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Traditional Brunei specialities at Tamu Kianggeh and Riwaz

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Traditional Brunei specialities served on banana leaves

For those who want to explore local specialities in greater depth, Tamu Kianggeh in the capital of Brunei offers visitors a wide range of flavours — the same market that anchors a morning walk through the water village.

Everyday flavours at Tamu Kianggeh

Most of the food found in this market is everyday food favoured by the local people. Here visitors can enjoy fresh grilled seafood; rice wrapped in banana leaf with all sorts of seasonings such as nasi lemak and nasi katok; banana fritters, sweet potato, corn and many more; and of course desserts such as Malaya cake filled with ground peanuts, condensed milk and sugar. Visitors can also explore a variety of fresh local produce such as vegetables, spices and herbs at this market. It is also a

From the market to the hotel table

unique experience for visitors to meet and interact with local people while enjoying the country’s food culture. Meanwhile, innovative chefs who source quality fresh produce also offer their own distinctive touch to the local cuisine. The special menu at Riwaz, a new luxury Indian restaurant at Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam, focuses on conventional fire-cooking techniques, in particular the la broch method, which is a way of grilling, or with the tandoor oven. Traditional dishes such as Murgh Makhani (chicken tikka in

tomato sauce) and Hyderabadi Murgh Dum Biryani (young chicken marinated overnight and cooked together with basmati rice in a covered pot) are delicious with roti nan and pratha.

There is also the dish Pattha ka Gosht (lamb scallops marinated for 48 hours and cooked on hot stones) which uses green chillies and local cashew nuts.

Food will always serve as a bridge between travellers and destinations. Therefore, with the diversity of food in Brunei, the food in Brunei is certainly more delicious and more enjoyable.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2019 Mar-Apr, pages 54-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Pulau Selirong: Nature and Adventure in Brunei

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The beauty of its natural treasures is there to be enjoyed.

Text JUSTIN JEFFREY Text IMA ABDULLAH Images JUSTIN JEFFREY IN HJ RAHMAN

On the journey to Pulau Selirong.

The white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) flies

majestically in the sky

Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) can still be found on Pulau Selirong. The Lumur (Cynocephalus variegatus) is a mammal with amazing gliding abilities. Kayaking gives the chance to get close to the unique mangrove ecology.

1948 (Gazette Notification 99/1948) under the Forestry Act 1934, this island has been gazetted as a forest reserve for visiting Pulau Selirong. This can be easily arranged by tour operators. Recently, a visit to Pulau Selirong by kayak has been organised by a husband and wife team, Mark and Wann from

It is clear that Pulau Selirong offers many more attractions beneath the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge or

A natural area rich with flora and fauna

those wanting a peaceful and quiet atmosphere far from the hustle

and the daily pressures of life in the city. Indeed, in the Country of Brunei, one of them is the mangrove forest and the shoreline that surrounds Pulau Selirong, with the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. It is a great pleasure to come across such a green area not far from one’s doorstep. Because of the short visit schedule.

Pulau Selirong is one of the 33 islands scattered along the coastline of Brunei which have now

the journey to the island takes about an hour.

Cruising along the Brunei River by boat in the early morning, we passed the waters of Kampong Ayer freshly washed by the call to prayer. The new bridge to Temburong, a model of dawn light on the eastern horizon before us. At dawn, often the boat journey in calm waters with a view stretching far

with the squall that suddenly strikes. In short, the journey to

Temburong is never boring.

at the ranger station, we began our journey, and the small waterway flowing into Sungai Raya offers

a route into the depths of the mangrove forest where there are many more mangrove tree species growing fast. Paddling in this area also tests endurance, especially for new paddlers, yet there is another option to enjoy the pure, peaceful surroundings of Pulau Selirong. Visitors can also get closer to the mangrove tree plants as well as various awe-inspiring flora and fauna by walking on the boardwalk

wood that is available. The convenience of a rest hut or

wild animals such as the colugo or flying lemur as well as proboscis monkeys

proboscis monkeys with long snouts, glossy noses and pot bellies are not rarely seen. But Pulau Selirong is not only for nature lovers. It is also a choice that is full of natural authenticity, situated in a wondrous place to be explored.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2019 Jan-Feb, pages 52-56. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Brunei Gastronomy Week: Food Wrapped in Banana Leaves

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Cooking with banana leaves

this year’s theme is food wrapped or bundled in banana leaves. Banana leaves are an ingredient that is easily found in Brunei and around South-East Asia, and they often give flavour to food, whether sweet or savoury. Food wrapped or bundled in banana leaves will then be further given the aroma of the leaves. This style of cooking also makes the food tasty. Brunei dishes and foods that are usually wrapped or

Pais and other banana-leaf dishes

bundled in banana leaves include Pais Daging, Pais Udang and Pais Ikan. “Pais” is a seasoning

for meat or seafood which is usually made with an aromatic blend of garlic, shallots and chilli and seasoned with pandan leaves. Bundles

At Brunei Gastronomy Week, guests who dined at Radisson Hotel enjoyed various fish and meat dishes that had been prepared using banana leaves. In addition, the Chef prepared Rendang Daging Tenderloin Angus with nasi lemak rolls, cucumber pickle, crushed peanuts and sambal belacan.

made with tea biscuits and a malt mixture, given a ‘Radisson’ touch with a choice of Oreo cookies with Red Velvet cake and pandan flavour. Kuih Badak Berendam, glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar dipped in salted coconut cream,

Clearly, this year’s Brunei Gastronomy Week has kinds of dish flavours as well as servings of traditional Brunei cuisine.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2018 Mar-Apr, pages 53-53. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Brunei

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but to exercise by standing on a paddle board. In the next 80 minutes,

they will learn how to balance themselves, realise what core muscles mean, and

The urban exercise trend known as stand up paddle board is becoming increasingly popular among city dwellers because it is an exercise carried out on water, although in actual fact they will not get soaked wet. Officer, who describes it as requiring no experience at all, said: “Anyone can learn to paddle to paddle one kilometre.” Without the burden of competitive sport, one finds out how easy paddle boarding is.

Back at Tasik Lugus, we meet Officer and: a humble and patient person. This character in what he does and his desire

to help others wholeheartedly. An Officer of Brunei who is recognised by the Academy of Surfing for river, lake and sea training. On Saturday morning beginners learn their first lesson: starting by standing on the board while balancing themselves, and finally standing on the board while paddling.

“Everyone who does it at their own level these days does so because this activity can be done wherever there is a body of water. From lakes to streams and beaches, paddle boarding activity is indeed easy to access, especially if awda lives in the city. The stand up paddling style, abbreviated to SUP, is said to originate from the young men of Waikiki beach in Honolulu who stood upright on long paddle boards while teaching tourists how to surf. However, the early form of SUP and its repetitions are documented in various early Asian and Western civilisations, and SUP activity in Brunei has allowed him to explore new areas that are less well known and to introduce this activity to people in beautiful and tranquil surroundings. Sometimes we can see wildlife such as sea turtles and dolphins. We also teach at freshwater lakes surrounded by virgin jungle, and although we

Along with the trend that is growing,

stand up paddle board activity proves to be a

enthusiast has taken this concept further, and the whole body, mind and soul. Clearly this sport introduces this sport to those who want the experience of exploring their own country in a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2018 Jan-Feb, pages 54-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Saving Brunei Turtles

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ENYU Developing programmes to guarantee the future of Brunei’s marine reptiles.

Text LIN JI Images BRUWILD Immersing in the beauty of the waters

Brunei Darussalam, one will come across three species of sea turtle.

All the species look almost the same, unless you are interested enough to know that they are different species. The Hawksbill Turtle, with a bird-like beak, is often found grazing on coral and it helps to maintain the healthy growth of Brunei’s coral reefs. The Olive Ridley Turtle, whose colour changes from grey to olive green when it matures, can be found closer to the shoreline because it eats crustaceans and molluscs.

Perhaps easier to find is the Green or ‘Hijau’ Turtle which swims in Brunei Bay, feeding exclusively on sea grass for its diet. From the shore to deeper waters, this gentle creature plays an important part in the dynamic balance of Brunei’s marine ecosystem.

As human development accelerates, these sea turtles face an increasingly serious threat of habitat loss. It is also worrying because these turtle species likewise face threats from humans who frequently take their eggs, and deaths from becoming caught in fishing nets. Immediate action must be taken to conserve these turtle species because their numbers are declining more rapidly.

The Hawksbill Turtle has been listed as ‘Critically Endangered (Sangat Terancam)’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which gives it here a position almost at extinction on the conservation chart. The Green Turtle’s status is heading for the same fate because this species is now listed as ‘Endangered (Terancam)’ while the Olive Ridley Turtle is now in the ‘Vulnerable (Rentan)’ position.

Working together with global efforts to protect these species, the local conservation group BruWILD (Biodiversity and Rewilding Society) launched the “Selamatkan Penyu Kami” (Saving Our Turtles) initiative in 2014. This initiative is built on a four-phase programme that ensures its members are equipped with knowledge through theoretical and practical training in sea turtle biology and conservation techniques. This basic knowledge then serves to build the next initiative in the third phase of the programme, in which school pupils, students and the general public are actively involved in taking part in saving Brunei’s sea turtles. The most popular programme involves learning about sea turtles through fun quizzes and the chance to get close to the turtles at the Meragang Biodiversity Centre, where injured turtles that have

been rescued are being rehabilitated. The public also clean the turtle ponds. Sometimes, if the timing is right, the volunteers also

get the chance to see baby turtles which are in the care of the Wildlife Division, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Brunei Darussalam, before they are released back into the sea.

BruWILD) Sea turtles keep the sea grass healthy. Protect them to protect

Together with the Wildlife Division Brunei Darussalam, BruWILD also organises roadshows of wildlife exhibitions in local schools. The BruWILD team also gives talks, presentations and sessions specially to educate school pupils in the part of symbolically ‘adopting’ a sea turtle, where the funds collected will be used to care for and ultimately release the sea turtles under the care of the Meragang Biodiversity Centre back into the sea. At the same time, BruWILD also wants to start a sea grass breeding project as a way of food stock and seagrass habitat restoration.

As a mission to bridge the gap between sea turtle conservation and coastal development, BruWILD is dedicated to continuing to deliver the turtle programme’s education, understanding and community participation in building a future in which humans and nature, as well as sustainable development and natural heritage, can coexist and grow together. For more information on how to support BruWILD, please visit

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2017 May-Jun, pages 52-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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The Beauty of the Annapurna Base Camp

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The Beau! of the Anriapurna Base lies in the fac’ hatvery few ofthe Himalayan treks combine as diverse’a landscape as it The trek also lets one reach the baseof 7,000 péksina relatively short time. Trekkers go pas!

rhododendron thunderous gorges that are defy development, and spectaculatand ijestic peaks colours ine and shadow.

The group, consisting of Shukti Zain (Expedition Leader), Redilan Hussin, Romie Pg Sulaiman Pg

Metali and Zulai in May, springtimeiri Nepal ang

yseasons to trek. However, Me unexpected tim for the rse, legwo there, with heavy rainvane the trails into slipperymuWA ai them even further, Ha,thi training preparation,ant fe en Ravi, that included basic monaMaineerit and training at Tasek Lama (Shahbandar, these all-but prepared Wenfoface thése new, challenges.

After returning home, Shukri became even more determined to begin this adventure. Not long afterwards, he shared the idea on the site itself. Many were interested and wanted to know about a team made up of five individuals including himself. The beauty of the trek to Annapurna Base Camp includes rising to heights of 7,000 to 8,000 metres in a relatively short time. Among other things, this trek passes through a landscape of dense rhododendron forest flourishing wild,

A five-member team of Bruneian climbers consisting of Romie Pg Sulaiman, Pg Metali and Zulamri Emran undertook the adventure in May, when the flowering season in

eREa DECEMI Eg ks

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 Nov-Dec, pages 52-53. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Torch Ginger

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local. Torch ginger is usually planted in home gardens, where it blooms straight out of the ground, and it is also known as ‘torch ginger’ because it looks like a torch. The varieties of this genus are just as amazing.

Forest ginger is commonly found in the rainforests of Africa and South-East Asia. It is known by many names, such as Porcelain Rose or Torch Lily.

Its striking colour and exotic taste make it a choice in traditional cooking and local dishes.

For example, in the local cooking of Brunei, torch ginger is used as a garnish and also as a flavour enhancer for dishes such as nasi ulam, rice served with local herbs like cassava leaves. Torch ginger delicately perfumes these dishes, and together with other fresh herbs, it helps to make the nasi ulam fragrant. Torch ginger is also used in preparing asam laksa, as an accompaniment with sambal, and it can also be turned into a light sauce with a little soy sauce and vinegar. In cooking, the hard, oily petals are thrown away and only the red, soft interior is used. Torch ginger, given the scientific name Etlingera elatior, has been used for centuries by the people of Borneo. Its shoots and flowers are regarded as vegetables in cooking, or as a seasoning for laksa soup when finely sliced. Its fruit can also be eaten; in fact, the plant can even be used as a natural shampoo!

Its leaves too have antioxidant, antibacterial and tyrosinase-inhibiting properties. The forest ginger plant has similar characteristics. In the country of Brunei Darussalam, there are 77 recorded species of ginger plants.

There are several types, namely Etlingera brevilabrum, which are used

as decorations, while others are used in traditional medical treatment.

One area rich in forest ginger species is Taman Negara Ulu Temburong, where 46 types have been recorded from the survey carried out by Dr Axel Dalberg Poulsen on an expedition in 1991-1992. Of the more than 1,300 species in the ginger family, only a few types of wild ginger are edible. Forest ginger is not yet used in the production of cosmetic products, but scientific studies show encouraging potential because of the presence of active compounds.

Among them is the presence of the active compound phenol, specifically in chlorogenic acid, which is known to support moisture and skin hydration, while at the same time being able to maintain a youthful appearance. To taste edible forest ginger in Brunei, awda can visit any local market or tamu, such as Tamu Kianggeh. Torch ginger flowers are usually sold in bunches, and awda only needs a couple of stalks to add flavour to a dish or salad.

Slice its root finely and awda will be able to enjoy its fragrance, and will understand why torch ginger has for so long been a choice in local cooking…

On 7 April 2016, Brunei Darussalam’s National Forestry Department celebrates its 18 years. The flora chosen for this year’s theme is Etlingera elatior, better known as torch ginger.

Galangal rhizome is used in various Asian cuisines: for example, in Thailand and Laos it is used in tom yum cooking. Although the taste of ginger is a little like galangal, most cooks who use both of these rhizomes will not substitute one flavour for the other.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 May-Jun, pages 53-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Chinese New Year in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok

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JAKARTA The Lunar Chinese New Year’s celebrations in

Indonesia is known locally as Imlek. Head to Chinatown. or pecinan to the locals, located just south of Jakarta’s Old Town. The area’s main roads Jl. Pancoran, Jl. Kemenangan and Jl. Perniagaan are abuzz with red decorative lanterns, banners, lamps and angpau envelopes. The festival’s signature dish is the dodol Cina, toffee-like sweet and sticky cake made from glutinous rice flour

and caramel sugar, on sale at nearly every street vendor.

JAKARTA Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia are known as Imlek. which is located just south of Jakarta’s Old Town. The main roads of the area and the favourites of the celebration, and the dodol Cina, a sticky cake that is sweet like toffee made from glutinous rice flour and caramel sugar, are sold by almost every street vendor.

Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Jakarta 6x a week.

KUALA LUMPUR In this multiracial and multifaith city, the heart of Chinese New Year is ultimately the ‘open houses’ to mark the New Year with family, relatives and the community.

On New Year’s Eve, families get together for reunion dinner.

This is traditionally held at the home of the elders, parents or the oldest male in the family. The whole celebration, lasting for period of 15 days, culminates with the Lantern Festival known as Chap Goh Mei Ar Royal Brunei Airlines flies Kuala Lumpur 2x daily.

KUALA LUMPUR In this city of many races and faiths, open houses are the essence of Chinese New Year in welcoming the New Year celebration with

This reunion dinner is traditionally held at the home of the elderly, parents or the oldest male in the family.

The whole celebration will last for 15 days,

Chap Goh Mei. Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Kuala Lumpur 2x daily.

SINGAPORE Singaporestarts its celebration early three weeks priorand the air is festive with colourful processions and riotous lion danc hopping malls, Chinatown and major streets come alive with seasonal markets selling New Year goodies, as well as displays of innovative

Royal Brunei Airlines flies Singapore 2x daily. SINGAPORE starts its celebration early and the festive atmosphere is full of processions, busy with seasonal markets selling Chinese New Year decorations, as well as innovative decorations which are designed to add more cheer to this celebration.

Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Singapore 2x daily.

BANGKOK Chinese New Year brings one of the most markets offer sp ecial promotions and great discounts.

Royal Brunei Airlines flies Bangkok 8x weekly.

BANGKOK Chinese New Year is one of the most attractive celebrations, as well as various other performances which will

be held in conjunction with this celebration

es Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Bangkok 8x every week. arr

UIE JANUARY 51 rere pas 1A

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 Jan-Feb, pages 49-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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Pitcher Plants of Brunei: Their Uses and Conservation

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This enzyme liquid is indeed dangerous to insects and small animals, however for local residents in Brunei, some use it for medicinal purposes. The liquid from young Periuk Kera that can still be opened is used on a person’s wound to control the discharge of faeces or urine. The hairy part of some Nepenthes species is used to treat kidney stones, high blood pressure, fever and cough.

At present as well, endophytic bacteria that

by the pharmaceutical medical industry. Nepenthes hemsleyana and the furry bat, Tuttle Nepenthes albomarginata

with a peristome ringed in white as though made of velvet. Merlin

The best place to see the diversity of Nepenthes species in Brunei lies in the white sand beach area on the coastal highway of the Belait District. The forest area in Temburong meanwhile is the only area in Brunei to see the stenophylla species and Nepenthes tentaculata.

Periuk Kera still holds a thousand and one mysteries to this day although scientific studies on it have been carried out for a century. The different species use different trap components to capture their targeted prey. For example, several studies have found that the species Nepenthes hemsleyana is a plant commonly used as a resting place for bats during the daytime. At the same time, this species benefits from bat droppings which are rich in nitrogen. Studies like this help scientists to identify

Kera that were not known before this. All types of Nepenthes in Brunei, except Nepenthes gracilis (the common Periuk Kera which is common only in a limited area and attracts the interest of Periuk Kera collectors (Nepenthes hispida,

However, all types of Periuk Kera in the genus Nepenthes are considered threatened and protected by a ban on being transferred across international borders. The lowland now faces a threat from

It is time for all of us together to care for and save its habitat so that these plants will continue to thrive in

the natural environment.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 54-55. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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The Unique Pitcher Plant of Brunei

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Pitcher Getting to know the amazing carnivorous plants of Brunei. UniqueDR ULMAR GRAFE

Nepenthes hemsleyana Nepenthes mirabilis.

Usually known as Periuk Kera, the name of this plant does not at all conjure up the danger that awaits the poor prey until it is trapped inside it.

Periuk Kera, from the genus Nepenthes, is among the most extraordinary types of plant in the world. The fragrant sweet nectar serves to lure insects into the pitcher part of this plant, which contains highly acidic digestive enzymes. These enzymes will

digestion in the human stomach.

The carnivorous syndrome of Periuk Kera is a trait which it gets from their prey, which is needed for association with the myths and fairy tales about the giant Periuk Kera which makes humans its prey, studies on it

the carnivorous traits of this plant.

At present there are 15 Nepenthes species in the Country which gives its name to this plant

The edge of these leaves becomes very slippery and is formed from the Periuk Kera leaf, however they all have in common the same basic component in the shape of a shirt collar (peristome); and inside the pitcher is the waxy upper zone of the pitcher, and part of the zone

lower part which is glandular.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 52-53. Printed in Bahasa Melayu and translated into English for this site; text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected.

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