Borneo, the third largest island in the world, is share by 3 countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Brunei being the smallest nation in Borneo but have the largest expat community in ration with the small population on only 385,000. It has 4 international School to cater for the expat community. One of the international school is Hornbill school, located in Seria town which happen to be the oil town of Brunei.
On 22June 2010, a group of year 5 school children with their teachers staying overnight at Sumbiling Eco Village for 4 days 3 nights. Children learn first hand from the villagers on how they use the jungle as their supermarket, Staying overnight in Tent, do river floating in the river, fishing, visit Iban Longhouse, learn their dance & traditional cooking, enjoy a exhilarating river trip to Ulu Temburong National park by open motorize longboat called "Temuai", visit the canopy walkway, original built by Rainforest Researcher from Oxford university, UK. and the school children even do a community project by building a sign post for the villager longhouse.
Below are the pictures taken by Leslie during their stay in Sumbiling Eco Village . Enjoy it.
DAY ONE DAY ONE DAY ONE
Arrival at Bangar jetty by 35 seat boat, it took us 45 minutes on an exciting boat ride winding through thick Mangrove forest & Island channel
A short village walk lead us to the Eco Village
The village is surrounded by wild fruit tree & wild vegetables
One of the first thing they do is going through the eco village with local villager as guide
School children learn an Iban Traditional dance called "Ngajat". Actually they learn very fast!
They is a saying, " You learn fast when you are happily doing it"
After getting to know the Eco Village, time for fishing. When it come to fishing, Rain does not stop them
Safety first, that is why all student is wearing a life vest which fishing along the river bank
Lining up to get into the river to do group floating exercise, a team & confident building exercise
Group by Group
Warm up time
As you can see the water level of River at eco village can go down very low and excellent for water based game
"Riki Boy" one of the Eco Village team
Learn about River bed
Amelia, a Volunteer student on holiday in Eco Village
Group River Exercise
Floating down the River in a group, Great Experience
Journal writing time
Time for Camera
Dinner time! Yummy Yummy
Camping time!, don't get wrong message, only 3 students per tent.
Some tent sleep 2
A tent under a big tent canopy
3 buddy
Another 3 buddy
HI there, peace to all!
PEACE from us too!
DAY TWO
1st Morning exercise at Eco Village
Breakfast time!
Sausage, Egg & baked bean
Getting ready for MOTONG Jungle adventure
Crossing the Temburong River by local Longboat called Temuai
On the MOTONG Rainforest discovery trek, which will take us deep into the forested areas, first passing through formerly cultivated secondary forests, and eventually entering into primary rainforests. Along the way, our guides, who have spent their whole lives in and around these areas, will enlighten you on the numerous plants and herbs found in nature which are useful to us, from common remedies, to food, to perceived aphrodisiacs (shhh!) and even a kind of leaf which can be used as soap, complete with foam! Amidst this journey of discovery, you will get a chance to touch, smell and taste some of these new discoveries!
Arrive at the other side of the river
Start trekking into the Motong jungle
Hey, How is my head gear?
Tukang Team
Into The dark jungle
Riki Team with commando head gear
Crossing Jungle bridge
Jungle can also be in open but still green
This is my jungle lunch, how about your?
Teamwork at work, passing fire wood to the jungle Camp
Jungle lesson no 1, use bamboo as a pot to cook chicken & Rice
This is my Bamboo
Aha! Insect
See ... the Insect like me.
Bamboo Chicken cooking in process
The jungle fern princess
Another Fern Princess
Jungle Cooking lesson
Take a break
Waiting for lunch
DAY THREE DAY THREE DAY THREE
TODAY visit the Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei’s only national park.The excursion to the National Park itself will feature an exhilarating longboat ride, passing through gushing river rapids (but if the water is too low, you might have to get out and trek along certain parts of the way!), and enjoying a splash or two! In the National Park itself, make your way up all 385m of the jungle trail to reach the base of the Canopy Walkway. Along the way, take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest along the steep slopes, from the unmistakable call of the hornbill, to the giant ants or the majestic hardwood trees – the beauty of one of the best preserved tracts of virgin rainforest left on Borneo ! Then test your nerves ascending the more than 40m of the Canopy Walkway, and be rewarded with the sweeping vistas as you get higher and higher towards the final tower. A photo opportunity not to be missed!
TRADITIONAL LONGBOAT CALLED "TEMUAI"
START OF THE EXHILARATING BOAT RIDE
longest and only hanging bridge in Brunei
Enjoy a swim at Belalong River
A short walk to pristine waterfall
Crystal clear water at waterfall, this boy is trying to lure the fish to come to his leg for a FREE fish spa
POCAHONTAS OF TEMBURONG?
FOOTBALL SEASON IN ECOVILLAGE, YEA YEA GOALS.....
DIE HARD FAN
OH OH NOT ANOTHER GOAL???
YEA, YEA WE ARE THE WINNER...
Time for wash up, ecovillage style, into the River where else?
Record down another wondeerful day at ecovillage
DAY FOUR DAY FOUR DAY FOUR
Breakfast Breakfast to keep the day going
Almost there
