Global Travel Writers: Articles

Brunei's rainforest and reef riches

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:02:00 -0400

Temburong � almost entirely covered by pristine rainforest - is Brunei�s backyard, its rural realm, its remote region, its playground. It lays beyond the newly discovered leisure playground of Brunei Bay and a sliver of Sarawak some fifty minutes from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan along the 'Liquid Highways' that carry most of the country's consumer flow and trade traffic. Go slicing through river rapids in a Temuai, the sleek motored longboats of the indigenous Iban tribes, and you are enveloped and entranced by the rich biodiversity and the sheer physical beauty of this corner of the legendary island of Borneo, where man�s hand has fallen so very lightly. The global diving community lauds the small nation�s coral reefs and array of shipping wrecks with a raft of adjectives from special to spectacular.

Imperial Golf

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 01:30:00 -0400

The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Brunei�s Empire Hotel and Country Club is one of the most challenging courses to be found anywhere. The course dips and undulates like a ribbon in a wind-tunnel, while the views over the course�s lotus-strewn lakes and the South China Sea are often spectacular. After a round of golf, enjoy a taksu message, a steamroller-like blitzkrieg on your muscles and tissues that will have you sleeping like a little baby.

From Water Village to �Grand-on-Land�

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:44:00 -0500

Just a few years ago, there was talk of demolishing Bandar Seri Begawan�s centuries-old Water Village, which houses over 10,000 people living in stilt-houses perched over the Brunei River. But far from being destroyed, the Water Vilalge is now being extended and modernized. On dry land, Brunei�s architectural marvels continue to amaze � including Jame� Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque to the surrealistic frescoes of the new Gadong Shopping Mall

Eating the wallpaper

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 22:21:00 -0500

Brunei�s �national dish�, Ambuyat, has the colour and consistency of wallpaper glue. Fortunately, a range of delicious accompaniments makes Ambuyat more than just edible. Bruneian cuisine also has some other distinctive offerings � including Teh Tarik (a frothy brew made from powdered tea); Kolomee, a dish of dried noodles also found in Sarawak; and a whole range of scrumptious cakes. One of the best places to try Bruneian food is at the Gadong night market.