Thank you to all the amazing vendors who participated in the Art and Eat Fair hosted by Outpost Brunei-Seria. We have linked to their social media pages for those who want to reach out regarding personal orders or if you have any questions for them. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support and make purchases. We look forward to hosting you all again soon!
Rakhi’s Arts and Henna Designs
Alma’s Kitchen
Art by Christina Landry-Boullion
by Sarah Harrison
Salad and bowl lovers, rejoice! There’s a new kid on the foodie block in Seria and they’re getting fresh (literally). Bandar-based healthy food outlet, Fuel’d, has now opened along the main strip of our little regional town to offer the same reliably quick, healthy and tasty bowls and wraps which they’ve become famous for in the capital.
It works like this: Choose your bowl size, then choose your ingredients, starting with a base (like lettuce, rice or quinoa), up to four vegetables, an add-on (egg, avocado), some protein (chicken, salmon, tofu, beef or mushroom), plus a range of sauces and toppings (think seeds and other savoury sprinkles).
If that’s all too overwhelming or you’re easily paralysed by indecision, they also have a range of pre-set bowls to choose from, like the vibrantly vegetarian OMG So Colourbowl, or a beefy and hearty Bibimbowl.
The venue offers a bright, airy and modern space to dine in or you can simply take away, with pre-order for pick up available online and, with any luck, home delivery come March. Bring your own bowl and you’ll get 40 cents off, too. Note that it’s cash or BIBD transfer only until they’re graced with some internet connection.
Whatever you choose, the team will efficiently and expertly pull it all together for you faster than you can say ‘Is there any chicken at SupaSave today?’ And with it being conveniently located just upstairs from Dairy Queen, what you save in calories you can make up for in ice cream, because it’s all about balance.
Enjoy the crunch, Panaga.
Who: Fuel’d
What: Salad bar
Where: Jalan Sultan Omar Ali, Seria (upstairs from Dairy Queen)
How much: $5 to $8 a serve
www.fueldbn.biz
By Naincy Verma
On the island of Borneo, Brunei is home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the world. For nature lovers, Brunei has a lot of trails where one can hike, bike, run and do other outdoor activities. Below I am sharing some of the most popular trails that are must-do if you are living in this tropical paradise.
Sungai Liang
This is a very popular trail amongst beginners and people who are looking for a relatively easy to moderate hike. The hike is inside the Sungai Liang Forest Recreational Park. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking and running.
Total distance: Total walking distance is 2.9 km.
Elevation gain: 108 m
How to get there: The map on page 21 shows the trail itself and the nearby roads. To go to the park, take a right turn on the Seria bypass towards Jalan Labi.
Refreshments: No vendors there but there are shops nearby in the area.
Bukit Shahbandar, 9 hills trek
This is a popular trail for those people who are looking for a moderate hike. The trail is located near Bandar Seri Begawan and Muara. The trail has a lot of elevation change and rocky paths. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking and nature trips.
Total distance: Total walking distance is 3.5 km.
Elevation gain: 134 m
How to get there: The map on page 21 shows the trail itself and the nearby roads. The entrance to the park is located on the Muara-Tutong Highway, just north of Jerudong.
Refreshments: Coconut water vendors and snacks at the bottom.
Recreational activities: Near the start of the trek there is small park for kids. It has small play area, some slides, swings and a nice sitting area as well.
Tasek Lama Recreational Park
This trail has the beautiful Tasek Waterfall near the entrance. The trail starts off on a flat road but quickly
moves uphill. There are lots of rooted climbs, but they are nicely shaded to avoid overheating. The trail is located near Bandar Seri Begawan. It is primarily used for hiking, tracking, forest, nature trips and views of the lake.
Trek Route: This trek route has several reaching points like Tasek Lama, Bukit Sarang Helang, Bukit Laur, Marakuching
and Sarubing. One can stop at any point and return.
Total distance: Total walking distance is 4.7 km.
Elevation gain: 186 m
How to get there: The map on page 21 shows the trail itself and the nearby roads.
Refreshments: Small shops sell coconut water and local snacks at the beginning of the trail.
Recreational activities: Near the start of the trek there is a park for kids. It has a play area that includes slides, swings and a nice sitting area. There is also a big wooden platform that morning walkers use for exercise, yoga and stretching. There is also an open exercise area.
Toilet facilities: Available near the entrance of the park.
Some Hiking Safety Measures
Checklist: Always keep a checklist of things that are essential during a hike. The common must-have items in a trekking list should include water, sunscreen, extra water, phone with internet connection and offline map, and snacks to eat.
Bring a map: Having a map is very important, especially if you are going for a trek in a new location. In Brunei, one can’t always rely on GPS. Therefore, always carry a map, or familiarize yourself with the trek beforehand.
Hike during the day: Whenever possible, plan to hike\ during the day. Early morning is the best time and late afternoon is pleasant as well, but daylight is the best time to go trekking. It’s very convenient as we all know the forest is full of wild animals that come out at night.
Familiarity with the area: Exploring new hiking trails is always exciting. Unfortunately, it also means you’re unfamiliar with the territory. Before heading out, research the following:
Check the forecast: Always check the forecast up until the moment before you leave. This helps you to determine what gear to bring, like a rain jacket, extra water or warmer clothing. If the forecast does predict rain, be sure the trail you’re taking is still walkable in wet conditions.
Know your limits: Don’t risk injury when hiking with more advanced trekkers. You should be honest about your fitness level and stamina, especially if you are new trekker.
Inform someone before you go: It is advisable to inform someone who is not hiking with you about your location and route you will be taking. If you have phone or watch trackers it is advisable to turn them on before leaving your house.
Stick together: Last but not least, stick together. When hiking with a group, it always happens naturally that people form groups of faster and slower hikers, so you need to be sure that someone always stays with you during trekking time.