Browse Tag

Malaysia - Page 13

5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre

Published on

While Kuching offers plenty of choices of halal western restaurants, most of them are not in walking distance of the city centre.

Here are KajoMag’s recommendations of halal Western restaurants to visit within the vicinity of Kuching city. Furthermore, they are all walk-able distance from Kuching waterfront:

1. MK Classico Caffe
5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre
Chicken Schnitzels anyone?

First of all, every part of this restaurant is definitely Instagram-worthy. It has that rustic and rugged interior with mortal walls and exposed wooden beams on its ceiling.

You can find antiques in every corner of the restaurant from an old typewriter to a classic radio.

Food-wise, you can give MK Special Burger, Chicken Schnitzels or MK Swedish Meatball a try for a hearty dinner.

If you are there for some socialising, order some MK Classic Nachos, MK Banana Cheese or its MK BBQ wings to share with your friends.

The place also offers coffees and various mocktails. Unfortunately, it only opens from 5pm onwards.


2. Sharing Downtown

This place is famous among locals as a cosy, casual place to have dinner. So don’t get frustrated if you can’t get a table during its peak hour in the evening.

For poultry lovers out there, you have several choices including Chicken Chop, Maryland, Ice Cream Chicken Chop, Double Cheezyland and other items to choose from.

If you’re into fish, there are items such as the classic Fish and Chips, Grilled Fish Fillet, Garlic Butter Fish Fillet, Cajun Fish Fillet and Atlantic Salmon.

For a high dose of carbs, pick any of their spaghetti dishes like Spaghetti Vegetable, Chicken Bolognese, Meatball Spaghetti, Carbonara, Seafood Aglio e Olio and so on.

The price is affordable and the portions are satisfying.

3. Kuehpedia Cake Boutique and Cafe

At Kuehpedia, you’ll find more than just ‘kueh’ or cakes. This hipster cafe at Wayang Street offers local dishes such as Nasi Gian and Nasi Dagang.

But they also offer western delights such as Creamy Salted Egg Pasta, Grilled Chicken and Crispy Beef Bacon Carbonara.

Patrons can satisfy their craving for sweets with both local and western desserts at Kuehpedia.

4. Bing! Coffee

Most visitors come to any of Bing! Coffee’s branches to wind down and relax with a cup of coffee, while only a few come specifically to sate their hunger here. But this place is perfect for those who want a quick Western food fix.

Bing! Coffee offers halal Western food such as Beef Lasagna, Beef Burger, variety of sandwiches made of Panini, Ciabatta, Bambini, or Focaccia breads.

5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre
A quick grab of sandwich at Bing! Coffee.
5. Peridot Kuching

From thin crust pizza to creamy pasta, you can find these at Peridot Kuching.

Another highlight of this restaurant is its shakshouka, a dish of eggs poached in tomato sauce, chilli peppers and onions.

On TripAdvisors, visitors seemed to rave about its salmon saying it is well-cooked at a reasonable price. Why not give that a try on your next visit?

You might be interested in

Check out these adult dance classes you can take in Kuching

Published on

Do you believe it is never too late to sign up for dance classes? Dance gets you to move your body, helps you release stress, improve your posture and you’ll have taken up a new skill!

If you are staying in Kuching, here are some of the dance classes you can take and which studios offer them:

1. Belly dancing

Belly dancing is considered a low impact form of exercise. Hence, it can be enjoyed by all regardless of age.

Although men doing belly dancing is almost unheard of, there are men who shimmy as good as women.

Belly dance movements such as hip drops and hip circles are known to relieve lower back pains.

In Kuching, La Danse Studio offers belly dancing classes for all age groups.

They also organise a biennial showcase featuring the dance instructors and students presenting mostly belly dance performances.

Other studios offering belly dancing class include Soul Dance Studio and Right Steps Dance Studio.

Check out these adult dance classes you can take in Kuching
Shimmy your hips in belly dancing.

2. Ballet

Tyng Dance Academy believes it is never too late to start ballet.

Whether you are an adult or a child, doing plies and spinning are not impossible.

One of the benefits of doing ballet is that it helps build muscle and agility.

On top of that, it also strengthens your core and lower body,

So what are you waiting for? Time to pick out your tutu!

Check out these adult dance classes you can take in Kuching
It is never too late to learn ballet.

3. Lyrical Jazz

If you like to express your emotion through music with lyrics, lyrical jazz is the dance for you.

The dance movement for lyrical jazz emphasises on the strong emotions of the song expressed in their choreography.

For those who want to give it a shot, check out La Danse Studio.

If you prefer jazz dance, head over to Tying Dance Academy.

4. Hip Hop/Urban/Popping/Street/Locking Dances

Do you know the difference between Hip Hop and Urban Dance?

How about popping and locking?

Is street dance nowadays considered a dance genre?

The best place to have these questions answered in Kuching is none other than Soul Dance Studio.

Check out these adult dance classes you can take in Kuching
B-boying anyone?

5. Tahiti dance

A Tahiti dancing is known for its rapid hip shaking movement.

You can look forward for a slimmer waist over time as this dance engages a lot of waistline muscles.

Check out the Tahiti dance class schedule at Right Steps Dance Studio.

6. Modern Ballroom Dance and Latin American Dance

Check out these adult dance classes you can take in Kuching
Grab your partner for ballroom dancing. Credit: Pixabay.

Grab your partner and sign up for any types of ballroom dance or Latin American dance.

Interested students can enquire with Alexis Dance Sport Studio for their dance class schedule.

There, they cater to all levels of footwork, posture and gracefulness, so don’t be shy.

You might be interested in

Myths about blood donation debunked

Published on

No matter how long we have been donating blood, (blood transfusions were first introduced in the 1600s) there are still plenty of myths and misunderstandings attached to this selfless act.

Recently, The National Blood Centre of Malaysia (PDN) published an info-graphic to debunk some of the myths related to blood donation.

Here are some of the myths about blood donation and why they are not true:

1. I’m scared that I will gain weight after donating blood!

This is not true. Your weight will not increase after donating blood. You will only be provided with a five-day supply of iron and vitamin supplements after you donate blood. Hence, it will not increase your appetite or make you put on weight.

2. I cannot donate because I’m scared of needles!

Being scared of needles is a common thing. If you are scared of needles or the sight of blood, divert your attention elsewhere. Let the staff know beforehand and you need to distract yourself.

3.What if I lose all my blood after the blood donation?

Everyone has an average of 4 to 7 liters of blood in their bodies. Every donation only requires 450ml of blood. If you weigh between 45kg to 50kg, only 350ml will be withdrawn from you.

4.Donating blood will make my body weak.

Your blood will be back to normal before you know it. Blood donors are advised to have some snacks and drink a lot of water after the donation.

Myths about blood donation debunked
Did you know that one bag of blood can save three lives?

For those who are living in Malaysia, here are some criteria you need to take into account before donating blood:

1. You are healthy

2. Meet the age requirements:

  • Must be aged between 18-70 for those who have donated before and be between the ages of 18-60 for those donating for the first time.
  • Have your parent’s written consent if you are 17 years old.

3. Weigh at least 45kg

4. Sleep at least 5 hours the night before

5. Eat before donating blood

6. Your last donation was three months before

7. For women, you must not be pregnant, menstruating or breastfeeding

8. For non-Malaysians, you must have lived in Malaysia for at least 1 year.

You might be interested in

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park

Published on

Most visitors to Kubah National Park would put Mount Serapi or its waterfall on the itinerary but only a few would stop and appreciate the frog pond located there.

Situated about a half-hour walk from the park HQ, this pool is the breeding ground for numerous frog species.

There are a few signs provided at the frog pond to educate the public more about this amphibian.

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park
Kubah National Park prides itself as “The Home of Palms and Frogs”.

If you are visiting the frog pond during the day, you might miss them. They hide among the leaf litter away from the hot sun and predators.

You can enjoy more of these amphibians if you are staying overnight at the national park.

This is because the frogs only come out at night. Furthermore, they are most active an hour after sunset.

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park
Most visitors tend to skip this small frog pond.

Have you heard a frog’s call before? Male frogs call to attract females.

Unlike catcalling among humans which usually repel the females, the louder the frog’s call, the better their chances of getting a mate.

Every species has its own distinctive call.

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park
A visitor walking pass the natural frog pond of Kubah National Park.

Some of the factors reportedly affecting the frog’s mating rituals are humidity, rainfall, temperature and even the phases of the moon.

After choosing a mate, the female expels its eggs into the water while the male releases its sperms to fertilise the eggs.

The eggs will later hatch into tadpoles and live like a fish for about 11 weeks.

Some tree frogs lay their eggs in the trees to avoid egg raptors.

When the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will fall into the pond.

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park
After choosing a mate, the female expels its eggs into this pond while the male releases its sperms to fertilise the eggs.

The importance of frogs

Frogs and their tadpoles hunt mostly insects allowing them to control the insect population. Hence, this helps to balance the ecosystem. Similarly, snakes, birds, bats and other frogs also prey on these frogs, continuing this important predator-prey cycle.

Did you know that having lots of frogs in the forest tells us that the area is still healthy?

They can be used as bio-indicator for pollution. This is because frogs have permeable skin which can be sensitive to any disease, pollution and changes in the environment.

If the number of frogs decline, it’s safe to say that it’s a warning sign that something is wrong with the environment.

The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park
If the number of frogs decline, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong with the environment.

Frog species found at Kubah National Park

According to Sarawak Tourism Board website, some frogs that can be spotted here are Grass Frog, Common Asian Toad, Brookes’s Burrowing, Kerangas Bush Frog, Harlequin Tree Frog, Four-line Tree Frog, White-lipped frog and File-eared Tree Frog.

Apart from these, Hans P. Hazebroek and Abang Kashim Abang Morshidi listed more frog species in National Parks of Sarawak.

These include Kuhl’s Creek Frog, Black-spotted Rock Frog, Sarawak Slender Litter Frog, Abott’s Litter Frog, Giant River Toad and Brown Slender Toad.

You might be interested in

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap

Published on

Hundreds of Roman Catholics flocked to Uma Lahanan at Belaga to observe Good Friday on March 30.

Most of them came from the surrounding areas including Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, Long Urun, Sungai Seping, and Tubau.

Churchgoers started to congregate as early as 8am to say the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

It is a devotion based on the apparitions of Jesus reported by a Polish nun Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938).

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
Congregations kneeling down at the final stop of Stations of the Cross during Good Friday observance.

Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
The final procession during the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

The day continued with the Stations of the Cross, a devotion to reflect Jesus Christ on the day of His crucifixion at Mount Calvary.

At 10am, all devotees went on for two-hour long procession in the hot sun starting from the Uma Lahanan longhouse to its main entrance.

The route was about 1.1km which took the congregation walking passed patches of pepper vines and oil palm trees.

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
Each of the station is consist of a wooden cross.

The faithful made their way from one station to another while saying prayers and singing hymns.

Altogether there were 14 stations with 14 wooden crosses placed along the route.

The stations started with Pilate condemning Jesus to death, ending with Jesus’ body being placed in the tomb.

Some congregation members were seen walking barefooted on the hot, tarred road.

As Belaga is predominantly made up of Orang Ulu tribes, some parishioners wore hong (sun hat in Kayan) or sa’ong (sun hat in Kenyah) to protect them from the noonday heat.

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
Parishioners wearing hong or sa’ong during the Stations of the Cross.

Good Friday Service

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
The Veneration of the Cross during Good Friday service.

The highlight of the Good Friday observance was its main service at 3pm held at the ‘ruai’ of the longhouse.

There, the makeshift altar was bare with no candles or flowers as it was a solemn day for reflection and fasting.

Reverend Fr. John Chia and Reverend Fr. Sylvester Ngau Juk were the celebrants of the service.

The service was divided into three parts; Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

Other activities held on the day were bible quizzes and a drama competition based on the Passion of Christ depicting Jesus’ trial, suffering and death.

Hundreds observe Good Friday service in Uma Lahanan, Sungai Asap
A play depicting the Passion of Christ.

Read more:

Top 8 Penan Handwoven Items that everyone should have

What you need to know about avet, a Kayan baby carrier

Feeding the Penan community in Long Urun, Belaga

You might be interested in

Exclusive fashion brand Romyda_KL makes its East Malaysia debut

Published on
Exclusive fashion brand Romyda_KL makes its East Malaysia debut
One of the outfits which stood out during the show. The model looks like she just walked out of a fairy tale.

Romyda_KL sashayed its way to East Malaysia on March 25 with a vibrant runway show containing all the label’s signature styles in a spectrum of colours.

The fashion brand which combines the prowess of Cambodian designer Romyda Keth and Malaysian PR maven Selina Yeop Jr featured 40 various style of outfits with the naturally well-lit Cha Bo Restaurant as its backdrop.

Citing Victoria Beckham as her favourite fashion icon, Selina said her brand was all about exuding a woman’s confidence.

Selina shared, “I made this collection specifically for Kuching. The concept of Romyda_KL is always about embracing the feminine form. It is about how women should be confident, showing off their silhouettes.”

Exclusive fashion brand Romyda_KL makes its East Malaysia debut
Selina (fifth right) rocking the runway with her models during the debut show of Romyda_KL in Kuching.

Romyda_KL, a brand for all confident women out there

From figure hugging dresses that perfectly mould to the female form, to A-line dresses and jackets that stand out in any crowd, Romyda_KL’s designs are distinctive and can be recognised at a glance.

Romyda_KL carries a strong sense of colour throughout its designs as well as a handcrafted aesthetic shown through the ribbons hand embroidered in a criss-cross fashion on almost every dress.

The brand also carries very limited sizes for each outfit to keep things exclusive so fashionistas won’t have to worry about bumping into someone wearing the same dress.

Their styles embrace an increasingly global trend of modest fashion by featuring long dresses and flowing silhouettes.

Romyda_KL also took the opportunity to feature its latest modest collection, Romyda_KL Modest Couture collection.

This elegant collection is notably more demure, gently embracing a woman’s curves while giving it an edgy modesty.

Exclusive fashion brand Romyda_KL makes its East Malaysia debut
Selina, wearing her own design from Romyda_KL, said her brand is all about boosting a woman’s confidence.

Selina assured that every design was made to be worn regardless of age, shape or size.

Furthermore, these outfits are perfect to transition from day to night effortlessly. This allows a busy woman to leave work and go straight off to any function in style.

On her future plans in introducing Romyda_KL to other places, Selina said: “Wherever I have interesting market which receptive to my clothes, I am more than happy.”

With a combination of beautiful materials, timeless designs and exquisite craftsmanship, Romyda_KL is perfect for modern society ladies.

To view the latest collection by Romyda_KL (by appointment only) at The Conversation Studio, No.9, Lorong Beluntas 2, Medan Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur or call 012-6653508.

Scroll the gallery for more photos of the show:

You might be interested in

3 things to cut out of your diet to lose weight

Published on

To lose weight, watching what you eat is definitely a must.

However, there are so many things to watch out for like cutting down on carbs, adding more fibre in the form of vegetables and getting enough protein.

While doing that most people tend to overlook the little things they put in their mouths which at the end of the day might not help them lose weight after all.

According to nutritionist Nicholas Alvin George, here are three basic things you need to reduce in your daily meals to lose weight:

1. Fat

food-3167098_1280
Avoid fried food if you want to lose weight. Credit: Pixabay.

Eating a lot of fatty and oily food will increase the risk of obesity and other problems including heart disease and strokes.

Try to steam, grill or boil your food instead of frying to reduce fat content.

Even if you have to stir-fry your dishes, use oil sparingly in your cooking.

Remember to remove all the fat from your meat or chicken while preparing them.

2. Salt

Canned food usually has high salt content. Credit: Pixabay.
Canned food usually has high salt content. Credit: Pixabay.

Salt will stall weight loss because it makes your body retain more water.

When you reduce your salt intake, you’ll lose some water retention in your body.

Remember that just because it doesn’t taste salty doesn’t mean the salt content is low.

There are plenty of foods which are high in salt content such as ketchup, processed food such as sausages, nuggets as well as canned food.

Traditional Malaysian fermented food such as budu, belacan and kasam are also high in salt content.

Opt for natural flavouring such as herbs instead of seasoning powder which also has monosodium glutamate (MSG).

We only need less than 5 grams of salt everyday which equals to only one teaspoon.

3. Sugar

Satisfy your craving for sweet stuff with fruits. Credit: Pixabay.
Satisfy your craving for sweet stuff with fruit. Credit: Pixabay.

Cutting out sugar will decrease your risk of obesity and diabetes.

The best way to reduce sugar is to avoid all sugary and bicarbonate drinks.

A can of soda has an average of 8 teaspoons of sugar. A canned isotonic drink and a small packet drink (250ml) may contain 5 teaspoons of sugar each.

Your one cup of 3 in 1 coffee mix contains about 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Malaysians love their condensed milk in their drinks. But condensed milk is not ‘milk’, it is just sugar and fat.

So the best drink out there is just the most inexpensive one, which is a glass of plain water.

If you really need to satisfy your sweet tooth, have some fruit and vegetables instead of cakes and snacks.

You might be interested in

Eating healthy according to Malaysia Healthy Plate

Published on

If you haven’t heard of Malaysia Healthy Plate, you could be missing out on one of the easiest guidelines for healthy eating there is.

The #SukuSukuSeparuh or ‘Quarter-Quarter-Half’  campaign was introduced by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in late 2016 to promote healthy eating habits among Malaysians. It was reported that only 6 per cent of adult Malaysians consumed sufficient fruits and vegetables in 2015 compared to 7.5 per cent in 2011.

How does Malaysia Healthy Plate work?

Imagine your plate divided into two quarters and one half, and this is how much proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables you should be having with every meal. The recommended portions for a healthy meal are a quarter for grains like rice, another quarter for proteins like chicken, meat, seafood, bean products and half for fruits and vegetables.

This guideline comes in really handy for Malaysians especially when attending parties, functions and our favourite national activity – open house!

According to nutritionist Nicholas Alvin George, while it is important to have a balanced meal, it is equally important to eat on time.

Why? “Eating on time and not skipping meals can increase your metabolism.”

He gave an example of a regulated eating time: breakfast at 7am, brunch at 10am, lunch at 1pm, tea time at 4pm and dinner at 7pm.

"<yoastmark

Stuck on what to have for your healthy meals? Here are some of Nicholas’ suggestions based on the Malaysia Healthy Plate portions:

  1. Breakfast
    Make oatmeal with 4 tablespoons of oats and 2 tablespoons of milk. Have 4 pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers.
  2. Brunch
    Take 2 pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers with a glass of milk.
  3. Lunch
    Have one small bowl of rice (the best is brown rice) with 3/4 bowl of vegetables. Add one piece of chicken drumstick or two matchbox sized chicken breast or one medium-sized mackerel.
  4. Tea time
    Take two pieces of Jacob’s High Fibre Crackers and with a glass of milk.
  5. Dinner
    Have one small bowl of rice (the best is brown rice) with 3/4 bowl of vegetables. Add one piece of chicken drumstick or two matchbox sized chicken breast or one medium-sized mackerel.

“This meal plan is just a basic suggestion. You can create your own variety and remember the ‘Quarter-Quarter-Half’ concept and don’t skip meals,” said Nicholas, who also advises to take your last meal at least four hours before bedtime.

Here is another suggestion of a meal plan according to Malaysian Ministry of Health:

 

You might be interested in

Top 18 Hollywood movies to watch in 2018

Published on

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.

You might be interested in

Marudi: Small town, big cultural heart

Published on
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.

Marudi (2)

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.

Marudi (3)

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.

Marudi (9)
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.

Marudi (7)
A monument to commemorate the oldest regatta in Sarawak.

5.Take a walk around town

Marudi (8)
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.

You might be interested in

1 … 11 12 13 14