Temburong Trip - 15 / 11 / 2009

[PICTURE TAKEN BY HJ IRWAN]
THIS PICTURE MYSELF AND NAZZ COMPLETED OUR MISSION. WE MADE IT ON THE TOP OF CANOPY WALK. IT WAS AWESOME AND SCARY.

This time trip will be the last and the memorable trip ever to all Beaca students especially. For this week activity was something like collaboration. The collaborates of just like trekking and sailing. Its took us one whole day to complete the trip. It was awesome and nothing to compare the place. Not to mention the world most largest Tropical rainforest which is the Amazon. We are lucky to have those such beautiful dense rainforest,fresh air and calm place. Not to compare to the city which have been polluted with the transports and noises.

Like usual, all beaca students assembled at the UBD parking lot. Then from there we all off by bus at 6.15 to the Kianggih speedboat stop. But we all off from the Kianggih a bit late due to some problem with transport organise. we all off at 7.15. First thing what set in our mind was lifejacket. we all have learn the lesson from the previous incident. This is my second time riding speedboat to Temburong. but not at Canopy walk.so the exicted feeling still inside me. It took us about 45minutes by speedboat to our destination. What i have seen along the journey was first our heritage home called Kampong Ayer. Kampong Ayer was built long time ago. In history, mostly people who live in Bandar Brunei at first lived at Kampong ayer. And their transportation still being used until today which is boat. Kampong Ayer also one of the famous place for the tourist attraction. What I know, there is place for tourist to stay and eat Brunei's traditional food which made by local people. The traditional foods are 'kuih cincin, bahulu, sapit, ardam, apam and. And there is another food which usually people from outside don't know and never eat. Even some from local people don't know how to eat this kind of food. Brunei called it ambuyat. Ambuyat is made from sago tree. To describe, ambuyat is white in colour. It very sticky. some people describe it like glue. To eat this ambuyat, we just shallow it. we don't have to chew it. Then along the journey, I have seen some fisherman caught fishes then they marked their own teritory. So that it will be not interupt by other fisherman and the owner will know where they put their own catchment.Then i saw other speedboat just came back from Temburong.

Then after 45minutes ride, we all stop by at restaurant having breakfast before another hardcore journey to the canopy walk as we have been told by our lecturer. Then we were welcoming by the guider named Ceceilia Bin Yussof. She is the agent or the organiser who will guide us to the canopy walk. She already set up everything for us. Examples they provided us with bus and long boat to go to the canopy walk. Then finish eating, we all stop again bought appropiate shoes for the canopy walk. Then for a few minutes we all stop again one place which is Ulu Temburong. And for this time we all going to ride by a boat named long boat which mainly use to bring people or tourist to the canopy walk. It is very unique and special boat. It is not like ordinary boat we seen in Bandar. This long boat only can hold around 4 to 5 people. It also depend how big the boat is. Along the way, what i have seen was everyting is green. Temburong is rich with rainforest. I shall call it heart of green paradise or heart of rainforest in Brunei. The view was very exotic and hard to say. Much beautiful view with beautiful stratar line of rock due to erode from the wave or the current of the river. The branch which hidden within the eroded rock. The strong current of the river due to shallow depth. It is believe that, this kind of extreme current are suitable for those who love extreme or adventure kayaking or canoeing. Average rapids enough for those who into rafting activities. The air is fresh,the smell of forest and the cold water what makes it exotic. Before we off at actual place, no wonder why the place it called canopy walk, I saw the tree was high. Don't mention the height. It was so high. And from my understanding, canopy is the name for the height. Its usually up to 20metres to 40metres high.

[PICTURE TAKEN BY HJ IRWAN]
THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE LONG BOAT I HAVE MENTION EARLIER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I SEAT ON IT AND HAVE A RIDE BY USING LONG BOAT.FIRST AND NEW EXPERIENCE.ITS RARELY TO FIND IN BANDAR BRUNEI.

Then what most intersting was, Brunei goverment was put more effort or invest to make Temburong known. I saw there is still under construction bridge then something like resort under renovation for local people and tourist stay for night to the canopy walk. For this, we have to stop by again to register guest book. Then I have chance to look around the place. Then again, by long boat we go to actual destination which is Canopy Walk.For this one, I was nearly lose my breath. along the way to the trek, mostly we used stair. I don't like climbing by stair. Its make me easy to get exhausted. I rather trekking like usual then trekking by stairs. With the friction and the pull of gravity it makes our movement become harder and harder and slow. But finally I managed to climb it sucessfully.

This the moment I was waiting. Walking through the Canopy walk was the first time for me. Let it be the first and last for me. I was the one who begin to climb the canopy stair. We all were mention by the guider that every one stairs for one person. Then only 5 person can climb the high stairs. At first I was scared but with confidence and believe in yourself lead me to walk to the canopy hanging. This motto lead me as a motivation and spirit to success the walk. The stairs and the hanging was not really stable and very shaky. thats why we have to move slowly and each person on the go. Finally I managed to see the very high reach and top. It mesmerised me alot. With high trees, clear view and very dense rainforest. All i can see is only trees. Nor buliding neither road.

Then as for refresment, we all stop at a place where the very beautiful waterfall have been found.we all get chance to feel the water. It was so cold and the water was so clean. What I have seen water spider floating at the water and a few butterfiles flew around us. It very rarely to find those such spieces especially the butterfly. It rarely come out when there is alot of people. Then for few minutes we all stop and have lunch to prevent us from starving for long journey. Some of them have provided own foods and drinks.

As for last trip, we then again stop and come to visit longhouse not far from the Ulu Temburong. It nice to see that people still live in long house.They dont want to break the tradition. What i noe is, longhouse usually live with 5 to 6 family. And of course all of them are related. What most intersting longhouse is even they were like isolated to Bandar Brunei but they still have chances to see the world by using laptop and wireless. They are not stay behind as what we thought it is. Then I also get chance to know the culture then made some 'Tikar' from leaves.

Then we know this is will be last for the Beaca course for this semaster, Dr asmah was treat us Durian. This is where all Beaca family seat and laugh and eat in one table. It very sad we have to end like this. We all like connected to each other. The chemistry, enjoyment and sadness we all share have to stop there. every trip we all share and been through up and down will be stick in our mind and leave as a memory.Then around 4.05 we all already back to the kianggih Jetty. From there we all separate and from the UBD parking we all have to leave and make our own way.

All in all, Beaca course have taught me so much. And gave me new experienced in my life. Having new altitude inside me become better person in the future. Hoping there will be another course same like Beaca or Beaca II for next time. so that hoping to see Brunei through all out not just Brunei perhaps outside world. Why not this will be happen. Nothing is impossible. Thanks to Beaca course that leds us to become new person and gave us new experience that the chance only come once. In short, first time in the life.

Sailing day - 30 / 10 / 2009

After enough of exhausted trekking, this week acitivty was the week for payback and no more getting lost out of the jungle. No more heavy sweat and no more nice forest. But hoping for another trekking for the future.Enough said, this week activity was something which really gave me impact, lesson to learn, experience to catch and make useful of it and enjoyment that we all never imagined. For this week activity we all were set up to have a sailling in Serasa Beach. I was so excited to hear this news. Not much to say, this is my first time. first time in my life sailling at Serasa Beach.

We all were asked to met up Dr irene and Dr asmah at the Serasa Beach parking lot around 6.15. Since there are a bit changes in our schedule activities, everyone have to pick and volunteer what position they want. For this trip, no one were volunteered as a transport organiser so that we all were came late. some of the student were waiting for the bus at the UBD parking lot. Luckily some of them bring their own car and made a move to the Serasa Beach immediately. But some of Beacan students brought their own car straight away to Serasa Beach. Envy of them, they can even see the sun rise up. the beautiful view of calm ocean to see and the fresh air to breath.

This is how the scary and lesson moment started. Enough once for 9 of us to experience something like this and let it be no more for next time. Around 7.10 a.m we all we started to off to sail. Before that we have to use a small boat or dinghy before we used a big sail. This dinghy maximum loaded only for 10persons. The dinghy I was in about 9 people inside including our lecturer Dr Asmah and two persons from the owner of the sailling boat which are Peter and Jenny. and left was 6 people which are Mohammad asri, Mohd Nuh, Nazz, Me, Hj irwan, and Hafizah. Everyone was so excited at first. As for myself was excited too. By the time we all on board and away from the coastline, this the memorable moment starts. The water was coming in to the dinghy and made the dinghy full of water inside. Then the dinghy unable to hold up and made the dinghy to capsize. I don't know what was on mind that time. All i think was i can't swim and the water is too deep. I only think of whether i can survive or not. Everyone was panic and save their life to survive. Then i saw the life jacket infront of me and i grabbed it straight away. The captain was asked us to hold to the boat and make landed back to the onshore. All of the stuff were damaged including handphones, electronic devices, handycam and camera. All these thing is not the matter. The most important thing is everyone was save and still can breath and no injuries. These kind of matter, always bare in mind that safety precaution is always first. Always wear lifejacket whether you are not to do so. The dinghy we in was assumed to overload and not balanced between both sides. Then back to the coast. I was like want to cry and my hands was shaking.

after the incident (capsize) had happened.

Afterall, even we were hit by those such shocked, we were still managed to countinue our usual activity. Sailing must go on. Then we were ready to off from the Beach and made a move to pulau pelumpong and around the muara port. One of the crew, Jenny introduced herself and his husband too. First she made a briefing what should we do in the boat and what precaution must taken while in the boat. We must always alert to our surrounding, no running in the boat, always hold one hand to something which prevent from fall down and always alert to the ropes that have been tied up which afraid may get tight.

Captain of the day, Peter. He taught us how to navigate by using GPS from the computer. And made a right way to choose. Not to go to shallow water area.

Along the way, there were so much things i had learnt. Jenny taught us how to read a map. the map tell us everything examples depth of the water, the right way where we should or shouldn't go, not to go to shallow water. Then about the lighthouse. Its depend to certain area how many time its blink for 30seconds if I am not mistaken. Usually its blinked 4 to 5 times. What most interested me is about Bermuda Triangle. Bermuda Triangle usually well known about boat or ship may lost and never be found again. Thats mitos afterall. Jenny told us that, its not true. The truth is ship or any kind of boat cannot pass through the area. This is because of the formation of coral reef. Usually coral reef which live near to the coastal is called fringing reef. The reason why boat or any water transportation cannot pass through because of shallow water.Therefore, it may kills the coral reef due to disturbance of clear water which prevent the sunlight to penetrate. Coral reef favour of abundant of sunlight which give them oxygen and maintain their life.This coral reef should be preserve. it is because it rarely to find this kind of very fascinated and colorful species.since some of coral reef are believed useful to medicine and as the decoration therefore, its becoming endangered species. What else we have learn from Jenny is how to tied the rope. There are two names of the rope which are king of the rope and down of the rope up to the rope if I'm not mistaken. King of the rope is important while sailing. This kind of rope can stay long whatever gravity or pressure of the wind is occur.It hold you up and stay you up. For other kind of tied rope, is simple rope or for daily tied up.

while waiting for our clothes to dry up, i get chance to see the environment. The clear blue skies, green seawater, then the fresh air or smell of seawater. The weather was so hot and no wind blows at all. But the sea I see was not too clean. There were rubbish floating in the sea. Its very shame that, people still have this kind of habbit which is littering. Why they can't rid of this manner. They know that this will make the sea becoming ugly. And also it is not good to marine life. Rubbish may chocked marine life example birds and fish or other types of marine life. What else i see is oil spill. Oil spill from the boat and ship. Oil spill also not good for marine life. This oil spill may contaminated the sea water. Then this sea water then drink by the fish and may kill the fish. Its polluted the ocean. As for bird, oil spill also may dander to them. It is because the oil spill may stick to their feather then for long term, its hard for them to fly and may kill them too.my self having a chance to see the environment and all over the ocean by binocular.

After long journey, we were stop and having excitement at an island named Pelumpong Island. It is believed that Pelumpong Island is man-made island. It is usually made from spits and sandy beach. Its good Brunei have this kind of reservation. So that it may interest more tourist to come and visit Brunei as well as the Pelumpong Island. The island have two side of views which are the bech and also the beach. The beach don't tell, it was so beautiful and clear. Its rearly to find like this ocean in Brunei. without wasting time, we all grab a chance to feel and swim at the beach. The water was hot due to hot day. Everyone was enjoyed themselves. Its like everyone is in one family. I can see that all the burdens and stress they just let it out to the sea and enjoyed playing water and splashed among themselves.Its like everyone was out from their originally characters. Everyone deserve to be happy and get rid the sadness just for a day. But the enjoyment stop after 30 minutes. It was so sad that we have to stop early. everyone still want to enjoy.

everyone enjoyed and have funme myself enjoyed being hit by wave and others enjoyed posing like a model.

Then some students and Dr irene swimming back to the sailing boat. And some of us back by dinghy. Its kind frustrated that i don't have a chance to swim from the coast to the boat because i can't swim. Its been long time I'm not swim. Then captain Peter brought us around the Pelumpong Island and back from where we started. Not to forget, Jenny told us that, its rarely to find dolphin and Dugong around the Muara port. Usually they saw this dolphin during night time. And also we have a chance to see flying fish. In short, this is my first time saw flying fish. Then around 2.00 p.m we all finished the activity. Its was fun and really enjoyed.

Before i finished, we get chance to have interview with Jenny. We have asked her how much the sailing boat may cost, then where she live and everything. I remmember she told us that, the boat cost her about 23,000 US Dollar. Its was so expensive. Not forgetting, and she's living in the sailing boat. The other sailing boat. And its cost her about 250,00 USD. It is because of the material of the ship which made from special and original wood. Very kind of wood which resist from water.

All in all, in the future, with the experience and things have been taught will make me becoming better person. And one day i will have own sailing boat and make a business from it. Then interest tourist as well as local people to bring them around the Muara port, pelumpong Island as well as around Brunei Beach. It may boost Brunei domestic income. Also for the future use and safety, I need to learn how to swim back. This is not just as a sport but also as one of protection while you in the ocean or river. Afraid if another capsize occur. As bare in mind and alert person, always use life jacket as a protection even if you are not to do so.

Then hoping that Brunei government will make the a way along to the pelumpong Island. so that more local people go there and having picnic there by car or shutle bus. What i have saw, Brunei not only depending to the oil and gas production, but Brunei also make the fishing port as their second domestic product. Its also may lead to boost Brunei's GDP. This also can give local people job opportunity as a fisherman. And aslo i do'nt even know that brunei having their own cement factory. The building just like rollercoaster. It is believed where the cement is flowing.

The friendship, family we have there hope it will be remain stay. Not just inside of the course but also the relation as under one rofe still going on out from the course.