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Autumn in New Zealand brings golden colours and harvest

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If there were season of sentiments, autumn in New Zealand takes the cake.

REDZA ISMAIL TOURISM NEW ZEALAND.

Nature casts mantle of golden colours across the landscape in Arrowtown

Balloons assembled ready for the Hamiton Night Glow in Waikato.

Autumn in New Zealand is time of plenty in every imaginable way. During the months of March, April and May, skies are blue and foliage is ablaze with golden colours. Fruit harvests are underway and New Zealanders are heading out at weekends to play and compete

Kiwis have mostly returned to work or school and for guests to enjoy at their leisure. Popular destinations are uncrowded at this time of year, and it’s easy to travel between towns and within cities. Now’s the ultimate time to swim with dolphins or seals, visit rare native birds in their home environment, gaze upon stars in crystal-clear night skies, picnic among the drifts of leaves carpeting the ground at lakesides and in parks, and join Kiwis at sport and play in the great outdoors. The seasons in New Zealand are the opposite of those north of the Equator watch for signs of spring, New Zealand’s long, languid summer days are gradually giving way to autumn, bringing cooler evenings, brilliantly clear skies and gorgeously burnished landscapes. While the native flora is evergreen, there are also many when summer has past. Nature casts mantle of golden is alight with trees decked out in orange, yellow and fiery red, set against deep blue lakes and skies, and mountains

in the distance dusted with their first sprinkling of snow.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 May-Jun, pages 10-12. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Gaya Island, diving and the reopened Mount Kinabalu trail

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Gayalsland Resort typifies the best of Sabah’s natural wonders. Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park is ahaven for divers and snorkellers.

At Gaya Island Resort, the majestic view of Mount Kinabalu remains visible ona clear day. The only tell tale sign of the year’s past trauma is the rugged brown patchworks temporarily chiselled onto the face of the mountain scarring left from the said they had been fearful initially about their plans to holiday in Sabah, but pushed ahead with their plans especially since the Mount Kinabalu trail reopened.

“It’s been nothing but an adventure,” says Mr Jennet. “Our climb was bittersweet, knowing how much devastation had occurred. But the guides and the people they are the key

to why we’re here. Just their resilience about their lives like usual, it made us decision to come and support them.”

and seeing them go realise we made the right

Mesilau Trail, once popular indefinitely due to inaccessible

starting point, is closed

paths. Not far from it is HB

Residence, seductive songbird that was left cut off from aid and rescuers after boulders from the mountain destroyed the bridge connecting the area with the town. Says Mr Jennet, “The hotel itself was unscathed, and everywhere we went talking the Staff, the villagers, the farmers at the highland ee

There’s plenty to love about Desa Dairy Fartil

Make time to observe Borneo’s indigenous proboscis.monkeys,

Jennets also visited 199-hectacre dairy farm the Swiss Alps in su! destination favoured bi about 500 Fresian cattle. ices delicious handcrafted cow’s milk cheese, gelato, yoghurt and of course, milk. Here, the view of the scarred mountain is even more visible. Yet, the crisp mountainous air that swirls the area appears to have an uplifting effect for those who witnessed the disaster and the guests that come to orientate themselves with Kundasang. As one visitor exclaimed, “There’s nothing you can’t right with bit of gelato!” “Normalcy” is what visitors can see all around when they travel from Kota Kinabalu to the foothills of Sabah’s famed mountain: The journey takes about two hours more if you make several pitstops along the way forthe roadside vendors who seem unbpothered by the factthatits next

door neighbour sells the same producé.and wares. At one road stop; it’s not find five’stalls Selling the

same breed of mountain rice, packaged in similar fashion and priced the same! The road is wildly winding, snaking peppered along the route. The last pitstop before hikers climb Mount Kinabalu is also thriving once more. Freshly plucked bananas and pineapples harvested from the home garden are found here. There are also wild honey, exotic fruits and other indigenous herbs and plants that are grown in graceful terraces in these parts of the country. Back in town, many of the local produce find their way to the local markets. Easily accessible from the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, this sleek hotel in the city centre also showcases Sabah’s diverse culinary across all its food outlets. Breakfasts

and pineapples. In its Avantang Spa, more Borneon gems wind their way into the treatments, such as local ginger and

volcanic mud from Pulau Tiga an episode of Survivor. Across

the island outpost chosen for the hotel on Gaya Island, the

Jennets are taking their last sunset view before flying back to California the waters, the rainforest and the mountain. Of their slice of Borneo experience, they said, “There is no doubt

about it. Sabah deserves visitors”.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 Mar-Apr, pages 35-38. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Ambient scents and scent stations at Singapore’s National Museum

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The zoetrope tells the story of Singapore’s first three female Olympians.

peek into oe HDB flat.

The Ambient Scents and Scent Stations add another dimension to the museum experience.

cupation 1942 1945. mirrors in the back room of the

ery immerse the

The Ambient Scents and Scent Stations in particular is worth to note. Swiss perfumer and fragrance maker Givaudan has sponsored series of ambient scents and scent stations for the galleries. Ambient scents add sensory dimension to the visitor experience in galleries. They greet visitors as they step into certain sections of the galleries, such as the “After Rain” scent in the Tragsforming the Landscape section in the Singapore History Gallery, and the “Afternoon Tea” scent that greets visitors to the Life in Singapore: Modern Colony Gallery. Some of the galleries also feature scent stations, such as the various floral scents in the Goh Seng Choo Gallery.

The two scents in the Singapore History Gallery’s Transforming the Landscape section Tembusu

flowers and the polluted Singapore River were of Singapore’s environmental story. As part of the 50th.year of independence. “City” is sold at the

National Museum’s Museum Label shop and proceeds will be donated to the museum.

With refreshed layout and updated narrative, visitors can look forward to more engaging and immersive experience; bit like stepping back in time to the different periods of history.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2016 Jan-Feb, pages 43-45. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Greenland’s other famous experience is dog sledding

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in winter for drive out into the endless, snow-covered mountain landscapes. Sled dogs territory is in towns

above the Arctic Circle, in Greenland’s west coast, and in all towns in the east coast. The season starts in February and lasts until April. Dog sledding takes place in several countries in the Arctic, including Sweden and Norway, but no other destination can match Greenland when it comes to authenticity: the dog sled and sled

dogs are in fact deeply embedded in Greenlandic

is just as much part of the country’s

history as the kayak. The important role today as

dog sled continues to play an means of transport for hunters

and fishermen. Visitors can also opt for hunting

excursion that can be anything from day trip to weeklong sled trips with cosy cabins for accommodation.

Finally, no visit to Greenland will be complete without immersing yourself in the local culture. And the best way to do that is to meet its locals. Greenlanders are

welcoming and energetic people, who have lived off nature and in the middle of it for respect for the elements that is admirable. In many ways Greenland is country that has managed to retain its identity as an “original” country with an indigenous people.

On the whole, people’s attitude opportunities can come to for coffee

hospitality in Greenland is the foundation of any home. It rubs off on towards the country’s guests and in many towns there are good to get close to people. If you want to visit Greenlandic home, you “Kaffemik” in many towns and settlements. Kaffemik is Danish word get-together. In fact, it is not coffee that is the focus, but being together.

The hosts serve homemade cake with coffee and tea, and then you can talk about

your daily lives and the local community

in books nor tourist guides.

an insight that can neither be read about

Royal Brunei Airlines flies London daily via Dubai for connections to Nuuk.

scenes and hidden gems. Because of this, we often take that beauty for granted, forgetting to look around and take it all in.

Every aspect of life can be unique, beautiful and surprising in its own way, but sometimes we need to take fresh look from

unique perspective for us to truly appreciate it.

Dubai makes an study.

playground, first time visitors may be forgiven to think Dubai is just skyscrapers and shopping. For many, the city’s landmarks are all too familiar; but when armed with

determination to seek out the novel and unique,

everyday life can unfold and play out like new storyboard.

Here, ten of the Middle East best social media

influencers, in association with Gulf Photo Plus, give

glimpse of Dubai like never before. From the rustic lanes of Bastakiya in Bur Dubai to the chic and funky Box Park along Al Wasl Road, the awe-inspiring iconic skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road to the vibrant Deira fish market, everyday Dubai scenes are given microscopic twist. The results will make every guest to the city and perhaps even the locals less-than-obvious intricacies.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 37-41. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Greenland’s icebergs, fjords and colourful coastal towns

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In recent years Greenland has captivated more and more people who have chosen the country as perfect destination. Which is not surprising. After all, Greenland offers good story, beautiful and different nature and colourful culture. There are its enormous icebergs in the Arctic Circle region, the spectacular green fields and fjords in South North and East Greenland, and the multicoloured houses you can see in every town along the coast. And of course, the imposing silence adds to the charm of the country. With only 56,000 residents and roughly the same number of annual tourists spread over an area of the size of Western Europe, Greenland experience can feel very personal Whether you travel on your own or are on an organised tour, you will never bereft of these moments. Called The Big Arctic Five, these are the signature experiences that will make your visit the envy of many. First of the five is the rolling, mythical and magical Northern Lights. They will surprise and amaze you; and in the middle of nature in Greenland is the perfect place to experience the phenomenon. Here, where the mountains and the snow are illuminated by the green and red light show, the Northern Lights dance in the night sky, and it is sight to behold. The phenomenon begins from early spring. Also known as Aurora Borealis, it actually occurs year round but it is not seen in the summer in Greenland because of the midnight sun. It often appears around midnight and is best experienced ona dark, clear night sky from September until the beginning of April. If you are travelling during that period, you can see the Northern Lights throughout the country, but in South Greenland the Northern Lights can already be seen from the end of August.

URES

Another aspect that fascinates visitors is

Greenland’’s ice sheet. Icebergs are the ice sheet’s unique masterpieces. They come in all imaginable shapes and sizes, and the colours shimmer from white to blue to green with yellowish and reddish tints depending on the light that hits them. For example, from the glow of the midnight sun that shines 24 hours day north of the Arctic Circle.

The further north you go, the longer the period

of midnight sun. You can walk on the ice at

Kangerlussuaq and sail to glaciers throughout most of Greenland almost all year round. Ilulissat Icefjord is world famous because of its status as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tens of thousands of ice floes as far as the eye are the first sign that you are approaching the east coast of Greenland and slowly, but surely, dramatic mountain landscape is revealed with pristine mountain peaks and glaciers known as the Greenlandic Ice Sheet.

Visitors coming to the country from Denmark sometimes also choose to drive out to the ice at Kangerlussuaq and walk the last bit onto the ice to see it close up. It is once in lifetime

experience, but it is also possible in Greenland if you sail, fly in the ice.

to do it elsewhere helicopter or hike to

To sail in Greenland is initself great experience and it becomes even greater when whale appears right next to the boat. Humpback, fin and minke

whales can be seen along most coastlines and often the whales swim quite close to towns and settlements. The sea around Greenland is ideal for whales, because it contains plenty of nutrition, food and offers great depths that whales can frolic in. In the summer months, whales such as humpbacks,

often go close to the shore in search of food.

Qegertarsuaq, located on Disko Island, is well-known spot for playful humpbacks in high summer, and many other Greenland

whales also visit the site little earlier the pa year typically from May to June. However,

the towns of Uummannag, Aasiaat,

Maniitsoq, Nuuk and Sisimiut, and the towns in South and East Greenland are some of the other places to visit when it comes to

the sea’s largest mammals.

If you sail with the coastal ship from Arctic

Umiagq Line, the regional routes from Disko Line or cruise with, for example, Hurtigruten, you can almost be sure to whales during the voyage. One’s first encounter with whale is unforgettable and if you are lucky enough to be able to follow the whale for while, don’t forget to lower your camera sometimes to enjoy the view

with your naked eyes. It would be such shame if you see most of it through lens or the screen on the camera, because the memory of the meeting is certainly special.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 31-36. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Sea kayaking and wildlife in Tasmania’s southwest wilderness

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Take flight with Par Avion for the ultimate view of the area Discover native Tasmanian fauna and flora at Trowunna Wildlife Park

sea kayaking tours in Tasmania’s Southwest World Heritage Wilderness Area.

Its comfortable Forest Lagoon Camp is open to short stay visitors; the perfect option for visitors who are travelling without camping gear but still seeking affordable accommodation in five twin-share platform tents and meals are offered in the open air dining shelter nestled into the surrounding rainforest

where resident wildlife come and go as they please. This beautiful part of

Tasmania features some of the most rewarding short walks in the state and for those new to bushwalking, experience guides are available by prior arrangement.

Visitors can base themselves in the state’s capital and still get back to nature with the many day touring options within easy reach of Hobart. Adrenalin junkies will get kick out of abseiling at the Gordon Dam which, standing at 140 metres high, is Australia’s longest vertical abseiling experience. The two and half hour drive from Hobart to Gordon Dam meanders through the magnificent and Pedder. Taking it down notch, number of short walks are located within easy driving distance of Hobart. Around one and half hours from the city, the Hartz Mountains National Park offers visitors breathtaking views of remote mountain ranges as far as the southern coast and boasts picturesque waterfalls and small glacial lakes.

Visitors can download Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife new 60 Great Short Walks app, wonderful resource with wealth of information about day walks from all around the state. The app can now be downloaded for free from the iTunes Store and features beautiful photographs, simple maps and essential safety tips.

‘SINO] UOIAY Jed NOVEMBER DECEMBER.2015

There is no doubt nature comes

first to mind when thinking about Greenland.

GRACE LOO!

VISIT GREENLAND oe

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 28-30. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Tasmania’s vast wilderness and Aboriginal treasures

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of Aboriginal treasures and an extraordinary arra plants and animals make the Tasmanian Wilderne:

Area, one of Earth’s true natural trea and one of the la wilderness areas on the planet. While much of the area, which now encompas percentof the state, is superbly wild and

tantalisin; rience, with an ti suitable to all

The 1.4 million hectar Heritage Area encompa: lair National Park, the Franklin-Gordon

est National Park, Walls

Wild Rivers National Park, lem National Park, Hartz

in National Park, part of other state res

reek Karst National Park, plus servation areas; an area

so precious titis one of only two pla worldwide to meet more

orld Heritas teria than any other.

land Track Walk from Cradle Mountain tralia’s most iconic multi-day bushwalks,

lides and taking in the true beaut

expedition takes in the wilderness of Tasmania

in the Walls of lem National Park.

tacular mountain scenery and pristine alpine National Park.

NOVEMBER) DECEMBER’2015 Woe

Kayaking lets you explore the remote and rarely visited wilderness.

Flood 05 Tour Mole Creek Cave Paul forstreams,its undergroundglow worms

and rim pools.

Thrill seekers can discover hidden side of Cradle Mountain as they explore the remote hidden canyons of Dove River led by experienced guides on the Cradle Mountain Canyons adventure. The company specialises in half day tours and full enthusiasts will revel in the excitement of the 10-day Franklin River Rafting Tour which takes in the haunting beauty of the

wild and isolated Franklin River in the Franklin-Gordon Wild experience on an expedition raft and includes quality rafts and and return transfers from Hobart. No previous experience is necessary, but thirst for adventure is highly recommended.

Visitors looking for an experience with difference can see Mole Creek’s caves. Wild Cave Tours offer half and full day tours as they wade through underground streams and discover flights offered by Tasmania’s small airlines and charter operators give visitors true sense of the absolute vastness and wild beauty of the state’s Wilderness World Heritage Area. Par Avion condu cenic flights from Hobart exploring the incredibly remote waterways and wilderness of the Southwest on half day experience and also transport bushwalkers and their supplies to Melaleuca in the Southwest National Park

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Nov-Dec, pages 23-27. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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An English afternoon tea treatment at The Majestic Spa

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AN ENGLISH REPOSE AT THE MAJESTIC SPA The award-winning Spa Village brand gets an English twist at The Majestic Spa. Housed in an elegant annexe and styled transports you visually to another world. The extensive treatment menu cues upon the quintessential English feel of manors past, with roses and lavender at the heart of its ingredient. The English Afternoon Tea treatment is nod to all things sweet and decadent. This luxurious two-hour ritual has berries scrub made from scratch before the body is treated to berries oil massage. The fragrant English rose natural facial is nice touch to the treatment where fresh rose petals prevail Stressed city folk also opt for the indulgent three-hour Queen Victoria’s Lavender pampering where, under the best hands in the business, you’ll undergo breathing ritual, have your body scrubbed with lavender buds and have it topped off with relaxing lavender oil massage. For those looking to make this their regular crash pads, The Majestic Spa Membership gets you 10 complimentary treatments with added extras such as two dining vouchers for at Contango, an overnight stay in the Colonial Suite, 20 percent discount off afternoon tea at the Tea Lounge, and unlimited use of the gym and spa pool.

Royal Brunei Airlines flies Kuala Lumpur2x daily.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Jul-Aug, pages 39-39. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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A four-day journey through the Lake District and Northumbria

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TREEHOUSE ALL MOD This four-day journey shows off the best of northern bracing countryside. From Manchester, you are only an drive from the Lake District National Park, magical landscape that has inspired everyone from the Romantic poet William Wordsworth to children’s author Beatrix Potter. At the heart of this unique region, Surprise View near Ashness Bridge offers hidden panorama of picturesque Derwent Water before you reach the spectacular vistas displayed below Honister Pass.

and half’s drive takes you through the wild open spaces of the North Pennines into Northumbria. You will know you are near Scotland (but not quite) when you hit Wall, the

WITH CONS best preserved boundary of the Roman Empire. See how legionaries coped at the most complete British fort, Housesteads.

For more tranquillity, head further north for an hour to the Kielder Water and Forest Park. Take advantage of light-free skies at its Observatory (booked events only; prices vary). You will find many cool places to stay nearby, though nowhere as unique as the Sky Den, contemporary take on treehouse. It takes two anda half hours to head south into the softer scenery of the Yorkshire Dales, though you still find photogenic locations such as Hardraw Force, England’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Retire for the evening and enjoy your well-earned rest in one of the cute, hand-crafted shacks nearby at The Bivouac.

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 May-Jun, pages 41-43. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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Bambu Indah eco-retreat overlooking Bali’s Sayan Valley

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and vegetables, all organic, of course, that make their way to the menu plates in their HLYW4 restaurant, Dapoer. Take leisurely walks on tranquil pathways that cut through padi fields and bridge that brings you to natural river. Cocoon yourself in this lush, green retreat that overlooks the Sayan Valley and Ayung River. The houses are all once antique homes, belonging to Javanese noblemen

before being brought to Bali to make this

eco-friendly retreat. You’ll make no mistake in choosing any one of the 11 houses available, is each has its own characterand style. But stay in Udang House lets you find your inner zen. Set over freshwater shrimp pond, it bedroom with glass floor panels where you can watch tiny fish swim by.

Royal Brunei Airlines flies Bali4x weekly.

PRS ae

What could be better than watching all the hottest new release films outside in the fresh night air this summer? Seeing them before they’ve even hit cinemas, of course! Australia’s favourite and biggest outdoor cinema, Moonlight Cinema, rolled out the red carpet across the pristine green lawns of Royal Botanic Gardens to kick off its 2014/15 season. And what huge season this one is already shaping up to be! Ina star-studded VIP red carpet event, Moonlight Cinema was officially launched with an exclusive advance eening of zany comedy Dumb and Dumber To on December 18. It’s been whole 20 years since Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels brought their lovable imbeciles, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, to the big screen Fans of Bill Murray (let’s face it, that’s pretty much everyone) should jump on the chance to catch him in upcoming indie drama St Vincent more than week before it hits cinemas. Other titles to catch at Moonlight before the rest of Australia include Disney’s latest cute-fes Big Hero about boy and his plu ize, inflatable robot; the superhero film with an art-house edge, Birdman starring Michael Keaton and Emma Stone; WWII drama filmed in Sydney and directed by Angelina Jolie, Unbroken; and the latest Liam Neeson shoot-em-up action movie, Taken Also joining the stellar programme will be Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, The Imitation Game staring Benedict Cumberbatch about the life of WW2 codebreaker Alan Turing. Steve Carell and Channing Tatum will also team up to tell the story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz in Foxcatcher,and Jake Gyllenhaal becomes Nightcrawler who enters into the world of L.A. crime journalism.

Bring Australia Dayin early with some Auss ema. The Water Diviner will be showing at MoonlightCinema on Australia Day Eve, January 25. It tells the moving tale of an Australian man, played by Russell Crowe, who travels to Turkey after the Battle at Gallipoli to try and locate his three missing sons.

Moonlight Cinema is also introducing its very own LA-style food truck onsite serving up tantalising street fare. Or you can BYO picnic! Audiences can expect to tuck into an epic range of burgers including wagyu beef ch eburgers, pulled beef brisket burgers and Southern-

fried chicken burgers, as well as New Yorker chilli cheese dogs, buffalo fried chicken, parmesan truffle fries and fresh churros. Make sure you come early, because you’ll be tempted to try everything on the menu! Group Director of Culinary, Adam Petta, who currently manages over 120 kitchens with the AHL group including QT Hotels, Event Cinemas and Rydges, is taking up the challenge. Counting Ananas, Sake and CUT as former employers, excitement is

Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2015 Jan-Feb, pages 17-21. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.

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