BOTANICAL PARK IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM- THE GREENSIDE OF THE COUNTRY

The entrance to the Agrotechnology Park, Brunei.

The road near the entrance of the Agrotechnology Park remind me of the view of countryside on some of part of the European countries that we had visited. Even the park ( i would rather call it the Botanical park) was not in our list of places to visit in  Bandar Seri Begawan, we were definitely not disappointed with Rosidah's suggestion to visit these place. People who likes gardening, to see the green side of the country or even the photographer (in particular capturing the landscaping)  wouldnot want to miss to be there. It was noted that the place was opened back in 2009 during the agricultural expo.

All in all, in our list, the places that we wanted to visit and see were The Royal Regalia Building, Kampung Ayer, Jame'asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque and the Nurul Iman Palace.

Rest area in the shape of big pumpkin.

Even we only spent an hour before we went to the nearest mosque for Asar prayer, it was a worth effort to see a park where you can enjoy brisk walking with your loved ones to see the animals like deers, birds, the greenhouse where the fresh flowers are kept and get to know some tree or plants which you have not come across all your life like big Cactus. Of course, the landscaping photographer would love to snap as much photos for their collections/remembrance.  

Rosidah (right) and Khadijah(my wife) at the end of the park tour.

ex-NELP REUNION IN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN,BRUNEI

EVENING SAT30NOV2013

It was unplanned.

Thanked to Rosidah for her effort to get Zam and Hj Supry for a dinner with my family. The last time we met was when three of them went to Putrajaya to attend ex-NELP/PEL/UEL 1980-1990 reunion held on 01Jul2007. About six years ago.

Rosidah brought us to a restaurant in Batu Bersurat, not far from the hotel we stayed. We witnessed and requested to try a well-known local food known as ambuyat. 

From left to right, Rosidah, Zam,Hj.Supry,myself and wife. A reunion dinner hosted by the Bruneian friends.\

Immediately before we left the restaurant, it was heavy rain and hence, we continued to chat to recall the older days in college and UK.We wish that one day friends from Malaysia come over to Brunei and has a grand reunion here!!!

AN AFTERNOON TREAT IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

SATURDAY 30NOV2013.

Prior to have lunch, we passed the Jerudong park. We went to the only 6-star-hotel in Brunei, Empire Hotel. It was huge with various type of accommodation for the guest like serviced apartments and hotels, surrounded by the golf course, swimming pools and private beach for the guest. The place was initially built for the ruler and subsequently converted as a commercial hotel.

inside the hotel -reception/main lobby

One of the apartments at Empire Hotel

The map of Empire Hotel

Then, we went to Kiulap.
We had the pleasure of having lunch with Zainal's family in the well-known restaurant, Aneka Rasa in Kiulap. One of things i knew that they do served food known as Tumpi which seems to be the favorite food for the ruler during the breakfast.Very unfortunate that i donot take the photo of the food.

My great session with Zainal and his family ended up after lunch as my former university friend in UK had invited us for another sightseeing within Brunei.

Took about 30 minutes (by chance), Roshidah drove us to the border of Brunei-Malaysia, Kuala Lurah.We managed to take the photo of the border where the immigration check-point was. It is smaller than the other 2 borders in Miri and Limbang, according to her.

Malaysia-Brunei border at Kuala Lurah.

....to be continued..

TOUR BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - 30NOV2013

Entrance to the Main Palace

Saturday 30Nov2013.

My second day in Brunei.

We had a great breakfast at the hotel.
Each of us,like a journalist updated our friends about yesterday. Facebook, Instagram and Whatsup. As usual, i just wanted to tease my friend in Malaysia and say Hi to them. For me, holidays with family is like a must thing to do every year without fail. Alsoas a break, away from home and office.

My countryman, Zainal took us for a ride within the city. When we were planning to visit Brunei two years ago, our list were to see The Jerudong Park, the mosque, the palace and Kampung Ayer (the water village).
After driving through the city to see old and new buildings one after another, we were at the front entrance to the Kampung Ayer.  We did not intend to take the boat to pass through the village, but instead , we drove past the village and went to the hill nearby by the river. We ended up parked the car and visited the Brunei Museum. That was our first point to get to know Brunei in details. 

One thing in common was both Zainal and my family went to the museum for the first time. It was divided into many areas, the oil discovery in Brunei, Islamic civilization in Brunei, animals and the green in Brunei as well as the story about the Kampung Ayer (Water Village). 

We took our family photo (left) behind the nice painting of the Water Village, Brunei at the foyer of the Brunei Museum. We had the chance to capture the actual Water Village which built with the infrastructure like mosque and school (see below). 

                                        ....to be continued.....

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 2013

Bandar Seri Begawan International Airport

Brunei Darussalam.
(My special thanks to all Bruneian friends who had spent their time with me in Brunei)

29Nov2013 - Bandar Seri Begawan. 
This was my last trip of the year 2013 by air. 
We used to hear the phrase "Near but yet so far". That's how i described my trip to Brunei. Only 2 hours and 20 minutes flying from Kuala Lumpur. It is so near but it took ages to complete our journey to Bandar Seri Begawan. The other two known cities in Borneo, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu , the capital city of Sarawak and Sabah respectively (the two states of Malaysia) have been explored years ago. We could not imagine how these city looks like. The capital city of Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan.

We were greeted by Nur, my colleague in Brunei MH office. We stayed at The Centrepoint hotel, the place known as Gadong. About 5 minutes from the airport and has all the facilities any tourists want. A supermarket, shopping mall, two hotels separated by the shopping mall, fast food outlet like Mac Donald, Clinics, sundries,Pizza Hut and not to forget a daily night market not far from where we stayed.