compact sedan. 62 MUHIBAH THE BEST FUEL EFFICIENT SEDAN IN ITS CLASS. Evolved from the current hatchback model, the Mirage, this Attrage is the current entry level super-budget sedan in the Mitsubishi lineup. The Attrage still houses the same multiple award winning fuel-efficiency hardware. Ranked #1 in Cars. com’s “New Cars for Penny Pinchers”, the Automotive Science Group “Best All-Around Performance” and “Best Environmental Performance” in the Mini-Compact Class and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy “Greenest Vehicles”, to name a few, the Attrage has everything you seek in a compact sedan. Designed by the Mitsubishi designers to look more agile and dynamic, it still retains its practicality with just the right touch of elegance for a class-above compact model. The Attrage incorporates high-tensile steel lightweight rigid body elements that contribute to its eco performance enhancement. No surprise that the Attrage line has been given the accolade of 4-star ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards in 2014. All the bells and whistles in regards to safety comes as standard which includes dual airbags, safety belt with pre-tensioners, RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body construction, 4ABS brakes system, EBD Brake assist and all the works. Class-leading fuel efficiency is one of the features that set the Attrage apart from its competitors. It boasts a whopping 21 kilometres of road travelling with just one litre of unleaded fuel, thanks to the state-of-the-art 1.2 litre DOHC 12-valve MIVEC setup, Mitsubishi’s current proprietary engine. Coupled with the INVECS-II CVT transmission system, you will enjoy superior economy and comfort in all driving conditions. There is also a nifty “ECO” display which illuminates whenever you operate the accelerator pedal in an eco-friendly way that encourages good driving habits. The Attrage body also lends a hand to fuel saving. It is designed in such a way that the streamline shape will slip through wind resistance easily, in turn lowers cabin noise and increases handling stability. It is no surprise then that the Attrage was recently dubbed ‘The Stylish Eco Sedan’ boasting superior best-in-its-class fuel efficiency. Inside, passengers are welcomed into a comfortable space with extra room and practical designs. The Attrage is equipped with a standard push button switch to start and stop the car. In addition, the KOS (Keyless Operation System) lets you access the car just with a touch of a button on the driver’s door. The simple yet stylish interior surrounds you and your passengers with quality materials. Smooth flowing lines and a seamless fit and finish convey quality craftsmanship. Soft yet supportive seating, thoughtful amenities and attractive features like silver accents further enhance driving pleasure. In the new Attrage, travelling is always a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The people-centred design puts people first; refined to every last detail to create an interior that maximises passenger space. In short, the Attrage is your ultimate budget non-hybrid car. From its phenomenal fuel efficiency to low running costs and economical size tyres, you surely can’t ask for more. In Brunei, the Mitsubishi Attrage comes in two trims: the highly featured premium and basic featured standard trims. Call GHK Motors at 2423423/0882 (BSB) or 3335740/6372 (KB) for further vehicle information. GHK Motors is currently running THE GREAT HARI RAYA GIVEAWAYS! campaign until 30 September, 2015. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 63 LIFESTYLE IN PERSON BUMBLING NO MORE Writer/architect/illustrator/musician/part-time stand-up comedian, Tom Schmidt takes a breather from his multiple roles to speak to MUHIBAH on his award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series. You set out your Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series as a platform to promote cultural and environmental awareness. Were you able to get feedback from your readers on how the books have impacted them? I’ve received some great book reviews and feedback from various readers over the past few years – fortunately, it’s been overwhelming positive. Some readers who live in the places that I’ve written about are surprised to learn things about their country that they never knew. I feel that sometimes we travel the world, but rarely explore our own backyard. I’m always shocked to learn things about my hometown that have been written by other travellers – particularly writers from different cultures – as they tend to look at things with fresh eyes and a very different perspective. You also said Bumbling began as a booklet for your grandmother. Was she a traveller also and do you still keep her in mind when you write your books? I do often think of my late grandmother when I write my books. Before I was born, her family travelled across the US extensively by car. However, I remember her best as more of an armchair traveller in her later years; she was constantly reading books that would take her to some faraway place. She was always very curious and inquisitive about different places in the world and different cultures, and as I was growing up, I think some of those attributes rubbed off on me. After I returned from some of my backpacking adventures in my younger years, I produced small handmade booklets for my grandmother, other family members and friends to convey my travel experiences – so I wouldn’t need to repeat the same story a hundred times. Tell us the inspiration behind some of your characters. Many of the characters in my books are hybrids of actual travellers who I had backpacked with, or met over the years. I’ve found that as a solo traveller, some 64 MUHIBAH of the people with whom I’ve travelled are often more interesting and entertaining than the places that I’ve visited – sometimes your fellow traveller can either make or break a segment of your journey. I am always amazed at the variety of people of all ages who are out there on their own, roaming the world. I’ve travelled with people ranging from rambunctious teenagers on school holidays, to an 80-something year old British woman who was bravely backpacking on her own across the world. It’s exciting to travel with people from different cultures, and who have different vocations and interests – a friendly chat during a 10-minute bus ride with a fellow backpacker from another country can open up an entire new world, and radically change one’s perspective. I’m still always amazed at the kindness of strangers and their willingness to help out wayward travellers. Were there any lessons you’ve learnt after writing three volumes of the series? One thing I’ve found is that a writer can never do justice to a place in just a few pages within a book. Every destination has positive and negative attributes, and so much history and depth – it’s always difficult to choose what aspects to write about. One of the most important lessons I discovered in the writing process was that my detailed travel journals and in-situ sketches provided excellent source material for my books, and helped me remember my first impressions of a place, which we often tend to forget as time passes. As I reflect upon writing about some of the adventures contained in the book series – which are largely autobiographical – I feel like I’m lucky to still be alive! The biggest lesson learned was that I should have taken many more photos of the places that I visited in my earlier, pre-digital camera years, despite the cost and challenges of developing film over an extended trip. The world is changing so rapidly; if we don’t document it, things will be lost forever. Tom Schmidt’s BUMBLING TRAVELLER ADVENTURE SERIES books can be found in bookstores. MPH members get 10% discount. Alternatively, enjoy free delivery* when you purchase on: www.mphonline.com * Terms & conditions apply. In the age of Kindle and e-publishing, how do you manage to stay relevant? I think that with richly illustrated and hand drawn books published in physical form, there is still something “tangible” which readers can hold in their hands, appreciate, and can become a unique addition to their bookshelf. As an example, I also produce limited edition hand drawn holiday cards that I send to family and friends through the post each year. I think that in the current age of e-publishing, there is simply too much “noise” and electronic materials competing for our attention, and we eventually get desensitised. When my holiday cards arrive by snail mail, they get noticed and are hung up on people’s refrigerators or office cubicles … and surprisingly, they often stay there for years. As a traveller yourself, what are the things you seek out when you visit a new place? How do you research a place to go beyond the mustsees/dos for something new? When I travel, I try to seek out the more obscure and bizarre sights whenever possible. As an architect, I love historic architectural and archaeological sites. I also typically try to get a flavour of the local housing, how people live, and how things are constructed – which sometimes takes me into less visited neighbourhoods or traditional villages. Sometimes, I intentionally try to get lost, since it usually results in a memorable experience. Like many other travellers, I also try to get recommendations of good places to eat and things to see and do from the local people who live there. I think the key is to research as much as possible before a trip, but leave the gadgets at home, unplug, and actually go back to the basics of talking with people and asking for directions and local advice. I also like to leave enough free time in my itinerary to enjoy unexpected discoveries. I see too many travellers who have every hour of their trip programmed, plugged into their headphones in a private world of music, and slavishly following the GPS on their smartphones to the next tourist attraction while tweeting – as they miss the sights and sounds that surround them and the hidden gems waiting in unexplored back alleys. Have you started on Series 4? If so, what can we expect – or what can you share with us without revealing too much. Yes, volume 4 of the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is currently under production. The ending of the third volume hints at the Himalayan destination where the Bumbling Travellers might end up, as they get one step closer to unravelling a lingering mystery that runs through the entire series. The fourth book will be published later this year, so stay tuned! SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 65 LIFESTYLE THE BUZZ WHAT’S NEW Highlights and trends from around the globe. MODEST COVER What could be better than modest clothing modernised for the 21st century? SHUKR goes beyond the traditional abayas and jilbabs and combines Shariah principles with contemporary fashion for clothing produced of the highest standards. Its product line includes women’s tops, skirts, dresses, jackets, sportswear and knitwear that are not just modest, but beautiful and functional. There is also a line of men’s shirts, trousers, jackets and hats. And here’s why we love Shukr even more: the company follows fair trade and ethical labour practices, and applies Islamic financial and investment principles, avoiding interest-based financing. www.ShukrClothing.com SILENT ROLLER Travelling soon? Check out the Stealth by Heys. Inspired by aircraft design, the Stealth is the first ever luggage with retractable wheels that safely stow away when not in use. This revolutionary system also allows for the luggage ground clearance to be transformed into additional packing space. Other features include a 100% polycarbonate shell, a fully-lined interior with compression straps, and a handsome aircraft-inspired design. heys.com BUCKET LIST Jackie Onassis made famous the iconic bucket bag by Saddler’s Union. That heritage design continues today, with the company relying on classic quality and timeless elegance for its leathergoods. Plenty to choose from the line, including retro rustic wallets, belts, briefcases and even moccasins. saddlersunion.com 66 MUHIBAH SUN SMART Looking for that sunscreen for the entire family? Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer SPF 40 For Face Sunscreen is perfect for babies, kids and grown-ups, too! Fueled by the power of plant science, Babo infuses the sunscreen with 100% active mineral (nonnano) ingredients such as organic aloe vera and powerful anti-oxidants like white tea. babobotanicals.com iherb.com BACKYARD SCIENCE This highperformance creamy moisturiser with a sweet fragrance of vintage gardenia will lift you to holiday dreams and make your spirit sing. Antipodes’ Delight Hand and Body Cream has a 98% natural formulation, including macadamia nut and the revolutionary Vinanza Grape®. antipodesnature.com NEON RUN The Swiss brand Urwerk is making one of their most appealing timepiece collections even better. The popular UR-105 TA “Turbine Automatic Knight Watches” now extends the range with new visual styles. With an automatic winding movement, the model now comes in neon orange and lemon, making a stylish contrast against the black PEEK cap. urwerk.com RED FLAG Dinner parties come alive with the Alcazar line by Christopher Vine. This red statement pieces will be the envy of your friends, and we love how the jug can double up as a vase and the bowls make decorative pieces. Vine’s homewares are always known for its creativity and style. christophervine.com.au SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 67 Alila Ubud LIFESTYLE TAKE 5 Isle Style Bali remains a sleek sanctuary for surfers, shoppers and solace-loving vacationers. 68 MUHIBAH Spa Village Tembok Bali SEE Any of Bali’s traditional arts and crafts classes are a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Many resorts and hotels provide complimentary passes to these short workshops. Discover coconut weaving, making herbal tonics, or a trek through Bali’s picturesque padi fileds. You’ll be glad for the extra skill. DO Alila Ubud Catch a surf. Thousands of miles of the island’s coastline get consistent, powerful, swells. Here’s where you get the best waves on earth – Echo Beach, but with its rocky reefs below, it will certainly test your confidence. Other popular spots are Padma Beach and anywhere along the beaches of Kuta. SHOP You are good with anything that is handmade. Our personal favourite are the spa and beauty products made from local herbs and spices. From massage oils to coldpressed soaps and the boreh (a scrub pack), there is plenty to get you hunting. STAY Alila Ubud Ubud – Bali’s artistic and cultural centre – is Bali in a nutshell. A stay at Alila Ubud’s hilltop boutique resort gives you an enchanting view of Ubud’s valley and the Ayung River. Just 56 rooms make this property exclusive, and don’t leave without trying any of the spa’s magical treatments. Royal Brunei Airlines flies Bali 4x weekly. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 69 LIFESTYLE TRAVEL DIARY WHAT’S ON 1-31 Oct MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 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. Get your tastebuds tingling and savour fine dining at value-formoney prices. MIGF returns with the theme Galactic Chefs! 2015: A Food Odyssey at 25 of the country’s best restaurants. Enjoy special menus by Malaysia’s Master Chefs and indulge in a world tour of gourmet and fine dining. www.migf.com Not yet a member? Register on www.flyroyalbrunei.com/ royalskies MALAYSIA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Now til 19 SAILING DEEP INTO THE SEA The Brunei Maritime Museum is hosting Sailing Deep Into The Sea, an exhibition featuring some 130 artefacts from the Maritime Silk Road connecting Brunei and China over 2,000 years ago. Also known as the Maritime Porcelain Road, it was a passage for economic and cultural exchanges between ancient China and many other parts of the world. Discover porcelain, ancient coins, and historical documents that once represented this ancient route. The Brunei Maritime Museum at +673 224 0083. Oct SINGAPORE 2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Located in the heart of the city, the Marina Bay Street Circuit is an exhilarating combination of Formula One® and entertainment extravaganza taking place after sunset. With support race Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and international sensations Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5, and Bon Jovi, fans will never find themselves with a dull moment! www.singaporegp.sg 18-20 Sep 70 MUHIBAH Han Yangling Museum INDONESIA THE RISE OF THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE: CONSOLIDATION AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE DURING THE HAN DYNASTY 25-27 Sep ANIME FESTIVAL ASIA INDONESIA 2015 Anime Festival Asia Indonesia brings a slice of Japanese pop culture direct from Tokyo to Jakarta International Expo. Expect Japan’s top talents and latest anime offerings at this festival. There will be popular guest cosplayers, special guest appearances, and you know, the usual hype we all love about anime! animefestival.asia To mark the 60th anniversary since the discovery of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, the Hong Kong Museum of History will be exhibiting around 162 artefacts gathered from about 40 cultural institutions all over China. The focal point of this exhibition will be on the formation of the Han dynasty, the social life of the Han people, and cultural exchange with the West during the period, with special emphasis on the development of the Lingnan region. www.hanempire.hk Now til HONG KONG UNITED KINGDOM 5 Oct 19&20 Sep OPEN HOUSE LONDON Get ready for some serious snooping as some of London’s best buildings open their doors to the public. Open House London offers a unique opportunity for visitors to see, explore, and learn more about the amazing architecture and design of buildings in London – all for free. Some notable buildings include Bank of England, Hackney’s Timber Buildings, the Tin House, and the quirky 15 and a Half Consort Road. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES www.openhouselondon.org.uk www.sensation.com/dubai SENSATION Taking place outdoors, Sensation’s ‘Ocean of White’ is set to rock the city. The show will transform Meydan Dubai into a wondrous world of nocturnal sea life with giant jellyfish floating over the dancefloor and fountains spraying water high into the air. Lovers of house and electronic music will not want to miss The World’s Leading Dance Event. 30 Oct SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 71 WELCOME ONBOARD SELAMAT DATANG Selamat Datang means ‘Welcome’ in Malay, and your seamless journey begins here. Business Class The Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Dreamliner Business Class cabin features “Contour” seats that reclines to a 180 degree flat bed, along with a plush duvet and larger pillow, offer a peaceful rest. Each seat is equiped with a 15.4 touchscreen LCD Monitor with Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system; as well as in seat power connecter. The Business Class cabin lavatories are also equipped with bidets for passengers convenience. Economy Class Comfort Royal Brunei Airlines 787 Dreamliner Economy cabin offers comfortable seats with semiarticulating recline and adjustable headrest, and with very spacious leg-rooms for passengers comfort. Each seat is intergrated with the Eco 9-Inch personal touch screen monitors filled with great entertainment content. Each seat also comes with a USB port as well as shared power supply. Royal Brunei’s SkyShow Entertainment system gives passengers a number of entertainment options throughout their flight. A library of hit movies, classic Hollywood films and TV and audio programmes for all ages are available onboard. Refer to the Impian entertainment guide located in the seat pocket in front of you for the list of movies, TV and audio programmes. For Business Class seats; the sockets for earphones and channel/volume remote control are located in your seat armrest. Seatback-mounted personal screens are only available on our Boeing 787s. Elsewhere, passengers can avail our service, sit back 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. MUHIBAH Cuisine Everything we serve has been carefully SkyShow Inflight Entertainment JOURNEY THROUGH THE DECADES 72 and relax with our overhead movie screens. For more information, please contact your nearest Royal Brunei Airlines office. chosen for freshness and flavour. In fact, there’s nothing you can’t enjoy even when dining at 35,000 feet. Our award winning menu has been meticulously created by our Royal Brunei Catering chefs, combining both Western and Oriental flavours using the best seasonal and fresh produce available. For our Business Class passengers on long-haul flights, you can now select your desired meal times. Our ‘Dine upon Request’ service is available throughout the flight up until 90 minutes before landing. Passengers on all classes also enjoy our ‘Food Fit to Fly by’ service menu that features healthier and lighter meal options, complemented by our award-winning cabin service from our crew. 1970s 1980s > 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 allpassenger 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. Special Meals Royal Brunei offers a variety of tasty culinary solutions to suit our passengers’ special dietary requirements. Special meals can be ordered when you make your reservation; please confirm your request at least 24 hours before boarding your flight. Alcohol-free Environment Policy Royal Brunei Airlines operates alcohol-free flights to all destinations. Hand Luggage For your safety and comfort, you may store your hand luggage in the overhead lockers or under the seat in front of you. Please do not hesitate to ask our cabin crew for help in stowing your luggage properly. Be careful when opening the overhead luggage compartments, as items dislodged by aircraft movement may fall on you or fellow passengers. Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAG) Various countries have implemented restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in compliance with new guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Passengers transiting through airports and carrying any liquids, pastes and gels in containers over 100ml may be asked to dispose of the items at security checkpoints. These restrictions may affect your ability to carry duty-free purchases onboard the aircraft. Customers are advised to check with duty free personnel before making their purchases. All liquids, aerosols and gels must be carried in containers of no greater than 100ml/3.3oz capacity (approximately 100gm in weight) and placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag. The plastic bag must be removed from carry on baggage and presented to security personnel at the checkpoint for inspection and separate x-ray screening. Exceptions to the new regulations are medicines and dietary supplements needed during a flight, including baby food. Proof of need may be required. Use of Electronic Equipment 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 1990s 2000s 2010s > RB took delivery of the first of three leased Boeing 767200ER aircraft in June 1990 and set a long distance world record for twin-engine commercial airlines. > RB took delivery of two new Airbus A319 aircraft in August and September 2003. > In October 2012, RB launched a rebranding journey with a new logo and livery. > Two more Airbus A320s were delivered in December 2003 and January 2004. > RB launched “A betterfly”, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and commenced its first commercial flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to Singapore on 18 October, 2013, followed by flights to Dubai and London on 1 December, 2013 and to Melbourne on 2 April, 2014. > The delivery of Boeing 767-200ER aircraft enabled RB’s route to extend to London Gatwick in November 1990. > Twice-weekly flights to London Heathrow began in May 1991. The route became a daily service on 1 December, 1996. > RB employed the use of a Fokker 50 aircraft to service Miri and Labuan in Malaysia, two destinations that were significant to the growth of Brunei’s oil and gas industry. > The opportunity to expand regional connections saw RB establishing a service to Surabaya in 1997. > In January 2010, RB introduced Royal Brunei Holidays, a revamp of its Golden Touch Holidays, which offers passengers value-for-money holiday packages available locally and abroad. > Direct services to Shanghai were re-launched in March 2010. > RB’s newly-leased Boeing 777-200ER aircraft took off on its first commercial flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to London via Dubai in June 2010. > RB unveiled its new heritage-inspired uniforms on 21 February, 2014. > RB commenced four-times weekly flights to Melbourne in March 2011. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 73 WELCOME ONBOARD 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 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 1.5 million passengers and 50,000 tonnes of cargo a year. Among the facilities offered at the airport are a prayer room, telephones and internet services, restaurants, a viewing gallery and day rooms for transit passengers who want to rest or freshen up before their flight. For customers’ comfort and convenience, Royal Brunei Airlines’ Service Centre and SkyLounge are both located on the departure level. The former is a one-stop centre providing 74 MUHIBAH services such as reservations, ticketing and booking of tour packages. Customers who book online can get their tickets at the SkyLounge before departure. Royal Skies members may also redeem their miles here. For Royal Brunei’s Business Class passengers and Royal Skies’ Gold and Silver members, the SkyLounge boasts plush seating for 120 people. Complimentary massage chairs, shower rooms, ablution areas, and widescreen plasma televisions are also available. Duty-free shops offer consumer goods at competitive prices. There are several outlets, including a money changer located at the main departure/transit hall. On sale are portable electrical goods with international warranties, designer goods, perfumes and confectionery. Brunei International Airport is a smoke-free airport. Brunei International Airport is also currently undergoing a modernisation programme to upgrade its facilities and allow for a smoother journey for passengers along with expansion for traffic growth. Airport renovations are expected to be completed by November 2014. STAYING FIT At Royal Brunei Airlines, your health, safety and comfort is of prime importance to us. For your general well-being onboard our flights, we would recommend the basic inflight exercises. Ankle circles While seated, raise one foot and draw a circle with your toes. Rotate clockwise for 15 seconds and repeat the same counterclockwise. Repeat with the other foot. You can do one foot at a time or both simultaneously. Knee lifts Lift and hug your knee to your chest as close as you can. Hold for 15 seconds. Alternate knee. Repeat 10-15 times for each knee. Shoulder roll Relax shoulders then hunch them forward. Rotate gently 10-15 times. Neck roll With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and back, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times. Upper back flex Stretch hands forward, then pull back slowly as far as possible. Repeat 10-15 times. Trunk flex With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs toward your ankles. Hold stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up. TRAVELLER’S GUIDE Brunei Visitor Information Visas* Austrian, German, Malaysian, Singaporean, British nationals with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and New Zealand nationals are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. American passport holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for three months without visas. For nationals of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Republic of Maldives, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and The Principality of Liechtenstein — visas are waived for 14day visits. Nationals of Australia are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 30 days. All other visitors entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic mission abroad. These visas are normally issued for a two-week stay but can be renewed in Brunei. Visitors must hold onward tickets and sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country. N.B. For more details, please contact your nearest Brunei Embassy or diplomatic representative. Currency Bearer Negotiation Instrument Declaration Passengers entering or leaving Brunei who carry physical currency or bearer negotiable instruments valued at BND15,000 or more are required to complete a declaration form and submit it to a customs officer (if arriving in Brunei) or an immigration officer (if departing Brunei). Duty-free Allowance* The import of the following products is subject to restrictions imposed by Brunei’s Customs and Excise Department. Cigarettes: Passengers will be charged duty on cigarettes of $0.25 tax per stick, equal to $5 per pack of 20 sticks of cigarette, and $50 for one carton of 10 packs. Other tobacco products - Import duty on other tobacco products has increased significantly. Passengers will be charged duty for the import of tobacco products. Alcohol: Non-Muslim passengers may bring in two bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of beer for personal consumption only; and a reasonable quantity of perfumes. Transportation The airport is about 11km from the capital. Taxis, car rentals and buses are available. Currency The Brunei dollar is on a par with the Singapore dollar, which is also accepted in Brunei. Banks, hotels and many department stores will cash traveller’s cheques. Language Malay is the official language but English is widely used. Other languages include Chinese and its dialect variants and other indigenous dialects. Although the official religion is Islam, other faiths including Christianity and Buddhism are practised. Clothing Light clothing is advisable as the climate is generally warm and humid. Women are requested to dress modestly in keeping with local customs. * The visa and duty-free allowances are provided as a guideline and may change without notice. Health Doctors provide private medical services for a nominal charge. There are a number of state health clinics and hospitals. Credit Cards Hotels, department stores and other major establishments generally accept all internationally known credit cards. Tipping Optional. Some hotels add a 10 per cent service charge to their room rates. Telephones Overseas calls can be made from hotel rooms through the operator, or via international direct dialling (IDD). There are also coin and phonecard operated public telephones. Utilities Power supply is 220 - 240v, 50 cycles. The PAL and NTSC systems are used by local television. Tap water is generally safe to drink although some take the precaution of boiling it. Media Radio Television Brunei has nightly news bulletins and a range of popular entertainment in both English and Malay. Cable network and Malaysian television programmes can also be received. There are three local daily newspapers namely: Borneo Bulletin (English), The Brunei Times (English) and Media Permata (Malay). Other regional and international publications are also available at newstands. Food For the adventurous, the food stalls offer Malay favourites, such as satay (barbecued meat on a skewer) and local dishes prepared with curry or coconut milk. Chinese, European and Indian cuisines are also available. All F&B businesses, including hotel restaurants, close for Friday prayer 12pm to 2pm. For hotel guests, room service dining operates as usual. Hotels Accommodation in the capital ranges from international standard to middle range hotels. Service apartments are also available at reasonable rates. Shopping Department stores and shops offer goods ranging from cosmetics and stereos to local handicrafts such as the keris (an ornamental dagger), miniature brass cannons, and kain tenunan, a cloth woven with gold or silver threads. Festivals and Celebrations National Day, 23 February, Hari Raya, the end of the Muslim fasting month, and His Majesty The Sultan’s birthday, 15 July. Other public holidays include Chinese Lunar New Year and Christmas. Customs and Courtesy • In mosques, visitors should remove their shoes and should not pass in front of people at prayer. A woman should ensure that her head, knees and arms are covered before entering mosques. Robes are provided at the entrance to the mosque. • A Bruneian shakes hands lightly and brings his hands to his chest. Members of the opposite sex do not shake hands. • It is impolite to point with the index finger (use the right thumb instead) or to beckon someone with fingers and palm facing upwards. Instead the whole hand should be waved with palm facing downwards. The right fist should never be smacked into the left palm. • Gifts, particularly food, are passed with the right hand. SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 75 WELCOME ONBOARD ROUTE MAP & DESTINATIONS London Jeddah Dubai Shanghai Hong Kong Bangkok Ho Chi Minh City Manila Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur Bandar Seri Begawan Singapore Jakarta Surabaya Bali CODESHARE AIRLINES Melbourne 76 MUHIBAH AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE (MEL) TULLAMARINE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 22 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Bus AUD16 • Taxi AUD85 Airport Tax AUD38 Currency Australian Dollar (AUD) Language English GMT +10 RB OFFICE Level 10, 45 William Street Melbourne, VIC 3000 T: (61) 3 8651 1000 T: Toll Free Aust wide 1300 721271 E: 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) 865 7913 CHINA HONG KONG (HKG) CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT Airport-City 32 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi Kowloon HKD300, Hong Kong HKD400 Airport Tax HKD120 Currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) Language Cantonese, Mandarin, English GMT +8 GENERAL SALES AGENT DEKS AIR (HONG KONG) LTD Room 1804-5, Jubilee Centre, 18 Fenwick Street, Wanchai T: (852) 2529 3883 F: (852) 2527 7300 E: 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 SHANGHAI (PVG) SURABAYA (SUB) 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 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 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 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 APPLE AVIATION SDN BHD No 57-59 (3FL), Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: (60) 3 2145 2029 / 2143 8877 F: (60) 3 2143 8876 M: (60) 12 388 5319 KOTA KINABALU (BKI) KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 8.5 kms Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi MYR13.50 Airport Tax MYR26 To/ Transit via Brunei: MYR20 Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Language Malay, Mandarin, English GMT +8 RB OFFICE Lot BG - 3B Ground Floor, Block B, Komplex KWSP, Jalan Karamunsing, 8000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah T: (60) 88 242 193 / 6 E: sskkoff@rba.com.bn APPLE AVIATION SDN BHD No 57-59 (3FL), Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: (60) 3 2145 2029 / 2143 8877 F: (60) 3 2143 8876 M: (60) 12 388 5319 PHILIPPINES THAILAND MANILA (MNL) BANGKOK (BKK) 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 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 SAUDI ARABIA JEDDAH (JED) KING ABDUL AZIZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport-City 25 kms (from North Terminal); 15 kms (from South Terminal) Approx. Fare from Airport to City • Taxi SAR50 Airport Tax SAR50 except Haj & Umrah pax, diplomats and escorts for human remains Currency Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) Language Arabic, English, French GMT +3 GENERAL SALES AGENT ELAF AVIATION Al Nakheel Centre, Madina Road Jeddah 21414, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia T: (9662) 665 7143 / 661 2679 / 665 7908 E: 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 AIR-ABDA (S) PTE LTD Room 234-236, SATS Airfreight Terminal 3, 105 Airport Cargo Road, Singapore 819462 Airmail Transit Centre, P.O.Box 0846, Singapore 918154 T: (65) 6543 2290 / 2260 F: (65) 6543 2296 M: (65) 9679 2259 / 9641 0393 / 9651 3944 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 SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 77 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 September 2015 Zulqaedah 1436 / Zulhijjah 1436 Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Day Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Imsak 4.47 4.47 4.46 4.46 4.46 4.46 4.46 4.46 4.46 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.44 4.44 4.44 4.44 4.44 4.43 4.43 4.43 4.43 4.43 4.42 4.42 4.42 4.42 4.42 Subuh 4.57 4.57 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.56 4.55 4.55 4.55 4.55 4.55 4.55 4.54 4.54 4.54 4.54 4.54 4.53 4.53 4.53 4.53 4.53 Syuruk 6.14 6.14 6.13 6.13 6.12 6.12 6.12 6.12 6.11 6.11 6.11 6.11 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.09 6.09 6.09 6.09 6.09 6.08 6.08 6.08 6.08 6.08 6.37 6.37 6.37 6.37 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.36 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.34 6.33 6.33 6.33 Hijriah Doha Zohor Asar 6.13 Sun Mon 6.13 6.13 6.11 Sun Mon 4.52 6.33 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 Sun Mon 4.52 6.31 4.52 6.31 Tue Wed 4.52 6.31 4.52 6.31 12.22 12.22 12.21 12.21 12.21 12.20 12.20 12.20 12.19 12.19 12.19 12.18 12.18 12.18 12.17 12.17 12.17 12.16 12.16 12.16 12.15 12.15 12.14 12.14 12.14 12.13 12.13 12.13 12.12 12.12 3.26 3.25 3.24 3.23 3.22 3.20 3.19 3.19 3.21 3.21 3.21 3.21 3.22 3.22 3.22 3.22 3.22 3.23 3.23 3.23 3.23 Maghrib 6.27 6.27 6.26 6.26 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.24 6.24 6.23 6.23 6.22 6.22 6.21 6.21 6.20 6.20 6.19 6.19 6.18 6.18 6.17 6.17 6.16 6.16 6.15 6.15 6.14 6.14 6.13 Isyak 7.37 7.35 7.35 7.34 7.32 7.32 7.30 7.30 7.28 7.28 7.27 7.27 7.26 7.26 7.25 7.25 7.24 7.24 7.23 7.23 7.22 78 3.29 7.37 3.28 3.27 7.36 MUHIBAH 7.36 7.34 7.33 3.19 7.31 3.19 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 7.31 7.29 7.29 4 THE ROYAL REGALIA BUILDING 7 8 9 10 BRUNEI MUSEUM The museum is home to a collection of royal regalia, including the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armoury, the jewel encrusted crowns used during the coronation and a replica of the throne, which is used by the Sultan on state occasions. 5 6 ISTANA DARUSSALAM Located on Jalan Sumbiling, this wooden palace captures the architectural heritage of old Malay palaces. Visitors may view only from outside. THE SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH FOUNDATION COMPLEX The capital’s most popular shopping venues, it combines both traditional Malay and modern architecture. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Brunei’s national museum spotlights Brunei’s role in Southeast Asia’s history. The Islamic Art Gallery has historical pieces of Islamic art and a commendable Quran collection. Temburong 11 12 13 ULU TEMBURONG NATIONAL PARK 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. October 2015 Zulhijjah 1436 / Muharam 1437 Date Hijriah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tue Wed Day Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Imsak 4.41 4.41 4.41 4.41 Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4.41 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.39 4.38 4.38 4.38 4.38 4.38 4.38 4.38 Sun Mon Sun Mon 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.37 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 Subuh 4.51 4.51 4.51 4.51 4.51 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.49 4.49 4.49 4.49 4.49 4.49 4.48 4.48 4.48 4.48 4.48 4.48 4.48 Syuruk 6.07 6.07 6.07 6.07 6.07 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 Doha 6.31 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.28 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 Zohor 12.12 12.11 12.11 12.11 12.10 12.10 12.10 12.10 12.09 12.09 12.09 12.09 12.08 12.08 12.08 12.08 12.07 12.07 12.07 12.07 12.07 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.06 12.05 Asar 3.23 3.23 3.23 3.23 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 Maghrib 6.13 6.13 6.12 6.12 6.11 6.11 6.10 6.10 6.10 6.09 6.09 6.08 6.08 6.08 6.07 6.07 6.07 6.06 6.06 6.06 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.04 6.04 6.04 6.04 6.04 6.03 6.03 6.03 Isyak 7.22 7.21 7.21 7.20 7.20 7.20 7.19 7.19 7.17 7.16 7.16 7.22 3.24 7.18 3.24 7.18 3.24 7.18 3.24 7.17 7.17 3.24 7.16 3.25 7.16 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.15 3.25 7.14 3.25 7.14 3.25 7.14 3.25 7.14 SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 3.25 7.14 3.25 7.14 79 MIND TEASERS Crossword Puzzle 1 2 3 4 5 12 13 15 16 26 20 18 21 6 “Tear down this wall!” 7 8 9 10 11 14 This year marks the 25th Anniversary of German Reunification, October 3, 1990. Let’s revisit that fateful day and test your knowledge on one of the most significant world events. 1. On what date did the Berlin wall fall. 17 2. West and East Germany were reunited once before October 1990. When was it? 19 22 23 24 25 3. Who was the British Prime Minister that bitterly opposed German reunification? 4. Who was the French President that opposed it, too? 26 27 31 32 34 35 28 29 30 5. Who was the U.S. President who helped champion negotiations among East and West Germany, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States? 33 6. What was the result of that negotiation which was signed on September 12, 1990? 36 7. When were the first elections held upon reunification? 44 Sudoku 1 3 5 8 6 6 8 8 4 © Boatload Puzzles, LLC 3 © Copyright 2008 Sudogo.com 7 4 1 3 5 4 6 1 6 7 8 3 7 6 4 8 9 1 Answers 1. November 9, 1989 2. 1945 3. Margaret Thatcher 4. Francois Mitterrand 5. George H.W. Bush 6. The “Two-Plus-Four Treaty” 7. 2 December, 1990 8. Adolf Hitler 9. The Day of German Unity 10. Ronald Reagan; leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev 41 37 38 34 31 26 20 21 22 18 15 12 1 2 3 4 42 43 39 35 32 27 28 19 16 13 5 6 44 40 36 33 29 23 17 7 T E N D E R E S T 30 A G R E E 14 8 9 T O R T E 24 S T E E R 25 O M N E A L 10 11 6 4 2 9 7 1 3 5 8 9 5 7 8 3 6 1 4 2 1 3 8 2 5 4 6 7 9 5 9 1 3 4 8 2 6 7 2 6 3 5 9 7 8 1 4 7 8 4 6 1 2 9 3 5 4 2 9 1 6 5 7 8 3 7 2 3 4 9 6 4 8 9 5 2 1 1 6 5 22 Enlarged 24 Rich cake 25 Guide 27 Head movement 28 Go downhill 29 Hazardous curve 33 Actress ___ Stapleton 36 Foot part 38 Restless 39 Depot (abbr.) 42 Reverberate 43 A Baldwin brother 44 Camp shelter 45 Hooting bird 46 Python’s skin 48 Slugger’s stat 49 CBS rival 50 Compass direction (abbr.) 7 Plus Stag’s mate River barrier Knight protectors 5 ___ Valley (vineyard site) 6 Eve’s partner 7 Tennis’s ___ Sampras 8 Concur 9 Most sore 10 “___ Clear Day...” (2 wds.) 11 ___ Gibson of “Braveheart” 17 Graceful tree 19 Born 20 Rascal 21 Fable’s lesson 8 1 2 3 4 3 Down 33 Nothing more than 34 Disfigure 35 Dislike 37 Earnest requests 40 External 41 Aardvark 45 Hindrance 47 Important times 51 Troubles 52 Egg source 53 Recedes 54 Godiva’s title 55 Fall mo. 56 Kind 50 Appends Short sleep Minute particle Ark skipper Fruit punch Heredity carrier ___ Moore of “A Few Good Men” 16 Fatherly 18 Painted 20 Look happy 23 Convenes 26 Compact 30 Spoil 31 Circle parts 32 Approvals 49 1 5 8 12 13 14 15 R A S B B S I C E Across 9 5 3 48 56 M A U R E E N 55 47 54 10. Who was the U.S. President that declared “Tear down this wall!” in this title and to whom was it directed? 53 53 50 56 52 49 P E T E E L M E S S T O T E E N T 51 48 52 47 55 46 9. What do Germans now call October 3? N A A D P A N A M E E N S O K D I S T E A A C L H E O C 43 46 42 8. The last free and universal election in Germany was in 1933. Who was elected leader that election? A D D S N O A H D E M I E S M I L C O N D A R C S M A R P L E A A N O B S T W O E S L A D Y 45 40 45 41 39 51 38 54 37 Solutions 80 MUHIBAH roya l b ru n e i a ir l in e s | S ep tember - October 20 15 BY ROYA L B R U N E I A I R L I N E S | S ep t e mb er - O ctob e r 2 01 5 Ex xcel c e l l een nt Ab bo od des es Sout So South uth ut h Ea East a st s A Asia s a si