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Introduction
There are beaches with facilities at Kuala Belait, Lumut Beach near Tutong and at Muara. Brunei is a heavily forested state, and most activity is either on the coast or at the estuaries.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The principal tourist sights in the capital are: the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which stands in the middle of its own artificial lagoon, affording a fine view over the town and stilt village; the Churchill Memorial, incorporating the Churchill Museum and Aquarium; the ancient Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah, the fifth sultan, known as the ‘singing admiral’ for his love of both music and conquest; the Brunei Museum; and the Malay Technology Museum showing traditional crafts. Kampong Ayer is the water village on the outskirts of the capital, reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world; visitors can walk freely around the wooden walkways between the houses, which combine traditional architecture with modern facilities such as Internet connections.
EXCURSIONS: Outside the capital within the Brunei-Muara district, Jerudong Theme Park, best reached by road, offers free modern amusements and rides next to a beach. Other beaches can be found at Muara and Serasa, where watersports are popular. Local travel agents offer half-day boat tours to Pulau Selirong, a mangrove island 45 minutes from Muara by boat, where wildlife includes proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers and eagles. Other islands in Brunei Bay offer beaches and watersports.
ELSEWHERE: Tasek Merimbun, Brunei’s largest lake, is in a hill resort in the Tutong District just over an hour’s drive from Bandar Seri Begawan; it offers peaceful picnicking, birdwatching facilities and jungle trails. Many unspoiled jungle areas in other districts are accessible only by boat. There are splendid traditional longhouses in the Temburong district, which contains large tracts of virgin rainforest. Travel agents offer day or overnight tours to the Ulu Temburong National Park with forest canopy trails on wooden walkways; trips can include rafting and swimming. In the Belait district near Kampong Labi, there are more traditional longhouses including Rampayoh. River safaris up the Belait River offer opportunities to visit remote forest communities, longhouses, hot springs and waterfalls. Recreational parks in Belait district include Luagan Lalak, where there is a picnic area and a wooden walkway across the lake. The Billionth Barrel Monument near Kuala Belait is a testament to the continuing importance of oil to Brunei’s economy.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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