World Cultures: Brunei

Showing posts with label Brunei. Show all posts

Kampung Ayer in Brunei

<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyBVfhjt-zhsnHhT_zThZb6-r64EGRboMRY1wXeGVp3uBvYvPUysPfa9Cbl1zZpEQljClt8aEsFqwFLGzjxuFycPzM9hu38B-RKbFV_TbBE2yMPtlLV15Fa7isqgzJJ3keX6AE21bNnk/s1600/kampungayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyBVfhjt-zhsnHhT_zThZb6-r64EGRboMRY1wXeGVp3uBvYvPUysPfa9Cbl1zZpEQljClt8aEsFqwFLGzjxuFycPzM9hu38B-RKbFV_TbBE2yMPtlLV15Fa7isqgzJJ3keX6AE21bNnk/s200/kampungayer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Water Village is really made up of small villages linked together by more than 29,140 meters of foot-bridges, consisting of over 4200 structures including homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a hospital. 36 kilometers of boardwalks connect the buildings. <a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/kampung-ayer-in-brunei.html" target="_blank">Private water taxis provide rapid transit. Most of these taxis resemble long wooden speed boats.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From a distance the water village looks like a slum. It actually enjoys modern amenities including air conditioning, satellite television, Internet access, plumbing, and electricity. Some of the residents keep potted plants and chickens. The district has a unique architectural heritage of wooden homes with ornate interiors. The villages in Water Village are Mukim Sungai Kedayan including Bukit Salat, Sumbiling Lama, Sungai Kedayan, Sungai Kedayan, Ujong Tanjong and Kuala Peminyak; Mukim Tamoi including Tamoi Ujong, Tamoi Tengah, Pengiran Kerma Indera Lama, Pengiran Tajuddin Hitam, Ujong Bukit/Limbongan, Pengiran Bendahara Lama; Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer including Burong Pingai Ayer, Lurong Dalam, Pandai Besi, Pandai Besi, Sungai Pandan, Sungai Pandan, and Pengiran Setia Negara, Pekan Lama; Mukim Peramu including Peramu, Pekilong Muara, Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda, Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda, Bakut Berumput and Lurong Sikuna; Mukim Saba including Saba Tengah, Saba Ujong, Saba Laut, Saba Darat and Saba Darat. Mukim Sungai Kebun including Setia, Sungai Siamas/Ujong Klinik, Setia Sungai Kebun, and Bolkiah.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People have lived in Kampong Ayer for over 1300 years. Antonio Pigafetta dubbed it the "Venice of the East" when the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan visited in 1521.The district is a culturally important part of Brunei that preserves the nation's river dwelling origins. According to geography professor Abdul Aziz of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam, this is the largest and most famous water settlement of Southeast Asia. "It was historically the very core of Brunei and one of the most important centres of trade in Borneo.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In order to preserve Kampong Ayer as Brunei Darussalam's most valuable heritage, the Government through the District Office has provided it with numerous facilities including foot-bridges, concrete jetties, piped water, electricity supplies telephones, a school, mosques, clinics, a police station and a marine fire station. All of the six water village mukims (districts) are collectively known as the water village (Kampong Ayer) but are identified as separate mukims for administrative purposes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Visitors can have a personal experience of this heritage by taking one of the many water taxis that ply daily between the water taxi jetty in front of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in the centre of town and the water village it self.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/p/brunei.html" target="_blank">Visit to Brunei Culture</a></div>
</span>

Kampung Ayer in Brunei

The Water Village is really made up of small villages linked together by more than 29,140 meters of foot-bridges, consisting of over 4200...

01:39

Ulu Temburong National Park

<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPOhmyqp75unVMEWHadumokZ4QGriBj9sj7_JMXG0dOTh5JIoYyURMQpLoiqk-lIvR_NYvYQzZPeefqcfBINWcylBSkjZy9pSQd2kgKfOZ9Ys70n8EaQY1dUkfD3Rm0O9_g6F4S64Jlw/s200/istananuruliman.jpg" style="text-align: justify;" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It is the first national park in Brunei that is protected since 1991. There many adventures you can do in the area including the most exciting activity on the Canopy Walkway where you can see the green forest from over 60 meters above the ridge of the mountain. </span><a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/ulu-temburong-national-park.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">This walkway, built with steel towers supporting the cable way.</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Flora</span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vegetation in the reserve is in the form of tropical low forests with the Shorea, Dryobalanops and Dipterocarpus genera as the dominant species of plants. The primary lowland and upland forests are Dipterocarp forests, while the lowland montane forests are largely in the southern part. Mangroves are seen in the coastal areas. Rattan species are also common at the ground level of the forests. Other common varieties noted in the forest are gingers, begonias, gesneriads, aroids, Ixorablooms. Along the river courses, the plants species noted are palms, ferns, mosses and lichens. Fruiting figs and geocarpicfigs on which birds feed are also extensive.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">Fauna</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fauna include mammals, reptiles, butterflies and insects and birds. The most popular, totally arboreal faunal species, is Müller's Bornean gibbon which is grey-brown in colour and is without tail. Its habitat is mostly the forest canopy and is occasionally seen at mid-canopy level. Squirrels, in particular the tiny plain pygmy squirrel near human habitations, and black spotted rock frog (Staurois natator) are also reported from the park. Orchids and snakes, particularly the coloured Wagler's pit viper, reside on tree tops.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The bushy-crested hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), broadbills, black-and-yellow broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus), and swiftlets are notable birds in the park.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are four hundred species of butterfly, some quite rare, and the most famous is the Rajah Brooke's birdwing which is given the name "white rajah" honouring James Brooke. The area was under his private authority as part of Sarawak during the colonial era; the male species have jet black wing colour and emerald green banding. Another variety of butterfly is the tree nymph (Idea stolli), which is a white and black spotted species. Other species of insects found are centipedes, giant forest ant (Camponotus gigas), lantern bugs and termites.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">Conservation</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The park is under the control of the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. Offices of the National Park Headquarters are located near the confluence of Sungei Belalong with Temburong river. A research station was established and studies conducted on the forest ecology in the central Belalong area during the 1991-92 which proved the importance of wildlife and forest species in this park. The park is part of the Heart of Borneo international conservation agreement.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/kampung-ayer-in-brunei.html" target="_blank">visit to Kampung Ayer in Brunei</a></div>
</span>

Ulu Temburong National Park

It is the first national park in Brunei that is protected since 1991. There many adventures you can do in the area including the most ex...

01:30

Places in Brunei Darussalam

<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<img height="119" src="https://aisyahmd36.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/e2.jpg?w=300&h=178" width="200" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: blue;"><b>Istana Nurul Iman</b></span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This palace is the largest palace in the world still inhabited Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his family. It is said that the palace is worth about 600 billion dollars and has an area of approximately 200.000m2 It has 1,778 rooms, 257 bathrooms, 5 swimming pools, 110-car garage, 400 hall to guests, 18 lifts and a mosque. Unfortunately the palace is only 'open' when Eid al-Fitr, when the people of Brunei are given the opportunity for a social time with Sultan and the Sultan's family. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">2.    Masjid Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien:</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The mosque, which was completed in 1958 was named after Sultan Omar Ali Saiffuddien is one that is quite proud mosque in Southeast Asia. Name mosque adapted from the name of the Sultan of Brunei to-28, known as the Father of Modernisation of Brunei. This mosque architecture combines Mughal architecture with Italian style. The building was designed by the architectural bureau Booty and Edwards Chartered based design work of architect Italy Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli, who has long worked in the Gulf of Siam. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The mosque is built on an artificial lagoon or swimming on the river bank Brunei Kampong Ayer, "village located on the water". This mosque has a marble tower with a golden dome, equipped with picturesque gardens and fountains. Beautiful garden surrounding the mosque symbolizes the heavenly garden in the Islamic faith. A bridge stretches across the middle of the lagoon to Kampong Ayer in the middle of the river. An other marble bridge leading to the building is a replica boat Mahligai the Kingdom of Sultan Bolkiah who ruled in the 16th century.The building was constructed to commemorate 1,400 years of Nuzul Al-Quran, and enlivened completed in 1967 and used as a stage Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (Koran recitation contest) in Brunei. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/places-in-brunei-darussalam.html" target="_blank">The most amazing characteristic of this mosque is pure gold plated dome</a>. This mosque towering as high as 52 meters (171 feet) and can be seen from every corner of the city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Minarets is the highest part of this mosque. This mosque is uniquely combines elements of Italian Renaissance architecture with a nuance that is worth Islami. Inside the mosque there is an elevator in the tower where visitors can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city from a height.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">3.   Building Royal Regalia</span></u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Royal Regalia Building was made in 1992 to commemorate the great celebration of the appointment of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of being a leader of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. Inside the building are also a museum there are various royal collections, such as the crown and the royal robes and oversized clothes are used when awarding the Sultan</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">4.     Jami Asr Hassanil Bolkiah:</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mosque located in Kampong Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan was initiated by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1988 and officially opened on July 14, 1994 to coincide with the birthday of Sultan 48th. The opening of the mosque begins with Maghrib and Isha prayers in congregation. The mosque has 29 domes made of pure 24 carat gold. The building is located in the middle of this beautiful garden has an area of almost 2 hectares more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall mosque area was fenced with iron grilles with a length of approximately 1,082 km.There are five entrances to this location, in addition to two special entrance for the royal family and state guests. The mosque has four towers, each 189 feet high. There are about 297 stairs on each tower. Through this tower, visitors can see the sights around the mosque and also a view of Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u>5. Ulu Temburong National Park:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This national park is located in the Stone Forest Apoi reserve and is located at the confluence of the Temburong and Belalong. Covering an area of 50,000 hectares, only 100 hectares designated as visit the park, so the park is a safe haven for flora and fauna. No human encroachment or modern in this area, except for center field research. The biodiversity of this area is one of the best in the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">6. foundations mall Brunei:</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yayasan Shopping Complex, one of the old Brunei mall in the capital is a good stopover for tourists</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u>7. Tasek Lama Recreational Park:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tasek Lama Recreational Park is also one of the landmarks that the kingdom of Brunei best offer. It has a trail leading to the natural waterfalls and lakes. This place is actually a water reservoir that supplies half of the country and you can see it by going to the top of the hill.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tempan Lodging:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u>1. Orchid Garden Bandar Seri Begawan:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a great old hotel with lots of character. Only 10 minutes from the airport. Located in a quiet corner near the city sports complex and housing and away from tourist attractions. The hotel itself is nice, clean and the staff were all attentive, spoke good English. It makes you feel comfortable. The room size is large enough for you to move with all facilities provided. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">2. Orchid Garden Bandar Seri Begawan</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Located about 2 km from the city center and if the taxi ride appreciated dg cheap or you can use the free bicycles homestay offers all day for sightseeing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: blue;">3. Botanic Garden Homestay</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Jakarta, Indonesia:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Embassy of Brunei Darussalam </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pensions GKBI, Suite 1901 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jl. Gen. Sudirman Kav. 28 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jakarta 10210</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/ulu-temburong-national-park.html" target="_blank">Visit to National Park Brunei</a></div>
</span>

Places in Brunei Darussalam

Istana Nurul Iman This palace is the largest palace in the world still inhabited Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his family. It is said...

01:23

Selirong Island Mangrove

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBbwIXOxQ7gFqF1V-rwOq_Cd-2bktXF3ZuEQl87byiFusTyjI1JgGtA9epnbkRf62wm7NkUl98LN5bgEFe_l_uss5VBnXS67SrsSdp6tb1QWGoo2Hp3RI5hx8-Yag3y7jfl5HqD6Q7wo/s1600/4590__1429162678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBbwIXOxQ7gFqF1V-rwOq_Cd-2bktXF3ZuEQl87byiFusTyjI1JgGtA9epnbkRf62wm7NkUl98LN5bgEFe_l_uss5VBnXS67SrsSdp6tb1QWGoo2Hp3RI5hx8-Yag3y7jfl5HqD6Q7wo/s200/4590__1429162678.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SCATTERED within the vicinity of the Brunei bay and well-known among the locals, there exists several small uninhibited forest-covered islands. Some of these islands are Pulau Baru-Baru, Pulau Berbunut and Pulau Kaingaran, to name just a few. <a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/selirong-island-mangrove.html" target="_blank">These islands, mostly known to travellers along the Brunei River, are particularly very popular among local fishermen</a>. Another island in this bay, attached to the northern-most tip of Brunei’s second largest district of Temburong, is the uninhibited Selirong Island or the Selirong Forest Recreation Park. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is one of Brunei’s conservation forests, famous for its elevated concrete walkways cutting through the forest, enabling visitors to walk and enjoy the gorgeous nature. Precisely 11 kilometres from the end-most-tip of the Serasa beach in Muara and roughly 23 kilometres from the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan, this conservation forest can only be reached by boat. It usually takes 45 minutes by boat from Bandar Seri Begawan along the historical Brunei River. Home to some of the largest mangroves in the Sultanate, the island is manned by personnel from the Forestry Department and the Police Reserve Unit stationed at the modern post, located at the mouth of one of the many winding rivers. While at this post, visitors can get almost all the information they need about the island.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the other hand, to anyone planning to visit the island without any tour operator, a permission letter has to be forwarded to the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. With a size of around 2,566 hectares and covered largely by unspoilt mangrove forest, mainly by the Rhizophora species, the Selirong Conservation Forest is truly one of the most unique forests in Brunei. It has proved to be extremely useful for students, scientists as well as tourists from inside and outside the country.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The mangrove from the Rhizophora species, known to the locals as Bakau Minyak due to its oily-looking bark, with roots providing an oyster habitat and slow water flow, is reputedly to be the largest in the region. Over here, one can continuously hear the sounds of a species of primates known as the Macaques, chirps of various types of birds and also encounter several species of mangrove snakes. Here visitors are enraptured by the glimpse of the captivating sights while enjoying sounds and smells of the pristine mangrove forest. While the trees are inhabited by primates, snakes and birds, the deep channels on the other hand, are home to varieties of fish, crabs, shrimps and prawns including cockles (an edible albeit rather small saltwater clam) and also one type of arthropod called barnacles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is also quite common to see the amphibious fish of mud skippers (which seems to be rather large than usual), monitor lizards and crabs. To those who are lucky enough, they will be able to spot the arboreal gliding mammals called Colugo, which are found only in Southeast Asia. Those who are planning to visit the island, should be well prepared and equipped with not only cameras and binoculars, but also, most importantly, with lots of water. Humidity is very high so one will be constantly sweating. Other basic preparations include an insect repellent and shoes or sandals with good grip as the concaved-surface concrete plank wood can be quite slippery. Walking along the concrete plank bridges, which have platforms with benches and tables all made of concrete, and the observation towers, makes for a unique visit. Selirong Island is quite an ideal place for birdwatchers – provided they protect themselves well from the mosquitoes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">visit to <a href="http://nazaraculture.blogspot.com/2016/01/places-in-brunei-darussalam.html" target="_blank">Brunei Darussalam</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>

Selirong Island Mangrove

SCATTERED within the vicinity of the Brunei bay and well-known among the locals, there exists several small uninhibited forest-covered isl...

14:59