purple

Purple. Only mean one thing in Brunei. The purple buses. I wonder why the public buses are purple? SO we can see? So we can tell the difference between a bus and a non-purple school bus? I dont quite understand.



We also used to have the purple taxis. Cheap taxis. But thats gone now. Victim of politics. haha. Now we just have the more expensive meter-less yellow-on-white taxis. They;re quite good. Tho some of the drivers think they're Fernando Alonso. haha. But then again, all taxi drivers around the world think they're better than those wimpy F1 drivers anyway. right?

Makam

Makam diLuba. Not many of us remember this place, or even know it existed. Long colourful history. A Brunei Sultan was buried here. Violet and i more or less stumbled upon it when we were on a journey of discovery. Haha. Actually, Violet was taking me to her old neighbourhood in Bunut and she suddenly remembered this place existed.


Brunei has so many of these long forgotten places. This place seems forgotten. Neglected. The bridge needs some maintenance work. Lights need to work. etc etc. I think if the authorities were serious, they can make this country really nice and really worth exploring.

The Gate To Musical Fountain - Jerudong Park

The gates to heaven. haha. Well maybe once upon a time ago. But no more. Now its just a gate. The mystery to the place is long gone. Nothing much to keep within these walls. Which is a huge pity.



Violet took this pic. Lots of memories this place brings.

trees

I saw these bare trees the other day. It surprised me. It wasnt like this just a short few years ago. Apparently theres been a lot of earthworks in the area in the last few years. The swampy land has turned dry and i guess the trees just died. (Or is that the other way round?). Its really a pity. The trees look so tall and majestic before, high above everything else. I used to dream of being up there, so i can see everything around for miles on end. And I used to imagine also at one time being a sniper up there, shooting at enemies from afar. They wouldnt know what hit them!! hahaha... When i was a kid lah. Hey, everyone dreams of being soldiers right???


Hmm...Violet has gone and disappeared again. I wonder what happened to her? She took lots of pics recently.. Hey violet, where are you..???????

Istana

The istana gates. All nice and lighted up. Drove past the area the other night and the whole length of road was lighted up bright, looking so magical and majestic. Hahaha. Yeah u cant see it from the pic above. But we didnt bring our tripod that night and my hands are not as steady as i thought. SO most of the pics we took that night were blurry.



Over 90,000 pepple went to visit the Palace during the Raya open house, including myself. It was good. Quick but good. Pity we cant brng our cameras along. It would have been fantastic to be in there and take pics of all those people.

Soto in Raya

Selamat Hari Raya to all!!! We had a so-so Raya this year. Lots of food. And lots of old friendships rekindled. Lots of old family ties realised and strengthened.


Food. Yes Raya is about food. All kinds. But my favourite is still around in most homes..the soto. I love Soto. Correction..we love soto. hahaha. Mine with the yellow mee (mee kuning lah!) and Violet with the mee putih. Aaahhhh....

Violet and i went to visit her dad's gravesite the other day. Lots of people were there. As we approach Aidilfitri, we remember our loved ones who left before us..offering prayers and doa.


I took this with my cameraphone. I hope no ones offended.

bsb wharf

Have anyone been to the waterfront lately. Most of it is wasted!!!! Used as a silly carpark. That place is full of potential. Whats happening with the city planners?? Dont have any bright ideas lately?? Waterfronts are tourist areas..areas with so much potential to be developed as a tourist attraction. Everyones developing their waterfront. Well, everyone except us.


I saw these old ship moorings all bright yellow at the old bandar wharf area. Nice and bright. Next to that is the new monument that looks oh so tacky at night. I had a lot of troubl explaining to a visitor lately why anyone would build something that looks so un-monument-like. Couldnt we have done something other than an arabic-60???

The P Monkey

Took this pic of our latest tourist attraction a few weeks back. Saw him hiding in the trees tourist-watching. But once the boat bringing the tourists passed by, out he went sun-lounging. haha. He looks so cool with his big nose. Imagine sitting face to face with that , and trying not to laugh. haha


I was out with Violet to the river behind Kg Tg Bunut. Didnt realise that was where these babies were hanging out. Cool.

There is a company in Brunei that offer cruises along the Brunei River on these nice-looking comfortable-looking oh-so-cool-tourist boats. They do a good trade i guess especially among tourists and tour groups. I saw a few of them picking up tourists just to cross the river. They look so good. Proper. And with life jackets! Safe. And a tour guide to boot. I like.



I saw this boat bringing a couple of tourists to look at our dear cousins, the proboscis monkey. (eh Your cousins..not mine). I guess they saw a few because they were just drifting for a while with everyone looking on one side and pointing excitedly upwards at the trees. Violet mentioned hiring oe of these one day and having a quiet cruise down the river. Yeah one day.

The Shell

waterfront

Went to the waterfront area with Violet..to the Monument to His Majesty's 60th birthday. A gift from the people. I still dont like it. It doesnt do anything for me..would have been better if it was something more solid..more traditional. As it is, its kinda weird. But i love what they did to the environment of the waterfront area. Its so nice. Wish they could extend it throught the whole waterfront.



Took these pics there. Spent a good hour just pointing our cameras up and down the place. I didnt get much pics of the actual 'monument' thingy tho..nothing much to take there. Looks empty...not solid. Bad for pictures.


The water taxis did good business that day..lots of people travelling up and down the river. Up and down the boats. Good for photogs hoping to get good pictures. Love that.

Basikal Tua

Sesuci Embun Pagi

Keayuan Wajah Anak Kecil

This cutie was among a group of children hanging out by the cemetary in Batu satu. Violet loves taking pics of children. They were with some adults tho and they dont seem to mind having their picture taken. Thats the thing with Bruneians...If i were to take the pic, they would all scowl or hide their faces or show their annoyance. But if a beautiful young woman (which Violet is) were to take their pic, they would smile and pose and be happy about it. Even the men!!! I dont get it!


Taken by Violet. She thinks its cute. What do you think?