We had a fun rafting at Lamapa Adventure

Photo opportunity by the waterfall

What an awesome experience!! This is my third time rafting and this is by far the best rafting experience I had at Ubud, Bali. The service was pretty good and they provided transport from our hotel. But man, the car ride was pretty long and tiring (almost one and a half hours ride). So better pee before you leave the hotel.

The raft guides were very helpful indeed. We had John who gave us pretty good tips and the best way to go smoothly and not being stuck is to listen to the guide and you will be fine. The water is very clear and you will get used to the cold river. As for the rapids, it made our rafting pretty fun 😀

The name of the rafting place is Lamapa Adventure Rafting. It’s around BND 25 which includes transportation, lunch, shower, towel and so on). You can also order photographs during your rafting experience for BND 35. The guide will also bring a dry bag and he will ask you to bring only 1) money 2) phone 3) cigarettes.

The whole rafting experience is 16 km long and it takes about 2 and a half hours. There is a mini drop of 4m near the end and it was pretty fun. So if you happened to be in Ubud, do try out rafting..

My snack during the half way point

The waterfall shot

The ladies had fun too

The 4 meter drop I was talking about

That was a good 2 sec drop 😀

The youngest in our rafting group

The poolside of COMO Uma Hotel at Ubud. Image courtesy of Comohotels.com

My villa room at COMO Uma

It has almost been a week. I’ve been in this magnificent city of Bali where magical moments happen. I haven’t posting anything on my travels just yet on my blog so why not now? Some of my social media buddies have been tied up with their recent visit to Temburong while I cover the city of Ubud in Bali.

For some who are not familiar, Ubud is more like a nature attraction for tourists in Bali. It’s not as busy as Kuta or Seminyak but I could say it’s gradually getting busy. Well, now that more tourists are heading to Ubud, that explains the increasing traffic congestion. So it’s not something that I look forward to as it took us a while to reach certain destinations within Ubud.

Last year around this time, I was in Bali for a toastmasters convention and it was such an untimely manner as there was a volcanic eruption that caused to disrupt the flights in and out of Bali. Hence I was stuck for sometime in Bali and chilling in Bali instead.

Yay!! Now I’m back again and this time we are staying at Uma by Como, Ubud. Two years ago, I was stayed at Maya Ubud and if I were to compare with Uma by Como, I prefer the service here at Uma by Como. The only set back is that the villas doesn’t have a private pool. Boohoo. The food here is great and not as expensive surprisingly. The villa rooms, however, are a different story. Rooms starts around BND 390 on booking.com but we managed to get a better deal since we have a huge group.

Now would I recommend you to stay over at COMO Uma? Definitely for the service and the rooms. Just make sure that you save yourself some $$$. Mind you the COMO Uma is slightly far from Seminyak and Kuta. This is ideal place for couples by the way and just a good getaway from the distractions and the busyness off of Bali. Oh, they also provide shuttle to Ubud Centre and also to the money changer.

The best thing about luxurious hotels in Bali are the beds. I have such great sleep for the past week or so. I could sleep all day 😀

The night version. The nets are quite useful especially with mosquitoes here and there. Not to worry as they provide many repellents around the room. I only got bitten once in my week stay.

The bath tub which I rarely used but shows how spacious the bathroom is.

This is just outside my room. A place to chill and also outdoor shower. Haven’t really used it but I do wish there is a pool

I love the touch of green around the villas.

They have many koi fish here at the COMO and they provide fish food if you feel like feeding them

This taken from the lobby area of COMO Uma

This is the strong reason I love Ubud… The greenery 😀

Game On Business Management & Services (Game On) brings you the very first PS4 FIFA 17 Tournament from the 3rd to 4th December 2016, at Mabohai Shopping Complex.

If you’re up for the challenge, register now until 3rd December 2016 by providing your Full Name, Contact Number and choice of session along with an entry fee of BND20. Each player will be entitled to a free drink & fries, courtesy of Burger King Brunei.

The winner will walk away with the grand prize of a brand new PlayStation 4 Slim (500GB), a PS4 Stix Gift Voucher and Game On merchandise!

Qualifying rounds will start on Saturday from 1pm to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Knock-out rounds will be the last 32 players to the final starting from 5pm onwards (Sunday).

This event is brought to you with the supporting partners of Mabohai Shopping Complex, ETA Games @ Cineplex, PS4 Stix, Get It Enterprise, Instrutech Engineering, Burger King Brunei, and The Letterbox Co. The Official Social Media Partner for this tournament is RanoAdidas.

For more information, do contact Amar at +6738 849050

Game On Business Management & Services is an event managing company dedicated to organising video game tournaments in Brunei Darussalam, established in 2016.

Check out Game On’s official Instagram @ GameOn.bn for latest updates and more cool stuffs!

Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, taking a tour of the exhibition featuring vintage film posters and several locally-produced works of art at the launching of the French-Brunei Arts Festival last night, at the Rotunda of The Empire Hotel & Country Club. Image by Fizah HAB of Borneo Bulletin.

Art enthusiasts and members of the French community in Brunei attended the launching of the French-Brunei Arts Festival last night, at the Rotunda of The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

The guest of honour was Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Also in attendance were Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Idris ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Haji Mohammad, the President of the Committee of Alliance Francaise de Brunei; Yann Carpentier, the Director of Alliance Francaise de Brunei; Dato Shofry Abdul Ghafor, the Manager of Rainforest Gallery; and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Brunei.

The event began with a VIP mocktail event, which was followed by an exhibition featuring vintage film posters and several locally-produced works of art.

A film screening of ‘Chocolat’ was also held at the Times Cineplex of The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

The ongoing festival will also include screenings of an animated feature titled ‘Phantom Boy’ on November 16, and a Swiss film titled ‘Deux Jours Avec Mon Père’ on November 18, at the Alliance Française de Brunei headquarters in Batu Bersurat.

Image courtesy of Dato Shofry Abdul Ghafor

Congratulations to Huwaida on the launch of your book 🙂

The closing ceremony on November 19 will involve a VIP mocktail and a dinner in white, with some live recitations at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom of The Empire Hotel & Country Club, where guests in all-white attire will be entertained by local students and two teachers from the Yippy Tune School, through a range of traditional Malay, French and English songs.

The festival is open to the public, with tickets available for purchase at the counter of the Alliance Francaise de Brunei headquarters, and at the Alliance Française de Brunei booth in the Rainforest Gallery on car-free Sundays. Tickets are limited to 200 for the VIP mocktail and dinner in white events, while the film screenings at the Alliance Francaise de Brunei headquarters will be able to accommodate a maximum of 30 people. Text courtesy of Fizah HAB of Borneo Bulletin.

The new E-300 AMG Line and the new E 200 Exclusive Line

Team Jati Transport posing with the new E-300 AMG Line at Gadong showroom yesterday

Thinking of getting the new E-Class? Wait no further. The new E-Class is available now at Jati Transport Sdn Bhd and Gadong showrooms. As the world’s most forward-looking production car, the E-Class sets new standards.

The E-Class Salon comes with an extensive array of standard equipment, including the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, Active Brake Assist, the PRE-SAFE system with PRE-SAFE Sound, THEMATIC automatic climate control, DYNAMIC SELECT with five selectable transmission modes, the Audio 20 USB infotainment system and electrically adjustable front seats. Just so many to boast about the new E-Class.

When you order, you can opt for the AVANGARDE, EXCLUSIVE or AMG Line design and equipment package.

The innovative things that you can expect from the E-Class are the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps which is available on the E 300 AMG Line standard, secondly the AIR BODY CONTROL (optional), thirdly the Driving Assistance Package (optional), Driving Assistance package Plus (optional) and Parking Pilot (standard).

Do check out the latest E-Class in their showrooms.

The tyre view of the E 300 AMG Line

The interior of the AMG 300 AMG Line

The front view of the E 200 Exclusive Line

The interior of the E 200 Exclusive Line

The interior of the E 200 Exclusive Line

Getting the feel of the E 200

Happening today (Sunday 13th November) at Jati Showroom at Gadong

Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Ja’afar ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, Executive Chairman of Jati Transport Sdn Bhd (2nd from the right), His Excellency Roland Christian Grafe, German Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam (3rd from right), Andrew Chiam, Executive Director of Jati Transport (3rd from the left) with the invited guests during the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class at Radisson Hotel last night

Mr. Alfred So, General Manager of Jati Transport with his welcoming remarks

There you have it… The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class which was being launched earlier tonight at Radisson Hotel. Unveiling the new model were Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Ja’afar ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, Executive Chairman of Jati Transport Sdn Bhd and His Excellency Roland Christian Grafe, German Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.

So what’s new with the new E-Class? Mercedes-Benz took a big step into the future with the new E-Class. Tenth-generation business salon delivers stylish highlights with its distinct, emotive design and high-grade interior. The new E-Class also marks the world premier of numerous technical innovations.

You can feel comfortable with safe driving on top of the driver assistance. Let’s not forget the infotainment and control systems that offers a newer experience for the driver and passenger. As for the multi-chamber air suspension, it ensures outstanding ride comfort and driving dynamics.

Mr. Alfred So, General Manager of Jati Transport, mentioned in his speech that the new E-Class received the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2016 for the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and also the “Automative Interiors Expo Awards” for the best interior of a standard-production automobile, with the touch control buttons on the steering wheel of the same model series being voted Interior Innovation of the Year.

He continued to say that the new E-Class is always the core of the Mercedes-Benz brand and in the past has repeatedly redefined the standards in the business-class segment. Now it carries this tradition into the future with a wealth of top-class innovations.

So what are you waiting for? A new model with a full five-star Euro NCAP rating for its occupant safety, child safety, pedestrian protection and assistance system.

You can check out the new E-Class at Jati Showroom at Gadong today (Sunday) from 10am to 5pm. Refreshments will be provided.

Unveiling the E 300 AMG Line

The invited guests had first look of the new E 300 AMG Line

The interior of the new E-Class

Do you like the colour red? I do

The rear view of the new E 300 AMG Line

The E 200 Exclusive Line

The interior of the E 200 Exclusive Line

Some entertainment before the launch

Anna Kendrick as Princess Poppy and Justin Timberlake as Branch in Trolls

Trolls. I was simply amazed by the story itself. We have seen many animation this year alone and I’ve come to a point where my eyes can get tired watching more animated movies. Trolls stars Anna Kendrick as Princess Poppy and she’s my favourite eye candy actress and other is Justin Timberlake as Branch. The unlikely pair of Trolls faced a huge challenge in saving their community of trolls. I won’t spoil much.

The Good. Totally colourful from start to finish and it’s a feel good movie especially when you are going through a bad day. Well, I wasn’t then :p I love the theme and the trolls themselves are cute enough to draw many of the children’s attention. I only find them cute in the beginning. The choices of music were spot on and we are all familiar with the hit songs too. Perhaps the best part of the movie is the take back message for the audience. I was moved by it and it still lingers in my head.

The Bad. Hmmmmm this is somewhat a tiresome plot. It’s pretty easy to say that this is an overdone storyline but good thing that Trolls managed to sway my attention with its delivery and humour. Otherwise it would have been a mediocre animation. Some will like it, some will find it “meeeh”..

The Verdict: Kids will love this. I actually love this too. I still prefer Zootopia. Nonetheless, a movie that brings joy and meaning to our lives. I had a lot of fun with Trolls. So did my movie partner in crime, Pranika. Score: 8/10

The launch of the Brunei Conference 2016 with the guest of honour Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Hj Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. Image courtesy of James Kon of Borneo Bulletin.

With the champions, Pooja Shivanand (Speech Evaluation Champion) and Allen Ang (Humourous Champion). Congratulations to the Brunei contestants on winning on the big stage against members from East Malaysia and Indonesia.

It has been two weeks and time just flew by that quickly. I managed to pull through a huge conference being the organizing chair for a toastmasters event involving over 100 international delegates plus inviting world champion speakers and a past International President of Toastmasters International. It was definitely the biggest toastmasters event to be held in Brunei Darussalam and I’m very proud of my young team for making this event a huge success.

There are so many things that I want to share about the Brunei Conference. What I went through… What the committee went through… The highs and the lows. My capability as a leader. Ahh, just so many things I want to express. There’s one thing though that I learnt from the Brunei Conference and that is gratitude.

After speaking to most of the committee individually, I began to be aware of deeper things that I missed out and I thank each of them for their trust and sincerity on how I have shown up as an individual and also as a leader.

The success of the Brunei Conference was attributed to the hard work from the committee members and even the volunteers from the Brunei Gavel Club. Thank you very much for the commitment and the contribution, not only during the conference but prior to the main event. Most of the key committee were appointed since July 2015 and all the handwork truly paid off.

Though the event was over 2 weeks ago, I’m still busy with some paper work and also with my post mortem of the Brunei Conference. Now I’m taking a break for a week or so and currently outstation. I won’t be blogging as much but we shall see during the course of the week.

Happy weekend, guys 😀

With World Champion of Public Speaking 2014 Dananjaya. You’re the man!!!

During the Gala Dinner at The Centrepoint Hotel

I’m so glad that Phylicia Liew kept her promise to make it to Brunei for the conference. You’re the bomb!!

Laurence giving her TACT badge to Dalton

Sometimes I wonder why they are not together.. They look good together :p

We had lots of fun with the photobooth from Kotak Senyum

Hello beautiful ladies

Half of the committee are from UBD Toastmasters. How they have grown so much 😀

Amran bringing the delegates from Medan around Kampung Ayer

Darren Tay sending off delegates from Indonesia at the Brunei International Airport

Celebrating Shawn and Nora’s birthday after the Brunei Conference

Taken during the DCM at Seameo Voctech

The newly elected President of the United States of America, Donald Trump

The new American Dream. Hilary Clinton conceded defeated after the former Apprentice founder Donald Trump won the battleground state elections. Donald Trump broke the “Big Blue Wall” of Democratic Party led by Hilary and many of us especially in Brunei saw this as a shocking result. Donald was leading in the beginning during the electoral votes until Clinton picked up pace and overtook the votes at one stage. Her minor lead didn’t last long and when Donald won in Ohio and Florida, it was all his election to lose.

America has tremendous potential as quoted by President elect Donald Trump during his welcoming remarks. He even thanked Hilary for putting such a good fight. The influence of Obama who supported for Hilary was not strong enough to sustain the Blue Wall.

So what’s the outlook for Brunei and other ASEAN countries with the newly elected US President. We shall wait and see. To me personally, he wasn’t my choice neither was Hilary but between the two, I would have chose Hilary for other reasons.

The Blue Wall of Hilary Clinton was broken indeed

How the electoral votes went

US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Craig Allen at the US Embassy Election Day event at Radisson Hotel today

Some of the guests who attended the event at Radisson

Donald Trump playing part in a WWE storyline decades ago

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei’s (UTB) has urged UTB to create a curriculum that reinforces entrepreneurial spirit among graduates.

Delivering a titah at UTB Convocation Ceremony 2016, His Majesty said, “Alhamdulillah, I have heard that graduates from UTB are capable in meeting the needs of the job market. But at the same time, their involvement in entrepreneurship is still at a low level. Therefore, it is time for UTB to put in efforts to reform its curriculum to ensure that entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities are better developed at a much earlier stage.”

His Majesty hailed UTB for upgrading its status and the successful expansion of study programmes, as yesterday’s graduation ceremony involved 12 degree programmes.

It was the 4th Bachelor’s Degree graduation convocation and the 25th Higher National Diploma (HND) convocation of the university.

His Majesty congratulated UTB’s new graduates and wished that their achievement will be a catalyst for future success. The monarch also congratulated the parents and guardians of the new graduates as well as the academicians who worked hard to ensure the students stayed on the right path throughout their studies.

Commending the decision to upgrade Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB) to UTB after reaching 30 years of its establishment, His Majesty hoped that with the new name, UTB will augment its efforts to fulfil the objective, mission and vision of the institution. Whatever is planned and implemented must conform to the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), the monarch reiterated.

Acknowledging the success of the university which saw the first graduation of students from 12 degree programmes that were first introduced in 2012 (in 2009-2011, UTB (then ITB) only had four programmes), His Majesty said that this is a proud achievement for UTB that has diversified or enlarged the number of study options available for students, and urged UTB to continue expanding and introducing other study programmes that are relevant towards realising the nation’s economic development.

Touching on sources of jobs from the non-oil and gas sector, His Majesty took note of the establishment of the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics that offers Bachelor’s Degree programme in Food Science and Technology. “The programme, among others, is hoped to support the growth of the country’s food industry and make it more competitive in the international arena.”

His Majesty also stressed on the importance of accreditation for professional programmes, stating that efforts towards it can enhance the level of skills and marketability of graduates.

“I am delighted to know that the UTB School of Computing and Informatics has been accredited by the British Computer Society, which is an international professional body. In a period of global economic uncertainties, the initiative towards accreditation can save the cost of training incurred by employers,” the monarch said.

His Majesty also urged that in facing the world economic crisis, UTB and other public higher learning institutions must show prudence in spending and not rely fully on government. Text by Azaraimy of Borneo Bulletin and images by @haqimie267