Sungkai at 8:08 PM

Fasting month started on Thursday 13th September here. It was already decided a week ago by the Islamic Council. In Brunei moon sighting on Tuesday failed to see the new moon and hence fasting also started on Thursday. In fact, every where around the world, except for Libya, started on the same day.

Here, day hours are still long as we are still in late Summer to early Autumn period. It will get worse in the future years as Ramadan month moves forward 2 weeks every year. We wish everyone gain all the blessing and joy of Ramadan. This is the month to increase our amal and reminds ourself of the less fortunates. Ramadan Kareem!

This photo was when we had our sungkai at Beverwijk market.

Food Fair in The Hague

There was a food fair at the Malaysian High Com last Saturday. This was one of the events to celebrate the country's 50th independence. Lots of food on offer with seat and tables laid out in the compound for people to enjoy and eat the food. The weather however was a bit wet later in the afternoon.

A number of countries are celebrating their 50th independence this year. 1957 was one of the key turning point for the British Empire to allow countries to self rule. Some succeed to prosper, lot of others failed. Brunei opted for British Protectorate status before gaining independent 27 years later.

Turkish Restaurant in Singapore

On transit in Singapore, we headed to this favourite restaurant of ours located at Far East Plaza along Scott Road. Its located on the first floor. The food differs slightly than the ones that we find in Turkish restaurants in Holland.


We then proceed to do a bit of shopping in Orchard Road before heading back to Changi for our midnight flight.

Bowling at Empire

The kids had a small gathering with their ex-JIS school mates at Empire. There were 32 kids altogether and we had to use 4 lanes but more like they were running all over the whole place - very chaotic indeed.

The short break in Brunei came to a close. We had a good crowd of family members at the airport sending us off. All in all we had 125 Kg of luggage accompanying us. Indeed it has been a lovely return home, seeing everyone and at the same time eating and enjoying the food that we missed over the last year.

One Big House

This is one heck of a house! Still under construction it is located on top of a hill somewhere in Rimba and belong to our biras/brother-in-law. It got a sleeping quarter for driver(s) above the garage, 2 amah rooms, a number of store rooms and at least 6 bedrooms with their own toilet rooms. It is like two big-size houses stitch-up together.

Our own house is now 11 years old. Completed in 1996, we have left it empty for the previous and current overseas postings. It desperately needs some renovations just to keep it a bit more modern outside and make the kids happy. It cost 320K then. This is the only photo we could find, one of our kids took it on the final day to the airport.

Bandar at Night

On 31st August, whole family went out for steam boat at PortView Restaurant for a birthday treat. The restaurant is located on the river bank and offers a good view of Kampong Ayer.

After dinner, we went for a stroll along what used to be the old wharf. At 10 pm, there were still hives of activities here. There is also a new monument commemorating the Sultan's 60th last year. Standing at the wharf, one can see the real Bandar glittered with beautifully constructed buildings against the hilly surrounding of the Bandar itself.

A Swedish Sports Car

In Brunei and also probably everywhere in the world, car features strongly in stamping down one's status. There are plenty of car choices in the market right now, both luxury and affordable. Apparently this second generation Volvo C70 is currently the only one on the road in Brunei, just bought by our youngest brother.

Launched in Europe in 2006, the car looks heavy for its size due to numerous safety features, typical of Volvo design and reputation. This 2-door coupe convertible features a retractable metal hardtop that can raise or lower in less than 30 seconds. The car is mounted with a thirsty 2.5 L 162kW Five-cylinder turbo charged engine.

Mertabak at Millineum

During our home-coming in Brunei, we ate out in lots of places. Bruneians love food and there are excellent varieties of food on offer.

Eaing out in Brunei is much cheaper compare to Europe. Lets see where have we been in that 3 weeks - Millineum, Airport, Le Taj, Rang Mahal, Emperor's Court, Aneka Rasa, Port View, Capers, Pondok Sari and a few more and not to forget Tanda Kasih in Tutong.

Jame' Asr Mosque

The Jame' Asr is the largest Mosque in Brunei. It is beautiful but can not be compare in terms of originality to the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. The Jame' Asr is reminiscent of all the big mosques design in the region, from Malaysia to Pakistan, where its centre is a dome surrounded by 4 minarets.

Again like all recent national mosques built in the region, this one is built away from the main populated area. Hence it is quite empty except for the friday prayer. The nearby Kuilap shopping area is a bit far to walk from. This shopping area however is desperate for its own surau.

The Splendour of a Great Mosque

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is one of the most spectacular mosques in Asia. Built in 1958, next year it will be 50 years old and yet is undoubtedly still Brunei's main landmark. Imagine how it likes back then in the 50's and 60's.

The main dome is covered in pure gold, adding to its magnificient sight. It is said to be unique in design, not seen in many Islamic mosques across the world, where it is the outcome of incorporating Renaissance and Italian arcitectural style.

Kueh Melayu Brunei

It was a real pleasure to see an assortment of Brunei traditional cakes being served in one of our family doa aruah function. Doa aruah is normally held in the month of Sya'ban before the start of Ramadan.

I am not an expert in Brunei cakes and won't be able to recall all the names except probably for a very few like Kuah Apam, cincin, pinyaram and sapit.

Parliment House

What has changed in Bandar? Not a lot though - apart from more shops in Kiulap area, new highway in Kg Katok and the new Parliment building - otherwise the clock seemed to stop since we left a year ago!

The new Parliment building is really grandeur in size. Located in the Government Office Complex in Jalan Kebangsaan, it dwafts all other buildings around it. Bandar at the same time has extended its boundary, increasing by a factor of 8 or 10 in area. Hopefully this will result in better planning on its route of becoming a true city.

Ambuyat - Fiz's Favourite

On several ocassions, we were invited and served this very traditional food of Brunei - Ambuyat. Ambuyat is made from pouring hot water into ambulung or better known as sago which is derived from a Rumbia tree trunk. Sounds simple but actually it requires lots of practice before one can make a good ambuyat mix.

Ambuyat is eaten or swallowed by rolling the sago around two bamboo sticks (Chandas kata orang Brunei) then dipped into a sauce made from sour local fruits for example binjai. One can alos use fish gravy or curry gravy. Of course the best way to enjoy ambuyat is to eat with lots of dishes of fish, meat, prawn and vegetables.

Back Home in Brunei

Just arrived today in Holland from a 3-week return home. It has been a very hectic schedule for everyone including the children, meeting relatives and friends, eating outs and attending a wedding or two. The weather was typical of the tropic that we missed, raining heavily almost every night!

This photo was taken at Kampong Ayer showing a water taxi operator plying his business. Kampong Ayer is on the decline with increasing number of its residents moving to dry lands.