Bukit Patoi Recreation Park is one of Brunei attraction

Bukit Patoi Recreation Park is one of Brunei Darussalam attraction that located within the Peradayan Forest Reserve, Temburong. 

The Bukit Patoi Recreation Park has many unusual cave and rock formations, and also home to a variety of readily seen wildlife such as Borneo’s native kijang (deer).

The high of Bukit Patoi is the 1.6 km from the land level and 310m (950ft) above sea level. 

We can see many unique natures like Batu Berdinding, Batu Tergengam and so on. It's takes around 2 hours to reach the Bukit Patoi's summit.  

 

Batu Berdinding Bukit patoi

Batu Tergengam Bukit Patoi

Bukit Patoi Recreation Park One of Temburong attraction

http://ayangphotography.blogspot.com/2012/07/bukit-patoi-recreational-park.html

Brunei Holidays : Jong Batu Brunei

Brunei Holidays - Tourist attractions in Brunei, Brunei has many legends, one of them is the 'Jong Batu'. It was said that Jong Batu is actually a sinking ship of  Nakhoda Manis, a son who has betrayed his own mother. He ordered his crew to push his mother small boat away because he was embarassed that his wife was disgusted with his poor mother. His mother was then heartbroken and she cursed his son, a storm then came and capasized the ship, it sank and everything including the people inside the ship turned to rock.

Jong Batu is located at the Brunei River, on the east side of Istana Nurul Iman. The rock outcroping is a shape of a sinking ship and the size is about 20m long and 15m wide at its widest point. The journey to Jong Batu is about 15minutes by boat from the Kampung Ayer.

source :

http://bruneiinformation.blogspot.com/

Nahkoda Manis Tales From Brunei

Once upon a time there was a widow, Dang Ambon, who lived with her only son in Kampong Ayer Brunei. They lived a comfortable life but were certainly not rich. She loved her son Manis so very much. As a boy she used to sing this lullaby to him: 

Manis, Manis, 
My sweet natured boy! 
Manis, Manis, 
Devoted and kind, 
Manis, Manis, 
Truly a mother’s pride! 

When he was older Manis wanted to travel. He wanted to become rich. As a loving mother Dang Ambon knew she would miss him terribly. But because her love was so strong she allowed him to go. She wanted him to be the happiest he could possibly be. 

For a long time there was no news from Manis. To console herself in her loneliness Dang Ambon sang her song everyday:

Manis, Manis, 
My sweet natured boy! 
Manis, Manis, 
Devoted and kind, 
Manis, Manis, 
Truly a mother’s pride!

Many years passed and there was still no news from Manis. Dang Ambon kept herself busy by helping the poor. She gave whatever she could until the day she herself became poor. Despite her now sad situation she still sang everyday:

Manis, Manis, 
My sweet natured boy! 
Manis, Manis, 
Devoted and kind, 
Manis, Manis, 
Truly a mother’s pride!

One day a large trading ship docked at Kampong Ayer. There was a rumour that the owner of the ship was Manis! He was already called Nakhoda Manis for being the rich captain of the ship. Excitedly Dang Ambon paddled her small boat in the direction of the big ship. She was to be reunited with her beloved Manis! In anticipation she sang:

Manis, Manis, 
My sweet natured boy! 
Manis, Manis, 
Devoted and kind, 
Manis, Manis, 
Truly a mother’s pride!

Nakhoda Manis was proud and he was indeed rich. When he saw his mother he was ashamed of her and turned away claiming not to know this poor old woman. Dang Ambon was heartbroken. In her despair she cursed the ship full of riches – riches that had taken her son’s love away from her.
She would never sing her song again…
Suddenly, lighting flashed and there was a heavy storm. Rain, thunder and lightning!!!
When the storm cleared, her son’s ship was gone and in its place was a huge rock in the sea.
Today this rock is known as Jong Batu.

source :

http://asianfolktales.unescoapceiu.org/folktales/read/brunei_1.htm

Jong Batu Nakhoda Manis Kampong Ayer

Last week I took a boat ride, when we came across an oddly shaped rock, at a glance it shows nothing more than a large rock, but viewed an angle the rock reveals itself to resemble a capsized ship.

When ask about this,the boat driver, he said there a story that goes way back,,,,way way way back

The story goes there was a young man named by Nakhoda manis who lived with his wealthy widowed mother,Dang Ambon in Kampong Ayer ,disputed being wealthy Nakhoda manis grew restles.He longed for adventure so being a young man he decided to travel to seek opportunities, The mother like any other mother was sad to see him go as he was the only son she had,Dang Ambon pleaded his son not to see the world and leave her all alone, but Nakhoda Manis promise her to return soon.

Year pass with no sight of Nakhoda Manis.Dang Ambon Had spent all her wealth on charity in return

For prayers of his safe returned,

Than one day news came that Nakhoda Manis had returned, he had prospered through his journey and had a beautiful wife which he was so excited to introduce to his mother, which he missed so much

Dang Ambon in her old and worn out boat, eagerly row towards Nakhoda Manis ship, only to be dismissed by her new daughter in law who thought she was a filthy beggar wanting money

Nakhoda Manis recognized his mother but was embarrassed by the looks of her appearance,

Denied her and asked his crew to push the old lady

Dang Ambon was so heartbroken and insulted; with this she cursed her son, as the saying goes

Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned and at once the clouds gathered on what was sunny day and a great thunderstorm broke loose.

A massive bolt of light struck Nakhoda Manis ship causing it to capsize. After the storm subsided,

The villages of kampong Ayer was surprise and shocked to see that the ship had morphed into a giant rock, which is now known as Jong Batu..There u go on the story of Jong Batu...

http://kaporsirih.blogspot.com/2011/12/jong-batu-kampong-ayer.html

Brunei Holidays : Tamu Kianggeh Brunei Open Market

share Brunei Holidays - Tourist attractions in Brunei Darussalam, 

Lets Hunting at Tamu Kianggeh, Brunei open Market

source :
http://ahsahj.blogspot.com/2012/06/tamu-kianggeh-kianggeh-open-market.html

Wedding Etiquette in Brunei Darussalam

About Living in Brunei Darussalam, How much is in your ENVELOPE? Do you know how much you're supposed to put in?

After the guests duly settle down and sit, the family of the bride and groom will come around to greet and shake the hand of every single guest in the congregation. This is called bejarah. During this session, not so subtly, envelopes are slipped in.

It is an unspoken rule for every single person who is already working and earning money that you need to prepare an envelope containing a certain amount of money when attending a wedding. It's like a "sedekah" and so there's really no set amount you need to put in. Furthermore, no one ever talks about how much they put into envelopes cause well, that will pretty much seem like you're showing off of how charitable you are. Haha.

However, I've come to find out that most brides and grooms actually use this money to pay off the caterer, which is usually the most expensive part of a wedding. So I've come to use this as a basis of how much I contribute to the newlyweds.

1. Venue of the wedding. Is it a hotel? Is it at home? Is it in a hall? For hotel weddings, menus start at $20 up to $70 per person. Hall weddings generally use outside caterers which are generally quite cheap, but they spend more on rental. So it can range from $15 to $50 per person. Home weddings are cheaper, starting from $5 to $20 per person.

2. Menu: Is it a simple nasi lemak breakfast? Could it be a 5 dish lunch? Is it a full 8 course Chinese style dinner? Take this into account when deciding how much u put in.

3. How much did they or their parents gave on your wedding? When a very close friend got married I was tasked to note down in a book how much each person gave. I asked her father what it was for and apparently its so that they can give back the same amount during weddings of their daughters and sons. It's a good idea to note down how much everyone gave so that u also know how much to give. :)

4. How close are u to the newlyweds? Generally when you are close to the newlyweds, you give more (although I generally don't go to weddings of people I'm not close to!). This one I suppose is a matter of how deep are your pockets :)

That said, most people would agree that BND$10 is the bare minimum. :) (Unless of course, it's a Chinese wedding then the bare minimum is BND$50 hehe but that's another article altogether!)

There are some rules of etiquette regarding the said envelope:

1. Write your name on the envelope. I know this may sound showy but it is considered poor etiquette if u don't. After all, only u and the newlyweds will know of the amount u gave.
2. Always give it to the head of the bejarah congregation
3. Before giving, fold envelope into palm size
4. You do not simply give it, you subtly slide it into the other person's hand when they touch yours

Hope this is helpful! :)

Source :
http://bruneiweddings.blogspot.com/2012/05/wedding-etiquette-how-much-should-u.html
and Pictures :
http://stoney-mylifemyworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/hari-persandingan-nina-hazren-on.html

Brunei Holidays : Brunei Offer The Eid Tour Package

Brunei Holidays, Are planning a tour the day of Eid this year? A regular tour packages offered Brunei Darussalam may be a consideration.
Every celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a travel agency will offer a meal plan with Hasanal Sultan Bolkiah. Apparently, a lot of tourists from Indonesia who had been interested in it. They want to meet and shake hands with the Sultan of Brunei.
"Many people who come to Brunei Indonesia as Idul Fitri to meet the Sultan. Every Lebaran, Sultan held as an open house for 3 days specifically so that people can stay in touch with the Sultan," said the Royal Brunei Country Manager Indonesia, Balachandran on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum ( ATF) TRAVEX, in Manado, recently. He was present at the ATF TRAVEX as buyer (the buyer) in the event of the tourism market.
According to him, anyone can come to the open house event, not only the local community, but also foreign tourists. In fact, travel packages on offer include a banquet in the form of a buffet at the residence of the Sultan. "I'll come straight to shake hands with the Sultan and the family," he said.
He said the security procedures of course still there when the first open house. However, he added, the event does not even seem familiar too bureaucratic.
In addition to tours during Eid in Brunei, Brunei tours package are also offered in the form of nature tourism that is visiting the Brunei forest. Balachandran said that although Indonesia also has a forest, there is a difference with the forest in Brunei.
"In Brunei there is no logging. We also no palm oil," he said with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Ak Zulkhairi Pg Abdul Razak of Brunei Tourism said that Brunei offers eco-tourism to the tourist center of the world. In addition to a walk in the beauty of the forest, there is a resort located amidst the trees.
"Indonesia does have forests. But we had jammed," said Zulkhairi.
He said that Brunei is a small country with a small population. So it is very easy to travel in the city center, then continue into the forest.

source :
http://travel.kompas.com/read/2012/01/25/22144994/Brunei.Tawarkan.Paket.Wisata.Idul.Fitri

Brunei Browse Through Photos

For a traveler, to capture every moment of the trip is a must. Not only as a memento, the image can also be used as a means to get to know more attraction. During their stay in Brunei Darussalam I take a lot of pictures of this country. For me, every picture I take is a reflection of the journey of life that will never be forgotten.

Tourist attractions in Brunei, This small country has a lot of beaches, such as the beach Muara, Jerudong beach, Kuala Belait beach, and so forth. The beach at the sunset photo I took when traveled to Jerudong beach with friends. Besides the beach, there are also Jerudong Park Brunei which offers a lot of games. Photo thereunder monument called Tugu souvenir memories. This monument is located in Kuala Belait, not far from Bandaran Kuala Belait. Brunei also has a tourist park named Tasek Lama Park is located in Bandar Seri Begawan. The park is well suited as a place for recreation as well as exercise. In which there is a waterfall surrounded by lush trees. In Seria area, there is a kind of park where smart named OGDC (Oil and Petroleum Discovery Centre). OGDC is a form of commitment of Brunei Shell petroleum company in Brunei to promote public education.

Public facilities built by the Sultan of Brunei for the purpose of convenience of the citizens. Public telephone look so manicured and everyone is free to use. While public toilets or in the Brunei Malay language called 'ordinary said' very clean and comfortable. Bus stops are also quite widely spread on the edge of the road. Continuously developed infrastructure, it is visible from the main roads are perfectly paved and free of traffic jams.

These are not state of Brunei Darussalam or LCCT Malaysia Soekarno Hatta. But the services and facilities in it quite satisfactory. Photos I took this bus at the bus terminal while waiting for the bus to Seria Bandar Seri Begawan. Although including a small terminal with a bus route a little, but this terminal serves a trip to Pontianak Indonesia through a price B $ 80 (Rp.560.000) for one-way. Shopping centers in the form of a mall or shopping complex can be found at some point in the town center.

 Photo shops that I take this is a complex located in the Tutong. Places of worship such as mosques will be found aplenty in this country. There are at least 100 mosques and surau were built for the Sultan of its citizens. As for other religions such as Christianity / Catholic and Confucian given the right to establish churches and temples.

Photos of the building on the left is a museum named The Royal Regalia Building. This museum is a museum of objects sultanate of Brunei. Inside are a variety of weapons made of gold and silver, chariots, crown, throne until the replica sultan. On the right is the photo BOMBA office in Kuala Belait. Bomba term is addressed to the fire fighting. And the photo below is the building BRIDEX (BRIDEX International Conference Centre). BRIDEX is an exhibition between nations in an effort Defence Ministry of Defence of Brunei to promote the development of the defense industry.

Brunei residents love their king. Even the birthday of the sultan who fell in July become a national holiday. On that day there will usually be a lot of celebrations, special discounts in shopping malls, and also markets the night. When the sultan 65th birthday me and my friends took to the streets Bandar Seri Begawan was transformed with a variety of colorful lights and sounds of the night market traders. Every Eid, Sultan usually hold an open house on the day of Eid to 1, 2, and 3. All people are allowed into the palace and shake hands with the sultan. Not only that, a dish of food and beverages are waiting in the palace. One more unique place is 'NBT's Showroom' at the Gadong area. The front of the store is always transformed into the concept of decorating every major holidays such as Idul Fitri, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and New Year. It is of course interesting people to come and take pictures. Of course not charged a fee, or free. Organizing expo or exhibition in Brunei are also quite a lot of examples of defense exhibition (BRIDEX), computers, exotic animal exhibits, exhibitions journalism, and so forth.

If the photos below are the other side of the country Brunei. In the upper left corner is a picture of the view from a beach in Kuala Belait. Then next to it was a photo at a shopping Huaho Mangosteen. Photos in the top right corner is an electrical substation that can be found in many places. Usually this substation is located on a street corner. Underneath is a relaxing seat in Bandar Kuala Belait. I took this on one night in the month of Ramadan after tarawih prayers before returning home. Lower left corner there is a painting photographs on display at the expo building. Dikanannya is a photo of the flag of Brunei which I happened to snap at a traffic department Brunei. Photos in the lower right corner is another part of the Seria bus terminal. In this court there is usually a lot of pigeons that flock. And the greatest photo in the middle is a picture of the mosque Jami 'Asr, the mosque was built by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Kiulap area.

These are photos of my personal work. Outside of my photos are still there are many more attractions that can be made the object of photography. Although not too good, but these pictures are the best thing that I have from a country called Brunei Darussalam.

source:
http://wisata.kompasiana.com/jalan-jalan/2012/04/18/menelusuri-brunei-melalui-foto-450835.html

Site of Tamu kianggeh..

The Brunei Hotel in BSB

A scene in the BSB's Tamu Kianggeh...BSB's only Chinese Temple... behind the temple is the PGGMB building

Durian kuning, ubi, lengkuas?....

Senja Lounge Restaurant at Riverview Hotel in Brunei

Wouldn't you know, the month I decide to go find out  food in Brunei, and give up alcohol is the month I find a restaurant I can drink wine with my dinner.

I have heard good things about the Senja Lounge Restaurant in the Riverview Hotel on Jalan Gadong bandar Seri Begawan Brunei , but until last week I had never been. I have to say, it wasn't what I expected but it was good. I had envisioned a wide, light restaurant high above the ground with an expansive view of the narrow, murky, brown river enclosed by lush, green jungle. What I got was a dark, intimate old fashioned style cafe with solid, heavy furniture surrounded by blackboards with the menu and specials scrawled on in chalk. I liked it.

The menu is extensive to say the least. I am not good at studying and carefully choosing my dinner, I usually browse and then go with my gut feeling. Too many choices give me a headache. Also many of the dishes are loaded with creamy, heavy sauces and dressings. I like my food simple and uncomplicated.  I decided on two entrees and a dessert - mushrooms stuffed with crab and mozzarella, caesar salad with prawns and chocolate mud cake with ice cream. They were all good and only set me back $20.00, a bargain!

My dinner companions enjoyed a bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc (go the NZ wine) and an Italian Vespolina with their dinners. The lamb chops looked particularly appealing to me and if I were a meat eater, I would have had them with a glass of red.

The nice thing about the Senja Room (aside from the obvious for drinkers) is you can have the relaxing, upmarket experience without breaking the bank. There are so many things on the menu from big to small and reasonably priced to expensive, you just choose what you are in the mood for.

The restaurant is so small that I suggest you make a reservation especially if you are dining after 7.30pm. We were the first in the restaurant at 7.00pm and then by 8.00pm it was full with diners.


where:  the restaurant is in the riverside hotel on jalan gadong in bandar seri begawan

wine:    take your own and your own bottle opener

Address: Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8670, Brunei

Phone:+673 223 8238

source :
http://stilltravelling-sarah.blogspot.com/2012/04/senja-lounge-riverview-hotel-bandar.html