Ambuyat

Ambuyat is a famous staple of food derived from the Brunei-Malay community, and is available in most of the homestay in Labuan. Ambuyat is made of sago starch available in big slabs sold at the Labuan weekend market for a mere RM2. 

The making process is simple, mix the sago slab with cold water to soften it into watery form. Then, add a jug full of hot water gradually while stirring the mixture. The ambuyat will be ready when the mixture turns into an almost transparent white with gluery texture. Instead to having rice with some dishes for lunch, Brunei-Malays would have ambuyat instead. It is tasteless, so the many flavours will come from the dishes you serve to your dinners. Ambuyat is usually accompanied with the mango sambal - a mixture of shredded mangoes, chilli and dried shrimps. Dinners are provided with a pair of chopsticks with joined ends. Twist the chopsticks around the ambuyat then dip it in any of the gravy, sauce or curries available.

 

Ambuyat is believed to have a cooling effect, and would do wonders to people with high blood pressure. It is not as filling as rice, as is comprise mostly of water, which means you would be visiting bathroom a little more often than after an ambuyat meal. But, it it good for cleansing the bladder system.! Accordind to the Brunei-Malay superstition, ambuyat is not to be consumed in a family that has suffered a death of a close family member or relative within 40 days. By consuming it, someone else in the family migth suffer the same fate.

Rungus Longhouse, Kudat.

 Kampung Bavanggazo is located 40 kilometres to the south of Kudat town. The village lies within the precinct of Pekan Baru Matunggong and there some signage along the main road linking Kota Kinabalu - Kudat that should point to the right exit. From the main junction, the Rungus longhouse is situated some 3 kilometres further down the road.

In general, Kudat is located some 3 hours to the north of Kota Kinabalu

 

Unlike Sarawak, most ethnic tribes in Sabah do not live on longhouses. In fact, the mere mention of longhouse lifestyle often instantly conjures the images of Iban, Bidayuh, Penan, Orang Ulu and Melanau, which are the main ethnic tribes of Sarawak. It is almost safe to make such generalisation, until one comes across the unique Rungus tribe in Sabah which still reside in the unique communal-style longhouse.

.
 

See more picture

For information: http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/

Pasar Tamu ( The Sunday Market)

This is among the most famous weekend markets in Malaysia, mainly due to its cultural value. The market is only opened every Sunday. A wide area of empty space, located some 5 minutes from the small town centre of Kota Belud suddenly becomes abuzz with a hive of activities.

The market is predominantly organized by the indigenous ethnic Bajau tribe, also usually known as "Cowboys of the East" because of their skills in riding horses (not to be mistaken with the ethnic Bajau Laut tribe in Semporna, known for their seafaring prowess). Images of Bajau people riding horses with the majestic Mount Kinabalu as the backdrop are often photographed in travel magazines and postcards.

 

I saw a lot of local food sold here, of varying delightful colours and tastes. Naming each of them will take you almost a day. There are also a lot of exotic handicrafts which make good wall decoration in your home. I ended up with some colourful beads (you wear them on your wrist, locally known as gelang tangan), a few tudung saji and some samples of the local kuih (sweet desserts).

 

log on : http://www.malaysiahotelreview/.

Api Tours (Borneo) Sdn Bhd

Api Tours, which is today at the very fore front of Sabah's tourism industry, offers to take the visitors by the hand to experience the numerous heritage of Borneo's Paradise to their full value. In order to import the highest possible standard of service to our guest, we have at our disposal the operational experience, the expert personnel and the best transportation vehicles and equipments. In keeping up with our excellent track records and in response with new tourist demands and expectations, we continuously upgrade our standard of service.

We put a lot of emphasis on giving the most courteous impression on our customers, desplaying utmost patience and understanding at time these are needed, at going extra mile to extent beyond the expectations of our valued guests.

For more infomation www.apitours.com

Los Roques, Posadas

Dreamlike snow-white beaches, azure waters, Posadas of different categories, delicious food in fancy restaurants and sunshine that is what distinguishes the island paradise of Los Roques in the Atlantic Ocean near the venezuelan coast. 

Here is a chill-out as easily as possible as pure sport. This piece of dream is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Scuba divers will find beautiful spots with beautiful coral reefs. Besides very big fishes,there are crawfish and other tropical animals here at home. For the safety of the professional dive centers can take care on the island.

Sailors and kite surfers know the islands as an area with ideal wind conditions, and last but not least come the angler fully at your expense. Barracuda, bonefish & Co could be your catch sequence. Almost all of Posadas, which are mostly run by Italians, are located on Gran Roque, the main island of the park. 

The prices are not the smallest, but it is worthwhile to invest in this fantastic destination something. The paradise has its price. Boat trips are offered to the smaller islands. And there you have time for the dreamly islands and the unbelievable underwater world.

The Romanesque Churches and Cathedrals

Romanesque was the dominant architectural style in Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries. Named for its basis in the basilicas of ancient Rome, Romanesque architecture developed in northern Italy and had its most exquisite expression in France, but fine examples can be found throughout western Europe. 

"Romanesque" is Roman(e) in French, Romanish in German, Romaanse in Dutch, Románico in Spanish and Romanico in Italian.

Romanesque churches were the first buildings to incorporate monumental sculpture since ancient Rome and the first to use a stone vault instead of a wooden roof. Other characteristics of Romanesque include round arches, large towers, thick walls, small windows, and decorative details inside and out. 

When they were first built, Romanesque churches were alive with color and imagery, serving as a visual Bible to a mostly illiterate population. But not all Romanesque church art is religious: many carvings and paintings depict plants, animals, mythical beasts, pagan imagery, scenes of daily medieval life, and humorous figures.

The Pantheon in Rome, Italy.

The Pantheon is a magnificent ancient temple in Rome that was later converted into the church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Dating from 125 AD, this is the most complete ancient building in Rome and one of the city's most spectacular sights. 

Until the 20th century, the Pantheon was the largest concrete structure in the world. Michelangelo studied its great dome before starting work on the dome of St Peter's Basilica.

The Pantheon was dedicated to pan theos, "all the gods." 

When it became a church, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and all the martyrs.

The Pantheon is the burial place of several important Italians (including the artist Raphael), and it remains an active church. It is a major tourist destination and a popular place for weddings.

The Chimney - An Archeological Mystery

Situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong is the famous ‘Chimney’, a 106 feet high red brick stack believed to be linked to the coal mining days of Labuan. The Chimney, 106 feet tall, was made from more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks imported from ngland. The bricks layering and works are typical of British style.

The ‘Chimney’ was long thought to be nothing more than a ventilation shaft. However, recent findings revealed that there were no traces of smokes or burning to suggest its use as a chimney as popularly believed. Careful digging has revealed at least 12 layers of bricks beneath the surface. The structure sits firmly on a large tract of limestone rock containing rich kaolin or porcelain clay, which provided the strong foundation.



The ‘Chimney’ is still very much a mystery until today. Various hypothesis has been put forward to its purpose. Some said it was an unfinished mansion. While others said it was a light house beaconing passing ships. In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the sea front area below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to announce the arrival of ships to the residents below. It has become an intriguing riddle that fascinates locals and visitors alike.

The Spanish Steps

 

The famous Spanish Steps lead from the Piazza di Spagna up to the Trinita Church. The staircase was constructed between 1723 and 1725 in the Roman Baroque style and is the longest and widest in Europe. The design is an elegant series of ramps with 138 steps in a fan or butterfly wing shape. In May, they are particularly beautiful when the ramps of the staircase are covered in spring flowers.

Architecture aside, what makes the Spanish Steps a favorite spot to hang out is the people watching. It's a place for tourists and locals to sit and enjoy the spectacle of Rome life.

The adjacent Piazza di Spagna is surrounded by wonderful tea rooms and cafes as well as being adjacent to some of the best shopping streets in Rome.

The GrapevineTexas Wine Bar

The Grapevine is a wine tasting room located in Gruene, Texas featuring New World wines and one of the largest selections of Texas wines available. We offer complimentary tastings daily and sell wine by the glass or bottle with discounts on wine by the case. In addition, we sell an assortment of cheeses, crackers and sausages that customers may enjoy with a glass of wine on our front porch or patio or in our outdoor garden.

On most Thursdays in the spring, summer and fall and at special times during Holiday in Gruene a Certified Wine Specialist or a Texas winery representative will be on site in Grapevine's Outdoor Garden to do a special complimentary tasting featuring 3 handpicked, quality Texas or New World wines where you can learn first hand details about the wineries, wine makers and the wines they craft. Enjoy live jazz tunes and visit with other wine enthusiasts in Grapevine’s casual relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Gruene Historic District. During the cooler times cozy around the outdoor fire pits or gather in the tasting room. Recommend your favorite hard to find wines and get rewarded if we add them to our wine menu. Specialty beers and tasty Grapevine appetizers are available or bring in food to-go from the Gristmill, Mozie's or Cantina Del Rio.