Cikgu Asri Hj BasirA group of 19 staff at Kuala Belait Islamic Studies Department recently made a goodwill visit trip to Temburong District. The visit trip led by Cikgu Hjh Rohani binti Hj Moksin and Cikgu Hjh Mariam bte Haji Momin while Cikgu Asri bin Haji Basir was a tour guide and a photographer.
A typical daily scene at the water village
We were scheduled to gather at 7.00 a.m around the main jetty near the food stall at Jalan Residency. Some of us arrived early, so while waiting for other members to arrive we had our breakfast at the nearby foodstall
8.30 a.m we all climbed down into the water taxi and wore very fetching bright orange life jackets.The journey to Temburong toke 45 minutes.
We reached Bangar almost an hour later. The atmosphere at the Bangar jetty was a bit hectic with commuters waiting for the boats to arrive and passengers disembarking from theirs. Our bus has already arrived so we quickly jumped into the co-operative bus that we hired for $50.00 and headed to our first destination, Tamu Muhibbah. The bus driver's name was Latif he was an Indonesian. Our visit to Tamu Muhibbah was solely for the purpose of buying the famous local delicacy, Wajid Temburong or Wajid Jawa as some call it. The tamu offered a range of fruit and vegetable, local food including the famous Wajid Temburong but they were sold out that fast. Nevertheless hawkers selling Wajid Temburong still had them in good stock (at home) so everyone in the group could book the wajid and came back to tamu later to collect them.
We reached Bangar almost an hour later. The atmosphere at the Bangar jetty was a bit hectic with commuters waiting for the boats to arrive and passengers disembarking from theirs. Our bus has already arrived so we quickly jumped into the co-operative bus that we hired for $50.00 and headed to our first destination, Tamu Muhibbah. The bus driver's name was Latif he was an Indonesian. Our visit to Tamu Muhibbah was solely for the purpose of buying the famous local delicacy, Wajid Temburong or Wajid Jawa as some call it. The tamu offered a range of fruit and vegetable, local food including the famous Wajid Temburong but they were sold out that fast. Nevertheless hawkers selling Wajid Temburong still had them in good stock (at home) so everyone in the group could book the wajid and came back to tamu later to collect them.
At 10.00 a.m. The bus driver drove us to our next destination, Kampong Belais (Excellent Village). The ride to Kampong Be;ais was a smooth one. Upon arriving at Kampong Belais, Haji Ahmad bin Hussin, the Head Village received us cordially and gave us a brief overwiew of Kampong Belais . He then conducted us to a recreational area and exhibition gallery that showcased antique items and products manufactured by the resident of Kampong Belais
After visiting the exhibitiion gallery, Haji Ahmad led us to Taman Riadah and a fishing site where there were a number of fishing huts provided along the river. Here we were greeted and entertained with Hari Raya dishes by the villagers of Kampong Belais. We were introduced to the products of the village:1. Keropok Pisang $1.00
2. Keropok Keladi $1.00
3. Ikan liking $3.00
4. Nasi Upih $2.00
A presentation of souvenir to the Village Head of Kampong Belais by Cikgu Rohani binte Hj Moksin.
11.00 a.m we departed from kampong Belais to the nearby village, Kampong Buda-Buda. We made a short visit at the residence of a religious teacher, Cikgu Mariah binte Daud. Here we were entertained with a hearty Hari Raya foods
The visit to Cikgu Mariah residence saw a rare trishaw. According to Cikgu Mariah's husband, these days, witnessing a trishaw is a rare event in Temburong and there are only three trishaws have been in existance in Temburong as far as he knew
At 12.00 noon, we went back to Bangar and had a sightseeing tour by bus around the small town of Bangar. We toke the time in the bus absorbing the beautiful suurounding. After the sightseeing we headed down to Hijrah Restaurant. The restaurant offered buffet for just $5.00 per person
The main dishes we ordered in the restaurant:
Nasi Putih, Ikan Selunsung Masak Tumis, Ayam Masak Kicap, Sayur Kailan Masak Tumis, Sayur Pakis Masak Tumis, Sup Daging, Ulam-ulaman and cool drinks
But hold on..we did order another special dish namely Udang Galah Masak Merah (Red cooked Fresh Water Shrimp), price was set for $10.00 per plate. This special dish was early booked by Cikgu Asri for four plate in total.At 12.45 p.m we performed a mass Zohor prayer at the nearby mosque Masjid Utama Muhammad Salleh. After performing the Zohor prayer our guide tour led us to Kampong Batang Duri. This is about 16 km from Bangar Town.
Walking over a suspension bridge give you a feeling of excitement as they move and sway while walking across
The park has open areas for picnics alongside the rivers, as well as wooden walkways for strolling and playgrounds for children. Swimming and taking a bath is allowed in the river. Since we had ample time to rest, so some of the males members toke a bath and swam in the surprisingly cool waterAfter taking a bath in the river we packed our necessities to get ready to return back to Bangar town. At 3.15 p.m we went back to our bus, drove smoothly back into the capital of Temburong. At the Bangar jetty we got back on the water taxi and then one water taxi ride later we were back to where we started. Pretty much everyone in the group remained good nature about the experience - it's one that we won't soon forget.
Prepared by:MDB JPIKB & Asri Hj Basir SUPSBSOAS
