I was told that Brunei began with this building style and location; wooden buildings on stilts over the water separated from the “new” Brunei shore by a channel. Access to the village is provided by numerous boat taxis drivers, vying for your business. Crossing the channel will cost you only one Brunei dollar, but the boat taxi drivers will try to sell you a tour of the village, a (very limited) view of the palace by water, and/or a chance to see the monkeys along the shore up river. If any of these suit your fancy, be sure to bargain. They will start high, and if you don’t come to an agreement, the next driver will be along shortly.
I am surprised by the bad reviews the water village received on Trip Advisor. Because it’s a village built over the water it is billed as “Venice of the East”. Many reviewers are comparing it to the actual Venice and are therefore “disappointed” that it pales in comparison. This is not a first world city. Manage your expectations.
My TripAdvisor review of Kampong Ayer
If you have no agenda, you may as well head for the mosque at the far side. Note that there is no direct walkway to the mosque, but since the minaret presents a tall reference point you shouldn’t get lost as you zig zag your way through the village. The mosque is not very beautiful, and I only suggest it to give you a destination.
Why go?
- There is very little to do in Bandar Seri Begawan. If you are already in BSB, this is one of the more interesting sites.
- This is one of the few “real” cultural sites in BSB.
What you need to know:
- If you just want to see the water village (Kampong Ayer), then just take a water taxi across to a jetty for the one Brunei dollar charge. You can wander around on your own and get a feel for the place from the walkways just as well, if not better, than from a boat.
- Some of the walkways are directly connected to homes, so I’m sure the occupants would appreciate you being respectful. This is not a museum; these are their homes.
Kampong Ayer - Venice of the East
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
I was told that Brunei began with this building style and location; wooden buildings on stilts over the water separated from the “new” Brunei shore by a channel.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 01/2017
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#Brunei #BandarSeriBegawan #KampongAyer #VeniceoftheEast #OldBandar #MyTravels.hdf #NationofBrunei #BruneiRiver #BruneiDarussalam
Kampong Ayer - Venice of the East
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
I was told that Brunei began with this building style and location; wooden buildings on stilts over the water separated from the “new” Brunei shore by a channel.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 01/2017
.
#Brunei #BandarSeriBegawan #KampongAyer #VeniceoftheEast #OldBandar #MyTravels.hdf #NationofBrunei #BruneiRiver #BruneiDarussalam
Kampong Ayer - Venice of the East
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
I was told that Brunei began with this building style and location; wooden buildings on stilts over the water separated from the “new” Brunei shore by a channel.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 01/2017
.
#Brunei #BandarSeriBegawan #KampongAyer #VeniceoftheEast #OldBandar #MyTravels.hdf #NationofBrunei #BruneiRiver #BruneiDarussalam
