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These are the things you
just have to know and the
stops you just have to make,
as recommended by three
proud residents
Brunei , s
hotspots
Mr. Kurapak
Blogger, www.trippytraveler.net
KAMPONG AYER
Brunei’s biggest tourist
attraction would be Kampong Ayer, the
largest water village in the world. The
classic and old wooden houses “float”
throughout the capital, and a water taxi
can bring you from one end to another for
sightseeing. If you’re lucky, you might even
see proboscis monkeys in the mangroves.
BELALONG
This rainforest, located at the
Temburong District, is the most popular in
Brunei. To get there, you also have to take
a boat. It looks like something from
Avatar,
with lush green trees that you might never
have seen before.
AMBUYAT
Derived from the trunk of
the sago palm, this is a starchy bland
substance similar to tapioca starch. It is
eaten with a bamboo fork called
chandas.
You roll the starch around the prongs and
then dip it into a special sour fruit sauce.
Marul
Blogger, geekinwhite.com
ISTANA NURUL IMAN
is the largest
residential palace in the world, with over
1,000 rooms. It is open to visitors during
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Eid Celebration),
normally in the morning and afternoon
of the second, third and fourth day.
Remember to wear appropriate clothing.
Visitors are transported to the palace via
bus. You sign the guestbook, dine, then join
the queue to meet His Majesty and other
members of the royal family. As you leave,
you will be given a royal gift box which
usually contains local
kuehs
(cakes) and
biscuits, together with a Hari Raya greeting
card from the royal family.
LOCAL FASHION
If you want to blend
in and experience the real Hari Raya
atmosphere in Brunei, go to the many
local textile shops around town and buy
the Baju Melayu for men and Baju Kurung
for women.
Victoria Chong
Editor, OrchidRow.com
PASAR MALAM GADONG
or the Gadong
Night Market is a must if you want to
sample Brunei’s local food. It stands next to
the Gadong River, just across from Bandar
Seri Begawan’s main shopping area, and
opens as early as 5pm. Visitors can sample
treats such as
tongkeng ayam
(barbecued
chicken tail),
kelupis
(leaf-wrapped
glutinous rice), and
nasi katok
(chicken rice
with local hot sauce) at affordable prices.
THE SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIN
AND JAME ‘ASR HASSANIL BOLKIAH
MOSQUES
While architecture buffs will
appreciate the Italian-influenced Mughal
beauty of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin,
others will be awestruck by the grandeur of
the Jame ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah. The view
of the gold domes and minarets against
the setting sun, or of the chandeliers and
lamps lit against the night sky, are not to
be missed.
Gadong Night Market
09LKH Smile
Ser 4
030 Chikka Brunei.indd 30
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