Golfing in Brunei

Today is Monday of the week long half term holiday at school here in Brunei. Well needed rest and relaxation is helped by the knowledge that a long summer holiday is just round the corner after a short stint of four weeks once we go back to work. The end of a long year is finally in sight. This holiday we have decided to stay in Brunei rather than going away like we normally do. We thought it would be nice to have a few BBQ’s and socialise with friends after a busy time at work as well as make use of the Yacht Club relaxing by the pool.

I have also pencilled in a few games of golf before my annual membership expires at the end of the month. Today was the first game – and what a great way to start the holidays. Rather than writing a long post about golf here in Brunei, I thought I would just write a short amount and then provide you with a number of pictures to give you a flavour of what it is like out on the course here.

I got to the course (Pantai Mentiri Golf Club) just after 8am and planned to play this first game on my own this morning to help me get back into the swing of things. I rented a buggy (B$10 or £5) as although you can carry your clubs here the heat really drains you over 18 holes even early in the morning and I hoped I would be able to nip round and be home soon after 11.

Sure enough, it was fairly quiet and those that I did catch up waved me through. On the occasions I did get held up before getting waved through I managed to snap the following pictures.

View of the clubhouse from the fairway on the 4th

About to head down the 6th

View onto Brunei Bay by the tee box on the 6th

The bunker and the bay by the green on the 7th

View down the 8th fairway

Parked in the shade while waiting for the pair in front to finish off their putts

Palm trees line the fairway on the 8th

View over the water from the 9th tee back towards the club house

It was an enjoyable morning on the golf course yet I was surprised at how quickly I made it round all 18 holes. I was even home by 10.30! What a lovely start to the holiday.

If you want to know more about golfing in Brunei and live here, read about the ISB Golf Society that I run.

Pakistani food – desi style

We visited our ‘local’ Pakistani restaurant today for lunch and as it is one of my favourite restaurants here in Brunei I thought I would blog about it.

Seri Damai (which I think means Peaceful Place in Malay, but correct me if I am wrong) is located in Kuilap. A smallish restaurant at the end of a row of shop houses that looks no different from many Malay restaurants in Brunei.

Seri Damai in Kuilap

Since we last visited they have done up the menu and changed some staff. The menu is good – a fine selection of various traditional Pakistani dishes but not so extensive that you get lost in the choice.

Authentic Pakistani Cuisine (in the Abode of Peace)

A fine selection to choose from

Plain Lassi

Their plain lassi is a must for a beverage to accompany your curry. There are flavoured ones but I usually opt for the plain one (which can be taken sweet or salty).

Today we ordered; chicken ginger, aloo gohbi, beef sheek kebabs, roghni naan and tandoori roti. All orders arrive with a small side dish of raita (yoghurt chutney) and chaana masala (chickpeas in gravey).

The food took about 15 – 20 minutes to arrive (exactly as stated on the menu!).

The freshly cooked bread is always excellent here. The chicken has such a rich flavour and the yoghurt base for the sauce compliments the fiery spices used with the ginger. There were a generous number of thin chicken strips and the coriander finished the dish off nicely – as it does in most Pakistani dishes.

Chicken Ginger and Aloo Gobi

We enjoy aloo gobi when we eat out as it is not something we cook at home. The sweetness of the cauliflower makes it an excellent side vegetable dish.

Beef Sheek Kebabs

The beef kebabs were cooked well too. Although they were nicely spiced they could have had a few more finely chopped green chillies added. They work well as left overs too, heated up in a panini press!

Freshly (and perfectly) cooked

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal in the simplistic décor of the restaurant with posters of a few famous Pakistani landmarks scattered around the walls.  We must make more of an effort to head there for a meal more often! I would recommend paying a visit to Seri Damai if you are looking for a different type of curry than the usual Indian based ones offered here at places such as Le Taj, Sagar or Tandori.com.

Delicious!

So, do you like Pakistani food? Where’s your favourite restaurant? Have you been to Seri Damai? If you live in Brunei, where do you like to go for a curry? Let me know your thoughts!

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