By Ron Knox
The towns and cities of the world may be referred to as, 'urban jungles', but in Brunei we have real jungles minutes from our front doors. Take a short stroll through some parts of Jerudong and it is hard to believe you're only minutes away from banks, schools and supermarkets.
Brunei is lucky to have such an abundance of land, much of it still a jungle, within 20 minutes of the city centre. Over 95 per cent of Brunei are state land, mainly rainforest. In addition, Brunei's' small population means it will be many generations before it will need to be developed, if ever. In the future, it could be Brunei's most valuable natural resource.
Away from the 'jungle', Jerudong is one of Brunei's busiest suburbs. It has several hotels, supermarkets, banks, schools and all the trappings of a thriving community. If you live in the Jerudong/Sengkurong conurbation you really never need to visit Gadong or the city centre. All you need is right on your doorstep. However, if you take a stroll along one or two of Jerudongs simpangs you can soon forget your only five minutes from suburbia. Before you know it, you are surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature. The traffic and shops forgotten in this green universe. The jungle is a huge presence, even in one of Brunei's busiest and most populous suburbs.
Brunei's suburbs have been built in the midst of the jungle, but the jungle also bears the man's footprint. There are many simpangs that are little more than bumpy tracks that wander off into the jungle. If you care to follow them, you find homes, as well as businesses both large and small, in the most unlikely places. Brunei is now developing a large scale farming industry, but small-scale farming has been practised for generations and it is still thriving. You see it when you get a little off the beaten track and come across many areas planted with vegetables and fruit.
One of the things that I like about the jungle is that it is usually quite cool. Shady trees and grass make the hot sun much easier to bear. Cooling streams of various sizes cut through the jungle and, in Jerudong, there are several sizable lakes, usually covered in vegetation.
The local wildlife keeps well hidden, except for mosquitoes, which always feast when I am around. Larger bugs are much less troublesome, despite their sizes. The occasional monitor lizard barely offers you a glance as he strolls leisurely across the track.
It always astonishes me that so few Bruneians seem interested in this incredible resource. I suppose we all take what is familiar for granted.
Provided you take a little care, there is more to be had from a few hours in the jungle than wandering around Brunei's shopping malls.
The towns and cities of the world may be referred to as, 'urban jungles', but in Brunei we have real jungles minutes from our front doors. Take a short stroll through some parts of Jerudong and it is hard to believe you're only minutes away from banks, schools and supermarkets.
Brunei is lucky to have such an abundance of land, much of it still a jungle, within 20 minutes of the city centre. Over 95 per cent of Brunei are state land, mainly rainforest. In addition, Brunei's' small population means it will be many generations before it will need to be developed, if ever. In the future, it could be Brunei's most valuable natural resource.
Away from the 'jungle', Jerudong is one of Brunei's busiest suburbs. It has several hotels, supermarkets, banks, schools and all the trappings of a thriving community. If you live in the Jerudong/Sengkurong conurbation you really never need to visit Gadong or the city centre. All you need is right on your doorstep. However, if you take a stroll along one or two of Jerudongs simpangs you can soon forget your only five minutes from suburbia. Before you know it, you are surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature. The traffic and shops forgotten in this green universe. The jungle is a huge presence, even in one of Brunei's busiest and most populous suburbs.
Brunei's suburbs have been built in the midst of the jungle, but the jungle also bears the man's footprint. There are many simpangs that are little more than bumpy tracks that wander off into the jungle. If you care to follow them, you find homes, as well as businesses both large and small, in the most unlikely places. Brunei is now developing a large scale farming industry, but small-scale farming has been practised for generations and it is still thriving. You see it when you get a little off the beaten track and come across many areas planted with vegetables and fruit.
One of the things that I like about the jungle is that it is usually quite cool. Shady trees and grass make the hot sun much easier to bear. Cooling streams of various sizes cut through the jungle and, in Jerudong, there are several sizable lakes, usually covered in vegetation.
The local wildlife keeps well hidden, except for mosquitoes, which always feast when I am around. Larger bugs are much less troublesome, despite their sizes. The occasional monitor lizard barely offers you a glance as he strolls leisurely across the track.
It always astonishes me that so few Bruneians seem interested in this incredible resource. I suppose we all take what is familiar for granted.
Provided you take a little care, there is more to be had from a few hours in the jungle than wandering around Brunei's shopping malls.
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment