Royal Regalia Bandar Seri Begawan

DESPITE having a beautiful white-golden dome, the building at Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, opposite the Lapau building, is not actually a mosque. But if we do wish to enter the building, we have to take off our footwear before we could go around the galleries in the building.

This is the building known as the "Royal Regalia", which was dedicated to the coronation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who ascended the throne on October 5, 1967.

The Royal Regalia building incorporated various architectural elements that reflected the philosophy of "Malay Islamic Monarchy" and was established to become one of the landmarks associated to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam officiated the building on September 30, 1992

Photo shows tourists from the Costa Allegra cruise ship visiting the Royal Regalia during their one-day trip to Brunei.

OGDC Seria

OGDC first open its door to the Brunei community on 14 September 2002 after officially opened by His Majesty Sultan Negara Brunei Darussalam. The primary aim was to create an education centre for visitors to understand and appreciate the oil and gas industry which has been the strong supporter of Brunei Darussalam’s economy.

Brunei Shell Petroleum and OGDC then took the opportunity to extend the learning of oil and gas to promote science, engineering and technology education. The idea is to promote the innovation and importance of science and technology; not only to the oil and gas industry but also our daily lives.

OGDC has been known among the Bruneian community for its hands-on science workshops. We run a range of activities for different age groups including technology workshops, robotic workshops, Young Scientist field trips and camps. Science Explorer activities for 5-12 years old are run once a month with camps for the older age group occurring twice a year. We also hold motivation workshops and camps for teenagers 6 times per year and a series of science related activities.

Our technology and robotic workshops, for example, will take children through a programme developing their electronic and engineering skills which then leads them into our robotics workshops. 

Our education facilities cater for school groups visiting OGDC with structured lessons that can be booked for our classroom to conduct science demonstrations, workshops, activities, etc.

OGDC "Siuknya Sains" or "Science is Fun" is our monthly outreach programme where we take a range of exciting activities out to remotely located schools where the children are less likely to have the opportunity to visit OGDC.

OGDC main building.

Tamu Sungai Mau

Opening only on Sunday mornings between 6.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m., this tamu provides a market place for locals, although some customers come from as far afield as Bandar Seri Begawan. Shoppers can find fresh goods such as fish. deer meat and wildvegetables from the remote jungles of Labi. It is best to arrive early in the morning, when the tamu is crowded with people and the goods are at their freshest. The tamu is 15 minutes' drive from the Sungai Liang/Labi road junction.

Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam (OBBD)

Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam is situated in the virgin tropical rain-forest on the banks of the Temburong River. A joint venture of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport with Brunei Shell Petroleum, OBBD has a logistic centre close to Batang Duri and an operations centre further upstream, in the heart of the forest. It aims to give groups of people a carefully designed and activity-based jungle experience, which fosters confidence, practical problem-solving, team-work, determination and a sense of adventure.

OBBD tailor their courses according to the nature, age and requirements of the client group, and the amount of time The facility is not just for schools and youth groups; it can also offer activities as part of an organisation's management development programme or for people who simply want a challenge. OBBD is unique among Outward bound - being the only one situated in dense primary rainforest.

Sungai Liang Forest Recreational Park

Sungai Liang is about 70 km from Bandar Seri Begawan, and the drive takes about an hour along the coastal highway. The park is 450 metres from the main Sungai Liang junction along the road to Labi.

This is one of several parks which have been developed and maintained for public recreation. The park is one of very few lowland forest areas in Southeast Asia and has facilities for general recreational activities, such as picnicking, jogging and hiking. It also caters for natural history devotees, with self-guided or organised group tours of the forest. The main pond, with its shelter platforms and open areas in the central complex, should satisfy visitors looking simply for fresh air and beautiful outdoor surroundings.

The more energetic may care to explore the network of well-marked nature trails that wind their way around the park, including a high-level canopy walkway in the tree-tops. This wonderful facility will give you a totally different perspective on the rainforest.

Labi Longhouses

Labi Longhouses

Further down the Labi Road, past Kampong Labi itself, there are several examples of a form of dwelling unique to Borneo - the longhouse. A village under one roof, longhouses consist of a row of family houses - r doors - with a communal area running the length of the building. This is the social centre of the village. 

Rampayoh longhouse has 16 doors and is the nearest to Labi. Othersinclude Mendaram Besar, Mendaram Kecil and, at the end of the road, Teraja. They are populated by Iban folk - once feared as headhunters but now more given to pastoral activities. Visitors are always warmly welcomed. Etiquette requires that you take some small gifts, ask permission before entering and remove footwear before doing so. 

Several trails head off into the jungle along this stretch of the road. They are clearly sign posted and marked, and lead the walker to scenic waterfalls and hills in virgin primary forest. They are relatively undemanding and guides are not necessary, but for your own safety you are advised to seek local advice before setting off.