A day in Temburong…

It’s not everyday that Bruneians go and visit Temburong. Because of its distance (via boat takes about 70-90minutes) and via car, one has to pass through the Limbang, Malaysian immigration and ferry, which costs B$4 to cross over. Temburong District is Brunei's western territory, but separated Brunei into two halves by the Malaysian district of Limbang. (For the record, Brunei claimed Limbang district as part of her territory).

Not many know Temburong except maybe being the location of the country’s largest National Park as well as “Kuala Belalong Field Study Centre”… almost all science students in secondary school should know this place. Then we have the quarry where many Brunei road projects take its gravel from. But beside that what else? Hence the trip taken last week to visit Temburong after 3 or 4 years since my last visit.

The first thing to do is to find the time which one would not be stuck in the immigration queue at Kuala Lurah. Usually it’s better after 10am or 11am. Then it takes about half hour or so to reach the Limbang town and most Bruneian here shop for its fruit and other farm produce. Another famous Bruneian stop is the KFC located at the biggest building in Limbang town (Can’t recall the name of the building). Depending on your speed, after Limbang town, it takes another half hour or so to reach the Malaysian border to Temburong which is just a river separating the two district and countries.

A ferry costs B$4 or Malaysian ringgit RM10 is imposed for any cars to cross the river. After crossing the river, one arrivers at Temburong uniquely named kampong, Kampong Ujung Jalan. Another 8-10minutes, one will reach the small town of Bangar, the administrative centre of Temburong. Temburong may have roughly 10,000 people living in the district but almost all amenities are available, health, education (including Chinese school – the Pai Yuek School), shops or law enforcement agencies.

The town of Bangar has indeed change, as most towns in Brunei these days. Its more cleaner and pretty and the jetty used to receive passengers using the BSB-Temburong boat no longer docks at the old jetty near the bridge. Where they moved, I’m not sure. But one thing for sure, Bangar has indeed expanded in terms of the number of buildings built on the area. But the town is still a very quite town.

History students will remember that one of the oldest name for Brunei, is Puni and there exists a Kampong Puni in Temburong district. Using the road map of Brunei (one can buy this outdated road map), one cannot find Kampong Ratai listed in the road map. Instead, you can find Kampong Rataie as well as Kampong Bokok instead of Kampong Bukok.

After an hour in the town, with nothing much to do except driving by the district, we decided to head back home. Nevertheless, the journey to Temburong is quite interesting – hmmm… maybe my next visit will be in another 3 years time?... heheh