Brunei For Dummies

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If you’re looking for information on Brunei Darussalam, you’ve come to the wrong place. Not only am I not at all fluent – though trying very, very hard to speak – in the national language, Malay, I didn’t even know 84.245834% of the tourist attractions in the country… until two days ago.

To say I intentionally researched into the local tourism industry will be downright dishonest on my part. As a sub-editor, not only do I have to edit news stories every day, I’m also given one to two articles each year to go through for the yearbook. This year’s topics: tourism and insurance.

So, when I received the tourism piece from the reporters, I was dumbfounded. Eight pages long? Really? As I went through the list, I was feeling increasingly embarassed. Where have I been all these years? Living under a rock?

Oil and Gas Discovery Centre. Never been there.

Tasek Merimbun. Is that in Tutong or Belait?

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Err… I’ve seen it dozens of times while I’m shopping at Yayasan…

Wasai Kandal. ???

Ulu Temburong National Park. I planned on going there; that’s gotta count for something, right?

Err… maybe not.

So, instead of asking for a week off work to tour Brunei, I have decided on a more doable resolution: I must not flash my yellow IC like a badge of honour until I quit saying “malas ku ingau” whenever someone asks why I can’t speak Malay; and instead reply, “me salah”.

14 Comments

  1. a bruneian doesn’t necessarily have to know everything about brunei.
    but as long as we learn as we live, that’s good enough.

  2. Wasai Kandal? What’s/ Where’s that?

    I think comparing to Malay, we Chinese really “kalah” a lot when it comes to “knowing Brunei”.

    Wow, saying “Me salah” instead of “Malas ku ingau”, steady! I got teased for my broken Malay all the time and my friends actually asked me how did I get a credit for my Malay.

    People, I learn Bahasa Melayu, not Bahasa Brunei.

  3. You’re not alone. Despite being a local Bruneian, don’t bet on me to know everything about Brunei … he. he… too bad .. huh … but that’s the reality.

  4. At least you are learning something from editing :) Hehe….. it is true, we learn Bahasa Melayu, not Bahasa Brunei. Two slightly different things.

  5. I realize such a phenomena too, not only you, me, but almost everybody else don’t know all the fun places in Brunei. I wouldn’t say that Brunei really has that much tourism spots to keep you entertained for years but a 3 days trip in Brunei would be quite fun if you met the right tour guide or locals. =)

    I am planning for a trip to Temburong after my exams, probably with my friends, I think it’s fun. I was so fascinated at the things I can do in Temburong after I read a couple brouchers and the official Brunei Tourism Guide book(they’re giving it out during the Tattoo show last night). There’s rafting, waterfalls, science research center and etc etc etc etc.. =D

    You’re a sub-editor for?

  6. Try going to Tasek Merimbun in Tutong (yea, its in Tutong) first before you venture to Ulu Temburong. I got an entry for Tasek Merimbun somewhere in my blog, with pictures (not of mine, though).

  7. I am thinking of entering Temburong thru boats, I googled a bit about it last time and it’s like 14 bucks per trip, from Brunei Bay to Temburong. Tasek Merimbun is somewhere around the immigration to Limbang right? And then go beyond it and enter Temburong?

  8. @ jason

    good point

    @ nonnie

    i still want to go to OGDC. care to show me the way?

    @ moglie

    my worst moment as a bruneian is when my friend came here on a holiday and i suggested that he joined a tour, as i had absolutely no clue where the tourist attractions were…

    @sas

    i was in a band a few years ago, and everyone else was malay. so, while we were jamming, i would be the last to know what i had to do. though the band didn’t last, at least i can know understand a bit of brunei malay :)

    @ ingsiang

    i’m sub-editor at bb

    @ amyheidi

    i’ll keep that in mind. cheers mate ;)

  9. Hey Lizzie,

    Thanks for dropping by my new blog site. You asked for my permission to use my images. I am more than willing to give the permission to use them. Btw, my blogsite address is now bruneiforever.blogspot.com :)

    I have uploaded several new images since yesterday. Check it out

  10. Btw, I like your site. very nice

  11. @ bruneian

    thanks for alllowing me to use your pix. you are a very talented shutterbug, i must say ;)

  12. Lizzie, your welcome. And yea, i am still learning thou. i never knew i had that “eye” :)

  13. I don’t even know this places such as Wasai Kandai. Its about time we list out the places that are still unknown.

  14. @ zadm

    great idea! and have a map to go with it, just in case ;)


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