Tag: Country

Been There Ornament – Malaysia

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Strangely enough, Been There Ornament Malaysia was released later than ornaments for some of its cities.

Malaysia’s history is shaped by ancient Malay kingdoms, centuries of maritime trade, and waves of cultural influence from China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Over time, these interactions formed a vibrant nation where diverse traditions coexist naturally. From the early sultanates to British rule and finally independence in 1957, Malaysia has grown into a country celebrated for harmony, cultural pride, and rapid modern development.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Brunei

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I was lucky to receive the Been There Ornament – Brunei recently. It resembles the design of the full-size mug that we’ve reviewed recently.

Brunei, officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, has a history deeply rooted in Malay culture and Islamic traditions. The earliest records of Brunei date back to the 7th century, when it was part of the Srivijaya Empire and later came under the influence of the Majapahit Empire. By the 15th century, Brunei had become a powerful Islamic sultanate under Sultan Bolkiah, extending its influence over much of Borneo and the southern Philippines.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Cambodia

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Let’s continue our journey through Southeast Asia by reviewing this beautiful Been There Ornament Cambodia. Similar to some other ornaments from this region, it comes in a set with another city mini mug. You can see the photo of the box below.

Here are a few of the symbols I spotted in the design of the ornament:

– Angkor Wat stands as Cambodia’s greatest symbol and the world’s largest religious monument, representing the height of Khmer architectural mastery. Built in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II, it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a revered Buddhist temple.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Laos

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Been There Ornament – Laos is the release for the landlocked nation in Southeast Asia with a history that weaves together ancient kingdoms, colonial influences, and modern resilience. Once known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang, or the “Land of a Million Elephants,” Laos was founded in the 14th century and flourished as a center of trade and Buddhism. It later fell under French colonial rule in the late 19th century before gaining full independence in 1953. Today, Laos continues to embrace its cultural traditions while steadily growing as a peaceful and welcoming destination.… Read more

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Been There – Malaysia

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Starbucks Been There Malaysia is a mug for a country whose history is shaped by the meeting of diverse cultures, kingdoms, and colonial influences. From the ancient Malacca Sultanate, which was a major trading hub, to periods of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, the region has long been a crossroads of commerce and culture. The country gained independence in 1957, forming the Federation of Malaya, which later expanded into modern-day Malaysia in 1963. This rich history continues to influence its identity, blending tradition with progress.… Read more

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You Are Here – Italia

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Thanks to a blog reader, I was finally able to acquire good photos of the newly released You Are Here Italia mug. It is essentially an exact copy of the mug released seven years ago, with the only difference being the use of the country’s name in Italian: Italia instead of Italy.

I didn’t do the full review of the mug back in 2018, so let’s do it now.

– The Colosseum in Rome is one of the most iconic landmarks of Italy and a symbol of its ancient history.… Read more

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Been There – Brunei

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Starbucks Been There – Brunei is a mug for a small yet wealthy nation on the island of Borneo, which has a history deeply tied to its monarchy and Islamic heritage. Known officially as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, it has long been a hub for trade and Islamic culture in Southeast Asia. Today, Brunei is celebrated not only for its oil wealth but also for its cultural traditions, natural wonders, and grand architecture that highlight its unique identity.… Read more

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Been There – Ecuador

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Been There Ecuador is a mug released for the opening of the first Starbucks store in Ecuador, which opened at Scala Mall in Quito in August 2024. The historic launch marked Starbucks’ 1,700th store in Latin America and the Caribbean and represented the coffee giant’s entry into its 25th market in the region. The company partnered with Delonorte S.A. for the opening, with plans for four more stores across Ecuador’s capital city by the end of 2025.

Ecuador’s history spans from ancient indigenous civilizations to modern independence, with the Inca Empire expanding into the region before Spanish colonization began in 1534.… Read more

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Relief – Philippines Bronze

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A reader contacted me to share that, surprisingly, Starbucks has released an updated version of a mug from a long-discontinued series. After doing a bit of research, I realized that not only am I missing this mug here, but there is also another version I overlooked – see this post.

As you can see, the design matches the two other versions (Red and Gold), except for the colours. The easiest way to tell the Bronze and Gold apart is the colour of the shells on the back of the mug: green shells for the 2025 (Bronze) mug and red shells for the 2020 (Gold) mug.… Read more

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Relief – Philippines Gold

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Looks like I missed adding this one to the site. Relief – Philippines Gold is a copy of the Philippines Red mug, but has a different colour scheme.

Here are the symbols and points of interest of Philippines that made it to the design of this mug:

– Tubbataha Reef is one of the world’s most spectacular marine sanctuaries. Located in the Sulu Sea, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with diverse marine life, including over 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral.… Read more

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