SFF

Have you been to Lau Pa Sat ('old market' in Hokkien dialect)? Well, here's your chance - so head down to Singapore lahh for the opening celebrations of the Singapore Food Festival 2008.

While you are there, enjoy the rainforest treat at the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant or the fun-filled family outing at Sentosa. Other places that CQ will recommend for makan places are Newton Circus, Geylang, Bukit Timah and Upper East Coast Road for seafood, Beach Road and many more :)) check them out oK!

If you ever turn yourself into a 'makan' monster - which CQ is 100% sure you will lols, then you should also indulge in the multitude of food attractions - and never ever miss to taste the many many many local dishes when you are in the Lion City ... because you susah ehh to find them here huhu ..unless you know how to cook those dishes!

Ohhh don't forget! the Great Singapore Sale is still on-going till late July huhu ...just don't burn those pockets!!!

p.s. Try all the Top 10 local dishes!

Where have they gone?

Padian and 'Pengalu' were boat-vendors or river traders back in the 50's, 60's and 70's era. They would paddle their boats around the Kampong Ayer in the capital city - from house to house, selling their provisions and other daily necessities to the villagers.

Some padians and pengalu would also sell fish, prawns, crabs or any other catch of seafood and also vegetables to earn a living. These padians and pengalus were easily recognised by their huge hats - just like those worn by gardeners.

But today, you cannot even see one padian or pengalu paddling along the areas of Kampong Ayer ... well maybe only in the inner or rural parts of the river. Is there any left?

When CQ first came to Brunei about 17 years ago ...CQ already can't find one ..

padian

One can only see elderly people do their trading near the steps of the Kampong Area where now water taxis are waiting for their potential customers.

pengalu (above and below)

It is sad to see this great heritage gone with the modernisations. Visitors to the country can only see an example of these padians and pengalus at the National Museum.

Maybe, if the relevant authorities would look into some areas of possibilities to continue the padian's legacy - not only for future generations but also as a possible tourists attraction. One may ask how?

Well, a designated river area in the Kampong Ayer can be turned or made into a moat - just like the one surrounding the SOAS Mosque; then licensed padians or pengalus can make their tradition businesses there. Locals and tourists can then enjoy the make-believe atmosphere buying like those yester-years era ..hehehe

It is as simple as when the authorities made an area for gerai-gerai or tamu-tamu in some of the housing estates. The only difference is that padians and pengalus are on water huhu ...

Anyway, CQ is still wondering - what is the difference between a padian and a pengalu?? hmmm

p.s. pictures shared by Sherry :)

Balik kampung II

Many reasons for me to go back kampung again soon lols :)

click here worldgourmetsummit2008

In a couple of months, there will the GSS ~ Great Singapore Sale ...from 23 May to 20 July 2008, it's worth waiting for...to shop till you drop! ~ abis usin ~ lols. So book your air tickets now ...or you will have to swim to the sale :D

More information for GSS fans, click here

Then go jalan-jalan cari makan all over the city with Tengkorak Ash ...

Saga of Nasi Katok

What is nasi katok? 'Nasi' means cooked rice. 'Katok' is 'ketok' as in the Malay language which equals to knock in English. So 'nasi katok' means knock rice :)

Where does nasi katok originate from or who started the saga? There are many story-tales as to justify the origin of nasi katok which is so famous that even tourists who have heard about it, never fail to buy or savour the nasi katok when they were in Brunei. It's like a fatal attraction heheee and it costs only one Brunei ringgit per packet.

How nutritious is nasi katok? A standard packet usually consists rice, a fifty-cent-size of sambal (cooked chili paste) and a bite size of fried chicken. A few sellers will add a slice of thin omelette or cucumber. What so delicious about it? Is it healthy? You be the judge!

Selling of nasi katok is mushrooming everywhere, particularly outside the capital area. It is either sold along streets or roadside stalls, home premises, cafes and now some restaurants have even started to add nasi katok on their menu. The use of plain or creative signboards is one way of attracting potential customers.

Who buys this nasi katok? Well, I do too ..once in a blue moon when I kinda 'crave' for it ..lols. I have seen that even individuals who are earning big salaries are among the patrons of this famous nasi katok stalls...not that they can't afford to eat in restaurants (maybe I should asked them why.. huh?? be kaypoh ..lols). Among the reasons that i can think of are:

• End of month, budget is tight...so eat nasi katok lahhh
• Families with many children ...just to get the feel of eating outside ...nasi katok cheap
• Legend nasi katok attracts old, new and also potential customers ..you know which one :)

People who sell nasi katok, are usually those who want to earn extra income. But can there be any ways or changes to make the nasi katok more healthier and nutritious?? Well, for you to know the answer ..is for you to find out.

Why don't you try be a nasi katok seller for a day ...change the fried to steam chicken, or add some freshly stir-fry vegetables ...and maybe you can be the first to improve the nasi katok legend and turn it into a modern day healthy nasi katok.

Tutong

Sparsely populated, Tutong is the 3rd largest district in Brunei. With its diverse culture, Tutong has managed to retain her unique lifestyle of rural Brunei.

It has abundance of natural beauty such as the white sands of Pasir Puteh, the famous beach Pantai Seri Kenangan and a beautiful lake - Tasek Merimbun. In fact Tutong has an interesting history.

Brunei map

Tutong is located in between the Brunei-Muara district and Belait District.

This the newly built tamu in the Pekan Tutong. This morning, I managed to visit the place. It was bustling with local Tutong vendors selling all sorts of stuffs and merchandises; ranging from potted plants, clothings and food. There are also a mini-mart and a wet market too.

Scanning 360 degrees around the tamu, we saw this 'makcik' selling kuih Melaya and decided to buy 2 large pieces of the kuih.

This is how the kuih Melaya a.k.a. 'apam balik' is cooked. Heat up the round flat pan...

Then pour in a mug of battered flour ...add raisins and let it bubbled up like this ..

errr ...seems that my picture is wrongly posted ..lols

Then add grounded peanuts, sugar, condensed milk and planta margerine ...hmmm not suitable for diabetes though hehehe ...


There is a food centre, so we decided to have our breakfast there. We all mian soto. We ordered telu bowls of the soto.

The soto here, particularly in Brunei itself, the taste is so different to the sotos from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei soto taste more like soup (p/s: this is MY personal view) and is best when served with cilipadi paste.

After breakfast, we took a peep into the wet market. It has been ages that I last went to a wet market heheee ...

Wow! fresh fish...

Tempted by its freshness, we bought the upper half of a whole tuna fish. That costs us B$9.00! Woohhh so pricey lahh ...We asked the intestines to be taken out and put some ice in the palstic bags...as we were heading to KB ...don't want any fishy smell in the car :)


Maybe next time I would like to venture into the rural areas of Tutong.

Glossary:
mian * = makan (Malay) = eat (English)
telu * = tiga (Malay) = three (English)
tamu = pasar (Malay) = market (English)
cilipadi = small chillies
makcik = aunty

* Tutong words

Is it possible?

A wild imagination still lingers on my mind ..I was wondering if there is ever a possibility of building a railroad or train tracks in Brunei.

Brunei has an expanse of 5,800 square kilometres and a coastline of about 130kms. It has an undulating landscape marked by low hills and wide valleys. A narrow coastal plain is intersected by several rivers descending from a mountainous hinterland ...hmmm

The train tracks can be built either along the coastline, facing the South China Sea or cutting through parts of the rain forests jungle. The beautiful and breathtaking views that one can imagine when travelling on a train crossing through Brunei land ~ especially to Temburong...wow! Maybe with train stations at every of the four districts...and it can even be extended into Miri ~ just like the Singapore-Johore Bahru link.

The Alaskan railroad tracks with scenic views

I hope this 'dream' can be realised and materialised eventually ...some day in the future :) Maybe the train project can be privatised to private companies (yeah was wondering which conglomerate or tycoons will be interested hehee) ...with affordable train fares and special passes for students and senior citizens.

Of course the trains must be modern and highly equipped with necessary facilities ...wooow seems like i am so keen hahaha ...well you can never know, it could attract more tourists into Brunei too ...to experience a train ride within the country.

Watching Eyes

Standing at a stunning 165 metres tall, The Singapore Flyer is one of the newest attractions in the Lion City. With a soaring height of about 35 metres higher than the London Eye, The Singapore Flyer is said to be the world's highest observation wheels (165 metres).

The moving experience of 360 degrees lets you feel the magical moments atop the Singapore skies with breathtaking picturesque of the glittering Marina Bay at night, the surrounding attractions and the panaromic view of the waterfront. You may even see tiny tug boats, people walking or birds flying or anything that you can't see on the eye level?? Perhaps even the entire island itself too...a unique experience to witness the spectacular blue skies, towering skyscrapers, lushes of green sceneries and of course the vibrant and bustling city.

a ride not to be missed...cost about SGD$30.00

Each capsule measures 4 metres by 7 metres (the size of a single-decker bus). Fully air-conditioned with an interior space of 28 sq metres. It is UV-protected. The Singapore Flyer can be hired for group and private bookings. It can be specially planned according to themes...wow!

On my last trip, driving along the flyover, you can see the Singapore Flyer is like a huge spinning wheel....so now I must go back for holidays again soon...i miss my Singapore huhu.

Other Eyes of the World

London

Tokyo

Malaysia

Pakistan
~ hmmm better than nothing...strictly for those afraid of heights :D ~