Monday 11 February 2013

Kampong Ayer, The Venice of the East

Kampong Ayer or it means Water Village (in Malay Language) is situated along the Brunei River. All of the houses are constructed on stilts above the river with wooden walkways around the village. Kampong Ayer is dubbed "The Venice of the East" by an Italian Scholar & Explorer, Antonio Pigafetta, when he came to Brunei following the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Things to know about Kampong Ayer:
-It is the World's Largest Water Village.
-It has been around for more than 1,000 years.
-There are nearly 40,000 people living there.
-There are 42 Villages in the whole Kampong Ayer.
-People travel around Kampong Ayer by walking, and mostly by using Water Taxis.


For anyone who have never been or set foot in Kampong Ayer will think that the water village looks like an outdated village. But it actually has modern amenities including air conditioning, satellite television, Internet access, modern plumbing and water pipelines, and electricity. Other than houses, there are also Shops, Restaurants, Mosques, Museums, Modern Schools, a Police Station, a Fire Station and a Hospital. Despite the modern facilities, Kampong Ayer people still preserve their unique Culture & Heritage, and you won't really understand it unless you live there or work there for many years.