Volume 13 (Jun' 10 - Aug '10) – Newest issue
INSIDE:
IKAN KELI- AN UNDERRATED SUPER FOOD
Ikan Keli, or Clarias gariepinus; but more commonly, most of us know it as the catfish. The hobby fishermen amongst us catch a fair amount of this fish but most do not think much about it and often give it away because it does not really have the best of taste as far as fish meat goes.
Little do we know that the catfish is one of the most nutritionally complete foods we could put on the table. Its benefits for health range far and wide, including:
- Having high concentrations of Omega 3 fatty acids. A good fat that reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease. Normally, Omega 3 fat is found in walnuts, marine plankton and fish with high fat content.
- Stabilising irregularities in heartbeat.
- Reducing the chances of arterial blood clots and strokes.
- Reducing cholesterol levels.
- Improving neurological health.
So, it is quite a loss for those of us who have yet to develop a taste for catfish. Beyond lowering risk of cholesterol, heart and neurological disease, the fatty acids in Ikan Keli is great for brain development and growth in children because of high concentrations of something called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. DHA is one particular type of fatty acid specific for brain function.
UNCOMPROMISING IN STANDARD OF SAFETY & QUALITY SERVICES
General Aviation (GA) flying activities in Sarawak is synonym to Hornbill Skyways. People from all walks of life are very much in tune to its existence and activities. The Flying Doctor Services (FDS) for instance is the heart and soul of those in the far reaches, and Hornbill Skyways has been with them for more than 23 years. It is a dedicated obligation in helping out the Ministry of Health’s aspiration to provide basic health need to the remotest parts of Sarawak.
Established in 1977 as a private entity, Hornbill Skyways started-off with a humble beginning, operating just one unit fixed-wing Cessna 421 and two units of Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopters.
The main objective for the setting up of Hornbill Skyways was to enhance business opportunity in air services which was very much sought after as an alternative to the massive riverine transportation at that time. It was more on operating rural areas, providing services to the scattered remote settlements throughout the vast Sarawak state. It served its first government contract on FDS a year later, in 1978.
In 1985, Hornbill Skyways was taken over by Sarawak State Government through shares acquisition by Yayasan Sarawak and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). Ever since, Hornbill Skyways has developed its strength in all aspects. Upgrading services and image building drive were on the agenda and Company’s physical outlooks have strengthened ever since.
KITCHEN METAMORPHOSIS
It’s been five years since ID Online made its presence on the interior design scene in Kuching.
Specialising in kitchen and wardrobe design, the company has perfected the eye for style and cleverly combines modern concepts and durable materials with the client’s own style and preference.
“A kitchen is one of the most essential ingredients of a house and plays a main role as the hub of activity,” says ID Online director Ian Vong.
The processes that occur in a kitchen, such as food preparation and cooking, while emphasising on comfort, ease of use and functionality, all factor into the design of a kitchen.
However, as metamorphosis has always been a major trend in kitchens, Vong incorporates a modular kitchen system, which is designed to suit the individual taste and preference as well as maximising the available space in any home.
TREADING ON CLOUDS
There is something about that first step into a hotel, restaurant or a home. Believe it or not, that casual plunge into the ground would permanently be encoded in the first impression of the place. And what better way is to have your whole weight supported by the solid yet soft carpet that is rustling underneath your feet.
Most people would assume that the comfort of a carpet lies in the material itself. Some would even think that the best carpet is judged in the cash value of the item. However, the real secret that makes a carpet feels that good when it is being treaded upon lies in the layer underneath the carpet - Eza® Superlay.
The Eza® Superlay is positioned between the floor and the carpet, providing a layer of support for the carpet. As the carpet is constantly exposed to pressure and weight, this piece of underlay acts as the ultimate pillow and sustain the weight. Without a high quality underlay, the life of the carpet would be more prone to wear and tear, and thus greatly shorten its life.
LAND BEYOND THE CLOUDS
Barely half an hour into the flight, a thick cushion of cloud envelopes the little plane and you begin to feel like you are floating on a magic carpet. Strangely, there is little turbulence on this particular trip. The gentle rocking of the plane puts you in a dreamy trance. It is a comfortable feeling, almost womb-like.
Then, quite unexpectedly, the cloud opens up like a curtain and there before you is a vast splash of green. You take a closer look and as the plane makes its descent, you begin to see buildings. Some are concrete and modern-looking, like the airport and the school; but most are quaint village dwellings, longhouses, farm sheds. Mainly, you see farms, wet paddy fields and little roads snaking around this hidden enclave. Most impressive of all, all of this is surrounded by mountains and hills as far as the eye can see. It looks like a secret land protected by a circle of giants and the moment you lay eyes on it, you feel the magic. You have arrived in Bario, a flatland 1,000 feet above sea level, the heartland of the Kelabit people and the last frontier of wilderness in a Sarawak headed for modernisation on the fast lane.
