| The
Billionth Barrel Monument |
| Commissioned
by Brunei Shell Petroleum and designed
by a local architect the Billionth Barrel
Monument commemorates the production of
the billionth barrel of oil by the Seria
oilfield. It is locate close to the seawall,
near the site of "S-1", the
first well dug almost 70 years ago.
The approach to the monument is through
an arched entrance and a row of trees
on either side. The arches serve to remind
visitors that Brunei is an Islamic country
and the floor is tiled in an Islamic pattern.
The monument is a mere five-minute
drive from the Seria town centre. |
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| Nodding
Donkey |
| Oil
was first drawn from Brunei soil at Seria
in 1929, and commercial production began
here in 1932. Active "nodding donkey"
oil wells are still a common sight in
the vicinity, although Seria itself remains
an oasis of relative peace after the bustle
of Bandar, some 100km to the north-east. |
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| Anduki
Jubilee Recreational Park |
| The
Park is about 80km from Bandar Seri Begawan.
Established by Brunei Shell Petroleum
to commemorate the occasion of His Majesty's
Silver Jubilee year as Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam,
Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park was officially
declared open by the monarch in 1992.
The park's blue-water lagoon and
recreational facilities ensure its popularity
as a family destination. |
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| Luagan
Lalak Recreational Park
/ Wong Kadier Waterfall |
| Some
25km beyong Sungai Liang Forest Recreation
Park on the road to Labi, the Luagan Lalak
Recreation Park covers some 270ha within
the Labi Hills Forest Reserve. Luagan
Lalak Recreation Park is important as
the location of a rare alluvial freshwater
swamp, or empran. During rainy periods,
the entrapped water level rises, filling
the area like a lake. In drier spells,
the waters recede quickly, and the valley
flourishes with sedge-predominantly the
Lepironia species.
Apart from shelters and footpaths
for exploration, a 200 metre wooden walkway
meanders along the lake area.
The 45 minute jungle trek to Wong
Kadir Waterfall, is half the fun of visiting
this picturesque spot. The walk crosses
several steep ridges en route to the falls
where relief awaits in an enclave of shady
unspoilt jungle and pure, cool river water. |
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| The
Labi Longhouses |
| Further
down the Labi Road, past Kampung Labi
itself, the forest gives way to several
exapmles of a form of dwelling unique
to the island of Borneo - the Iban longhouse.
Literally a village under one roof, a
long house consits of a single shed-like
structure divided along its length into
separate family lodgings, each of which
is accessed via a communal area running
the length of the building. This communal
area is the venue of the village population's
social and daily indoor work activities.
The nearest longhouse to the town
of Labi is Rampayoh Longhouse which is
divided into 16 lodgings. Others include
Mendaram Besar Longhouse, Mendaram several
trails head off into the jungle along
this stretch of the road. They are clearly
marked and signposted, and direct hikers
thourgh tracts of primary rainforest to
various waterfalls and elevated viewing
areas. The walks are relatively undemanding
and guides are not necessary but for safety
reasons, local advice should be sought. |
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