The New Moon

I guess everyone heard it already by now. There is time to have breakfast this morning and lunch this afternoon. Our fasting month starts on Tuesday and not today. In fact I knew it much earlier than everyone else as I was part of the crowd which went up Bukit Shahbandar and studied the sky intently to see whether I can see the little sliver that makes the new moon.I learnt a lot today. First of

Off the Beaten Path

Tired of the same old travel? Check out some of the Indonesian trip options offered by American operator Remote Lands. Making kites (a Balinese tradition) with an actual local prince and his family. Or spending time at the island's Franciscan orphanage. Or for the particularly adventurous, maybe some "tow-in" surfing off the coast of Sumatra, in the Mentawai Islands. You're towed into a wave by a Jet Ski (popularized in the documentary film Riding Giants), letting you catch bigger waves than you ever thought possible.

But for coupled travellers, here's one that can't be beat: A wedding on the island of Borneo, in an Iban tribal village. Ceremonies extend through the night, accompanied by the tuak drink of fermented rice water; the groom sports a headdress of feathers, the bride a crown of silver, and arrive together on a bamboo raft. And what about the delicate issue of your first night as an official union, you might ask? After a tribal blessing, you retire to a private chamber in the village longhouse.

Look into their menu of custom vacations at their website, http://www.remotelands.com/.

The Mirror Island and The Civil War

[My article was published in my Brunei Times column, the Golden Legacy last Sunday, 24th August 2008. This is based on two earlier blog entries which I wrote last year.]One of the interesting islands in Brunei Bay is a small island called Pulau Cermin (cermin means mirror in Malay). Pulau Cermin as many Brunei historians know, is the site of the temporary palace of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin, the

Indonesia Election '09: Deadlock

It may not have the snappy ring of Bush v. Gore, but Megawati Sukarnoputri v. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may have a similar electoral result. A new poll shows the two presumed presidential candidates locked in a virtual dead heat, 28% for Megawati edging out 27% for the current Indonesian president.

The anemic showing by Yudhoyono is largely attributed to his earlier hiking of fuel prices, unpopular but perhaps fiscally necessary. And former leader Megawati will always have the lure of her golden name, as the daughter of Indonesia's founding father Sukarno - himself shuffled out by Suharto decades ago, but still revered in many quarters.

Let's hope a razor-close election doesn't end up like the 2000 American version, in the country's courts. At any rate, the combat is still a long way off: July '09. And as they say, a week is a lifetime in politics.

Here's AP's rundown of the new poll:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D92R7LL00&show_article=1

Islamic bonds: The future of Indonesian finance?

Extra marks for chutzpah to the Indonesia government, for debuting new financial instruments during the worst global credit crisis in a generation. They're called sukuk, or Islamic bonds, and they're meant to produce bond-like returns while complying with Islam's prohibition against interest. Their first offering from the finance ministry raised almost $5 trillion rupiah (a shade over $500 million), with forerign-currency sukuk slated to kick off later this year.

The offering was seen as a disappointment, but let's keep things in perspective. As world economies slow and banking sectors enter virtual meltdown, investors are terrified of anything and everything. They're hoarding cash until this all blows over, and credit markets move beyond total paralysis. In that context, securing a decent sum - with an instrument most Western investors don't even know or comprehend - isn't such a bad showing. After all, raising cash in this environment ain't easy ... just ask Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Check out the Financial Times' take here:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/733b4b12-73ce-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html

Brunei Street Directory 2008

If you have never heard of Brunei having its own street directory or if the last Brunei Darussalam's Street Directory copy that you have still have the photograph of our Deputy Minister, Dato Dr Mat Suny when he was the Deputy MD of BSP, then you are really in need of a new one.Or have you heard of Jalan Dakula, named after the son of Sultan Abdul Mubin who was taken to Sulu and came back to seek

Beyond Bali

The enduring popularity of Bali as a travel wonderland is both a blessing and a curse. For globetrotters who are considering Indonesia as a destination, Bali is usually the only spot that registers in the American psyche.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. But for all its greatness, it's only one of countless islands. This feature from American Way, the magazine of American Airlines, singles out a few other possibilities for intrepid travellers - from Papua to Sulawesi, from Lombok to Kalimantan.

http://www.americanwaymag.com/tabid/2855/tabidext/2939/default.aspx

Barack and love of (another) country

Barack Obama is accepting the Democratic nomination for president tonight, and it must be the first and only time an American political figure has ever spent significant time in Indonesia. Too bad we won’t hear much about it. The political push du jour is to make Obama as quintessentially American as possible; a wholesome amalgam of apple pie, guns and Archie comics, rather than the more complex international figure he is.

It’s no surprise that conventioneers won’t be directed to his years growing up in Jakarta, since it’s a bit much for heartland voters to digest. But for an account of how formative the experience was, turn to Obama’s book The Audacity of Hope: He writes quite beautifully that when he thinks of Indonesia, “I’m haunted by memories – the feel of packed mud under bare feet as I wander through paddy fields; the sight of day breaking behind volcanic peaks; the muezzin’s call at night and the smell of wood smoke; the dickering at fruit stands alongside the road; the frenzied sound of a gamelan orchestra, the musicians’ faces lit by fire.”

Indonesia obviously still holds a place deep within him. Because of the demands of politics and distance, “I fear it’s becoming a land of strangers,” he writes, and regrets never having brought his wife and daughters to its islands. Here’s hoping that when he rises to the presidency, the estrangement doesn’t last.

Old Kampong Ayer 1950s

This is the other photograph of the two photographs old Brunei Town set which I mentioned last Tuesday. This one is also a privately taken photograph in the 1950s. This is taken from the minaret of SOAS Mosque. In fact many of Bandar Brunei's are taken from the vantage point of SOAS Mosque minaret.This one is interesting as there does not seem many houses surrounding the mosque and houses are

Welcome and selamat datang ...

Welcome to my new blog on Indonesia. Ever since I spent a year there with Canada World Youth, Canada’s equivalent of the Peace Corps, I’ve been amazed by how much there is to know about Indonesia – and how little Westerners actually can tell you about it. It’s a kind of black box to Americans, a far-off land so foreign that they don’t even attempt to understand it. Hopefully this blog will be a small part of a fresh dialogue, a new stepping stone to an archipelago of 17,000 islands and 240 million people. Whether posts will touch on travel, culture, religion or politics, let’s start a conversation between Indonesia and the West. To Indonesia, the greatest country that no one knows ...

APPEAL for Missing Brunei Stamps

This is an APPEAL. I thought I have all the Brunei stamps ever issued since 1895. I take pride in that. When I was updating my stamp albums, I realised I don't have the above stamps. Urrghhhhh.......I am willing to pay good money to whoever who can sell me those stamps both mint and used sets. You know the email and let me know the price.....

Dating Old Brunei Town

I bought this photograph of old Brunei Town on ebay a few weeks ago. It was actually sent by someone called Philip to an Elsie congratulating her on being a permanent staff. It's a set of two photographs.This photograph is that of the late 1950s. I can confirm it by the date of the note at the back of the photograph. But one way you can tell is to look at the photograph itself. Look at what I

The Bloodied Crown

This is Pulau Cermin. Pulau Cermin is the site and scene of the book that I read on Friday and for the article I am publishing today.I spent my Friday reading a book entitled 'Mahkota Berdarah' loosely translated as 'The bloodied Crown'. It took a long time for me to find this book. I read it about 35+ years ago and I remembered it contained a lot of information that I needed to write my article

Transfers and Promotions

There has been so many appointments and transfers among Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries over the last few days that it is hard to keep track. But just in case you missed out, here they are:-Cabinet MinistersMinister of Industry & Primary Resources - Pehin Dato Haji Yahya (formerly Energy)Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports - Pehin Dato Ahmad Jumat (formerly

The Tales of Kampong Pancur Murai

[My article on Kampung Pancur Murai was published in my Golden Legacy column in Brunei Times last Sunday, 17th August 2004. This is based on an earlier blog entry I wrote sometime last year.]I have written in the past about the origin of place names in Brunei Darussalam. Some place names are pretty straightforward and one can guess easily how the name originated. Though in my research, one place

Future Planners

I had an interesting visitor the other day. He did not make an appointment but since I had a bit of time in between my meetings and my work, I took the time to meet this guy. He was a Chinese man. I asked him why he wanted to see me.He told me this story about him who will be retiring very soon but he does not have anywhere to go. Currently he is staying in his company's quarters but he has been

Youthful Thinking

I thought I will elevate a comment made yesterday on Brunei youths to a proper discussion. Mohammad, one of this blog's active commentator wrote yesterday 'It is rather absurd that the Youth Development Centre ("Pusat Pembangunan Belia) -- under the care of Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry through the Youth and Sports Department -- has for donkeys of years been running sewing or tailoring

Love your tailor

This is priceless! Kudos to BB and Rhymie for coming up with this cartoon. Sorry guys, I just had to filch this and show it off here. This is really really bull's eye.We are still about, what, some 2 weeks away from the fasting month? In most cases, people will be struggling to their tailors even in the final week of the fasting month that despite all those money that you are willing to pay the

The Beef of Agriculture

We have been having a few meetings with Agriculture Department lately and there were a number of literatures made available to us. One of the more interesting ones is this tiny book on agricultural statistics in Brunei. I was quite amazed of the statistics inside it. Used right you can even tell which agicultural sector you can venture into.I was quite intrigued with the beef industry statistics.

Houses Allocation

It was almost 4 pm yesterday when we had lunch. His Majesty must have been so tired shaking all those hands and visiting all those houses. By the time we got to sit down, I was very amazed that he still had the energy to talk to those around him. I sat about 3 seats away but he still took the time to acknowledge all of us around the table. What did we talk about?Yesterday's ceremony was for house

Where To Find Great Resort In Pattaya City

Where To Find Great Resort In Pattaya City

By [KengIsm]

Have you wonder what makes Pattaya city so popular among tourists. You might not have an idea if you never been there, but for some people who have visited this city for quite few times may be able to give very correct answer. What different between hotel and resort accommodation?

In fact in terms of the meaning and usage they are not much different, that is, they refers to the accommodation for tourist for travelers but resort may have additional characteristics of having beautiful garden or open-air public are available for guests to be able to enjoy with natural environment.

But for normal hotel accommodation, this could means the building of the hotel in the city area were has no garden or green space available for its guest or provide just a little one. Also resort accommodation could refers to the accommodation that located in mountain or woods where tourists or travelers can fully enjoy the environment. According to this reason travelers tend to prefer to look for resort accommodation rather than building hotel. If they are not required to join business trip and have to stay in city central area.

Pattaya is the small lovely city on eastern region of Thailand. It is the small city that well known for tourists of its beautiful beaches and nightlife. There are also hotels and resort accommodations available in this city. However, according the most area of the city is urban area, so it is quite rare to see large resort accommodation available for tourists. However, if you are planning to visit this city, there are some beautiful resorts available for you but you may have to be hurry because they normally have full booking in high season.

Even though it si quite hard for you to find large resort accommodation in Pattaya, but there are some other hotels that have improve its environment to be a resort.

One of the good examples is the hotel called Cabbages and Condoms Resort which I have visited last year.

I book this hotel through hotel booking website in very in quite cheap price and the hotel’s service is really impressive. For some of you who nay want to stay in city central area but would love to relax on private beach. There are some resort provides this for external guest too.

Booking for hotel in this city is also very easy. It is quite surprised that I can see many of travel agents in my country offering hotel booking service for this city. Even though it is just a small city in small country but the tourism market is very competitive. Therefore, many of hotel booking websites owners try to make a deal with local agents or directly to hotels or resorts to offer competitive prices available to customers.

In summary, it is quite necessary for you, if you are planning to visit Thailand and Pattaya you have to find out for information of hotel accommodation. If you are planning for business trip, so it might not be complicated because there are a lot of hotel in the city.

Rentak 914

It's not very often we get Brunei singers on CD. We have Hans Anuar and Maria but not much else. I remembered a couple of months back that RTB did produce a compilation of songs sung by Brunei singers. During the Halal Expo opening, I met the RTB big boss and asked him whether that compilation is still available and how was it compiled.He said it is available for volume 2. Volume 1 has sold out.

Should Brunei join the Olympics?

With all the discussions about our Olympics non-participation, I remembered in Sydney for the Olympics 2000, there was a wildcard entry from Equatorial Guinea. He was the talk of the swimming community then as there was a part when he nearly drowned in the 100 meter freestyle. Anyway, I searched for a video of that particular swimmer and I managed to find it. If you watch it, I am pretty sure you

Lot of the Rice

I was out in Labi yesterday with my colleagues to check out a couple of real estate properties needed for a government project. I thought I will just use this space to highlight an effort which is being carried out at the moment. First is the the photograph above. This is Lot Sengkuang, an area of rice plantation already being used in Labi and will be expanded much further.This one is a

The Brunei 'Train'

I took this photo from the bus on the way back to Bandar after the wedding on Sunday. By the time I switch on my camera, this 'train' had already crossed the 4 tee junction heading into Tutong camp.What is it? I am not so sure. I think it's a train (on wheels) and used by the Army to entertain kids. It is the first time I have seen it. Probably there must be people out there with better

The Kesabit

Over the weekend, I could not live up to the Daily BR. My wife and I were just running up and down from Muara to our house. My wife's nephew was getting married and as you know Brunei's weddings can be quite hectic. The berbedak ceremony, the nikah ceremony and also the night before the wedding which was mostly for family. At ours, I noticed an interesting change. Previously there will be prizes

A History of the Olympics

It's the 2008 Olympics in Beijing today. Today's illustration is the Olympics stamps issued by Australia given by a fellow collector friend, Kai from Australia. When did the Olympics start?According to legend, the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles (the Roman Hercules), a son of Zeus. Yet the first Olympic Games for which we still have written records were held in 776 BCE. At this

The Secret To Choosing A Nice Hotel In Phuket

Below, you'll find extensive information on leading the secret to choosing a nice hotel in phuket articles and products to help you on your way to success.

The Secret To Choosing A Nice Hotel In Phuket

By Tuk-Tuk.net, Thu Dec 8th

Phuket is Thailand's biggest island. The water itself may not beas breathtaking as Phi Phi or Similan island, but it's still beautiful. My suggestion is you stay at Phuket and then take a boat to Phi Phi, Similan or other smaller nearby islands for a snorkeling or diving trip.

Phuket Thailand becomes lively during the night -- with all the pubs, bars and restaurants opening until midnight or later. You can choose to stay at your Phuket hotel and have romantic dinner there. Or you can choose to take a stroll at Phuket's popular Patong beach for some night scene. Phuket has dozens of beaches. Each has tens, if not hundreds, of hotels. If you don't like a crowded beach with hundreds of restaurants and bars, stay away from Patong beach.

Looking to find a nice Phuket Thailand hotel that's just perfect for your budget? No problem. I'll recommend some nice hotels for you. Well, if you don't mind a very huge lagoon next to the beach and a very big resort hotel, then stay at the Laguna Phuket. Actually at the Laguna Phuket, there are five hotels(yes, it's that BIG -- Allamanda, Banyan Tree, Dusit Laguna,Laguna Beach, and Sheraton Grande Laguna). They're all beautiful and luxurious. So, expect to spend from $100 to over $300 a night, depending on the resort you choose.

And there's this secluded private hotel that I really --really--love... The Chedi Phuket. For me, the price is just right too. It's a little over $100. But you'd be glad to pay a lot more than that for a hotel room this cozy. And let me tell you, the private beach right in front of the Chedi is a lot more beautiful than other beaches in Phuket too.

Most foreigners (especially Westerners) I know like to stay at Mom Tri's Boat House. I don't know why. I haven't stayed there, so I can't tell you. But I just know for a fact they really like to stay there. The price is around $70. This Phuket resort hotel is designed by a well-known architect of Thailand. So 70bucks a night is a steal.

Now if you're willing to stay off Phuket island, then I suggest you stay at the Racha on Racha island. It's only 20 minutes away from Phuket. It's a private and totally gorgeous resort island. The beach is white, sandy and just beautiful. The resort itself is beyond explanation. Plus, the price is just a few bucks over$100.

Heteronim and Homogram

I discovered this publication by Dewan Bahasa Brunei by accident. I found it in the gift bag during the launch of the Brunei Geography website the other day. I was not able to attend it but someone kindly gave me the souvenir gift bag anyway. When I opened it, it had a number of books including this one. Since this is the 7th in the series and it is produced half annually, this publication must

The Sultan who saved Brunei

[Note: I wrote the following article for last Sunday's Brunei Times (3rd August 2008)]In the history of modern Brunei, no one should forget what Sultan Hashim did for us. He signed the historic agreement between Brunei Darussalam and United Kingdom in 1888 which made us a British Protectorate. He also signed the other historic agreement between the two countries in 1906 which created the post of

Belait Crocodile

A Mr. RM emailed me this crocodile photograph last night. This photograph appeared in Borneo Bulletin last Thursday and I remembered a few of us discussing it when we were in Temburong. We were not sure judging by the black and white photograph in BB whether such a crocodile could have walked up a ramp and watch it peeked into a house. Afterall photoshop experts abound.Now that I have seen the

Brunei's Crocodile Revisited

Last Thursday, there was this story on BB about a crocodile peeping through someone's riverine house. I remember writing about crocodiles as a blog entry about 2 years back. So it's time to recycle old blog entries:-Do you remember the news story on BB about a couple of weeks back about someone finding a baby crocodile in one of the drains near the houses at Bengkurong? That baby crocodile most

Latest Brunei Stamps

Last Friday was 1st August 2008. It was 40 years ago when His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah was coronated as the 29th Sultan of Brunei, a long line of Sultanate which started in the 14th Century. However according to Chinese records, friendly exchanges between Brunei and China have a long history. The earliest records date back more than 2,000 years ago as early as the Western Han Dynasty

The Coronation of the Sultan of Brunei

[Note: I wrote the following article for Brunei Times as it was running a special feature on the 40th Anniversary of His Majesty's Coronation. This was published yesterday on BT under the Focus Feature page.]In the early morning of 1st Febuary 1968, while the folks of Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan) were just starting to go and do their daily chores, two groups of men were preparing to