Celebrate All Things Gaming At PAX Unplugged In Philadelphia

Celebrate all things gaming at PAX in Philadelphia. This gaming convention will host lots of fun activities, tournaments, plus demos and more to experience when it rolls into Philly in Mid November.

PAX Unplugged will include:

The much anticipated Omegathon that spans the entire length of PAX. Watch as 20 Omeganauts compete - many will be eliminated until the last 2 compete in the Final Round.

There will be a full schedule of tournaments highlighting games from all genres and platforms.

Embark on a epic campaign in the RPG Dungeon or check out the The Tabletop Freeplay area that has hundreds of tables, plus they have a lending library so you can play other games.

They also have a Family Room where you can share your love of gaming in a family-friendly environment. And, on Sunday PAX Unplugged shifts gears to highlight content across the show for families and kids, as well as offering discounted badges for ages 6-12.

Join The PAX Unplugged Convention 

Authors of the popular web comic Penny Arcade, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, founded PAX, and this gaming convention continues to grow each year!

These are just a sample of the fun coming to Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. To learn about schedules, events, and orders your tickets for PAX visit their website

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Discover Sundown Spooks On Ghosts Tours At Colonial Williamsburg In Virginia

One of my favorite times of the year is Fall for its beautiful colors and fun seasonal events like local festivals, and of course, it is when the bewitching season comes to life. This is especially true in Williamsburg where they celebrate the season with entertaining ghost stories, colonial legends and haunting tours like these that are sure to educate and send chills up your spine.

Listen My Children: Legends, Myths and Fables for Families. This 45-minute gathering offers fun and interesting stories that the whole family will enjoy. Storytellers share their tales by firelight as young and old hear some of the same legends that entertained families of centuries past.

Ghosts Amongst Us. This one-hour walking tour shares mystifying tales of the day in the candlelit homes. Some stories may be too intense for younger guests. Historian Carson Hudson discusses Colonial Virginians’ beliefs in the supernatural and the existence of witches throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries. On October 28, guests will learn how and why Virginians conducted several witchcraft inquiries.

Cry Witch. Guests to participate in the re-created 1706 trial of Grace Sherwood, “the Virginia Witch.” Participants can question the witnesses, weigh the evidence and help decide whether the woman is guilty or innocent.

Lantern Tours. Explore the shops and workplaces of Williamsburg’s most accomplished tradespeople by candlelight. Enter four shops and learn about the masters, journeymen and apprentices who formed Williamsburg’s “silent majority.” Guests will discover the technology of the trades that shaped Virginia’s economy.

Crime and Punishment. Guests will explore and compare real 18th-century justice to that of today. On this walking tour, you will get up close and personal with 18th-century legal punishments by going back in time and meeting three people from the past who may be ghosts or may be real. The experiences they share are from actual cases from the 18th-century Virginia courts.

Tavern Ghost Walk. Let your imagination wander as your guide depicts dramatic tales of the ghosts that are said to still haunt modern Williamsburg’s taverns and sites.

Plan Your Trip Colonial Williamsburg 

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia as a town-sized living history museum, telling the stories of our nation’s founders, located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C. For more information call 1-800-HISTORY or visit www.history.org. 

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Considering Emigrating To The US? Here’s What You Need To Know

The United States has historically been a popular destination for people looking to emigrate. In fact, it welcomes more immigrants annually than any other country. There are a number of reasons that the United States is such a sought-after destination. 

Use This Link To Read More On Emigrating To The USA

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Sightseeing in Brunei: A Visit to an Iban Longhouse

For the second half of our day trip to the Ulu Temburong National Park we went to visit the house of a local Iban tribe called a "longhouse". As the word "longhouse" indicates this is literarily a long house. Once upon a time it started out just as one small building ment for a single couple, but as the younger members of the family got married they would add a small house of the exact size and shape next to their parents/relatives' house, thus making the house grow longer and longer with each new generation. 

 Browse places to stay in Bandar Seri Begawan on Agoda.com.

Above: An Iban Longhouse

The picture above shows the Iban Longhouse we visited. The traditional longhouses of the Iban tribes used to be built in a simple style, but more and more of the longhouses are becoming modernized, and nowadays it is common that they come with both running water and electricity.

Above: The corridor connecting the various families living inside the longhouse

When you enter the longhouse there's a long corridor connecting the houses of the families living there so that they all can gather easily but also have their own private life. It sort of reminded me of a school where each of the classes have their own room that use in private for the lessons while still being able to socialize with kids from other grades in the break time.

Above: The sultanate has a strong position in Brunei, and it was interesting to see that there was a photo of the royalties inside the longhouse

From the corridor we were escorted into the living room of the head of the longhouse where we were given a warm welcome. As you probably know Brunei has strict laws prohibiting the locals from consuming alcoholic beverages, but the Ibans have a traditional sweet rice wine called 'tuak' that is produced for own consumption and used for festive events. Inside the longhouse they kindly offered us to try and taste a small cup each as a welcome drink, and I think it tasted somehow like sweet sake. 

We also got the chance to put on a traditional Iban clothing called kain kebat (ceremonial skirt), which you can see in the photos below.

Above: We had a fun time trying out the beautiful traditional attires.

Above: It is forbidden to use Brunei coins to decorate the traditional attires, so the Ibans had instead used Malaysian coins for this dress.

Above: A collection of Iban weapons on the wall.

I have decided not to post too many pictures from inside the house since it after all was a private home. Visiting the Iban longhouse and trying out the local attire and rice wine was however one of the highlights of our trip to Brunei, and I would not hesitate to recommend it for anyone considering a visit to Brunei!

That's all for now, but hopefully my series of posts about Brunei can be of help to some of you out there considering a visit!

■ Basic Info

• The Ulu Temburong National Park
• Tour Operator: Borneo Guide

Related blogposts

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from Brunei
• Sightseeing in Brunei: A day of downtown sightseeing in Bandar Seri Begawan
• Sightseeing in Brunei: Eating Like A Local at the Pasar Gadong Night Market
• A Day Trip to the "Green Jewel of Brunei" Ulu Temburong National Park
• Sightseeing in Brunei: A Visit to an Iban Longhouse
• Brunei's Best Hotel: The Empire Hotel and Country Club
• The Palm Garden Hotel and Brunei's Best Health Club the Fitness Zone

Recommended Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan

The Empire Hotel ★★★★★ → review

The Brunei Hotel ★★★

Star Lodge ★★★★

Palm Garden Hotel ★★★ → review

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This page contains affiliate links, and if you follow a link and make a hotel reservation through these links you help support this blog without any additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your kind support!

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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

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Crown Cruise Vacations Helps Travelers Plan A Magical Hawaii Vacation At Disney's Aulani Resort

A Hawaiian vacation awaits without hassle with the help of Crown Cruise Vacations. Their professional staff have the experience and knowledge to help you plan the Disney Vacation of your dreams at the Aulani Resort. And, their sharing five reasons to Consider a Disney Vacation Land Trip to Hawaii’s Aulani Resort:

1.The Ultimate Family Getaway

Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with locals to create Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii. Inspired by the natural wonders and rich traditions of Hawaii, Aulani Resort is the ultimate family getaway—celebrating the beauty, history and welcoming spirit of the island. Aulani Resort is perfectly positioned on the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina on the leeward coast of Oahu.

2. Cultural Connection

“Aulani” means “messenger of a chief.” Here, you'll discover the legends of the Hawaiian Islands. Multiple pools, waterslides and a lazy river can be found between the two towers of Aulani.

3. Resort History

Aulani Resort opened in August 2011. A major expansion project was completed in fall 2013, offering families even more to enjoy!

4. Dining and Disney

Experience the vibrant setting of Aulani’s restaurant, Makahiki. Satisfy your appetite with fresh, local foods and international flavors with a buffet dinner or delightful Disney Character Breakfast. At dinner, join Aulani Resort's beloved "Uncle" and some favorite Disney Characters for a musical, story-filled Character Dining experience for the whole family!

5. Resort Highlights

The Aulani Resort Features:

• Rooms & Suites: 351 hotel rooms, including 16 suites
• Villas: 481 Disney Vacation Club units, including 19 Grand Villas
• Dining: 2 restaurants, 3 lounges and several quick-service dining venues
• Laniwai – A Disney Spa
• Fitness center
• Aunty's Beach House kids club
• Painted Sky Teen Spa teen spa
• Pools, waterslides and more
• More Disney Special Offerings Include Disney Vacation Special Offers:

Did You Know? - Disney has four cruise ships available that offers a immerrsive experience for the whole family or for anyone who loves the magic of a Disney vacation. And, Crown Cruise Vacations can help you with planning every step of your trip.

Plan Your Getaway With Crown Cruise Vacations

With the help of Crown Cruise Vacations you can save up to 25% on rooms at Walt Disney World, and up to 20% on Premium Rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel. The sophisticated cruise and travel specialists at Crown Cruise Vacations provide exclusive offers, exceptional value and unparalleled service. They can assist with experienced cruise information and bookings.

To learn more about Disney vacations, the abundance of land vacations, cruise sailings and other offers, please contact a travel specialist at Crown Cruise Vacations at 1-877-283-1114 (toll-free USA/Canada) +1-609-945-9801 (direct-dial) or visit http://www.crowncruisevacations.com.

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A Enchanting Winter Fairy Tale Holiday Awaits In Karlsruhe, Germany

When Santa Claus flies above the cozy gabled houses and the crowded streets on his reindeer-drawn sleigh, you know that it is Christmas time in Karlsruhe! And, if you're looking for a destination with holiday charm consider Christmas time in Karlsruhe that transforms into a winter fairy tale from the end of November to December 23. This 300-year-old city on the northern rim of the Black Forest in SouthWest Germany not only has a German Christmas market it enchants travelers with a mix of sparkling winter wonderland, German "Gemütlichkeit" and an extraordinary program.

Mulled wine, roasted almonds and Christmas cookies are just the beginning of any visit to Karlsruhe’s Christmas market. Talking fairy-tale houses and a train ride through a magical forest will bring a glint of excitement to children’s eyes. An imposing pyramid of lights illuminates the Marktplatz. Decorated stalls invite you to indulge in regional delicacies such as dumplings with sauerkraut. The “Glühweinwäldchen”  or mulled wine copse seduces the taste buds with its Christmas treats.

Are you dreaming of more than just a cozy “Waldweihnacht” or woodland Christmas? How about a romantic horse-carriage ride to the ice rink directly in front of the illuminated baroque castle of Karlsruhe? And, while visiting the Christmas market you can skate on the second largest open-air ice rink in Germany, which includes a special beginners’ area, a curling sheet and a circular path beneath the illuminated trees. And the cozy ice lounge or “Eiszeit-Stube” is the ideal spot to take a break and enjoy good food surrounded by thousands of lights.

One stop to make one your trip is the Staatliche Kunsthalle - The State Art Gallery. It is here you'll find the “Cézanne – Metamorphoses”, a exhibition featuring French art, which takes a fresh look at Cézanne’s bright landscapes, bathers, portraits and still-life paintings. Apart from admiring great art, you can also buy exquisite modern and traditional artisan craftwork at the beautifully decorated stalls in the city center.

Did You Know? - Founded by Margrave Charles William nearly 300 years ago, the city’s plan resembles that of Paris, with streets laid out in rays, like the ribs of a fan, radiating from a central point that is the margrave’s palace. The renowned 18th century city planner L’Enfant liked Karlsruhe’s design so much that he incorporated its elements into his plans for Washington, D.C.

For a visit to the medieval period head out a few minutes away from Karlsruhe, and you'll discover the historic Christmas market just outside Karlsburg Castle. During this time of year it is bathed in the soft glow of candlelight and the warmth of bonfires presents a truly historical atmosphere with its artists, musicians, craftsmen and storytellers. A medieval camp, a fire show and swordplay top off the entertainment program. Plus, you can join in the spectacle by trying your hand at  shooting crossbow bolts or riding an ancient carousel.

Plan Your Holiday Trip To Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe, formerly the capital of Baden, lies in southwest Germany, on the western flank of Baden-Württemberg. Situated adjacent to the mighty river Rhine, the city is close to the border with France. While on your trip you'll find the climate is very pleasant – its location on the Rhine Plain makes Karlsruhe one of the sunniest and warmest cities in Germany. The weather also makes it easy to get out and enjoy the historic treasures you'll find in the region.

For upcoming activities, events, and planning options for your trip to visit the Karlsruhe Tourism Bureau website.

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Join Events Celebrating The Neon Museum’s Anniversary

Named as one of “15 Most Fascinating Museums in the U.S.” by VacationIdea.com, the Neon Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. In commemoration of their upcoming anniversary on this Saturday, the Neon Museum will offer you a variety of opportunities to celebrate its past successes as it looks toward a dynamic future.

Events Included Are:

Free self-guided access to the Neon Boneyard, food trucks, cake, crafts, paper flower creation celebrating the “Day of the Dead.” Flowers will be used to decorate an altar created by artist Favela in memory of prominent sign designer Raul Rodriguez. Rodriguez designed the Flamingo sign that resides in the Boneyard and he earned national recognition for his Rose Parade float designs.

The  “Family Fiesta” event presented by artist Justin Favela in the Boneyard. "Family Fiesta" incorporates Favela’s real-life family, food, drinks and music in an unconventional outdoor setting. The public is encouraged to participate in the celebration by engaging in games, dances, music, cuisine and piñata time. In "Family Fiesta," the event is taken out of its traditional context - a cookout in a backyard or a park - to highlight people’s expectations of a fiesta while, at the same time, dismantling notions of location and institutional inclusion.

Twhey will also host a Open-Top Bus Tour through Downtown Las Vegas and the northern stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, highlighting classic signs from the Neon Museum collection. The evening concludes with a special nighttime tour of the Neon Boneyard focusing on the museum’s conservation and restoration efforts, and there is a fee of $50 per person for this particular part of the festivities.

Plan Your Visit To The Neon Museum

For more information about the Neon Museum, theanniversary festivities and to make reservations for ticketed events, visit www.neonmuseum.org/happenings or call (702) 387-6366.

Photo Credits: Neon Museum

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San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Presents 40th Anniversary Exhibition

This weekend kicks off the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles 40th Anniversary Exhibition. They have four special exhibitions planned that will be opened in stages starting at the end of October thru January 2018:

• Juncture I
• Expressions of Identity: 40th Anniversary Exhibition
• Identity Tapestry: Mary Corey March
• JUNCTURE II

The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles is at a juncture in time, where they  can both reflect on the past and look forward to the future. A juncture can also be an intersection of place or events, often one laden with symbolic potential: In many folk traditions, junctures as represented by crossroads are a potent metaphor for transition. Though a juncture can be a time for reflection, the word can also describe a critical moment or crisis that demands immediate action. With the concept as their point of departure, artists may take the exhibitions theme for "juncture" where it leads them.

“Since our 35th anniversary, the Museum has focused its collecting efforts on historic and contemporary quilts and fiber art since 1940, with an emphasis on California artists” said Executive Director Nancy Bavor. “This exhibition, which includes over 40 art works acquired since our 35th anniversary, is tangible evidence of that concentrated focus and includes important art works by some of California’s leading fiber and quilt artists, as well as works by other internationally known fiber artists.”

Among the exhibits to explore on your visit is Expressions of Identity: 40th Anniversary Exhibition that is currently on display in all galleries thru January. This exhibit reveals the how inserting one's identity is inherent in the process of an artist and their body of work.

Plan Your Visit To The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, last caged atb520 South 1st St. in San Jose, CA 95113. Hours are:

11:00am-4:00pm Wednesday through Friday
11:00am-3:00pm Saturday and Sunday
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays.

Admission to the museum is $8.00; $6.50 for students and seniors; and free to Museum members and children 12 and under. Admission is ‘pay what you can’ on the first Friday of each month. For more information, call 408-971-0323 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum.org.

Photo Credits: San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

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Alcatraz East Crime Museum Presents True Crimes Utilizing Rare Artifacts

There's something about crime that keeps us intrigued. For anyone who has ever had a interest in the mob, unsolved mysteries, and criminal proceedings, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a must see when visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This is defiantly one of those attractions draws you in, and keeps you stunned and curious as to what awaits around the corner.

We enjoyed the exhibit space on Pirates that explores the flags used, and history of the escapades. There was also an exhibit on the Old West that revealed details on the life of Billy, The Kid and others like Jesse James, who lived outside the law. Throughout the exhibits you'll find artifacts that include the Pocket Army Revolver owned by Allan Parmer, who was married to Jesse's sister, Susan.

We live in Morgan County, Indiana, which is where John Dillinger once lived, and actually robbed a local grocery store. So, it was interesting to see the exhibit on mobsters, and the death mask of Dillinger himself. The details described by both sides of the law are fascinating. There are newspaper clipping and Public Enemy poster featuring many mobsters you will recognize.

Did You Know? The origins of NASCAR can be traced back to bootlegging - you can learn more about this history and more at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. And, if you'd like to try some free samples of moonshine visit the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery that has a location right behind the AE Museum at The Island. They also have locations in Gatlinburg too, and they offer free concerts with artists like Monroeville!

We are in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, so there are many moon-shining tales to be told. Learn about the law and lawless who brewed shine by moon light, and the extraordinary skills of the drivers running the loads during prohibition. These drivers, like NASCAR legend, Junior Johnson, became famous for their skills on and off the track. - Oh, Johnson is a partner in "Midnight Moon" moonshine today, and they use his family recipe to craft the shine.

Remember, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum has a huge collection of artifacts on so many aspects of crime. It's so diverse, and wide ranging you'll spend hours moving from one exhibit to another. It was a strange feeling to see the headlines on the serial killing from my youth. Some of the exhibits stir memories of where we were when these events happened.

There are moving exhibits to Missing Persons like Nancy Halloway, and to the victims and heroes of 9/11. This is one off those moments when you just pause, and take a moment of silence in their honor.

This museum is more than just a achieve of historic relics. Whether it is Bronco that O.J. Simpson drove or postcards written by Charles Manson - each piece within the Alcatraz East Crime Museum has a story to tell. There are so many tales to be told that you'll find yourself discovering new stories each time you visit.

Plan Your Visit To Alcatraz East

Alcatraz East is located at the entrance to The Island, at 2757 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, near the Margaritaville Hotel and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. For ticket information and current exhibits visit their website at www.alcatrazeast.com.

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Plan Ahead To Join 417 Magazine’s Whiskey Festival

417 Magazine host a series of events throughout the year. And, looking ahead, they've got a exciting party planned as the new year start's - 417 Magazine will celebrate it's seventh annual Whiskey Festival with 200-plus spirits barreled, aged and bottled up into one evening. This unique experience gives you the opportunity to taste alongside master distillers and explore the nuances of whiskey making at its finest.

Modeled after similar events in Philadelphia and Chicago, 417 Magazine’s Whiskey Festival will be hosted at Bass Pro Shops’ White River Conference Center on Saturday, January 20, 2018. It is the only whiskey festival in southwest Missouri. Now in its seventh year, the event draws a regional audience from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois bringing in more than 600 whiskey lovers last year. During the event guests can taste an elite collection of premium and super premium spirits, enjoy whiskey-inspired eats, talk one-on-one with brand ambassadors and attend educational seminars.

Ticket options include:

●      Golden Ticket: Includes Brown Derby Rarest of the Rare Tasting, VIP Hour with one-hour early entrance into event, Grand Tasting, custom Glencairn tasting glass;

●      VIP Ticket: Includes one-hour early entrance into event, Grand Tasting, custom Glencairn tasting glass

●      Grand Tasting Ticket: Includes Grand Tasting;

●      Sober Driver Ticket: For non-drinkers only

Learn More About Upcoming Events And 417 Magazine’s Whiskey Festival

Tickets go on sale October 25 at www.417tix.com for 417 Magazine’s Whiskey Festival. This event is for those ages 21 and older. Visit their website to find out about other events.

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Discover History Captured By Time At The La Brea Tar Pits

One of my favorite places to visit as a child was the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. I would stand at the edge of the pit and marvel at the Mastodon’s trapped in the tar. Although, the most common fossils found at the Rancho La Brea site have been Dire Wolves, Coyotes, as well as Saber-Toothed Cats.

The tar at the site still bubbles from the natural gases trapped beneath. The site is a time capsule, in which prehistoric animals and birds roaming the area became trapped in the tar, and made easy targets for predators like the wolves and big cats, which also got stuck. It was an endless cycle as you’ll find out as you roam the exhibits within the Page Museum.

Stop and watch the team of paleontologists at the Fossil Lab as they continue to uncover new fossils found in Project 23. This project has uncovered many Ice Age fossils that were trapped in the tar in the Los Angeles Basin between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. And, they are still digging in the area because they never know what they might find?

Tickets are available for the Ice Age Encounter Stage Show in the Page Museum that features a life-size adult Saber-toothed Cat puppet. Combined with a live performance and film projections, the encounter uncovers the mysteries behind the animals that roamed the area. The Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits host many exhibits, programs, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year so check out their website for updates.

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Brunei: A Day Trip to the "Green Jewel of Brunei" Ulu Temburong National Park

During our stay in Brunei the most exciting experience we had was when we went for a day trip to Brunei’s first National Park called Ulu Temburong. This area is a part of the Batu Apoi Forest reserves and it has been under protection as a safe haven for nature since 1991. In fact, up until revent years it was only accessible for researchers. These days the area is also open to low impact Eco-tourism, so if you're interested in a unique glimpse into the life in the jungle this is definitely something for you. In addition to the jungle adventure we also stopped by a long-house, the authentic home of a family in the local Iban tribe. You can read more about this in my next post, but without further redo here's a short introduction to our jungle adventure.

 Browse places to stay in Bandar Seri Begawan on Agoda.com.

We got picked up at the hotel in the morning and after a short drive down to the Kianggeh Jetty it was time for the adventure to start. In order to get to the national park we first had to take a 45-minutes water-taxi ride from the center of Bandar Seri Begawan, a boat ride that took us through the mangrove forest past a network of rivers and channels.

Above: Bangar Town seen from the river

After the boat ride we arrived at the capital of Temburong District, a small town called Bangar. But we were still far from the national park; the trip continued by car to Batang Duri where the road ends and the real jungle adventure begins. In fact, the center of the park can only be accessed by boats. We got into the longboat you can see in the picture below, and a local Iban guide steered the boat upstream through the jungle.

On our trip through the jungle our Iban guide told us that their people used to be headhunters, and that it was common for a man wanting to get married to get asked by the potential father-in law to bring back a couple of human heads in order to prove his worth. These days the Bruneian government provides basic school education to the local tribes and these kinds of traditions are no longer practiced, but it was still quite fascinating to hear about their not-too-distant past. 

Above: Jambatan Gantung Kerung suspension bridge

After arriving in the middle of the jungle it was time to begin hiking. In the past this part of the adventure included walking across a suspension bridge called Jambatan Gantung Kerung, but the bridge has been closed down for a while now as it is in need for restoration. 

Above: A huge jungle worm. Wow!

Our first stop during the jungle treck was a canopy viewing walkway where you can climb to a hight of 50 meters and get a stunning view of the nature around you. The walkway is built with steel, and until recently it was only used by researchers for bird watching.

Those who wanted to see the view of the jungle could choose to climb to the top of the tower. Of course we decided to go for it, but although the tower seemed to be sturdy enough I still felt rather shaky while climbing the stairs.

But it all paid off when we got to the top and could take in the marvellous sight of the surrounding jungle. Just trees and nature as far as the eye could see! If you can take the hight I would really recommend climbing to the top of the tower, although you might want to avoid looking down on the way up there.

I did take a video of the climb, and if I get time I'll add it to this post later.

Finally safe back on the ground we continued our jungle adventure to the next highlight of our trip; a picturesque waterfall in the middle of the jungle. We were the first ones to arrive at the waterfall this day, and luckily for us we could thus spend some time in tranquility by the waterfall before the other groups got there.

In addition to enjoying our quiet surroundings we also had the chance to get into the small pond there before everybody else. We soon discovered that the water was filled with small fish of the type that will clean the skin on your feet, known as Doctor Fish. I once tried this out at a shopping mall in Malaysia, but getting the real deal out in the wild jungle was a much more exciting experience.

While we were sitting with our feet in the water enjoying our natural foot spa the number of other tourists groups started to increase. Good timing for us to move on! It was already time for lunch, and the last jungle activity included floating down the river on a tire tube to our lunch place for the day. 

Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to take any pictures from this part of the travels, but I can tell you it was also a really fun part of the trip. You're pretty much left to yourself floating downwards the river without any safety equipment, so if you're not used to rivers and swimming you might want to opt out of this part. The second part of the day we went to visit a Iban family's home, which you can read more about in my next post.

That's all for now, but hopefully my series of posts about Brunei can be of help to some of you out there considering a visit to the country.

■ Basic Info

• The Ulu Temburong National Park
• Tour Operator: Borneo Guide

Related blogposts

• All blogposts from Southeast Asia
• All blogposts from Brunei
• Sightseeing in Brunei: A day of downtown sightseeing in Bandar Seri Begawan
• Sightseeing in Brunei: Eating Like A Local at the Pasar Gadong Night Market
• A Day Trip to the "Green Jewel of Brunei" Ulu Temburong National Park
• Sightseeing in Brunei: A Visit to an Iban Longhouse
• Brunei's Best Hotel: The Empire Hotel and Country Club
• The Palm Garden Hotel and Brunei's Best Health Club the Fitness Zone

Recommended Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan

The Empire Hotel ★★★★★ → review

The Brunei Hotel ★★★

Star Lodge ★★★★

Palm Garden Hotel ★★★ → review

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This page contains affiliate links, and if you follow a link and make a hotel reservation through these links you help support this blog without any additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your kind support!

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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

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Seven Dials Is A Haven For Shoppers In London

If you're visiting London you have to stop by the Seven Dials that offers a unique shopping destinations. It so much more than just shops - there's an engaging collection of traditional pubs, cool cocktail bars, cafés, and restaurants to stop by. Plus, you'll find several hotels along with theatres with new and popular performances to enjoy.

For many  it's the draw of independent boutiques, international fashion labels, heritage brands, that bring them back to the Seven Dials. This is easily the place to spend all day with girlfriends shopping and browsing the selection of international premium women's fashion brands. Among the top names are Club Monaco, LOFT Design By…, Coco de Mer, as well as independent stand-alone stores such as Laura Lee Jewellery, B1866 and Larsson & Jennings. Of course, we cannot forget the  menswear, which feature brands exclusive to the area like premium French lifestyle brand RON DORFF, Cambridge Satchel Men’s, Natural Selection, surf wear brand Finnisterre and contemporary cool Farah.

Seven Dials has the best in premium beauty and grooming. Luxury beauty brand, Fresh from the US and Caudalie from France opened boutiques on Monmouth Street joining New York designer fragrance brand Le Labo and Kiehl’s. Iconic London lifestyle brands on Monmouth Street can also be found including Miller Harris for unique fragrances and Murdock London for traditional barbershop experiences and grooming. Brand new men’s beauty multi brand, Beast, have opened their first doors on Earlham Street.

Foodies make the pilgrimage to Neal’s Yard Dairy for the best of British cheese, Timberyard for award-winning fresh coffee, and Hotel Chocolat School of Chocolate for a taste of the bespoke ‘cacao cuisine’ menu. All day dining can be enjoyed in newly opened Balan’s Soho Society and just next door charcuterie specialists Cure & Cut for quality Italian meats and cheeses.

Seven Dials’ offers over 50 options of where to eat with exciting new dining concepts from the likes of The Barbary, taking inspiration from the Barbary Coast of North Africa, along the Mediterranean coast. Tredwell’s, Native, a new addition to the area celebrating the country’s best game and rare breed meat, Polpo at Ape & Bird, the first pub concept from Russell Norman and Richard Beatty; and artisan pizzeria Homeslice, specialising in 20-inch wood-fired pizzas with prosecco on tap.

The area is also a must-visit for culture and entertainment, with internationally acclaimed theatre Donmar Warehouse, Grade II listed Cambridge Theatre now showing Matilda and St Martins Theatre playing an important part in London’s theatre legacy.

Stay the night in one of the premium 5* hotels in Seven Dials such as Covent Garden Hotel and Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel for a chic weekend away and explore the streets of Seven Dials at your leisure. Whenever you visit you're certain to find Seven Dials offers a unique and memorable experience!

Plan Your Visit To The Seven Dials

Seven Dials is easily accessible from nearby tube stations such as; Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square and Piccadilly circus.  To explore current events, shops, dining, and entertainment at the Seven Dials in London visit their website.


Photo Credits: Seven Dials

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IHRA Introduces The Summit Sportsman Spectacular

As the racing season comes to a close for the year we look ahead to the IHRA switching to an all-bracket racing format for the first time in the organization's history in 2018. The IHRA will produce both the Summit SuperSeries and the new Summit Sportsman Spectacular programs next season.

The very successful IHRA Summit SuperSeries returns for a 17th season and continue to be the leading bracket racing program for Top, Mod and Junior Dragster competitors in North America. The program is hosted by nearly 100 member tracks and has over 8,000 active and specifically registered participants.

There will be a major change in the IHRA lineup as it moves from the class racing-based Summit Sportsman National Championship series to the newly-created Summit Sportsman Spectacular. The new bracket racing-based program consists of 20 races over ten weekends. Summit Racing Equipment will support the program through a new multi-year sponsorship.

Over time the input from racers, partners, and tracks and resulted in these changes to an all-bracket racing program, and is designed to improve participation levels in IHRA class racing. The new Summit Sportsman Spectacular bracket events will be targeted to Top, Mod and Junior racers looking for a value-oriented and fun double-race weekend. The series will work in conjunction with the Summit SuperSeries to provide tens of thousands of grassroots bracket racers new opportunities and events that are designed to provide maximum value for the participants.

Check Out The International Hot Rod Association For News

To check out the upcoming schedules and other IHRA race information and news visit their website at http://www.ihra.com/.


Photo Credits: IHRA

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