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For anyone who have never been or set foot in Kampong Ayer will think that the water village looks like an outdated village.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.

Golden SOAS Mosque, Brunei

The full name of this Mosque is "Masjid Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien"  or better known as SOAS Mosque by travellers. Wherever i Travel, i always print out this photo to 4R copies to be given out as souvenir to random people i met in the places i had visited :-) 

p.s. You can download this photo to be print as souvenir for friends abroad.

Sunset at Berakas Beach, Brunei Darussalam

The beach i visited the most in Brunei, why...... because it is near to where i stay that's why :-) This beach is very beautiful during the sunset, if you are there at the right moment. Not only that is also have a place for family and friends to gather for a picnic or BBQ, and also if you are into nature there is jungle tracking available for you to go. The only unfortunate thing about this beach is that it close at 6.30 p.m (Brunei Time). If you are going to this beach for photography i suggest you go during sunset time, it can be very beautiful :-)

Sunset at Empire Hotel Beach, Brunei

This photo was taken on January 2009 at Empire Hotel & Country Club in Brunei Darussalam. I mostly come to this Hotel just for leisure time and to shoot some good photos especially during sunset time. Well at this time when i was taking this photo i'm actually feeling sad and i'm a bit lost in the head. Photographing always helps me calm down or relax in my mind. Visit here if you got time, just to have a walk or have some nice cakes with coffee or tea in the Hotel just to relax yourself.

Somewhere at the Brunei River

This place is kind of hidden in the Brunei River. Only few number of people know where is it, well i show this photo to most people in Brunei and they have no idea where is it. Well it's near Pulau Chermin in Brunei. Look for it, it got good views and also a good place for fishing in Brunei, to relax or do some photographing.

Tungku Coastline or Beach, Brunei Darussalam

Some call it Tungku Beach, some call it Tungku coastline. Want to find a place to visit with family, or do some fishing in Brunei Darussalam, visit here. Sometimes i like to come here just to relax. I remember i used to come here a lot when i was still in University.

Seri Kenangan Beach at Tutong, Brunei Darussalam

This is actually the best beach in Brunei Darussalam (from my view), a good place to relax and find peace. I love the sunset time here, it's always very beautiful. If anyone visit Brunei Darussalam, this beach you definitely must visit, especially during the sunset time.