Saturday, September 29, 2007

Donnavventura's cultural snapshots

Joining the local community in a dance
Benedetta Delogu posing with Kampong Ayer as the backdrop

Walking on a jetty at the Water Village

Group photo at Goh Hock Kee Motors showroom

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Azrol Azmi and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.

By Lyna Mohamad

As part of their Asian tour, the Donnavventura visit to the Sultanate to promote "Brunei Eco-tourism" to television viewers in Italy not only provided them with an informative adventure and a taste of the local culture but also fond memories during their brief but busy trip.

The team arrived last Monday to a warm welcome at the Sg Tujoh Control Post and toured numerous places of interest to learn about the culture and people of different ethnic groups.

The team made quick stops at the Billionth Barrel Monument and Tasek Merimbun, the largest lake in the country, and met with the Dusun community there.

Among the landmarks they saw in the capital were Masjid Jame Asr' Hassanil Bolkiah in Kiulap, Kampong Ayer, Istana Nurul Iman and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

They continued their adventure in Temburong District for a visit to Batang Duri and a longhouse as well as a "Temuai" ride down the river to Ulu Temburong National Park where they spent the night in a chalet.

The six Italian adventurers, Silvia Spalvieri, Elena Papuzzo, Stefani Donati, Chiara Babilani, Elisa Grazzini and Benedetta Delogu will share their experiences on Brunei's culture and traditions, particularly the MIB philosophy, with viewers of the highly-rated Italian television series "Donnavventura".

Joint organisers, Brunei Tourism Board and Goh Hock Kee Motors, have done a great job in making the Donnavventura visit run smoothly and showed how the government can cooperate with the private sector in promoting Brunei to the world.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend

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