Brunei Babymoon : Kuala Belait, Seria (One Billionth Barrel Monument, Nodding Donkey, Seria Beach), Tutong Beach, Jerudong Park, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and Gadong Night Market

It wasn’t that difficult to find a way to Kuala Belait, for we’ve seen the signboard this morning, on the way from Brunei International Airport to Jubilee Hotel. The highway exit was located somewhere around Gadong, where we had to pass by the Gadong Night Market. The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway was clear, huge, nice, and toll-free. (Note that he named this highway with his name, again.) This highway will merged with Kuala Belait-Muara Highway somewhere in between. The moment we were on this highway, we had the same feeling of cruising on it.

“Feels like driving at Australia, isn’t it?” I acclaimed.

“Coz the sky is blue and the road is super cantik!” Hubby praised the road.

Another thing that caught our eyes was the praises on Allah s.w.t that was frequently projected along the way. A good reminder for all drivers to keep “berzikir” though you are on the road. 

An hour on the road, hubby suggested that we should stop for lunch. We were in the middle of no where and had no choice but to opt for one resto called KK Koya, which turned out to be a mamak resto.

“We flew this far and you still wanna eat at mamak? Pfft!” My eyes were drooling at hubby.

“Do we look like we have other options?”

Hahaha! Ok, fine! We entered the resto that almost fully occupied by locals who seemed just came back from “kenduri”. They were wearing “baju kurung” and “kopiah”. We sat at one corner and started to place orders. I ordered mixed rice with fish curry and vegetables, while hubby ordered briyani with chicken. The food was so-so but the price was cheap! I mean, do not convert la ye…

We then continued our journey and reached the famous “teko” roundabout after an hour drive.

“Ayah Pin! Ayah Pin!” We laughed out loud!

From this roundabout, we reached Kuala Belait in 10 minutes. This is the second largest town in Brunei. It is well known as oil town, for big companies like Schlumberger and Shell operate massively in this area. We included this place, for we wanted to see those scattered “nodding donkeys”. Nodding donkey is used to dig and pump out crude oil from the ground. It is called nodding donkey due to the way it moves (up and down). BUT we seen none at the town area! Not even one!

We drove into one gas station and asked one of the pump attendants. With the help of an image on the tourist pamphlet, the boy told us that nodding donkey and commemorative arch is located at Seria, NOT Kuala Belait! Ahhhh dang! It was 30 minutes drive from Kuala Belait, heading back to Jerudong. 

Anyhow, it wasn’t that difficult, for the road was exactly along the beach side. Though we hardly seen the beach, but we knew the beach was on the left side. We drove along the road and turned at Shell Research & Training Center. And there were nodding donkeys residing!

I got excited and snapped almost ALL nodding donkeys along the way. Hahaha! And I had no idea why I was so amazed with this thing! You see…Brunei has too many crude oil till it can be easily pumped out from the ground, anywhere by the seaside. So, can you imagine how much they can get from the sea itself? You’ll be amazed to see how dark the canals and drainage were. 

Even the sea turned to dark grey! We experienced this when we stopped by at Seria beach to have a closer look on the rig out in the ocean. Big oil ships were scattered all over the sea, waiting to load, both, crude and processed oil. I had this habit to touch any beach that I’ve seen, just to feel the seawater, at least once. But looking at the condition of the water, hubby didn’t allow me to do so. Pfft! And so I sat on the bench, enjoying the breezy wind of South China Sea. 

 

After an hour of relaxing, we drove away and looked for the famous landmark of 1 Billionth Barrel Monument. This monument is located a bit off-skirt from the main road but it was quite easy to find, for the huge arch can be seen from afar. We drove in and parked our car, and walked along the pavement, heading to the huge arch. On each side of the pavement, there were slabs of craved plats being displayed, donated by some companies including Malaysian’s. 

We didn’t spend much time here as it was getting dark. We continued driving along the road, heading back to Jerudong, via Tutong. Anyhow, we had a quick stopped at Tutong beach to catch a sunset. This beach seemed to be the place for locals to gather and enjoy their weekend. We didn’t manage to capture the sun-setting, but I got this beautiful moment caught on camera.

Hubby then asked me whether we should proceed to Jerudong Park, and I said why not. Via the same highway, we headed to Jerudong and saw Jerudong Park right on our left. BUT there was no direct exit to this park! We had to turn back and guess what, the exit was on the opposite way! Pfft! See…based on our observation, Brunei is lacking in giving a head’s up for all its POIs. The signboard only shown, once you have reached the desired place. Bleh?

There park was a bit gloomy and dimmed, and the huge diamond on top of the arch was also not lit-up.

“Alaaaaaaaaaaaaa…I want that diamond to be lit-uppppppppp…I want to see Rosmah’s diamonddddddd…” Hahaha!

We crossed over the road and went to the Jerudong Park entrance. I was told by hubby that it was free before, but now, they charge BND1 for each visitor. I didn’t see anything interesting or fun except for Malaysian rock songs from 90s being played in the air. Haha! Seriously…lagu Kain Cinta Putih???

On the way to Gadong Night Market, again, we passed this beautiful Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. We took this chance to snap the night view of this mosque for our safe-keeping.

We walked back to the car and off to the final destination that was Gadong Night Market, to see what we can get for dinner. It is located somewhere near the university and Gadong Mall area. You know you are at “pasar malam” if you can see and smell white smoke all over the places. We followed other cars by parked at the roadside, hoping that no police will issue us a ticket.

“I want to eat ikan bakar…coz they recommend to get it at this place.” I hinted hubby.

“I want nasik katok and selurut damit!” Hubby shouted happily…and I had no idea what damit is.

Hubby went to several vendors to see the different in prices and presentations of nasik katok. He finally chose one of them. I almost had my jaw dropped when I saw the price. BND1 for rice and chicken??? I thought of buying 10 packs instead! Hahaha! Hubby then suggested to try one of Brunei delicacy that was “selurut damit”. He made the right choice coz it was sooooooo delicious! 

While I, what else...chicken wing and smokey lamb! The lady owner was so excited seeing this pregnant lady and allowed me to pose with her fan! Owh btw, we ate in the room…not at the night market :)