Eid-ul-Fitr Mubarak...

Salaam,

Celebrating yet another Eid Fitr in Tehran for the sixth consecutive year....

Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar Walillahilham...the first day of Shawwal 1431 Hijra in Iran, as in many other parts of the world, including Brunei Darussalam, falls on a Friday, 10th of September 2010.

In the spirit of Eid, I wish to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow Muslim bloggers and readers, my sincerest congratulations and best wishes on this auspicious occasion.

May Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful grant us all with peace, health, happiness and prosperity.

And may Allah shower us all with His choicest and divine blessings during this holy month and throughout the years ahead.

Eid-ul-Fitr Mubarak and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to you all...Minal Aidin Wal Fa'idzin, Mohon Maaf Zahir dan Batin...

Wassalam.

HM's 64th Birthday Anniversary...Tehran

Salaam,

Celebrating His Majesty's 64th Royal Birthday Anniversary in Tehran...some snapshots of the dinner reception held in conjunction with the auspicious occasion on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 at the official residence in North Kamraniyeh, Tehran.

"Dirgahayu Kebawah Duli Tuan Patek"

Wassalam.

special prayer for the royal birthday...

Bruneian ladies...

birthday cake...

the Embassy staff and the larger Bruneian community...

welcoming our guests...

from Comoros...

a quick pose during a repose...

our Omani brother...

and a neighbour from Vietnam...

new colleague from Uruguay...

with siblings and dear friends from Japan and Norway...

our amiable Iranian friends...

queue-ing up for dinner...

helping hands...

our special guests from Iran Tourism Board...

saying adieu to new-found friends...

Gadong Night Market...

Salaam,

I couldn't recall when precisely was our last time strolling around one of the famed night markets in the capital. But for sure during the last five years abroad, we have never had any good opportunity to do so until early last month during our short home vacation.

Tamu or Pasar Malam Gadong (Tamu and pasar means market) is situated right in the heart of the Gadong shopping centre near Bandar Seri Begawan. It opens daily after sunset until midnight and even stays open late on weekends and public holidays.

A vibrant open air market indeed and a great place for every discerning food lovers. The market offers an extensive array of fine local fare, and even a quick visit proves hard on our hungry eyes and temptation to sample everything in sight. For us this is just the right place to test how far our taste buds are ready to venture and to indulge in our local delicacies that we've been missing so very very much and so badly craving for over these long years away from home...yummm!!

Wassalam.

Food and eating...one of Brunei's main attractions...and pastimes!!
Teh Tarik special with palm sugar...anyone?

one of our top 10 favorite breakfast menu...tapai (fermented rice)

colorful n tempting cake...

another breakfast/high tea favorite...cakoi...

and the 'evergreen' Brunei own Panyaram...a truly local dessert

local 'takeaway' favorite... Nasi katok ,rice with different condiments...anchovies,

rice with beef...

and of course the local 'tahai' flavor

fried noodle of all style and flavor

fresh juices...for just a dollar, can't get fresher than this...

Another stall for Nasi Katok or 'Knock Rice'...

spoil for choices...!!

Brunei's popular 'Pulut Panggang' (grilled glutinous rice with prawn or beef) ...

another famous breakfast accompaniment...

fresh from the sea and nearby market...

local kebab...

great local fruit 'kembayau'...

an excellent appetiser for lunch or dinner...

Brunei's common local banana...pisang emas or 'pisang hotel'...!

and the king of fruits...the sorely missed and exotic 'durian kuning'...

and its anti-dote...!!

'mambangan'...another indigenous local variety

and a good view of the Rizqun hotel from the Tamu...