anakbrunei

Went walkabout yesterday at Kiulap while waiting for my students to turn up. Came across Sapphira Cake House which I'd been meaning to visit since it opened two weeks ago. The trays were empty when I got there, which means sales must be brisk. The lovely young lady at the counter informed me that a new batch of kueh would be ready in about an hour. She took me on a tour of the shop, and introduced me to Mdm Sapphira herself, who happens to be Mdm Tiff's sister, which means they're related to the Don Diegos . Small world. I loved the classic decor and ambience of the place, esp the funky looking office, with its black and red color scheme. I had to rush off as it was time for class, and when I returned 2 hours later, I was too late, cos the trays were empty again! I shall return again hopefully when the trays are full. Thanks to Suzie and her mum for showing me around. See ya soon!

Finally used the breakfast voucher from Rizqun International which I won from Tina two weeks ago. I was greeted (without any greeting) by a bored, expressionless service staff who just took my voucher and told me to sit. The spread was pretty typical for hotel breakfast buffets. I thought the nasi lemak was pretty good, especially the rendang chicken. I topped it off with a glass of orange juice and a tub of healthy yoghurt. As I exited the Rizqun Coffeehouse, the atrium of the mall was buzzing with people setting up for the second day of Baiduri Expo 2007. Quite a number of Baiduri booths offering everything from financial planning services, retail loans, credit cards and much more. And it looks like they have lots of fun activities planned for the next few days! More about the expo at the gangsta's site . There were booths selling tech gear which is always the first thing that comes up on my radar. Everything from plasma TVs to the latest home theatre systems were on offer. Goo...

So I took this pic instead... From 10 to 14 July, 3 Star Michelin Chef Yannick Alléno will be at The Empire Hotel & Country Club as part of their "Special Journey to Le Meurice" promotion. Chef Yannick’s 9-course Gastronomic Menu will be served at the exclusive E-Club lounge located on the 6th Floor of the East Atrium Wing for dinner from 10 to 13 July priced at B$135 nett per person (thats just 45 squid!). Throughout the promotion, daily Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge featuring an array of French pastries, complimenting the finger sandwiches and scones normally available from 3pm to 6pm at B$19.50 nett per person. The grand finale evening on 14 July will be at Pantai Restaurant with a special Phantom of the Opera theme and feature a 6-course menu at B$75 nett per person. Call 241 8888 for reservations TODAY!

I just love this baby ... I would've ordered it... but it didn't come with a coffee maker ...

This tree greets me everyday on my way to work. Does it greet you too? ANAKBRUNEI SMS QUIZ Day Two Question: How much of Brunei’s land area is covered by primary rainforests? (a) 20% (b) 50% (c) 70% (d) 10% To angsa, just type: mtrv[space]anakbrunei[space] 2 [space][your answer ie. either a b c or d] For example, if your answer is (a), you would type: mtrv anakbrunei 2 a and send to 8885555 * GOOD LUCK and dont forget to answer the previous question!! AnakBrunei SMS Quiz Day One Question AnakBrunei SMS Quiz Day Two Question AnakBrunei SMS Quiz Day Three Question AnakBrunei SMS Quiz Day Four Question

The new Legisco building on Jalan Kebangsaan is an impressive architectural structure. I took a drive around the building early this morning and it looks magnificent from every angle. The entrance however fascinated me with the romanesque pillars, huge carved door and ornate archway above it. Truly a sight to behold...

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Happy Fifth Birthday Little Nina! Pictures from the Yoga Flow session at Bukit Shahbandar Recreational Park last weekend... Click play... Relax... Ommmmm...

Almost everyone got the similarities between the two Bruneians in my previous post . On the left is Sheikh Abas , a prominent businessman and intrepid explorer. He has been on several 4x4 expeditions to China, Malaysia, and even London. I can only imagine what it feels like to arrive in London having driven all the way from Brunei and be waving our national flag in my own four wheel drive on the streets of London :) On the right is Norhayati Abu Bakar , a prominent Bruneian woman explorer, who is about to embark on an expedition covering the African continent as well as Europe and Asia. Previously she led a team of Bruneian women climbers in conquering the 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. So what is it that these two adventurers have in common? A larger than life personality and an infectious zest for life and what it has to offer outside of the realms of the normal and ordinary. We need more of them...

During the recent Brunei Environment Rountable organised by Asiainc Forum, many topics were discussed from the reduction of emissions to the use of alternative energy to the green heart of Borneo initiative. During my reading in preparation for the roundtable, I came across something called gas-to-liquid technology or GTL which basically involves converting natural gas into diesel. I wanted to know from the representatives of our oil and gas sector why GTL was not considered as a means to reduce flaring, i.e. burning off excess gas like the furnaces that have been burning like giant candles 24/7 in Lumut eversince I can remember. The response I got basically touched on the emission of CO2 and the prohibitive cost. Somehow this didnt tally with my reading. Below is an interesting excerpt from IHT on GTL efforts in Qatar : Gas-to-liquids, provides an alternative to oil as a transportation fuel. Gas-to-liquids essentially transforms natural gas into diesel liquid that can be transporte...

Pics from Majlis Bedak Mandi Pics from Majlis Berpacar Pics from Majlis Bersanding Imeanthesnakes gig pics

Attended a friend's bedak mandi (pre-wedding ceremony which involves a blessing by close family elders and a cleansing body-scrub) ceremony this afternoon and it brought back memories of my own bedak mandi all those years ago. What fun, a free body scrub performed by several family members, watched by even more family members! More pics here . Short rant: During the Microsoft Vista launch , both of us went in "business attire" as stated in the invitation. While trying to photograph the guest of honour, I was approached by one of the more seasoned photographers who asked me where I was from. I said I was an invited guest who happened to bring my camera. This is what he said to me, "Mana baju kot mu? Kalau jemputan duduk saja. Kalau mau buleh pulang ku panggil AO ni untuk membawa kau keluar." Yes, very Bruneian indeed matey. You could have just told me that its a requirement for photographers to wear a suit in the presence of royalty. No need to bite my head of...

PDS School had their early Chinese New Year performance today and everyone turned up in Red . As usual, the kids blew me away with their talent and skills! The Lion Dance was very impressive with some nice acrobatic moves. The chinese drums team were absolutely spectacular, not surprising with the number of performances under their belt. VKI finalist Azy also made an appearance with her rendition of " Biarlah Rahsia ". An enjoyable afternoon despite the searing heat of the afternoon sun beating down unforgivingly on us heheh...

I missed the flag raising ceremony this morning so I decided to make a detour to the chinese temple along Jalan Kianggeh. I found the temple a peaceful enclave amidst the hustle and bustle of Jalan Kianggeh on a typical Sunday. It was a great source of photographic bliss and I shall return soon... very, very soon...

What a wonderful gastronomic ensemble Yeeman prepared for us hungry bloggers last night. It was soooo goood, I think I over-indulged myself a little :) Thank you Yeeman for having us at your really cosy home! Can't wait for the next one! Random thought for the day: Was reading this and wondered what's next...

I've spent the last couple of days looking at these objects... Anyone care to take a stab at guessing where I've been?

There is nothing more fulfilling than going out on the streets and capturing normal ordinary folks doing normal everyday stuff... To me, that's what street photography's all about...

In Kg Ayer, street signs are replaced with "bridge" (Jambatan) signs like these.

Hmmm... so Apple announced the new iPhone at CES . It looks set to be THE converged communications device for 2007. Apple has redefined the concept of convergence with this product. It all seems too good to be true... And I've been burnt quite a few times with first generation devices, so I won't be getting one anytime soon. It'd be interesting also to see what the other players like SE , Nokia , and Dopod have up their sleeves for 2007. Now, if only they'd figure out a way for the phone to make coffee...