BBC_Knowledge_Asia_Edition_-_May_2016_

and functions as an example of modern
Islamic architecture. The lagoon serves as a
reflecting pool and a representation of the
water village – the start of life in Brunei. We
also paid visits to the gates of Istana Nurul
Iman (Palace of the Light of Faith), the
official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, to
Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Brunei’s
largest mosque out of the 117 other large
mosques and the Gadong Night Market.

Green Exclave
Bright and early next morning, we caught
a 45-minute boat ride to Temburong and
transferred to Freme Rainforest Lodge, a
comfortable accommodation with air-
conditioned bunkrooms situated outside
the national park. It was the perfect getaway
from city life, invigorating all our senses into
the surrounding rainforest and soaking in all
its natural goodness. We explored the Ulu
Temburong National Park via a longboat

SCHOOL

CHALLENGE

2016

ride upstream, had a 300m hike up to the

canopy walkway and walked the jungle

streams towards a mini waterfall at Sg Apan

• only to be rewarded with the marvelous
  beauty of nature.

“AS I SAT ON THE LONGBOAT,

TRAVELLING THROUGH THE

RIVER AND DEEP INTO THE

FOREST, THE BEAUTY OF THE

SURROUNDINGS TRULY TOOK MY

BREATH AWAY.” - CLYDE

That very same evening, we had a

delightful barbecue treat that the boys

helped to prepare for all the staff of the trip.

It was a nourishing dinner amid the cold

weather as it had been raining for half a day.

We turned in early in preparation to catch

the sunrise the very next day. It was a pity

but it was all misty that morning and we

could not catch a clear glimpse of the sun

Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is Brunei’s largest mosque out of the 117 other larger mosques. The grandiose

façade can be seen from afar and each of the 29 golden domes shine brightly, both in the day and night.

The Water Village Visit was an eye-opening

experience for the boys as they hadn’t experience

anything like this in Singapore.