KajoMag

What to do at Santubong, Sarawak?

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Santubong Peninsula, with its rich history and great landscape is only a 35-minute drive from Kuching.

Behind its mountain peaks lies an age-old legend of jealousy and rage between Puteri Santubong and her sister Puteri Sejinjang.

Hailing from a celestial kingdom, the princesses were not above sibling rivalry. One fateful day, the princesses fought violently with each other over who was the more beautiful.

Sejinjang hit Santubong’s head, after which the latter fell to the earth, becoming Mount Santubong.

Before she fell, however, she managed to throw the beam of her weaving loom at Sejinjang. The impact broke Sejinjang’s body, and the pieces scattered into the ocean, forming nearby islands Pulau Satang, Pulau Talang-Talang and so on.

With the family feud in the mythical past, Santubong is a famous place for both locals and foreign tourists alike, the beauty of these two sisters still living on to this day through the scenic views of both the rainforest and the South China Sea.

Here are 10 things to do while visiting the Santubong Peninsula:

1. Climb Mount Santubong

A steep climb up to Mount Santubong.
A steep climb up to Mount Santubong.

The number one thing to do (provided you have the passion and stamina) is to climb to the Santubong summit.

It is moderately difficult since it has some steep climbs assisted by rope ladders.

The climb takes about 3 to 4 hours to the summit and up to 3 hours to hike down.

Do not take the climb lightly as there have been cases of climbers becoming stranded out of exhaustion.

It is advisable to depart from the park rangers’ office no later than 8am and take at least 3 litres of water for each person.

Nonetheless, the views from the top are definitely rewarding.

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The view from the top of Mount Santubong.

2. No energy to climb to the top? Just hike around it.

If you don’t have the energy to climb to the top but still want to enjoy the rainforest, hike around it.

At Santubong National Park, you can either follow the red trail up to the summit or the blue trail for an easier alternative.

The blue trail takes around two hours to complete and will lead you to one of the waterfalls.

If you take the blue trail of Santubong National Park, you'll find yourself on this hanging bridge.
If you take the blue trail of Santubong National Park, you’ll find yourself traversing this hanging bridge.

3. Take a dip in one of the jungle pools

While you are paying Mother Nature a visit, you might at as well take a refreshing dip in  one of its jungle pools.

Both blue and red trails at the national park have waterfalls to offer.

The waters are relatively shallow at all the waterfalls and may be only waist-deep at most.

Take a relaxing dip at one of the waterfalls at Mount Santubong.
Take a relaxing dip at one of the waterfalls at Mount Santubong.

4. Explore the coastline, not just Damai Beach

Apart from Damai Beach, there is another less famous but equally beautiful beach located at Santubong Peninsula.

Situated at Kampung Santubong, Pantai Puteri offers a scenic view of its coast.

It is a great place for beach combing as you can walk as far as the mouth of Santubong River.

There are plenty of weird-looking rock formations to explore as you draw closer to the estuary.

Be alert to your surroundings because if you are lucky enough, you might spot a kingfisher or two.

Here are some photos taken at Pantai Puteri:

5. Kayak along the shoreline

Another way to enjoy the shoreline is to kayak along it.

Permai Beach Resort and Damai Beach Resort offer kayaks for rent at affordable prices.

There are other recreational activities as well such as scuba diving, snorkelling and stand up paddleboards.

Each of them allows visitors to look at Santubong from different perspectives.

Kayaking is a relaxing way to explore Santubong.
Kayaking is a relaxing way to explore Santubong.

6. Have a taste of Sarawak culture

Visiting a new place would not be complete without having a taste of its culture.

Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) is an award-winning living museum depicting the cultural heritage of major racial groups in Sarawak.

There are seven unique houses which invite visitors to have an insight of the traditional life: the Bidayuh longhouse, Iban longhouse, Orang Ulu longhouse, Chinese farmhouse, Melanau tall house, Malay house and Penan hut.

Do not miss their cultural performances held at its theater twice a day at 11.30 and 4pm.

Once a year, SCV also plays host to the world renowned Rainforest World Music Festival.

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One of the performers from Kobagi Kecak (Indonesia) during Rainforest World Music Festival 2016.

7. Swim in the South China Sea

Put on your bikinis or swimming trunks and just have a swim – but don’t forget to put on some sunscreen first!

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Just take a swim!

8. Visit historical sites

The history of Santubong can be traced as far back as the 7th century.

The artifacts found in the area shows that the peninsula was a trading port between Borneo and China.

One of the historical places to visit at Santubong is Sultan Tengah Mausoleum.

It is located right before the junction to Santubong village.

The first and only Sultan of Sarawak, Sultan Tengah died in 1641 and was buried together with his family members.

Other historical sites include Batu Bergambar near Sungai Jaong, Cursed Crocodile Stone in Santubong village and archaeological site of  Bongkisam.

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Miss the crowd by visiting Santubong during weekdays.

9. Explore Damai Craftworld and Event Centre

It was formerly known and still preferably called Damai Central.

The place has wide variety of facilities and services to offer which include barbecue pits, camp ground, event venues, food courts and crafts bazaars.

Monkeys can easily be spotted even at Damai Central.
Monkeys can easily be spotted even at Damai Central.

10. Sit back, have a beer and enjoy the sunset

This is perhaps the best thing to do at Santubong.

Plop down on one of the seats at Escobar at Damai Craftworld and Event Centre, have a sip of a cold beer and then simply enjoy the sunset.

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The sun setting at Santubong.

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Top 18 Hollywood movies to watch in 2018

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It’s only the beginning of the year but 2018 looks ready to show us bigger and better movies than 2017.

Here are 18 movies (and its Malaysian release dates) which will have us lining up in the cinemas in 2018:

1.Maze Runner: The Death Cure (Jan 25)

Dylan O’Brien reprises his role as Thomas in this third and final installment in the Maze Runner film series.

In his final journey, Thomas is on a mission to find a cure to a deadly disease known as “the Flare”.

This time, Thomas and his friends must break into the legendary Last City, a labyrinth controlled by the World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department (WKCD).

2.Black Panther (Feb 25)

This is another exciting movie to anticipate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

For those following MCU movies, you might notice that all but one of the Infinity Stones has shown up.

The question now is: Will we get to see the final stone in Black Panther?

The plot is set after the events of Captain America: Civil War.

3.A Wrinkle in Time (Mar 8)

Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Mindy Kaling star in this star-studded movie.

It is an adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s book from 1963 of the same name which follows a young girl on the hunt for her missing scientist father.

4.Tomb Raider (Mar 15)

Here comes another reboot: This time instead of Angelina Jolie, Swedish actress Alicia Vikander is expected to bring Lara Croft’s character to life.

This edition sees Croft uncovering clues left behind by her father in England in the ancient lost Japanese kingdom of Yamatai which hides many secrets and tomb-raiding adventures.

5.Pacific Rim: Uprising (Mar 22)

It has been 10 years since the Battle of the Breach in 2013’s Pacific Rim.

The movie will continue the story of mankind’s battle against invading kaiju from where it left off in the first movie.

6. Avengers: Infinity War (Apr 26)

The third movie in the MCU Avengers series will gather the Avengers, this time to fight against Thanos.

The film is set four years after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 when the Avengers have been broken apart following Captain America: Civil War.

7. Slender Man (May 17)

Slender Man is the horror story of our generation originally created as a creepypasta Internet meme.

Eric Knudsen, posting as “Victor Surge” joined a Photoshop Challenge where he posted photos of a tall, suited figure with elongated limbs.

Soon enough, people started claiming to see the figure whom they called ‘Slender Man’ stalking and abducting people.

A few violent acts related to Slender Man were reported including a near-fatal stabbing of a 12-year-old.

In the movie, Slender Man will continue to scare people trading computer screens with the big screen.

8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 24)

Do we need another Star Wars movie this year? Apparently we do.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is based on Han Solo and Chewbacca’s adventures before joining the Rebellion, including their early encounters with Lando Calrissian.

9. Deadpool 2 (May 31)

Here is the plot summary released by Twentieth Century Fox:

After surviving a near fatal knee boarding accident , a disfigured guidance counselor (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Poughkeepsie’s most celebrated French Bulldog breeder while also learning to cope with an open relationship.

Searching to regain his passion for life, as well as a new stuffed unicorn, Wade must battle ninjas, tight-assed metal men, and babysit a group of stereotypical side characters as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and creative outlets for his very open-minded sex life.

He manages to find a new lust for being a do-gooder, a sparkly Hello Kitty backpack, all while earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best 4th Wall Breaking Superhero.

Doesn’t make sense, does it?

10. Ocean’s 8 (June 7)

Take away the male cast in the Ocean’s Trilogy and replace them with an all-female cast – then you have Ocean’s 8.

In this movie, Danny Ocean’s estranged sister, Debbie, tries to pull off the heist of the century at New York’s annual star-studded Met Gala.

The cast is star-studded as well with names like Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling and Sarah Paulson rocking the screen.

11. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (June 7)

Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return to star in this sequel to 2015’s Jurassic World.

It follows four years after the closing of the Jurassic World theme park on Isla Nublar.

Interestingly, the trailer shows Howard letting go of her much-talked-about high heels and wearing boots instead.

12. Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 5)

Antman and the wasp

If you remember how Scott Lang (aka Ant-Man) took Captain America’s side in Captain America: Civil War,
Lang is now an internationally-wanted fugitive.

So we will get to see what happens to Ant-Man and what is the Wasp’s role in this Ant-Man sequel.

13. Venom (Oct 5)

When it comes to the comics universe, we know Tom Hardy as a DC villain in The Dark Knight Rises. Now he plays Eddie Brock/Venom, known in the Marvel Comics as a villain in Spider-Man.

Marvel Studio is reportedly not involved with this spin-off film and does not plan to integrate it with MCU.

But it is intended to be first film in Sony’s Marvel Universe to be set in the same world with Spider-Man: Homecoming, an MCU film.

14. Halloween (Oct 18)

Halloween

In 2017 we saw the success of IT and this year another 1980s horror movie is making a comeback.

In Halloween, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers.

Myers was the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

15. The Girl In the Spider’s Web (Oct 18)

The Millennium book series created by Stieg Larsson revolves around computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist.

Larsson’s untimely death from a heart attack in 2004 led to David Lagercrantz continuing the series.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web will mark the first time for Lagercrantz’s work to make it to the big screen.

The story follows Salander and Blomkvist fighting against spies, cyber criminals and perhaps even the government.

16. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (Nov 1)

X men dark phoenix

Here comes another Marvel movie! X-Men: Dark Phoenix is set in the 1990s, a decade after the events of X-Men: Apocalypse.

The synopsis goes that X-Men, including Mystique, Beast, Storm, Nightcrawler and Quicksilver are now national heroes.

During a rescue mission in space, a solar flare hits the X-jets and the surge of energy ignites a new force in Jean Grey, the Phoenix.

17. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald (Nov 15)

This movie is still nearly a year away from the cinema but it has already caused some casting controversy.

Nonetheless, this Potter prequel saga will have Jude Law as the young Dumbledore- something that we all look forward to.

18. Aquaman (Dec 20)

Jason Mamoa as Aquaman.
Jason Mamoa as Aquaman.

So far, the year 2018 seems like a big year for Marvel. So how about ending the year with a DC Comics film?

Following the events of Justice League (which was disappointing), Arthur Curry (aka Aquaman) is now caught between two worlds.

On one side we have surface dwellers who are always polluting the Earth and on the other the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

To be honest, who cares if Warner Bros Pictures delivers another DC flop through Aquaman? Just give us one shirtless scene of Jason Momoa and all will be forgiven.

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Global survey: Bullying, violence and terrorism top concern for Malaysian children

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KUALA LUMPUR/NEW YORK: A new global survey issued by UNICEF on #WorldChildrensDay reveals that almost 7 out of 10 children in Malaysia worry a lot about bullying, compared to only 3 out of 10 in Japan or close to 4 in 10 in the UK.

Children in Malaysia also worry a lot about violence against children (64%) and terrorism (60%); while their top picks for world leaders to focus attention on are education for the poor (17%), poverty and terrorism (15%).

The comparative survey involved 11,000 boys and girls between 9 and 18 years old in 14 countries from all regions across the world, including Brazil, Egypt, India, Turkey and the USA. The global UNICEF survey echoes findings from the Children4Change opinion conducted locally in Malaysia in terms of children’s concerns and priorities.

“The survey clearly demonstrates that children in Malaysia take an interest in global issues and are concerned about their impact on their lives and that of their peers. They also have opinions about issues affecting them closer to home. The comparative findings of the global survey highlight issues of particular concern to Malaysian children compared to others, bullying for example, and this should be taken seriously and addressed,” said Marianne Clark-Hattingh, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia.

“Unfortunately, the survey also showed that 54% feel that even when asked their opinion they are not really listened to or that their voice does not influence change. As adults we should listen, we should consult children in issues that affect them and take their opinion into account.

“Although we might think it, we don’t always know what is best for them. When children and adolescents are engaged and encouraged to participate, it builds confidence, global citizenship and helps build democratic and peaceful societies. So, on this World Children’s Day – when children speak up, listen up.”

Other key findings from Malaysia include:
a) Issues and Concerns
• Over three-quarters of children in Malaysia (77%) are worried about being bullied, and being affected by threats such as climate change (77%), poverty (74%), education access (74%) and terrorism (74%). In the countries surveyed, children in Brazil, Malaysia and Mexico are the most concerned about being personally affected by violence, at 75%, 70% and 69% respectively.
• More than half the children polled in Malaysia (53%) express mistrust of adults and world leaders responsible for making decisions on their behalf, compared to 68% in the UK, 59% in the USA and 81% in Brazil.

b) Right to be Heard
• Children in Malaysia feel their opinion is most appreciated by family (92%), friends (88%) and teachers (76%), which is similar to the trends in the UK or in the USA.
• More than half the children in Malaysia (54%) feel their voice is not heard at all or does not help bring about change, compared to 51% in Japan, 61% in the USA, and 71% in the UK. The only exception is India at 40%.
• A clear majority of children in Malaysia (95%) believe that the world would be a better place for children if their leaders would listen to the voice of children. This percentage is higher than in any other surveyed country (89% in the USA; 85% in the UK; 77% in Japan), except South Africa (97%).

c) Interests, Hobbies, Media Consumption
• Barack Obama is the number one choice Malaysian children would invite to their birthday, followed closely by Tun Mahathir Mohamed. Cristiano Ronaldo, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Siti Nurhaliza, and Jack Ma who all fall jointly in third place.
• Watching TV is the top favorite pastime for children in Malaysia (65%), similarly to Brazil (67%), India (68%), Japan (58%), UK (59%) and USA (54%). Children in Malaysia also spend equal time on social media (59%) as doing their homework (59%).
• At 80%, smart phone usage is higher amongst Malaysian children than children in USA (74%), UK (73%) or Japan (63%).

UNICEF hopes World Children’s Day will inspire governments, businesses and communities across the world to listen to children and incorporate their opinions in decision-making processes that affect them.

In Malaysia, around 30 children from across the social spectrum, including those with disabilities, will ‘takeover’ Malaysian media to make their voices heard on the occasion of World Children’s Day on November 20th.

Over 10 major media partners spanning TV, radio, print and online across the country will participate in this global movement under this year’s theme, #ForEveryChild.

Nando’s is serving up Everyone’s Platter this Christmas

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As merry as it may seem, half the struggle preparing a Christmas dinner is figuring out the best menu that would satisfy everyone.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, Nando’s is gifting its diners with a new item on its menu, Everyone’s Platter.

Being a true food lover, KajoMag was invited to a Nando’s pre-Christmas dinner at tHe Spring Shopping Mall on 17 November to try out their new menu item.

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Priced at RM99, Everyone’s Platter serves up Nando’s signature juicy yet savoury whole PERI-PERi chicken together with four side dishes – corn-on-the-cob, PERi-PERi wedges, a regular side salad and Mediterranean rice – enough to feed a small army of four people.

The Portobello Mushroom (right) is a must try and KajoMag's new favourite of Nando's menu
The Portobello Mushroom (right) is a must try and KajoMag’s new favourite from Nando’s menu

What is extra special about Everyone’s Platter, though is its ‘Fire Starter’.

Everyone’s Platter is introducing Nando’s new addition to their menu; the Portobello Mushroom Bowl as its  starter. Perfectly grilled yet slightly charred, the portobello mushroom was juicy, succulent and savoury, complemented by the sweetness from the grilled red onion.

The crispy refreshing regular side salad complemented the smokiness of the Portobello mushroom.

Nando's Everyone's Platter consist of a whole chicken perfectly grilled, corn-on-the-cob, Peri-peri wedges, Mediterranean rice and salad.
Nando’s Everyone’s Platter consists of a perfectly grilled whole PERi-PERi chicken, corn-on-the-cob, PERi-PERi wedges, Mediterranean rice and salad. The whole PERi-PERi chicken has perfect char marks, guaranteeing its scrumptious taste.

As expected, one bite of Nando’s PERi-PERi chicken and you can literally feel the juice oozing out.

And what’s a chicken dish at Nando’s without a hit of its PERi-PERi sauces? You can try out the spicy PERi-PERi sauces which include Mild, Medium, Hot and XX Hot. Feeling a bit racy, I tried out the Hot PERi-PERi sauce – even though the Hot really packs some heat, I was able to taste a symphony of flavours on my tongue.

Those with sensitive tongues, however, you can try out their non-spicy sauces like Lemon & Herb or Wild Herb instead.

To complete the meal, what better way to end it but with a sweet, sweet dessert?

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Even though it’s not part of the Everyone’s Platter menu, Nando’s has drool-worthy desserts, among them  red velvet and caramel cheesecake.

While the slice of red velvet plays perfectly into the Christmas theme, one simply cannot leave Nando’s without trying their caramel cheesecake.

What has become another KajoMag favourite, the perfect blend of saltiness and sweetness from the caramel represents what cheesecake is supposed to taste like.

To know more, check out their website at https://nandos.my/explore/blog/everyone-welcome or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NandosMY

I know Christmas is over a month away but Merry Christmas y'all!
I know Christmas is over a month away but Merry Christmas y’all!

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Syrian refugee Sohbi Shaker chases the Malaysian dream on Asia’s Got Talent

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Will 24-year-old magician Sobhi Shaker make it to the Semi-Finals?
Will 24-year-old self-taught magician Sobhi Shaker make it to the Semi-Finals?

It’s the last episode of the Judges’ Auditions and David Foster’s Golden Buzzer remains unused. Who will be deserving of the #DreamCrusher’s Golden Buzzer this season?

24-year-old Sobhi Shaker was sent to Malaysia by his family to pursue a better life. As a self-taught magician, Sobhi intends to fulfil his dream of being a full-time magician and bring his entire family to Malaysia. Will he be able to score three yeses to make it to the Semi-Finals?

Tune in to Asia’s Got Talent this Thursday at 8:30pm on AXN.

To relive the Golden Buzzer moments and for more exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, subscribe to Asia’s Got Talent Official YouTube Channel at www.YouTube.com/AsiasGotTalent. For a full recap of past episodes, visit www.AXN-Asia.com/AsiasGotTalent/Episodes.

A new episode of Asia’s Got Talent airs every Thursday at 8:30pm on AXN. To follow the journey of this season’s acts, check out #AXNAsia and #AsiasGotTalent.

Asia’s Got Talent is the 67th adaptation of the Guinness-World-Record-breaking hit “Got Talent” format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia. The “Got Talent” format is officially the most successful reality TV format in history and currently airs in 186 countries.

Asia’s Got Talent is supported by presenting sponsor Traveloka, the leading travel booking app for all flight and hotel needs; sponsoring partner Great Eastern Life, the market leader in the conventional life insurance business and the largest life insurer in Malaysia by asset size; and GoDaddy, the world’s largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures.

Marina Bay Sands, Asia’s leading business, leisure and entertainment destination, is the official venue partner of Asia’s Got Talent.

10 Facebook pages you must follow if you love food

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Glorious Food PH

If you love food but spend most of your time on social media than in the kitchen, here are 10 Facebook pages you’ll want to follow.

Be warned! These Facebook pages might inspire you to channel your inner Nigella Lawson and whip up something to eat!

1.Tasty

When it comes to food-related Facebook pages, somebody’s sure to mention Tasty.

It is a Buzzfeed division that produces food-related content. It is widely known for posting series of videos featuring short recipes on Facebook.

What makes it interesting is how you can watch the food being prepared from a first-person point of view.

This Facebook page was launched on July 31, 2015 and by December 2016, it gathered 77 million followers!

2.Proper Tasty

Proper Tasty is the first international adaptation of Tasty focusing on British cuisine.

It describes itself as “Food that’s tasty, tempting and a bit naughty. Unique twists on beloved British recipes you’ll want to cook. Like Tasty, but in grams not cups.”

3.Tasty Japan

What makes Japanese food so interesting is none other than their food presentations!

Only the Japanese would have thought simple fried rice could be presented as a sleeping teddy bear with a thinly fried omelette for a blanket.

Tasty Japan is a must follow page if you are looking for not just feast for your tummy but feast for your eyes.

4. BuzzFeed Food

Staying true to BuzzFeed style, this Facebook page shares listicles types of stories on food.

The headlines are borderline click-bait, but if you scan through properly, BuzzFeed Food actually shares helpful cooking tips.

And again staying true to the BuzzFeed’s identity, the page also loves to share nonsensical quizzes like ‘pick some food and we tell you what is your ultimate city’.

Nonetheless, this page is a must-follow if you love food-related humour or share-worthy cooking disasters.

5. Allrecipes

If you Google or web search any recipe, one of the top results that usually comes up is from the website www.allrecipes.com.

While you can find all its latest updates and articles on its Facebook page, you’ll also find its Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr pages with the #allrecipes hashtag.

6.Food Network

Food Network is not just a food channel but it has also spread its content to a website and magazine.

Its sister channel, Food Network Asia is also a must-follow if you are into Asian Cuisine.

7. Taste of Home

This American cooking magazine shares best-loved recipes from ordinary home cooks.

You can find tonnes of cooking tips and reviews here at this page too.

They also love to do ‘We tested these so you don’t have to’ types of articles.

8. Cooking Panda

The description of this page is a little bit quirky. It goes:

“Once upon a time lived a panda who got bored with eating just bamboo. Thus he went around the world searching for ethe best recipes and cooking them his own way to get the most delicious meals he’d ever taste. Always exploring any possibilities in the kitchen, he enjoyed more and more of his own cooking and started to think of sharing the joy with others.”

It doesn’t matter if a panda is behind this page, it still shares great video recipes and more on its website.

9. Asian Food Channel

This page is the online engagement platform for the tv show Asian Food Channel (AFC).

It claims to be the region’s leading food-focused channel that “celebrates the unique Asian culinary experience with the added touch of global flavour.”

Here you can find recipes, snippets of shows featured on the channel and contests for readers to participate.

10. The New York Times Food

The New York Times Food is an official New York Times production.

This Facebook page usually shares various recipes from desserts to main courses such as Bavarian-style soft pretzels, chicken congee and roast chicken with fennel.

Most of the posts on this page lead to its website www.nytimes.com/food.

It used to post quick and easy how-to videos and cooking live shows but they were short-lived.

As expected from New York Times, the page also occasionally shares serious food-related issues and new store openings in New York.

 

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Marudi: Small town, big cultural heart

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Marudi (5)
The map of Marudi on the bank of the Baram River.

Overlooking the Baram River, Marudi may not have much entertainment or conveniences to offer in the way a big city might, but it has its small-town charms that make for a pleasant visit.

The quiet riverine town is home to at least 90,100 people, and plays a big part as a cultural and historical centre of the northern part of Sarawak.

Located 80km from Miri, there is a road connected to the town but as at the time of writing, road conditions are not really satisfactory. Let’s just say there are plenty of potholes waiting for you on your way to Marudi, but don’t let this deter you. The chance to visit this humble town and experience an authentic slice of Sarawakian life, enjoy its past and present, is worth a little bump in the road.

Here are the top five things to do if you happen to visit Marudi, this beautiful riverine town:

1.Eat Marudi’s famous Kueh Tiaw (fried noodles)

Marudi

This is the number one thing anybody should do if they are visiting Marudi for the first time.

Kueh Tiaw Marudi is unlike any other kueh tiaw you can find in Malaysia. Part of its appeal lies in the texture of its noodles, which are thicker than its other Malaysian counterparts.

You can order this in  any Chinese kopitiam in town, but I prefer those sold by the stalls on the first floor of the Marudi District Council market.

Some stalls open as early as 6.30 in the morning so you can have your kueh tiaw fix as early as possible.

You can enjoy this dish fried or as kueh tiaw basah (literally, wet kueh tiaw) which comes soaked in broth.

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2.Let them eat bread!

Another must-try food is – surprisingly – a humble home-baked bread.

This soft bread at Jeng Seng Loong Cafe goes well with kaya (coconut spread) or butter.

There are other baked goods available at the cafe as well such as butter and kaya buns but their bread loaves are definitely the highlight of this coffeeshop.

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3.Visit Fort Hose

This is the main tourist attraction in Marudi, named after former resident Charles Hose.

It used to be an administration office during the Brooke reign, but has been converted into a museum.

Take a glimpse of the local cultures and heritage as the fort houses local textiles, beads, handicrafts and ceremonial items.

Click here  for more about Fort Hose.

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The town’s main tourist attraction.

4.Watch the oldest regatta in Sarawak

Visit Marudi at the right time and you’ll find yourself watching Baram Regatta, the oldest regatta in Sarawak.

This bi-annual event has been held since 1899 after a peace conference arranged by Charles Hose successfully ended the ongoing  tribal war in the region.

You can visit Sarawak Tourism Board website to know when the regatta will be held next year.

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A monument to commemorate the oldest regatta in Sarawak.

5.Take a walk around town

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Marudi town in the evening.

Marudi is a small town where you can spend a whole day and still fully enjoy what the town has to offer.

Skip the car and simply take a stroll around town. While you’re at it, just enjoy the peace and quiet of a small town and take your mind off of your busy daily life.

Marudi (6)
Unique tribal paintings decorate the city,  reminding visitors of the town’s cultural roots.

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T’Challa finds out the weight of responsibility in Black Panther

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Black Panther may not be coming out until 2018, but Marvel fans are already enjoying its mind-blowing trailer that was released 16 October.

While the teaser trailer gave a hint about the world of Wakanda through Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), who called it the ‘El Dorado’ of Africa, we find out more about this fictional African nation in the official trailer.

It begins with a space-age jet flying between looming waterfalls and over virgin jungle before piercing a shield that cloaks Wakanda from the rest of the world – hence the ‘El Dorado’ reference.

What follows are glimpses of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) state-of-the-art lair/playroom on top of a cliff, an Afrofuturistic Wakanda that looks like it belongs in a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, kickass women in the forms of bodyguard Okoye (Danai Gurira), his younger half-sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and of course, bad guy Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) who will be schooling T’Challa on how great power comes with great responsibility.

“What happens now, determines what happens to the rest of the world.”

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther drops in theatres 16 February 2018.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer sets up for an epic showdown

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We get a nice thrill of DOOM as the trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi begins with Emperor Snoke’s voiceover – presumably about the first time he saw Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) – and snippets of the New Order’s expansion plans put into action with burly AT-AT Walkers and blood-red smoke spewing machines crossing a white desert landscape.

Elsewhere, Rey (Daisy Ridley) is training on Ahch-To with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who echoes the same word – ‘raw’- when he comes to learn more of Rey’s power, and how it could be as dangerous as Kylo Ren’s.

It sets up a cliff-hanger ending where Rey says she needs someone to show her her place “in all this” and Kylo Ren offering her his hand. Will she take it this time? Will she deny him yet again?

For those who thought that The Force Awakens was just another version of A New Hope, the official trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi looks like the eighth instalment will be following a more dynamic story arc.

Judging by the trailers alone, however, we still don’t get any confirmation on whether Rey is Luke’s daughter or Kylo Ren’s sister. Meanwhile, Kylo seems as determined as ever to destroy the vulnerable parts of himself as we see him attacking the ship his mother, Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is on.

Other showdowns we can look forward to is the one between John Boyega’s Finn, who seems to have matured in the latest instalment as he takes on Captain Phasma, who we didn’t get to see at all in The Force Awakens.

Offering a little breather in the emotional trailer is the Porg, a puffin-like creature that resides on Ahch-To.

Watch out for Star Wars: The Last Jedi to come out 14 December 2017 in Malaysia.

Aquaman crushes it in Justice League trailer

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The fourth trailer for the upcoming Justice League may have been a tribute to Superman, but it was really an introduction to what used to be a much-disparaged superhero – Aquaman.

The Internet already saw Aquaman’s reincarnation as a long-haired, savage, reclusive Arthur Curry (played by Jason Momoa) in previous trailers, but what they’re going to see in the final trailer is him seriously kicking ass as he takes on supervillain Steppenwolf’s insect-like minions with a trident, a shit-eating grin and a primal “Yay-ah!”

Fans of the Flash (Ezra Miller) can also look forward to this speedy hero coming up with the wise-cracks and the Amazon delivering on what everybody loved about her in her debut as Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) – her refusal to back down in a fight.

Underscored with a skin-tingling rendition of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ by Gang of Youths, the members of the Justice League show what the world will have to do without Superman. Fans looking for a hint of a red cape in the trailer are going to have to wait until the movie comes out on November 17.

Whether the movie delivers the goods as its trailers promise is a whole other kettle of fish, but so far Aquaman is proving that he’s no fish out of water.

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