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KajoPicks: Check out these four coffee places in Bintulu

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Apart from shopping complex, Bintulu is currently witnessing the rising number of different kind of eateries.

These include coffee places offering good coffee from dirty coffee to nitrogen-infused java and relaxing ambience for patrons to just hang out.

Here are four coffee places in Bintulu, Sarawak you need to check out:
1.Coffee Dream

Located at Parkcity Commerce Square, this coffee place has been operating since 2014.

Besides coffee, Coffee Dream is famous among the locals for its western food.

Omelette sandwich, spaghetti bolognese, mushroom soup, cheesy beef balls, mushroom cheese omelette, eggs Benedict, chicken Caesar salad are just the tip of their wide range of menu items.

For rice eaters out there, don’t worry because Coffee Dream has a selection of Asian favourites to choose from such as the typical nasi lemak.

While you are at it, might as well end your meal with one of their freshly baked cakes for dessert.

2.The Coffee Code Bintulu
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Do you like it dirty? Dirty Code from The Coffee Code.

The Coffee Code is Sarawak’s very own cafe chains. The first one was opened in Sibu, then Bintulu at Ibraco Town Square and the latest was in Kuching at Saradise, BDC.

When you’re at Coffee Code, how about giving the Dirty Code a try? It is their in-house version of dirty coffee. It is one of the best coffee places in town to spend your tea time because it serves wide range desserts.

Their specialty is perhaps waffles which come with different kind of toppings.

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Waffles at The Coffee Code Bintulu.
3.Escape Coffee

 

You can’t satisfy your coffee craving early in the morning at Escape Coffee. But you can satisfy your coffee craving late at night here because it opens from 12pm till 12am.

It is perfect for the late night work hustle since it provides free wifi.

Feeling hungry? They have good options of food on their menu such as beef sirloin steak, mixed grill, lamb chop, butter chicken waffle and chicken macaroni fruit salad.

4.Melt Cafe

The current star of Melt Cafe Bintulu, no, not its famed grilled cheese sandwich but its Nitro Coffee.

If you have not tried Nitro Coffee before, just imagine Guinness draft beer, only it’s coffee! Since the drink is infused with nitrogen, it has this rich, creamy head similar to Guinness.

So if you are a big fan of coffee, this beverage is definitely worth a try.

Longing for dessert? Give Melt Cafe’s Burnt Cheesecake a try. Some described Burnt Cheesecake as the alter ego to the classic New York cheesecake. The differences are this cake is burnt outside with toasty edges and without the usual pressed cookie base.

Of course you cannot leave Melt Cafe without trying its signature grilled cheese sandwich.

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Nitro Brew Coffee at Melt Cafe. Look at its creamy head on top of the glass!
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How the Nitro Brew Coffee looks like after few minutes.

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5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas

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The Sambas Regency in West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia is known for its beautiful and intricate weaving of Songket Sambas.

Songket is a type of fabric that is hand woven in silk or cotton and often embroidered with intricate motifs in gold or silver thread.

A proud legacy of the Malay community in Sambas, here are 5 things to learn about Songket Sambas.

  1. Songket Sambas is believed to be over 400 years old.

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A tradition as old as time

Estimated to be over 400 years old, Songket Sambas is said to have existed before the Sambas Islamic Sultanate that was established with the birth of its first Muslim sultan Muhammad Shafi ud-din I.

Born Radin Sulaiman to Sultan Tengah (Sarawak’s first and only Sultan) from Brunei and Ratu Sepudak, a descendant of the Majapahit governors of Sambas, he ruled it for 10 years from 1675 to 1685.

  1. It was a sign of luxury

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Songket Sambas is luxury item in the old days

As a traditional luxury item, Songket Sambas was worn by ladies from the upper class in the olden days.

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Songket details on the collar

Today, it is often worn to formal and grand functions or events in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

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Songket details on a songkok (cap)

As of now, besides womenswear, the songket weaving is also used as decorative trimming on men’s clothing along the collar or on songkok (the traditional Malay cap).

  1. Gold thread is used in Songket Sambas

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Songket Sambas is a hand woven fabric with gold or silver thread

Songket Sambas is a hand-woven fabric in silk or cotton with gold or silver thread.

The incorporation of gold thread is such an important part of the textile that the locals refer to the weaving as ‘bannang ammas’ (gold thread).

This is because the threads are light, durable and the colours do not fade even after hundreds of years.

  1. It was given as a wedding gift from the groom to the bride

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It plays an integral part in the Sambas marriage custom, often given as wedding gift from the groom to the bride

Thanks to the use of the gold thread, Songket Sambas was a valuable gift and played an important part in local wedding customs.

In accordance to the Sambas Malay custom, it was often given by the bridegroom to the bride as a gift.

  1. The bamboo shoot pattern signifies modesty and humility

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The bamboo shoot (long, tapered and triangular in shaped) motif signify modesty and humility

Another unique feature of Songket Sambas is the bamboo shoot motif that can be found on the textile.

Known as ‘suji bilang’ among the locals, the bamboo shoot pattern is triangular in shape, long and tapered.

Inspired by the bamboo shoot for its ability to bend when it grows tall, it signifies modesty and humility.

The motif reminds the wearer to aspire to great heights but  not to be arrogant or proud once they’ve reached a higher level in life.

 

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World Press Photo Exhibition shows in Kuching, Sarawak for the first time

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The exhibition showcased the winners of the annual World Press Photo Contest.

In 1955, a group of Dutch photographers organised an international contest to showcase their works to the world. They called it ‘World Press Photo’ and now it has become one of the most esteemed photography competitions in the world.

Fast forward to today, the exhibition has toured more than 100 cities in 45 countries, including Kuching.

For the first time ever, the exhibition is being held in Kuching in conjunction with What About Kuching (WAK) 2018, showcasing the winners of the annual World Press Photo Contest of which 4,548 photographers from 125 countries sent in a total 73,044 entries.

True to its name, the winning photos gave fair and compelling insights about what happening in and around the world.

Apart from the winning photos, the exhibition also showed stories from six Southeast Asia and Oceania Talents of the World Press Photo Foundation.

Installed on the ground of Padang Merdeka, the exhibition is open for the public from Sept 29 to Oct 27.

World Press Photo Exhibition: Giving glimpses to the outside world

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A series of nature-themed photos on display.

The series of photos displayed were featured various themes such as environment, nature, people, sports and world issues.

Some of the photos were explicit and powerful, showcasing serious human rights issues such as sex workers in Russia.

For those who are avid fans of National Geographic, some of the photographers might be familiar such as Ami Vitale who is widely known for her work capturing photos of wild pandas and rhinos.

This exhibition also allowed visitors who follow prominent photographers like Vitale on social media the opportunity to appreciate their images in sizes larger than cellphones’ screens.

In addition to that, there were also well-known photos which have been circulated on international news.

The most famous one displayed was the image of 28-year-old student Victor Salazar whose clothes caught on fire after a motorcycle exploded during a street protest in Venezuela against its president Nicolas Maduro.

The exhibition also managed to open up any visitors’ eyes to world issues such as the stateless case of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and the deforestation in Brazilian Amazon.

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A man vapes thoughtfully as he studies a panel of photos in a set which also features an image of Victor Salazar caught on fire during street protests in (right).

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A series of photos featuring two sisters living in a bioenergy village in Austria.

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Some of the works by Italian photographer Fausto Podavini.

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A man viewing the images by National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale.

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The exhibition is also part of an effort to reactivate spaces in Kuching such as Padang Merdeka.

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World Press Photo exhibition has toured to more than 100 cities in 45 countries and now is in Kuching.

About WAK World Press Photo exhibition

What About Kuching (WAK) city festival together with Sarawak Museum Department co-organised the exhibition sponsored by the Netherlands Embassy and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. The Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology Kuching supported the event through its design and installation.

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Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang

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A visit to Danau Sentarum National Park is not complete without a hike up to Bukit Tekenang.

With a towering height of 130m, the hill is one of the highest peaks in Danau Sentarum National Park.

The area was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1982. Then in 1999, the area was declared as a national park.

Tourists can fly in from Pontianak to Putussibau, then take a four to four-hour-and-a-half hour’s journey to Semitau or Suhaid respectively.

From either Semitau or Suhaid, visitors can take a speedboat to Bukit Tekenang.

For Malaysians who are coming in from Sarawak’s Lubok Antu-Badau border, the closest way to get to Bukit Tekenang is from Lanjak town which takes about 40 minutes journey via speedboat.

It takes roughly 7 to 8 hours to drive to Lanjak from Kuching city.

At Bukit Tekenang, you will find a humble resort with basic amenities. So far the resort has welcomed both local and international tourists, especially from the UK and the Netherlands.

Not many locals live at Bukit Tekenang; the 20 families who do live there live by the lake on floating houses.

They are all fishermen living off the resources of Danau Sentarum (or Lake Sentarum). Apart from that, they also culture toman fish (Channa micropeltes) in cages.

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Floating houses at Bukit Tekenang.

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As always, don’t litter. A sign at Danau Sentarum reminding visitors to keep the national park clean by taking their rubbish with them.

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A map of Bukit Tekenang.

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A must-visit site of Danau Sentarum National Park.

Animals and plants who Danau Sentarum home

As for the wildlife at Bukit Tekenang, mammals such as proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), common treeshrews (Tupaia glis), and painted treeshrews (Tupaia picta) have been sighted at the area.

Overall, Danau Sentarum is home to about 240 bird species include the black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), great argus (Argusianus argus), Storm’s stork (Ciconia stormi) and crested gowshawk (Accipter trivirgatus).

Additionally, the vast floodplain is habitat to more than 20 reptiles such as the viper, false gharial, estuarine crocodile and monitor lizard.

The trees found at Bukit Tekenang are the itchy tree (Baringtonia acutangula), grey satinash (Syzygium claviflorum) and kayu tahun (Carallia sp).

Meanwhile, the whole national park includesw 20 seasonal lakes and 40 small islands. The islands have freshwater swamp forest and peat swamp forest.

Peat swamp is where waterlogged soil prevents dead leaves and wood from fully decomposing. This consequently creates a thick layer of acidic peat over time.

The acidic peat causes the water around it to be brackish which explains the dark-coloured water of Danau Sentarum.

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Bukit Tekenang also has an office for Danau Sentarum National Park.

A breathtaking view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang

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There are resting huts located along the way up to Bukit Tekenang.

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The trail is only about 500m long.

For the unaccustomed eyes, Danau Sentarum might remind you of 2007 British-Australian horror movie Black Water.

However once you get to on top at Bukit Tekenang, you will understand how the blackish water elevates the beauty of Danau Sentarum.

The blackish water serves as a mirror, especially when sun rays hit the pond at sunrise and sunset.

For photographers, it gives a golden opportunity to capture the perfect landscape of Danau Sentarum.

The hike up to the hill takes less than 30 minutes. Relatively an easy hike, it has a 500m staircase with resting huts located along the way.

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Can you see the storm on the horizon?

Do take note that the water level ranges from 5m to 12m depending on the season. The rainy season is usually from October to May when the water level is quite high.

Meanwhile, during the dry season (June until September), some of the lakes may dry out and some parts of the channels turn into grasslands.

Although the national park is open for visitors all year round, different months of visiting might give visitors different kind of view from Bukit Tekenang.

If you are planning when to visit, imagine what kind of view you expect Danau Sentarum to have. It is either greenish forest swamp surrounded by water or greenery with patches of brownish grasslands.

Both views are equally mesmerising as long as you have Mother Nature on your side to give you clear weather.

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If you are lucky, you might catch the sun in action when setting down.

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10 ways to use your sarong when travelling

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A sarong in Asia typically refers to a fabric sewn together at both ends to to form a fabric tube, and is often used to wrap around the waist. For women, this common casual wear in Southeast Asia is a travel hack must-have.

Here are ten ways to fully utilise your sarong when travelling:

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Sarongs are also known as kain batik in Malaysia. Credits: Pixabay.

1. As beachwear

Tie it around your waist on top of your bikini and you have an instant skirt. Wrap it around your chest and you have an instant tube dress.

2. To change clothes

Do you know that you can change your clothes in public using a sarong without exposing your body? Firstly, it requires a little bit of skill and practice. If you want to change your shirt, wear the sarong and pull the fabric out from underneath your shirt. Give the sarong a small bite to make sure you don’t drop it and pull off your shirt.

You can do the same thing when you want to change your bottoms. Wear it, pull it up and hold it with your teeth. While doing that, make sure your hands are underneath the sarong and you can zip up or down and change your bottoms in a jiffy!

3.To take a shower in public

In some parts of Sarawak, it used to be common to see women taking baths by the river in their sarongs. This life skill is important if you need to take shower in the public toilet or just a dip in the river and you forget your bikini or change of clothes.

Just make sure to wrap it tightly around your chest before your bath.

4. As a blanket

A sleeping bag works way better than a sarong to keep yourself warm at night when you are outdoor camping. But if the sleeping bag is too warm for places like a  tropical country, use your sarong as a blanket instead.

5. As a lightweight towel

One of the ways to travel light is to leave your big, thick towel at home and bring a small towel and a sarong instead. Use the small towel to pat yourself dry and wrap your body with the sarong if you need to walk out from the bathroom.

6. As a beach mat

Your ultimate island essentials should include a drybag, a beach hat, a mat, sunscreen and more. Just in case you forget to bring your mat or you do not travel with one, spread the sarong like a mat.

7. As an emergency bed sheet

If you are on a budget travelling trip, you might not end up on the cleanest accommodation. When the bed feels icky or you just want to be safe, spread the sarong on your bed sheet like a mattress cover.

8. As an emergency pillow

The same thing goes when you feel uncomfortable with the pillow provided when travelling. Make use of the tube structure of the fabric to turn it into an emergency pillow. First of all, you need some cotton clothes preferably T-shirts and your sarong. Put all your T-shirts inside the tube and tie knots at both ends of the fabric. Voila! You have your pillow! This is a good travel hack especially when you are going camping.

9.To cover yourself at sacred places

When visiting sacred places like a temple, sarongs are provided to cover yourself before entering. However, it is still best to wear your own sarong.

10.To cover yourself to go to the loo

When you need to go, you really need to go, even when you are in the jungle.

For ladies, it might be tricky but with a sarong there is no need for you to worry. There are some local jungle superstitions that might to be observe when going to the loo. And when you already picked the right spot in the bush and asked for permission, used the sarong to cover yourself. Using the same trick to change your clothes; bite the fabric nicely and expand it with your hands to keep it clean while doing your business.

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6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Mount Singai

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If you have not visited Mount Singai before, now is the best time to do so. Due to our love of being outdoors, KajoMag has listed six reasons why it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit.

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1. Close to town

Located in Bau District, Mount Singai takes only 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from Kuching City.

As it does not take a lot of time to reach there, you do not have to worry about getting up early or using a lot of gas.

2. Good spot for beginner’s training

If you are not particularly athletic but still want to be active, then Mount Singai is perfect for you.

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Mount Singai hiking area can be split into two sections. The first half is a set of stairs leading to the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre (CMPC) while the second half is the hiking trail leading to the summit.

Typically, an average hiker can reach the pilgrimage centre within 20 to 30 minutes while the hiking ground can take about an hour to reach.

Visitors might find Mount Singai relaxing and enjoyable as the hiking terrain is not as hard and challenging as most hiking spots around Kuching.

Also, due to the steps and the inclining nature of Mount Singai, it is the best spot to pump up your cardio and enjoy nature.

3. Friendly hikers

On average, Mount Singai can have a few hundred visitors in one weekend.

And due to that, you will always bump into other fellow hikers along the way.

At Mount Singai, the hikers will typically greet you and some will even give words of encouragement  to reach the summit.

When meeting these friendly and supportive hikers of Mount Singai, it makes the hiking trip even more memorable.

4. Spiritual experience

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On your trek up to the retreat centre, you will notice there are monuments stationed along the way up.

They are the 14 stations of the Cross which represent Christ’s last day on earth as a man.

Mount Singai has long been a pilgrimage destination for devoted Catholics, with the earliest converts to Catholicism in the area among the Bisingai people dating as far back as 1885.

5. Help the community build their church

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Upon reaching the entrance point of Mount Singai, you may find a heap of bags containing pebbles and sand.

These are to build a new church hall at the pilgrimage centre.

As there are no access roads for vehicles leading towards the centre, the only way to bring these building materials up is on foot.

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While there are no entrance fees for Mount Singai, visitors can do their part for the kampong community by helping them carry the bags up to the construction site.

Consider it your personal Rocky or Shaolin monk challenge by carrying a bag up. You can also help trick your mind into thinking you have some extra weight to lose.

6. Instagrammable view

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Millennials with an active Instagram account would understand the novelty of having awesome pictures in their IG account.

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When you reach the top of the steps, Mount Singai offers a rest stop with one of the best viewing spots.

Apart from that, the summit also offers an equally breath-taking view for visitors to take picture.

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Five exhibitions you missed at the Old Courthouse during Rainforest Fringe Festival 2018

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The recently ended Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) was a celebration of music, art, crafts, film, photography, food and culture.

The 10-day event from July 6 to 15 was a prelude to the world renowned Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).

This year, RFF organised activities at several venues around Kuching city including Malaysia’s first Blue Ocean Entrepreneurs Township (BOET)  Borneo744, the 144-year-old Old Courthouse and local hotels Pullman Kuching as well as Waterfront Hotel.

Local and foreign visitors alike were treated to a wide range events, from a food fair at India Street, a book fair by Big Bad Wolf and music performances by At Adau, Electric Fields and Pete Kallang during the First People Party.

On top of the food, music and a series of talks curated by local NGO Friends of Sarawak Museum and Sarawak Museum Department, there were also art installations displayed in several locations.

At Borneo744, there was an installation of woven objects called Forbidden Fruits. Another breathtaking art installation was a root sculpture combining the technology of video mapping presented at the Old Courthouse.

If you missed out on the exhibitions, here are a rundown of what happened at the Old Courthouse during Rainforest Fringe Festival:

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Some of the hyper-realistc artworks by Tan Wei Kheng, a self-taught artist from Marudi.

1.Tattoos

National Geographic Society documentary photographer Chris Rainier presented his photography collection circling on tribal tattoos.

His works on documenting indigenous cultures are highly respected and you could see the great length of his efforts through this exhibition.

You can still see some of his work on tattoos on his website here.

2.Men: Women & Symbols

Speaking of tattoos, Men: Women & Symbols is a photography exhibition focusing on Sarawak tribal tattoos in its own unique way.

Hasse Sode Hamid took photos of Sarawak household names such as At Adau’s Ezra Tekola Samuel and national diver Bryan Nickson Lomas to create a series of extraordinary prints.

He collaborated with tattoo artist Jeremy Lo and has various tattoo designs printed on to the photographs.

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A visitor browsing through the Men: Women & Symbols exhibition.

3.Forgotten Beauty

“When I went to tribal villages in the interior long ago, everyone was so warm. They invited me to their homes, even though they did not know me. They cooked for me. These are the old folks I want to paint. Their beauty is something I want the whole world to see.”

These were the words of Sarawakian artist from Marudi, Tan Wei Kheng explaining about his artworks displayed at the Rainforest Fringe Festival.

True to his words, Tan managed to capture the beauty of rural old folks from different tribes in Sarawak including the Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit and Iban.

The details on his works are remarkable as you can see every wrinkle, grey hair, and eye expressions of each portrait painting.

You can see some of his works here.

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A captivating portrait painting by Tan Wei Kheng.

4.Borneo People: A Photographic Journey

Just like Tan, Dennis Lau is another fellow Sarawakian who appreciates the beauty of rural folks.

Lau, one of the best ethnographic photographers in Malaysia documented the lifestyle of Sarawak tribes through his lenses for the last 40 years.

This exhibition showcased different activities of the locals such as a group of Penans making their ways through the jungle and a group of Kayans from Tubau enjoying their ice-cream.

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Kuching Old courthouse works as a venue for five exhibitions during Rainforest Fringe Festival 2018.

5.An introduction to the White Ranee

We have heard so much of all three White Rajahs, but what about the women who stood by them?

An Introduction to the White Ranee gave a glimpse of the life of Margaret De Windt, the wife of the Second Rajah of Sarawak Charles Brooke.

It showed various personal items including childhood photo of her three sons Vyner, Bertram and Harry as well as a silver handheld mirror belonged to the late Ranee.

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Adidas kampung, the almost perfect hiking shoes

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Almost every Malaysian has heard of ‘adidas kampungs’ – the generic name for probably the most handy yet cheap rubber shoes made in Malaysia.

They usually come in black, but sometimes you can find them in white too.

Besides adidas kampung, these rubber shoes are also known as adidas paya, kasut kebun and kasut motong. All of these unique and hyperlocalised names have to do with going out to the jungle, farming or trekking. Why?

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Adidas kampung, a preferred footwear for Malaysian jungle.

The soles have strong grip on slippery rocks and muddy flats making them famous among farmers and rubber tappers.

They are perhaps the most preferred footwear when it comes to trekking in the Malaysian tropical rainforest.

This is because they are waterproof, easy to dry… and most of all cheap.

Sold mostly in sundry shops throughout Malaysia, they cost under RM10 a pair.

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They are recognised for their strong grip on slippery rocks and muddy trails.

 

Adidas Kampung in the news

Adidas kampung have made headlines in the news several times over the years all thanks to their usefulness.

During the 21st Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in 2017, for instance, Safrey Sumping won fourth place in the men’s open event was wearing a pair of adidas kampung.

In 2011, it helped another Malaysian win a place in the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon.

Danny Kuilin Gongot wore them when she beat New Zealander Anna Frost and American Brandy Erhortz, clinching the women’s title in the climbathon.

Besides assisting Malaysians to win international athletic events, they have also been great help during hard times.

When flood hit Penang back in 2017, volunteers turned to these shoes to help with the cleanup as they were perfect for wading through floods.

In some local universities, lecturers for nature-oriented courses such as Environmental Science and Marine Science made adidas kampung must-have footwear for field-trips.

The flaws of Adidas Kampung

Although adidas kampung might sound like the perfect shoes, they do have their own flaws.

First of all, they are not the most comfortable pair of footwear out there.

You need to wear adidas kampung with a pair of thick socks as they are also known for leaving its wearers with blisters.

Another thing is that although these pair of shoes are known for their waterproof ability, you can also get waterlogged.

A short walk in a stream will leave you walking around in tubs for shoes instead, making it a little inconvenient during your hike as you need to stop and pour the water out of your adidas kampungs.

Nonetheless, their extreme affordability still make these adidas kampungs one of the better choices of hiking shoes in Malaysia.

Plus, they work better than your normal running shoes when hiking through our muddy, slippery Malaysian jungle.

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Get animated with Cartoon Network in Singapore

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The Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Adventure Time and Ben 10 come to life with giant inflatables, carnival games and workshops

Animate Your Life @ Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

26 May – 10 June 2018; Prices start from RM37.50++

Animate your Life LogoLooking for something to do with the entire family? Cartoon Network invites you to enter a world of animation at the Animate Your Life festival in Singapore – a 16-day celebration of fans, fun and fans of fun!

From Saturday 26 May to Sunday 10 June, Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will transform Gardens by the Bay’s Bayfront Plaza into a thriving world of cartoons. Bringing characters from hit shows – The Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Adventure Time and Ben 10 to life – the festival will offer a fairground of fun inflatable obstacle courses, carnival games and creative workshops.

Guests can look forward to the following activities:

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Enter the famous city of Townsville and soar with Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup on a giant trampoline ride! Also make sure to check out the Cartoon Network art gallery, where a series of international artworks will be displayed in celebration of The Powerpuff Girls’ 20th anniversary.

Looking to get creative? Cartoon Network has also partnered with local artist group, Band of Doodlers to create a special Powerpuff Girls tribute. The live installation will be unveiled on Sunday, 27 May from 4pm; and everyone is invited to leave their mark!

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Take a trip to the Land of Ooo and get lost in a maze with best buds Finn and Jake! Then, step into a magical Candy Kingdom with your favourite Adventure Time characters; Marceline, Princess Bubblegum and Lumpy Space Princess!

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The bear bros are in the house and ready for fun! Splash-down the log-ride inflatable slide into a colourful ball-pit. Match-up and stack-up with a giant Bear Stack, or just snap a selfie in the cave that Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear call home.

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It’s Hero Time! Ben Tennyson has harnessed the power of the Omnitrix and wants to put it in your hands! Join the Ben 10 Boot Camp and navigate through a series of exciting obstacles courses. Then, get a group photo with Ben and his aliens in front of a cool trick-mirror.

If that isn’t enough to get you to make your way down to Singapore, Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will also offer a mix of fun activities including:

  1. An interactive Animate Yourself booth where you can create your own likeness as your favourite character and print it on a t-shirt.
  2. A mix of exciting carnival games testing your agility, accuracy and skill.
  3. A chance to learn more about Cartoon Network’s first branded cruise liner – Cartoon Network Wave. Designed for everyone who’s young at heart, Cartoon Network Wave presents an immersive fun zone, giving you a glimpse of adventures on-board the world’s first toon vacation at sea.
  4. A line-up of weekend workshops hosted by leading figures from the animation world primed to spark your creativity. Conducted every Saturday and Sunday at 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm; the workshops will teach you how to draw some of Cartoon Network’s most loved characters, offer voice-over challenges and give you a chance to participate in making a stop-animation video. [For more information about each workshop session, refer to Annex A below]

Cartoon Network Animate Your Life will open from Monday to Thursday 3-9pm and from Friday to Sunday from 3-11pm. Games, mascot appearances and show screenings are also scheduled throughout the day.

Visit Animate.CartoonNetworkAsia.com for more details and hashtag #CartoonNetwork and #CNAnimateYourLife to share the fun. 

Cartoon Network Animate Your Life is co-presented by Prudential Singapore and Cartoon Network Wave, the soon-to-launch, fully-branded cruise liner. The event is also supported by Singapore Tourism Board’s Leisure Events Fund, Official Radio Partner CLASS 95 and Supporting Radio Partner 987, and Official Multimedia Partner Singtel.

Admission details

Visitors can purchase same-day tickets at the site entrance, or pre-order online at http://www.apactix.com/events/detail/CN-animate-your-life. Ticket prices and special bundle prices as listed below:

Adult Ticket (Age 18+) RM 54 + GST
Child Ticket (Age 2-12) RM 37.50 + GST
Student Ticket (up to Tertiary with student card) RM 45 + GST
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The grandeur of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is located at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

When travelling to Brunei, it is hard not to miss the magnificent architectural sight of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

Located in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque serves as a symbol of Islamic faith in Brunei.

Considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific, here are some fun facts about the majestic building.

 

Who is Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin?

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The late Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III was the father of the current Sultan of Brunei (Picture source: Tanwir.my/)

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei. Known as The Architect of Modern Brunei, he was the one who initiated the construction of the mosque.

Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III ruled from June 4th, 1950 until his voluntary abdication from the throne on October 5th, 1967. He was replaced by his eldest son, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.

When was it built?

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The mosque was built between 1954 and 1958

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was built between 1954 and 1958. It was designed by A.O Coltman of Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects of UK, based in Malaysia at the time.

The mosque, a blend of Western and oriental architecture is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape, making it the best spot for selfies and sketching activities.

While you cannot take pictures inside the mosque, its interior is equally dazzling. The floor and walls are made from marble columns with stained glass windows and beautiful carvings. The granite is said to be from Shanghai, the chandeliers from England, and the carpets from Saudi Arabia and Belgium. The doors of the mosque were made from timber imported from the Philippines.

It is said that the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque can accommodate up to 3,000 people at a time.

 

Is that a gold dome?

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The gold dome is one of the distinguish feature of the mosque

Yes it is!

Made of pure gold, the gold domes are one of the most prominent features of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

The domes contain 3.3 million fragments of Venetian mosaic, over a surface of 520m².

Apart from the gold dome, another exquisite feature of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is the main minaret. It reaches a height of 52 metres, offering a great view of the city.

 

Why is there a boat in the middle of the lake?

In the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque courtyard, you can see a ceremonial barge or mahligai.

The ceremonial barge is placed in the middle of an artificial lagoon on the banks of the Brunei River at Kampong Ayer.

It is a replica of a 16th century royal barge of Sultan Bolkiah, who was the 5th ruler of Brunei.

The royal barge was used by the then Sultan in his maritime exploits in the old days.

Completed in 1967, the barge was built to commemorate the 1, 400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran (also known as Quran Revelation Day). It was also once used for Quran reading competitions.

 

Can a non-muslim visit the mosque?

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Remember to remove your footwear and dress appropriately when visiting the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Of course!

Visitors are allowed to visit the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque during non-praying time. The mosque is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 8.30 am to noon, 1.30 to 3 pm and 4.30 to 5.30 pm and closed on Thursday and Friday.

So, if you plan on visiting the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, remember to remove your footwear and dress appropriately!

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