LIFE IN BRUNEI

LIFE IN BRUNEI SECTION 3 LIVING IN BRUNEI 1 August 2007 CONTENTS LIVING IN BRUNEI .......................................................................................... 4 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................ 4 2 LIVING IN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (BSB) ................................................ 6 2.1 Social Life........................................................................................... 6 2.2 Shopping .......................................................................................... 13 3 LIVING IN KUALA BELAIT ........................................................................... 20 4 LIVING IN TUTONG ...................................................................................... 25 5 LIVING IN TEMBURONG .............................................................................. 28 6 OUT OF TOWN ............................................................................................. 33 7 GETTING AROUND BSB .............................................................................. 43 7.1 Public Transport ............................................................................... 43 7.2 Use Of Cars During The Orientation Course .................................... 44 7.3 Legal Formalities On The Road ........................................................ 45 7.4 Car Loans And Transfer Of Ownership ............................................. 50 7.5 Driving In Brunei ............................................................................... 52 7.6 Road Accidents ................................................................................ 56 7.7 Buying A Car .................................................................................... 57 7.8 Cars In Kuala Belait .......................................................................... 60 7.9 Cars In Tutong ................................................................................. 60 7.10 Cars In Temburong ............................................................................ 61 7.11 General Car Maintenance .................................................................. 62 7.12 Motorcycles ....................................................................................... 64 2 August 2007 8 TELEPHONE SERVICE AND INTERNET ..................................................... 65 9 RADIO AND TELEVISION............................................................................. 68 10 BANKING IN BRUNEI .................................................................................... 69 11 MEDICAL MATTERS ...................................................................................... 69 11.1 Notes For Families With Young Children .................................... 83 11.2 A - Z Health For The Traveller .................................................... 88 12 SECURITY ...................................................................................................... 99 13 INSURANCE ................................................................................................. 100 14 RECRUITING AN AMAH (DOMESTIC SERVANT)....................................... 101 15 CHURCHES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ..................................................... 107 16 DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS .............................................................................. 108 17 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE .................................................... 110 18 AN INTRODUCTORY WORD LIST FOR BRUNEI ........................................ 116 3 August 2007 LIFE IN BRUNEI 1 LIVING IN BRUNEI 1.1 Introduction It is important for expatriates in Brunei to be conscious of the need for appropriate behaviour. In the interest of good relations with your colleagues, neighbours and government officials, it is essential that every effort be made to behave according to local customs. Some important dos and don'ts are mentioned below; heeding them will help you to settle happily into your new environment. Islam is the official religion of the country and is intimately woven into the culture and life-style of Brunei Malays. Muslims take their religious beliefs and duties very seriously and expect non-Muslims to respect these beliefs. There is a government department of religious affairs to check on and prosecute breaches of Islamic conduct, and there have been a few occasions when expatriates too have been liable to prosecution in the Islamic Courts. Propagation of other religions is a serious offence and could result in deportation. Brunei has a number of beautiful mosques you may wish to visit. When visiting a mosque you should remove your shoes and avoid walking in front of anyone in prayer. Women should cover their heads and not have their knees or arms exposed. You may be given a cloak to wear before you enter the mosque. Avoid visiting mosques during prayer times especially on Fridays and religious holidays. Clothes The traditional dress of Brunei Malay women covers them from the neck to the ankles. Western dress, particularly casual dress, can often seem immodest to Muslims and anything revealing should therefore not be worn in public places. It is advisable not to wear transparent clothes or tops without a bra in public or you might draw unwanted attention to yourself. At school, women should avoid form-fitting outfits and see-through fabrics. High necklines, long skirt lengths (no high slits) and long sleeves are the norm. Some female teachers adopt local dress in school, which the Bruneians find flattering. Slacks are not permitted. Shorts are appropriate at the beach but not at shopping centres. Bruneian men are smartly dressed for school, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and tie, or Malay-style collarless shirt, shoes and socks and the same standard is expected of expatriates. Around town, shorts, ageing T-shirts and flip-flops are seldom seen apart from on tourists who may not be aware of the appropriate standards of dress. If you have to visit a government office, dress as you would for school. Have a look at what your colleagues, both CfBT and locals, wear to work and let that be your guide. 4 August 2007 Food and Drink Pork is currently still on sale in Brunei, but is only available in certain supermarkets. It is forbidden to Muslims by the laws of Islam and you should, therefore, not offer it to Muslim guests. Any meat consumed by Muslims must be 'halal', i.e. slaughtered according to Islamic rites. There is great sensitivity to any food thought to contain non-halal elements. During the fasting month (Ramadan or more commonly known in this part of the world as Puasa), Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset and it would be considered insensitive to eat or drink in their presence at those times. At the present time, no alcohol is for sale in Brunei, although non-Muslims may bring limited quantities into the country for their own consumption (12 cans of beer and two bottles of wine or spirits, which must be declared to Customs). Behaviour Many gestures and behavioural traits, which are considered normal and acceptable in Europe, are seen as being rude in Brunei society. Beckoning with the index finger is not done. Avoid beckoning altogether but, if you have to, use all four fingers with the palm down and wave them towards yourself. Pointing at people with the index finger will not endear you to anyone; you should use the thumb while clenching the fist lightly. Gifts, and particularly food, should only be passed with the right hand, although it is acceptable to use the left hand under the right wrist for support. If you are eating with your fingers, you should use only the right hand as the left hand is considered unclean. When you visit a Malay household, you should remove your shoes and leave them outside the house. If your Muslim friends visit you, make sure your dog (if you have one) is out of the way. Dogs are considered unclean by Muslims and any contact with them must be followed by purification rites. Public displays of affection such as hugging and kissing are seen to be in bad taste. Quite a number of Muslims will not feel easy about shaking hands with a member of the opposite sex, so don't do this unless they offer their hand first. Many situations, which in the West would be thrashed out and solved through confrontation, must be approached in a more tactful and diplomatic way in Brunei. Raised voices and gestures conveying anger will not get things done more speedily or efficiently; rather they will delay and worsen matters. In relationships between the sexes, Islam enforces strict legislation. If you, as a non-Muslim, are found in the intimate company of a Muslim of the opposite sex, that is, for instance, on a lonely stretch of beach rather than in a shopping street, you could be prosecuted. If you are found committing 'khalwat', i.e. seen in a compromising situation with a person of the opposite sex, you could be deported. Forms of Address There are many forms of address and special titles in Brunei. Malay (Muslim) Bruneians use the normal Islamic mode: men use their father's name preceded by their own given name(s) with 'bin' in between, e.g. Abdul Rahman bin Yahya. 5 August 2007 The usual honorific is 'Awang' although this is changed to 'Haji' after the pilgrimage to Mecca has been completed. Malay women also use their father's name preceded by their own given name(s) with 'binti' in between, e.g. Fatimah binti Daud. The honorific for woman is 'Dayang'. A woman who has completed the pilgrimage takes the honorific 'Hajah' and is addressed simply as 'Hajah'. You have to be more precise however in a staff room where there may well be quite a few 'Hajah's'. Bruneians related to the royal family have the title 'Pengiran'. Sons and daughters of Pengirans are called 'Awangku' and 'Dayangku' respectively. They take on the title 'Pengiran' when they marry. For teachers, the word 'Cikgu' is often used. The title for a teacher of Islamic religious studies is 'Ustaz' (fem. Ustazah). Chinese people usually put the family name first and the given names afterwards, e.g. Chee Tiam Chin are Mr Chee. The name system for Chinese women is the same and a married woman is generally known by her husband's name. Consequently, Lim Sheau Mey becomes Mrs Chee when she marries Chee Tiam Chin. However, she can hold property in her own name and is then referred to as Madam Lim Sheau Mey. This form is usual for widows, and a woman's own name appears on driving licences, identity cards and so on. Some Chinese people have taken 'Christian' names, e.g. Daniel Kong. You might also see names that include both customs, e.g. Susan Tan York Cheng. It is common practice for Chinese people to drop the titles - Mr or Miss - and quite simply use the surname, Chee, as a form of familiar address. This is quite common in a staff room. When one is very friendly with a Chinese person, both given names are used, e.g. Tiam Chin. Awards are conferred (on expatriates as well as Bruneians) by His Majesty the Sultan, and many awards carry titles. The most common are 'Dato' and 'Pehin'. A person with a title may be spoken to with the title alone. In formal speech and writing, the business of titles and correct address is very important and quite complicated and, as most people are sensitive on this issue, you should seek advice as to what the formal title and address is and make sure you use it correctly. 2 LIVING IN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (BSB) 2.1 Social Life Most expatriates find that they rely more heavily on their own resources for entertainment than in their own countries. Organised nightlife in Brunei is minimal and there is little live entertainment, other than in clubs such as the Royal Brunei Yacht Club and the Panaga Club. However, there are several well-established clubs and societies, which you can join, sporting and otherwise. The Alliance Française is located at #29 Spg. 13-15, Jalan Gadong, Kg Telanai and regularly shows French films. Organised on a more informal basis are groups who get together because of their interest in photography, art, pottery, keep fit, bridge, etc. Obviously, to some extent, it depends who is in Brunei and with what particular interests as to 6 August 2007 what groups form, but if you have a strong interest in any subject which is not catered for, then it is not too difficult to organise a club of your own. In a small society there is a tendency to continually meet the same people, be it at a club, society, or in a private house, which is where quite a lot of entertainment takes place. Even though newcomers are welcomed by the local and expatriate community, it is important to remember that it may take time to find your own slot in Brunei. Generally speaking, after the initial three months here, the main difficulty can be choosing which parties/functions, etc., not to go to, as the social life builds throughout the year. Below are details of some activities available in Brunei: Brunei Music Society (BMS) Concerts are usually performed every month or so, sponsored by embassies, banks and CfBT in Brunei. The society makes an effort to cater for all tastes from opera to classical guitar. Membership is presently $15 annually. Concert tickets are usually $20 for adults and $7 for students. For any queries please email the BMS secretary, David Prescott: prescott@brunet.bn. Brunei Amateur Dramatic Society (BADS) BADS, or the Brunei Amateur Dramatic Society, comprises a group of people who are interested in all aspects of theatre, either as participants (both on and off stage) or as spectators. The group usually stages three to four productions each year, from full length plays to play readings to dinner theatre to theme nights. Membership costs $10 per year and ensures that you receive information on upcoming workshops and productions. Lifetime membership is available for $50. Membership also entitles you to discount vouchers towards the cost of tickets. At present the group does not hold regular meetings but, with the strict censorship rules, the group is not able to advertise productions publicly. Becoming a member ensures that you will know all that is happening in BADS. Do not feel your lack of previous experience will be a problem. Past productions include "Black Comedy", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (a theatrical musical performance of an abridged version), Romeo and Juliet (with an Iban flavour to the costumes and music), "Dimboola" and Under Milkwood". In addition, there has been a comedy cabaret on the topic of 'families' for a dinner theatre night and a Murder Mystery Dinner. Both Shakespeare plays were performed in a stunning outdoor setting. BADS also has frequent visiting performers to Brunei, including the Liverpool poet Brian Patten, "Loose Cannon", a live performing arts trio, and "Dufflebag Theatre", a travelling group of actors specialising in audience participation. For those interested in finding out more about BADS, either as a performer, backstage crew and/or as an audience, please e-mail badsdrama@gmail.com Serunai Singers The Serunai Singers practise every Monday at the International School, Berakas, from 7.30 am to 9.15 pm and are supported by CfBT teachers. They sing choral music from classical to light popular, practising for public and private musical 7 August 2007 evenings. They give performances about two or three times a year, including the annual Carol Concert. New members are always welcome. If you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass and are interested in joining this group of singers, please contact CfBT and we will put you in touch with a current member. St Andrew's Society The St. Andrew's Society in Bandar Seri Begawan holds several functions throughout the year. You don't have to be Scottish to apply for membership, just keen on having a good time and dancing is encouraged. Dancing classes are held throughout the year at times to suit members. Membership is $10 to join and a $10 annual subscription. For more information either contact Sue Ferguson on 2456781 or 8621648 or email Sian Bloxham at sian@brunet.bn Brunei Bridge Association If you are interested in playing bridge, there are several groups which meet to play duplicate bridge every week. All the groups are glad to have new members and you can be sure of a warm welcome! Please contact Frank Ford 2410012, 8866475 for more information. Jerudong Park Brunei's first playground at Jerudong Park, 30 km from BSB along the Coast Road, opened to the public in July 1994. This multi-million-dollar complex is designed to cope with 8000 people although it is never usually very busy and is becoming rundown. The grounds are open from 2.00 pm from Wednesday to Sunday, though rides do not start until 5.00 pm. Closing time is midnight on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and 2.00 am on Saturday. Please note that rides stop at prayer times. The best time to go, therefore, is after 8.00 pm. There are also some food outlets next to the car park. There is an admission charge of $1 or $15 for admission and unlimited rides and. Car parking is free at the moment. There are also concerts in the big concert hall in the grounds, where in the past there have been artists such as Blue, Westlife, B*witched, A1, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. Squash There are squash courts at the National Stadium. The three courts at the Stadium can be booked by anyone. The booking office is also at the Stadium and is open on Monday mornings from 7.45 am. The cost of a court is $5 per hour in the mornings and afternoons, and $6 in the evenings. You can also book for 30-minute periods. The courts are open from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, but check this as times do change periodically. Badminton This is a popular sport among locals in Brunei and courts can be booked at the Youth Centre (Pusat Belia) in the middle of town. Many schools have their own 8 August 2007 indoor courts, and a number of houses have illuminated courts in the back garden for evening games. Swimming Brunei has a full-size Olympic pool near the National Stadium: $2 for adults, $1 for children, and other pools including one Olympic size at the National Sports Complex, adjacent to the Stadium. Some afternoons and evenings the pool is reserved for clubs and societies; you can find out which days the pool is not open for public use from the notice board at the pool. There is also the Brunei Swimming Club, No 10, Simpang 406, Kg. Sungai Tilong, Jalan Muara. Tel: 2333031. Swimming lessons are offered by trained and qualified instructors. (See also Mabohai Sports Centre and the RBA Club) Swimming in the sea can be hazardous as there have been cases of serious jellyfish attacks, and sting-ray injuries. It is advisable to wear sandshoes and stinger suits and check for the incidence of jellyfish before venturing into the sea. The beaches tend to be covered with flotsam but are great for barbecues, jogging etc., and the South China Sea is lovely and warm. Bowling Alley Brunei's first bowling alley is in the Seri Complex, near Plaza Athirah, off Jalan Tutong, and is open from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. Games cost $5 each and equipment can be hired. Membership cards are available after an initial character screening. Golf There is a good selection of golf courses with costs varying dramatically. These include: Pantai Mentiri in Kota Batu, two at Jerudong Park Golf and Country Club, the Royal Brunei Golf Club near the airport, two at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Berakas Army Camp and Panaga Club (Seria). Sub-Aqua Diving The Brunei Sub-Aqua Club is a mixed group of BSAC and PADI divers. The dive boat goes out most weekends. For further information contact: Nigel ngoring@brunet.bn or Paul paul@itb.edu.bn. Hashing Hashing is basically jogging through natural terrain such as jungle, padi fields, or anywhere else the trail leads. Based on the old notion of Hare and Hounds, Hashing is a well-established pastime in Brunei. The Brunei Hash started in 1963 and is the third oldest Hash Club in the world. There are two men's clubs in BSB, one ladies' club and a mixed club (Hetero Hash). The Hashes run in the late afternoon on a Tuesday (Ladies' Hash), Wednesday (the two men's Hashes), and on a Friday (Hetero Hash). The Ladies Hash is the world's oldest Hash for women. There is also a Children's Hash Club with monthly runs. Tutong and 9 August 2007 Kuala Belait have their own hashes too. The Hash generates quite a bit of social life. Tennis The National Tennis Centre at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium has 12 outdoor courts, two artificial grass courts and two clay courts. The courts are available between 7.00 am and 10.00 pm every day, except on Thursdays when it closes at 5.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 pm and 2.00 pm. Rates are between $4 and $6 per hour depending on the type of courts used. The Brunei Tennis Club is easy to join and membership can be on a full or associate member basis. This is situated on Jalan Berakas opposite the Shell station near the airport roundabout and has nine courts. Royal Brunei Yacht Club The Royal Brunei Yacht Club has two clubhouses, one at Serasa Beach and the other by the river on Jalan Kota Batu. Membership gives you access to both clubhouses. Membership also gives visiting privileges with other clubs in South East Asia and elsewhere including the prestigious Singapore Cricket Club and Hong Kong Yacht Club. You also get reciprocal rights at the Panaga Club in Seria. There is a joining fee of $50 a refundable deposit of $500 and a monthly subscription of $70. The RBYC also offers a new membership alternative where you pay $50 to join and $70 for the monthly subscription. The normal $500 refundable deposit is waived if you decide to take up this membership. The only difference from the standard membership is that you must buy coupons to pay for food and beverages. There is also a three-month temporary membership which is non-renewable, where only the monthly subscription of $70 is payable. Brunei is a good place to learn how to dinghy sail. The Royal Brunei Yacht Club at Serasa Beach has races every Sunday afternoon, with occasional team matches against other clubs in the area. A beginners' course is held every year and new sailors are always welcome. There is an „Optimist? Club for children from six years of age upwards. It is also possible to go water-skiing. The Serasa Club has two swimming pools (one for children). The restaurant offers a wide range of Asian and Western food of good quality and reasonable price has occasional band nights as well. The Serasa club now has a fairly active social calendar which includes family days with barbeques and activities. There is a relatively well-stocked library of mostly novels that members have left behind. These books can be signed out. The Kota Batu Club offers al fresco dining on the deck overlooking the river. You can also eat in their air-conditioned restaurant and an excellent range of home-cooked food is available. The Kota Batu Club has weekly film nights, regular quiz nights and occasional band nights. Mabohai Club The Mabohai Club is a sports and social club, situated near the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan. Facilities include tennis, squash and badminton courts, aerobics, 10 August 2007 a swimming pool, a weights room, a children's play area and a sauna. The restaurant and poolside snack area offer a wide selection of food and drink. There are about 300 members, and it costs $100 per month for individual or family membership. CfBT has a corporate membership which costs $85 per month deducted from salary. There is an initial payment of $255 (two months' fees held as a deposit, plus $85 for the first month). The Club is generally quieter than the other clubs during the day but gets very busy in the early evenings. Orchid Garden Hotel Fitness Centre The OGH Fitness Centre offers a corporate membership to CfBT teachers at $288 per annum ($476 per couple). This allows access to the gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna, as well as the OGH Lounge where you can get discounts on beverages. In addition, members get a 40 per cent discount on massage and reflexology and 10 per cent in OGH restaurants. The OGH Lounge is a popular place to gather and for those not interested in the fitness centre, membership of the lounge only is $50 per year. Jerudong Park Medical Centre Gymnasium Located at the Jerudong Park Medical Centre, this gymnasium is open to the public. There is a range of memberships available. Some examples include a membership charge of $90 per month, $420 for six months or $600 for a full year. This provides full access to the facilities including state of the art fitness equipment, aerobics and yoga classes, badminton court and 25-metre swimming pool. Other services include badminton lessons, baby splash swimming classes, personal training and sports massage. Qualified instructors are available to write personalised exercise programs. Ten Entry Vouchers can also be purchased for $80. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more details contact 2611433 Ext. 2238. or log on to www.jpmc.com.bn. Royal Brunei Airline Sports Club This club is open to the public and it costs $150 for individual or family membership. CfBT has negotiated a corporate rate of $100 per month for our teachers and their families. Facilities include tennis, gym, squash and badminton courts, swimming pool, an open field and a running track. There is also a restaurant and bar/snack area. Fitness Zone This modern fitness club opened its doors in 2004 and has become very popular with both locals and expatriates. There are a range of membership options available from monthly to annual, including a discount on rates for off peak times. The current rate for an annual membership with unlimited use of all facilities is $960. Facilities at this club include; state of the art equipment, aerobics and yoga classes, personal trainers and training programs, and spa facilities. 11 August 2007 Memberships can be frozen from one week to three months if you plan to be away. Fitness Zone is located on Level 2 in The Mall, Gadong. A second facility in Kiulap, with swimming pool opened in August 2007 and has reciprocal membership privileges. Operating hours in Gadong are Monday to Thursday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. Any enquiries please call 244 8488/9 or email enquiry@fitnesszone.com.bn. Their web address is www.fitnesszone.com.bn. Empire Hotel and Country Club A luxurious hotel: have a look at their website www.empire.com.bn. They currently hold a family 'Sunday Splash' on the last Sunday of the month from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm with activities for children around the lagoon swimming pool ($10.00 per child). The Empire Country Club has a variety of membership options available. The joining fee is $1500 for 8 months and a monthly subscription of $100. This gives you access to the luxurious gym facilities as well as the Empire Hotel outdoor swimming pools. Membership at the country club gives discounts at the Empire restaurants. Jerudong Park Polo Club CfBT has a corporate discount here. Ask Sophie in the office for details. There is a restaurant, pool, gym etc. BCL - British Community Link In theory, this is a club for British ladies or for ladies of other nationalities married to someone from the United Kingdom. In reality however, anyone is welcome to join and it is not necessarily run by someone who is linked to the British community. They organise a variety of activities from jungle walks to coffee mornings, cookery demonstrations to aquarobics, and many more activities. They give talks on a variety of subjects, which have included aromatherapy and diving in Brunei, and organise events to raise funds for local charities. For more information email: bclbrunei@yahoo.co.uk Horse Riding Brunei currently has two clubs where you can ride: Berakas Saddle Club which is situated in Berakas Garrison (Tel: 393086), and is open from Monday to Saturday 7.30 am to 9.30 am. The club is run by the Army, and the majority of members are service people but there is also a limited number of places available for civilians. In order to join, you need to visit the club and complete a membership form, but you may then have to wait approximately six months for a space. Experienced riders will be given preference over novice riders as the club currently has a backlog of people waiting for beginner's riding courses. Membership is $45 a month for both single and family membership. After that, you pay $5 per ride. The Trijaya Equestrian Centre in Jerudong Park. There are indoor and outdoor arenas, with professional instructors and well-maintained 12 August 2007 horses. A basic lesson will cost $20 for a 30-minute session and beach riding costs about $10 per 15-minute session. Call 2611596 for details. Teachers in KB should email Sue Hemingway (suehemingwaybrunei@hotmail.com) if they would like to know more about horse riding there. The Brunei Nature Society The Brunei Nature Society meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 8.00 pm in the Central Lecture Theatre at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Membership is $20 per year for a family/individual. Once a month an outing is organised such as a walk, bird watching trip, overnight stay in the jungle, that members can join. Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, which will inform them of upcoming events and also provide them with reports on recent presentations and outings. The easiest way to join is to come to the next presentation (see Bob What?s On weekly events update) and take out a membership after the meeting. For further information contact the Secretary of the Brunei Nature Society at Brunei_Nature Society@hotmail.com Football There are several expat football teams, including one run by CfBT teachers known as 'The Blues'. Watch out for news on notice boards or in Newsletters about forthcoming matches. Contact Frank Ford 2410012, 8866475. Rugby A national competition is held between March and June and consists of six teams. Various expats are involved with coaching, management and/or playing in each team. Touch rugby is also played on the odd occasion before and after the rugby season. For more information please contact Johannas Hickey on 8785 682. Art Classes ndThe Rainforest Gallery, located on the 2 floor above Ecclesia (former Ethnics) in Kiulap offer a range of art courses (watercolour, decorative painting, folk art, sketching, oil painting and mosaic) for adults and children (ages 3 to 12), designed both for beginners and advanced students. Adults are taught by well-known local professional artists. Each course is typically 4 to 6 sessions and prices range from $90 to $270. Call 223 9325 for details. 2.2 Shopping BSB has a full range of shops from department stores to smaller corner shops. The Yayasan Complex in the centre of Bandar town, the Centrepoint Complex at Gadong, the Seri Complex on Jalan Tutong, and Hua Ho at Kampong Kiulap, opposite the new mosque, are the largest shopping centres. There are also some department stores in the Sengkurong area including Hua Ho on Jalan Tutong. There are also some new shopping centres on Jalan Muara in the Serusop area and also the Hua Ho Department store shopping complex in Kg Manggis. The largest is the Mall in the Gadong area which is a shopping 13 August 2007 complex comprising of a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants, a food court and cinema complex. Most things that you may need are available in Brunei in varying degrees of quality. There are some Western chain shops such as The Body Shop, Giordano, Charles & Keith, Bata, Guess, British India and Guardian. For both men and women who wear larger sizes, finding clothing and shoes that fit properly could be challenging. For women, sanitary napkins and tampons are readily available at Supa Save and Guardian. A range of cosmetic brands such as Revlon, Clinique etc. are also available in various department stores. Kerastase hair products can be found at salons. If you are particular about certain items or brands, it is best to bring them along with you. Sun Block tends to be quite expensive and linen sets in Brunei come without top sheets. Parking The situation in the centre of BSB has improved with the opening of the above ground and underground car parks at the Yayasan Complex. There is also a multi-storey car park, as well as kerb-side parking and other smaller car parks. From 7.30 am to 5.30 pm roadside and municipal car park fees are 30 or 50 cents per half-hour depending on the location. Payment of parking tickets can be made immediately to the numerous ticket girls, who are easily identifiable by their blue uniforms and can be found at the wooden booths. If not, payment must be made at the Car-Park section of the Municipal Board within a week or a fine of $5 per ticket will be imposed. Failing to do this will result in hefty fines at the local court. The multi-storey also costs 50 cents per half-hour from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm The Yayasan car park is $1.00 an hour (or part of) and you pay on exit. After 5.00 pm, it is $1.00 per entry. Parking at the Seri Complex and the Kiulap Shopping area is relatively easy and free of charge. The Mall and the Centrepoint Complex in Gadong have underground car parks and you pay a flat rate of $2.00 as you drive in to stay as long as you like. This charge will be refunded in any of the retail/restaurant outlets in the Complex (provided you spend $30 and above) on presentation of the payment ticket. Business Hours Opening hours do seem to vary a little from organisation to organisation but below is a short list of some useful times: Soon Lee department store : 10.00am to 10.30pm Supa Save supermarkets : 8.00am to 10.00pm The Mall shopping complex : 10.00am to 10.00pm Hua Ho department stores : 10.00am to 10.00pm Yayasan shopping complex : 10.00am to 10.00pm Electricity/Water Boards : Monday to Saturday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm (for payment) Town shops : A variety of opening and closing hours but generally from about 9.00 am to about 6.30 pm. 14 August 2007 Post Office Business hours : Monday – Thursday/Saturday - 7.45 to 4.30 pm Friday - 7.45 to 10 pm (for bill payments) Monday – Thursday/Saturday - 8 am to 3 pm Friday - 8 am to 11 am - 2 pm to 3 pm a) Postage Postage costs are outlined on printed sheets available from the Post Office. Generally, letters within Brunei cost 20 cents, postcards to other countries 50 cents, aerogramme 45 cents and airmail letters overseas are charged according to weight: Per 10 grams: Singapore and Malaysia 30 cents Within South East Asia 60 cents Australia and New Zealand 75 cents UK and the Middle East 90 cents USA and Canada $1.20 Sending parcels by airmail can be very expensive but there is a cheaper alternative called 747 service for parcels to the United Kingdom only. Write '747' on the top left hand corner and tell the clerk in the Post Office that you wish to send your parcel by this service before she weighs it. This will reduce the cost of sending a parcel by over 50 per cent. The mail is sent via this service once a week on Saturday so you need to ensure your parcel is at the Post Office before then. It can take longer to reach the UK, so you need to allow at least two weeks for delivery. A full list of postal services is available from the Post Office. Postage charges are much less expensive in Miri and Limbang, Malaysian towns close to Brunei. b) Telephones Around the corner from the Post Office in the town centre, in the same building, is the Telecom Office where international calls can be made. You are also able to make overseas and local calls from other post offices, but you will need to put down a deposit of $100 for any overseas call. This facility is also available at the airport. There are card phones in various locations, i.e. department stores, supermarkets and shops, and cards can be purchased from any post office and some department stores. c) Parcel Collection 15 August 2007 Parcels are collected from the Post Office, Parcel Centre, situated at the Old Airport Road. The Post Office issues a notification card with 'MPC' stamped on it and you have to take this card to the Parcel Centre to collect your parcel. The times are: Mon to Thurs: 8.00 am to11.30 am and 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm Saturday : 8.00 am to 10.30 am and 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm You will be expected to open the parcel at the customs section so that they can vet the contents. Videos may have to go to be censored although they are more lenient these days. New items such as those from a mail order catalogue may be subject to 10 per cent customs duty payable at the Post Office. Electrical items can attract a 20 percent customs duty. d) Other Services Some Post Offices offer a range of other services such as renewal of road tax and driving licences, payment of telephone bills (except Friday), and small stationery shops. Find out what the Post Office near you can offer. Supermarket Shopping There are several supermarkets in the BSB area: Supa Save at Mabohai Complex on Jalan Kebangsaan and on Jalan Gadong behind the Boy Scouts Headquarters Building. Hua Ho supermarket has branches on Jalan Gadong, Jalan Tutong, Kampong Kiulap, Jalan Muara, at the Yayasan Complex in town and in Tutong town.. Jaya hypermarket is in the Centrepoint building and Soon Lee department store is in the Seri Complex and Jalan Berakas. Hua Ho is one of the most popular stores and has a reasonable selection. Supa Save has a good range of European and Australian foodstuffs, but is also rather more expensive than the other stores. Utama Grand, which is in the Mall usually sells fresh fish and seafood. It also has a good selection of dried food and a variety of kitchenware, stationery and toys. Markets There are several markets in the Bandar area. a) The fish and meat market (or the wet market) is just off the Lebuhraya Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (Highway), between the hospital and the Gadong turnoff. Upstairs in the market are vegetables, fruit and dry goods. On the ground floor, you will find meat and fish. Meat is slaughtered at dawn so the earlier you shop, the fresher. Fish is generally brought to the market during the morning between 9.00 am to 11.00 am and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in the afternoon. Avoid lunchtime/siesta time i.e. from 12.00 am to 4.00 pm. b) The Mulaut Abattoir on Jalan Kilanas Mulaut, run by Royal Brunei Airlines, sells freshly slaughtered meat (chicken, lamb, beef), corned beef, smoked tongue, fresh beef and chicken sausages. The Brunei Meat Company also sells meat from their abattoir at the Lambak Kanan Industrial Estate, Jalan Penghubung Berakas. 16 August 2007 c) The Tamu or open-air market is across the canal beside Jalan Sungai Kianggeh. The best time is early in the morning, especially on Fridays or Sundays, or in the evening when they sell barbecued fish and meat as well as cooked noodles and rice, etc. Most produce, mainly fruit and vegetables, is local and prices are excellent. d) There are a number of fruit and vegetable stalls along Jalan Muara, Jalan Berakas, Jalan Tutong and Jalan Gadong. While prices are low, do not expect a wide range of produce as they only cater for Malay and Chinese cooking. Electrical Shops Bandar has a reasonable range of shops selling electrical goods. It is worthwhile shopping around for the best price and warranty conditions. Note that all prices are negotiable in smaller shops and that the more that is bought in one shop, the better the discount. There is also a very lively second-hand market for all kinds of electrical goods, so it is worth keeping an eye on the notice boards at Supa Save or Hua Ho supermarkets and at the international schools and clubs as well as on www.bobwhatson.com. Sample Prices 14" TV : $180 - $300 (depending on the brand) 21" TV : $250 - $550 (depending on the brand) VCR : $200 - $300 DVD player : $88 - $300 Mini Combo music systems : $300+ Washing Machine (Top Loader) : $400+ Washing Machine (Front Loader) : $550+ Hardware - Domestic Pots, pans, plates, etc., are easy to find in any of the department stores or supermarkets. Hardware - Tools The best area for tools is the Gadong shopping area, or Hua Ho Department stores. There are also one or two shops selling tools in the town centre on Jalan Sultan. Timber Sawn timber and plywood are readily available from yards along Jalan Muara, Jalan Berakas, Jalan Jerudong and Jalan Tutong. They usually deliver if you are not too far away. 17 August 2007 Garden Centres A second government horticulture centre selling flowering trees/shrubs is located at Kampong Rimba, just off the Gadong Village road, not too far from the Old Land Transport offices. There are also Friday and Sunday markets in the car park of the Meat and Fish market, which sell a wide variety of plants. "Borneo Landscaping" near Mentiri Golf Course, has a wide selection of plants and flowers for sale. Curtain Shops Curtain material is available in many of the department stores and is quite reasonably priced. Phong Ying Trading Company in the Kiulap Complex (opposite Hot Mart) has a fairly good range and their workmanship is reputed to be speedy and of a high standard, although a bit expensive. Kamil Hassan near the Seri Complex Post Office has an extensive range of materials, including cheap calico at $2.50. Fabrica in the Yayasan Complex and near QAF Plaza in Beribi, and Apollo in Plaza Athirah, Seri Complex, both have good selections of material. Glamour in Gadong, opposite Pizza Hut, has a good choice of material but it is slightly more expensive. Tailors and Dressmakers There are plenty of both, but it is worth asking around to discover the current places in favour of quality, cost and speed. It is always worth avoiding the weeks prior to festive occasions: Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Christmas. Yusra in Gadong and at Yayasan, Hong Textile in Gadong, Kofom at Plaza Athirah and Kiulap, as well as First Metro at Seri Complex, have a fairly good choice. Buttons and Lace in the Kiulap Complex have a good variety of cotton and linen fabrics. Nazmi have several branches, including a large branch at the Delima Jaya Complex on Jalan Muara. Gift Shops There are a number of gift shops in the capital selling local artefacts, imported handicrafts, including furniture and clothes from Malaysia, India and Indonesia, and pottery and household items from Europe. The following are popular: Ecclesia (formerly Ethnics): In Kiulap, at the far end of the HSBC block and another branch at the Home Centre on Jalan Tutong, on the way to Sengkurong. They sell Balinese furniture and gifts. Euro Classic Collection: The Centrepoint, Gadong, first floor. They sell pot pourri, decorative and scented candles, greeting cards and many other gift items. Knic Knacs: 2nd floor, Plaza Athirah, Seri Complex. A variety of gifts and greeting cards. Cinnamon: Next to Mohan's Carpet Palace, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong. Sells imported furniture, clothes, Balinese artefacts, jewellery and much more. There is a second location in KB. Handy Handicrafts: Centrepoint Hotel lobby, The Mall and Yayasan. Hand crafted souvenirs from Borneo and Selangor pewter. Woodstock: Near Hua Ho in Kiulap. Sells mainly Balinese and Thai handicrafts and furniture. 18 August 2007 There are a number of gift shops in the Yayasan Complex selling a variety of different things including Borneo Handicrafts. Musical Instruments Cheap classical guitars (usually from China) are widely available in department stores, as are recorders, mouth organs, etc. Pianos, organs and other keyboard instruments are available from shops in the Teck Guan Plaza and in the building opposite, as well as in Contessa Music School. Guitar strings and sheet music are also available in some of these shops. Contessa Music School, at Block B, Unit 4, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong, has American guitar strings and Fender guitars. Guan Hock Lee, A3, Complex Latifuddin, near Liang Toon department store, sells guitars, amplifiers and speakers. Also try Guan Chuan near the traffic lights at Hua Ho in Gadong. Starmaker in the Batu Bersurat Complex has a good range and is good value. Newspapers, Books and Magazines There are now two local daily papers in English; the Borneo Bulletin and the newly established Brunei Times. Both papers cover local, regional and international news in some depth. The following papers are generally available, usually one day late, though it is possible to get same day issues of those marked (*). Straits Times* New Straits Times* International Herald Tribune International Express Asian Wall Street Journal Star* Newsweek, Time, Asiaweek, the Economist and the Far Eastern Economic Review are all easily available in BSB, though regular readers of these publications would be far better off taking out a subscription to them. Booker International, at Block J, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong, has a very wide range of magazines and quite a good selection of books and cards. Bluestone Bookstore in Gadong and Best Eastern in the Mall also offers a very good selection of books. In Hua Ho basement at the Yayasan Complex, next to Guardian Pharmacy, is a small bookshop called Wordzone which sells or rents books at reasonable prices. Toys/Children's Books Bookers, Best Eastern and Bluestone in Gadong and Paul and Elizabeth at the Yayasan Complex have a good choice of children's books. Ickle Books in Kiarong, a few doors down from the CfBT office has a wide selection of children?s books. However, children's books are frequently available second-hand from leavers. Most people order their children's books through mail order clubs like Red House Books and the Good Book Guide. Children?s books can also be ordered through ISB. Contact the librarian. Most department stores have a wide selection of toys. 19 August 2007 Hairdressers Plenty of these, too. Currently popular are Kefle or Alan at D'Bliss Salon, Gadong, Zig Zag also in Gadong, Kenny or Hong at the 'I' Salon at the Kompleks Haji Tahir 2 in Gadong, and Robert at Macy's, Mabohai. They are all unisex salons and will do manicures and pedicures for a reasonable price. For men, the local barbers are very cheap and efficient, $4 to $5 for a haircut, $1 for a shave and $2 to $3 for a head and shoulder massage. Office Equipment/Computers Bandar is an excellent place for buying computers, both new and second hand. Complete PC systems sell for between $1,000-$3,000, with the latest software available at a minimal price. Reliable computer dealers: PC's: Concepts Computer in Gadong. Comsoft, Abdul Razak Complex (Haji Tahir II Building), Gadong Unitek in Gadong Macs: Apple Macintosh, Kiulap complex. 3 LIVING IN KUALA BELAIT Kuala Belait and Seria form the second largest population centre in Brunei and the heart of Brunei's oil and gas industry. There is a large expatriate community here mainly based around the oil industry and many people are of Dutch origin. The branch of Supa Save in Seria sells many food products of Dutch origin to cater for them. There is also quite a large Chinese community here and many indigenous people in the more remote kampongs. Belait District is the largest district in Brunei and the Belait River is Brunei's longest river. Kuala Belait is the centre of local government administration and is also a small port catering for small ships from Labuan, Singapore and other parts of Borneo. Banks Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Saturday 9.00 am to 11.00 pm ATM machines are located at Supa Save in Seria, the Soon Lee Department Store next to the Sea View Resort hotel in Kuala Belait, and at branches of HSBC and Standard Chartered banks. Government Offices Monday to Thursday and Saturday 7.45 am to 12.15 am 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm Friday and Sunday Closed 20 August 2007 During Puasa (Fasting month) 8.00 am to 2.00 pm (no lunch break) Post Offices Monday to Thursday and Saturday 7.45 am to 12.30 am 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm Friday 7.45 am to 11.00 pm 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm Cable and Telegram Office (Government Telecoms Department) (Located opposite the Post Office on Jalan McKerron) Monday to Thursday and Saturday 7.45 am to 4.30 pm Friday, Sunday and holidays 8.00 am to 10.00 am 8.00 am to 2.00 pm Brunei State Telephone Directories can be obtained from the Telecoms Office. CfBT Belait Education Centre (Block A, No.1, Lot 7421, Jalan Jaya Negara, Kg Pandan) Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Tel: 3331586/3337041 Fax: 3332527 Email: belait@cfbt.org Established in 1996, the Education Centre caters for the needs of CfBT staff in the Belait District. Its facilities include computers, AVA resources and photocopiers, as well as ELT materials. Parking In the downtown area, parking tickets charging 50 cents per half-hour are left under the windscreen wipers by attendants in blue. You can pay for them on the spot to an attendant or within the week at the Municipal Building, Jabatan Lembaga Bandaran, just beside HSBC. If you fail to pay, you will be notified by post to pay a fine. Government Electrical Department Ibu Pejabat (Head Office) is where you pay your electricity bills. The office is located on Jalan Sungai, on the left as you leave downtown, near Jalan Kampong China. The sign says "Kementerian Pembangunan", then something in Arabic script. They fly the Brunei flag. Monday to Saturday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm 21 August 2007 Medical Clinics Opening Hours at the Outpatients Department of the KB Hospital are: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm Friday and Sunday Closed Take your IC the first time. After hours and weekends, use the Casualty Department which is swift and efficient. Shopping Hours: A lot of the shops are closed on Tuesday. Some close for half a day or all day Tuesday or Sunday. Many close for lunch. Most are open before 8.00 am and close between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm, although the grocers are open until 10.00 am or so. There are many shops in KB that sell a wide and sometimes bizarre variety of goods. Spend a morning or afternoon having a look in all the shops just to see what there is. You'll be amazed! You can find just about anything you could want, but patience is a virtue. If you would rather do your shopping under one roof, go to Soon Lee Department Store on Jalan Maulana next to the Sea View Resort hotel, although there is no guarantee they will have everything on your list. The market in KB is best visited in the early morning as some things are sold out by 9.00 am. The fish comes in at about 3.00 pm though, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables are available there all day until everyone packs up at about 5.00 pm. There is also a weekly open market called the Tamu on Sunday mornings where you will find vegetables and fruits approximately 20 per cent cheaper than elsewhere. The Tamu is located next to the Complex Harapan, opposite the KB Boat Club, and is open from dawn until 9.30 –10 am. There is a small Indian grocery store across from the HSBC bank where you will find loose spices and whole-wheat flour. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Panaga Club The Panaga Club provides extensive facilities for senior BSP (Brunei Shell Petroleum) staff and their families. "Contractors" (other petroleum or construction firms in KB) are also allowed to join, as are Government officers. Many CfBT teachers join the Panaga Club, although there is a rather tedious procedure to undergo before obtaining membership. You get Panaga application forms from the Club and have these signed by your Principal (no problem) and by two full members of the Panaga Club (again, no problem: any CfBT teacher will put you in touch with these). You take your form to the District Office, and wait for the District Officer to sign it. You pay $1,500 deposit (refundable at end of contract). A couple of weeks later, your membership will come through. Although the process of membership may seem time-consuming, the running 22 August 2007 about is worth it. All sports activities are catered for: football, tennis, golf, rugby, sailing, swimming, aerobics, yoga, cricket, squash and so on. There is a library, a CD library, a restaurant and a snack bar. Socially, there is a Music Society, an Amateur Dramatics Society, Choir, Scottish Society. Again, the list goes on and on. The interesting thing about the Panaga Club is that you can always find a niche - and funding - for your particular hobby, if you are committed enough to take the initiative. The monthly membership is $94, with an additional $8 if you join the Boat Club and $25 for the golf section. The Brunei Shell Recreation Club This Club, situated a short distance from the Panaga Club, is for junior BSP staff. Most of the facilities of the Panaga Club are found here, but the social life is not as active. The deposit on joining is $1500 and $30 per month thereafter. Mumong Sports Complex Most sports facilities are here. This is a government-sponsored centre, free to all government staff. There is a running track and adequate tennis courts (although not flood lit) and a good swimming pool (30 cents admission). Rivers Boat trips up the Belait River are popular at weekends. First port of call is often the Skull House at Kampong Kuala Balai. The further you go, the more adventurous you must be. For trips to kampongs, most would drive up the Labi road and rejoin the river at Kampong Sawat, saving a four-hour river trip from KB itself (but missing the Skull House and the Sago factory). There is an interesting Iban longhouse at Kampong Apak-Apak, three hours up river from Kampong Sawat. As a teacher, you can get to know which pupils live up river and go home at weekends in Dad's boat. Beaches General advice is the further from KB the cleaner. One of the lesser-known beaches can be found opposite the Labi Road turning on a small metalled road which leads to the "JKR beach". This is a good spot for picnics because of the trees growing up to the sand. The beaches at Lumut and Anduki are worth a trip but as with all beaches in Brunei, sandflies are a problem. Beaches in KB are popular in the early evening with joggers and with locals fishing, swimming and playing with their families. It is not advisable to visit the beach at night especially if alone. Natural History Being less disturbed by humans, oil installations become part of the 'safe environment' for birds and this district is a good place for the binoculars. The Seria Estuary is an internationally important area for winter migrants. The area is on the flight path from Asia and Russia to the Southern Continent. There are two 23 August 2007 hides near Seria for Panaga members. Their Natural History Section is very welcoming and organises film evenings: special interest groups include astronomy, photography, bird counts. Trips and Rambles A good way to start is to join one of the hashes in the area. The mixed hash (KBHHH) meets on Wednesdays at 5.00 pm and explores jungle fringes, dirt roads and coastlines. Occasional anniversary hashes can take you to kampongs many miles inland where the hasher to be honoured (if it is a local) arranges for a horde of noisy Europeans, Chinese and Bruneians to descend for a hash and the inevitable "On On" social gathering afterwards. Getting Out It is very easy to visit Sarawak from Kuala Belait. Miri, a bustling oil town, is only over the Baram River, two sets of immigration posts (Bruneian and Malaysian), and one reasonably good road away. The Belait road bridge has a B$3 toll charge and the Baram road bridge MR10.00. The journey is relatively easy but expect to wait some time at Immigration at the weekends and on public holidays. There is also a bus service to Miri (and on to the Niah Caves in Sarawak) which costs $12 single and takes about 21/2 hours. There is good shopping in Miri: pottery shops, rattan furniture shops, large market, hotels from high class to basic, lots of pubs and discotheques. There is also a domestic airport in Miri which offers very reasonable Air Asia fares to Kuala Lumpur and Johore Baru from which it is easy to get to Singapore. Book through www.airasia.com There are also MAS flights to various destinations. From Kuala Lumpur you get international connections. Restaurants in KB The Teratai at Panaga Club (Continental and local cuisine) Orchid Room, KB The Golden Bar, Seria New China, Seria Red Wing, Seria Buccaneer, KB (Western & Eastern cuisine) – steaks are very good. KB Boat Club - mainly Chinese food KB Riverside stalls (behind Eng Hong supermarket) KB Recreation club (near padang) The Cottage, Jalan Pretty, KB An Nabaa, Jalan Pretty, KB (Indian) Fratini, Jalan Jaya Negara, (Italian) 24 August 2007 Public Library Situated on Jalan McKerron - good selection of English books. Open Market Operates on Sundays only. 4 LIVING IN TUTONG There are two routes to Tutong from the capital. The first route is along Jalan Tutong, passing several petrol stations and taking you about 45-60 minutes (slow moving along the winding road). The second, and more popular route is along the Coast Road. This is dual carriageway and much quicker (30 minutes). However, you will not find any petrol stations along the way. To get to the Coast Road, take the Tungku Link Road from the Airport Highway and follow the signs for Jerudong and Tutong. The speed limit here is 100 kilometres per hour and on-the-spot fines are $50. There are occasional speed traps. Shopping Tutong now has quite a comprehensive collection of shops for normal every day use with the opening of three small shopping complexes behind the original row of shop-houses bordering the river. There is also a large high-rise block, the Halim Plaza, including apartments, a hotel, conference facilities and some retail outlets. There are two supermarkets (and a number of 'corner' shops), a mini-department store (a branch of Millimewah), the newly opened Hua Ho Mall, newsagents/bookshops, hardware and haberdashery stores, hairdressers and tailors, furniture shops and ironmongers, video and record shops, electrical retailers, private doctors, photographers and picture framers, several reliable garage workshops, as well as a large number of modest, friendly cafe-restaurants offering a choice of Muslim/Malay, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian and Western food at very reasonable prices. Most goods are available in supermarkets in Tutong but the range is not as extensive as in Bandar or Kuala Belait. If you find a particular favourite commodity is in stock, and you use it regularly, then bulk buy. Shops can take a long time to restock. A cool box/cooler/chilly bin/Eski is an early priority as fresh meat, fresh milk, cheese, yoghurt and pork products are only available in Bandar or KB. On Thursdays there is a 'tamu' (market) just outside town from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm where fresh fruit and vegetables, etc, can be purchased cheaply. There is a night market every night in the car park of the administration building opposite the post office. There is also a monthly market on the last weekend of the month in the town centre which sells a variety of clothes, food, crafts, etc. Finally, there is a daily fish market opposite the petrol station in town. 25 August 2007 Petrol There are two petrol stations in Tutong town, on either side of town, open from 6.30 am to 9.00 pm. Avoid long queues which may form directly after school at about 1.00 pm, or at 8.30 pm or around pay day. Banks Tutong has branches of the main banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered, Baiduri and IBB). HSBC is open from 8.45 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.45 am to 11.30 am on a Saturday. SCB is open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and from 9.00 am to 11.30 am on Saturday. All banks in Tutong have ATMs. Post Office Open from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday. The hours are the same for Friday except that it is closed between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm Always send non-urgent heavy letters, small parcels, etc., to the UK by 747 (see p11 above) as it is much cheaper. Write the number 747 very prominently in a circle on the front of your post and hand it to the counter staff after putting on your stamps. In Tutong, it has to be handed in at the Post Office by Tuesday at the latest to get on the Saturday flight from Singapore. For mail to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, there is a cheaper second class airmail rate for heavier envelopes, provided their corners are exposed and they are unsealed. Parcels that arrive at the post office have to be checked by customs officials and duty has to be paid on some new items, for example clothing. Videos may have to be sent to the police for censoring and this can take two weeks. Most CfBT teachers rent Post Office Boxes (Peti Surat) for B$40 a year. Driving licences and renewal of road tax can be completed at Tutong Post Office providing your car is less than seven years old. Electricity The office is open as follows: Monday to Saturday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm Tel: 4221208 To avoid visiting every month, you might consider putting your account in credit to reduce bill- paying excursions. Water The office is open for the payment of bills at the following times: Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 2.00 pm Saturday 8.00 am to 10.00 am Tel: 4221212 26 August 2007 Land Transport This is opposite the Muda Hashim Secondary School and is open: Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 11.30 am 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm Saturday 8.00 am to 10.00 am For transfer of car ownership, renewal of car registration Immigration and National Registration Department (for identity cards) The Department is in the white bungalow in front of Land Transport, and its hours are: Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 12.00 am 1.45 pm to 3.45 pm Saturday 8.00 am to 10.00 am TelBru Monday to Thursday/Saturday 8.00 am to 3.00 pm Library Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9.00 am to 12.00 am 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm NB: All government offices close promptly, even if you are in the building. Allow time for this by arriving at the latest 30 minutes before closing time. Tutong Hospital Open from 7.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm every day, it offers a satisfactory range of services. There can be long queues to see the doctor. It is also best to arrive just before 1.30 pm or after 3.30 pm for non-urgent GP appointments. The dentist normally has a walk-in service. Malaria pills are available for trips to Sandakan, Bali, Vietnam, etc. Contraceptive pills are usually given to last a month, but you can ask for two months' supply to cut down on waiting. If there is a queue in the Pharmacy, take a number and return later to pick up your prescription. Eating Out There is a limited range of restaurants in Tutong. The Chinese restaurant next door but one to HSBC facing the river has good food and does take-aways. A second Chinese restaurant near the IBB bank is also popular. For Indian food, try the restaurant two shops down from the Teguraya Supermarket (it cooks 27 August 2007 satay outside in the evenings). There is a Pizza Hut which delivers to your door, and there is also an Express fast food restaurant for burgers, fish and chips and pizzas. The Makanan Laut (Seafood Restaurant) does very good venison dishes as well as all the other usual food. If you decide to buy food to take in to school to share with the staff, make sure it is halal. Sports and Leisure Tutong has its own government sports complex, which is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.00 am to 1130 am and 2.00 pm to 9.30 pm, and Thursday and Saturday 9.00 am to 11.30 am and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. There are two squash courts, six badminton courts, two tennis courts and a tennis wall for practice, a netball court, volleyball court and sepak takraw court. All the facilities are free. Tutong is also ideally situated between Bandar (40 minutes by road) and KB (45 minutes by road) for sports-minded teachers to benefit from the facilities of both. In Tutong itself, badminton is played at the Civic Centre or in school after hours, and squash and tennis at the Army camp if you can get an invitation to play there. There are also opportunities for football and cricket at school. Many teachers find it easy to join and support the Bandar clubs of their choosing, especially the Jerudong Park Medical Centre Gymnasium which offers good facilities including a swimming pool and is only 20 minutes drive away. Other than that, you can fish in the Tutong river, jog on the beach or cycle along the spit and around town. Keen sea swimmers should purchase a lycra body suit to protect them from the sometimes lethal stings of the box jellyfish which are present in the water at certain times of the year. Generally speaking, the pattern of your social life depends very much on your own initiative and your desire (or otherwise) to socialise. In Tutong itself, the Monday 'Hash' offers the opportunity to meet other teachers, expatriates in the army and locals socially. 5 LIVING IN TEMBURONG If you like rural living, then Temburong is the place for you. It has yet to experience its first traffic jam and the rivers and rainforests of Borneo are at your doorstep. Wherever you go in Temburong, your backdrop will be forest-clad hills. There is a constant sense of peace that you do not find elsewhere in Brunei. Temburong is by no means remote: it is only 45 minutes by boat from Bandar Seri Begawan and one and a half to two hours by car. Limbang and Sarawak are only 30 minutes away. All government departments have offices here, so it is possible to do most of the form filling of the first month here and there are no queues. It is up to the individual to make the most of this jungle paradise. If you crave organised entertainment, specialist shopping and life in the fast lane, then Temburong is not for you. If you like islands then think of Temburong in those terms. Certainly, people tend to know your business, but they are also genuinely concerned for your welfare and will readily lend a hand. 28 August 2007 Shopping Food essentials, hardware, stationery, basic kitchenware and household goods are available here. There are Chinese shop houses in the main street and a double storey complex behind that with a few speciality shops, including hairdressers and tailors. There is not a lot of choice and prices are marginally higher than BSB, reflecting freight costs. There is a vegetable and a fish/meat market and, although the food from here is usually quite good, there isn't a wide range and trips to BSB or Limbang are made for those extra items. Limbang is very good for kitchenware, electrical items and other household goods. Most people make shopping trips to BSB or Limbang market every week or two for things they cannot get in Temburong. Newspapers and Magazines These can be ordered through a shop in town. The Sultan Hassan secondary school library receives the Straits Times each day, plus the Borneo Bulletin and various subscription periodicals. All are available to browsers, morning and afternoon. If you live in Bangar town, newspapers and magazines can even be delivered daily to your door. The local air-conditioned library near the town centre stocks newspapers and magazines for in-house reading. The local library staff are happy to sign you up as a borrower. Simply obtain a membership card and have your head teacher witness your signature. The librarians also visit outlying village schools once each month in the Temburong mobile library bus, from which you and your students can also borrow. Banking The only bank in Bangar is the Islamic Bank of Brunei, which has an ATM. Other than that teachers have to go to Bandar for their banking. Post Renting a post office box at the Bangar post office is the most convenient and reliable way to obtain your mail. Visit the local post office manager in your first week in Temburong. You will have to complete some forms and will be required to pay $40 annually. The forms are sent to BSB and your new box should be available within three weeks. Post Office opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 9.00 am to 12.00 am, 1.30 to 4.30 pm (You need to post over the counter before 2.30 pm if you want mail to reach BSB the same day.) Electricity Power cuts in Temburong are sometimes a problem. It is wise to have candles and matches accessible. Also, consider purchasing some power surge resistant plugs for your valuable electronic equipment. A surge may frazzled TVs, computers and microwaves and lightning can also cause damage to appliances. 29 August 2007 Electricity bills arrive monthly and can be paid at the Post Office complex between 2.00 pm to 2.30 pm on working days. Water Water supply is occasionally erratic - you may have no problems for months and then have a bad month when the water is sometimes brown and occasionally has been cut off completely for a day. This usually indicates that work is being done on the pipes. Though irritating, the effects of this variability can be reduced by buying a good water filter and keeping a big container full of water in the bathroom at the ready at all times. Water cuts are usually localised: therefore you can always visit a friend for a shower. Water bills can be paid either monthly or annually (usually only B$2 a month) at the JKR office on Jalan Batu Apoi. Payment hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm Telephone/Internet Connections There can be problems with phone lines in and out of Temburong. You may have to wait a long time for a new house to be connected. Broadband Internet access is available in Temburong but only at selected locations. Identity Cards In the same building as the post office, the office is open in the afternoons until about 3.00 pm. Take a copy of your passport, photos, etc. Do this as soon as possible. Land Transport There is a Land Transport office in Temburong where you can complete all the form filling necessary when getting a car, i.e. transfer of ownership, tax, etc. Eating Out There are four good local restaurants in the main street, one Indian and three Chinese, including the Red Rose Café, which provides western cuisine, and the Temburong café which has a vegetarian menu. They all close at approximately 8.00 pm. Above the market, there are a couple of smaller stalls with friendly service and a nice view of the river. On the river's edge opposite the market, there are usually a couple of fried chicken, burger and satay stalls. Across the river is the very pleasant and modern government offices' outdoor café, which welcomes townsfolk as well as government employees. It is only open during the daytime until about 2.00 pm. In the surrounding kampongs there are a number and variety of restaurants and food stalls. Hizadayani Restaurant on Jalan Kg Menengah is a popular restaurant specialising in Indonesian food. 30 August 2007 Medical PIHM Hospital has two wards, X-ray and laboratory facilities, three doctors, dentists, an eye clinic once a week and a comprehensive pharmacy. Referrals can be made to specialists in RIPAS Hospital, BSB, to which you will be transported by the hospital's own boat. Emergencies are evacuated by helicopter. There are no private doctors in Temburong. It is wise to visit the hospital upon arrival and ask to register. The form filling will save you time at a later stage when or if you are ill. Dental There is a dental clinic at the hospital with good dentists. Boat Transport Boats operate between Temburong and BSB from 6.30am to 5.00pm. No set timetable. You will need your IC or passport, as the trip to/from Bandar does go through Malaysian waters. There is occasionally a brief stop at a jetty along the way to enable the Brunei police to monitor passenger numbers and make the occasional bag/cargo check. Travelling time to Bandar is about 45 minutes and fares are $6 each way on both the yellow and blue boats. Boat operating times: BSB to Temburong: First boat departs at 7.00 am and last boat at 5.15 pm Temburong to BSB: First boat departs at 6.30 am and last boat at 4.30 pm Temburong teachers receive a salary supplement of $150 per month to compensate for extra expenses such as boat fares across to BSB, taxi fares, and so on. There is also a government boat that departs from BSB at 6.00am. Cars It is more difficult to buy a car in Temburong as there are fewer second-hand cars on the market. Most teachers find a car in BSB and drive it to Temburong after purchase. To drive to Temburong you take Jalan Tutong and turn off at Jalan Benkurong Masin. You then follow the signs to Kuala Lurah where you go through Immigration and Customs (see below "Trips to Limbang - Getting there by Road" for more details on making this journey). The closing time of Immigration at Kuala Lurah is 10.00 pm. Once through Immigration, you drive on to Limbang. The roads are all easily passable in an ordinary car. Once in Limbang, you must stamp your passport at the immigration in the town centre (closing time 5.00pm) before driving on to Temburong. There is one more river to cross, the Padaruan River. The ferries run until 10.00 pm. The cost is B$4.00. 1/2 This whole journey takes approximately 1- 2 hours. 31 August 2007 Remember that to be driven through Malaysia, your car needs a third brake light mounted in the rear window. There is only one petrol station in Temburong on the Batang Duri road a kilometre from the town centre. Social and Sports Activities There is little in the way of organised entertainment in Temburong. There is, however, the potential for a wide range of different activities, especially sporting activities. Facilities in Temburong include badminton, netball and volleyball courts and softball, football and hockey pitches, usually school-based. Each kampong organises its own sports teams and would always welcome new players. Temburong's largest resource is its jungle. It is there waiting outside your door to be explored by foot, boat or pedal or just simply admired. On the Labu road about 15 kilometres from town is the climb to Bukit Patoi, which is along a board walk for most of the way. There are numerous other walks, tracks and waterfalls to explore. Limbang Just 30 minutes from Bangar is Limbang's airport and access to some very competitive MAS airfares. See Mr Mah's MAS Travel Centre or Willing Travel for some great Malaysian and international bargains plus easy reservations (Malaysian school holidays are different from Brunei's). Leave your car at home and travel with ease from Temburong! Limbang has an Olympic-sized swimming pool and running track. It has several good restaurants and fast food outlets in the Ngiu Kee building, which also has a supermarket, department store and many small shops. There is also the Purnama Hotel, which is popular with expatriates and very cheap for what it offers. Ask for CfBT's special rate. It must be remembered that a trip to Limbang - no matter how brief - means leaving Brunei and proper formalities must be observed. CfBT Temburong Education Centre (TEMBEC) In November 1997, the Temburong Education Centre was opened. This forms part of CfBT Education Services development of resources for teachers in all districts. The Education Centre is managed by Anie Khan. The Education Centre has Internet access, colour scanning and printing, and a number of computers for materials development. It also has classroom space, reference book resources and teaching materials, together with a meeting area, small library of paperback books and extensive collection of VCDs that can be borrowed. Telephone and fax facilities are also available. Mail is delivered regularly from BSB to TembEC. Resources from the BSB Education Centre can be ordered and collected at TembEC. All office administrative work such as renewing visas, etc, can be done through the TembEC office. The current opening hours are as follows: Monday to Thursday 12.00 – 6.00 pm Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm 32 August 2007 6 OUT OF TOWN There are many things to do outside of towns, revolving around beaches, rivers and the jungle. Sensible precautions should be taken: sun cream, drinking water and insect repellent for all three, an umbrella for river trips, and a torch, a small medical kit, matches, drinking water and a parang (local machete) for longer jungle walks. From BSB, you will need at least a day for KB and environs, and similarly for Tutong and the Labi Road except where indicated. SC means that the trip is suitable for (or to be tolerated by) older children (8+); SYC means that even young children can go, though if the child is young enough to be put in a backpack then such restrictions do not apply. 4WD means that this kind of vehicle is advisable, particularly after heavy rain or during the monsoons. It is worth the effort to get into the countryside. There are few roads but many tracks, and the jungle is never more than a few minutes away, full of paths particularly on the ridges, and often cooler than you would imagine, even in the middle of the day. There is abundant wild life and the rivers especially are highways for birds and butterflies. Beaches, many unfrequented, usually offer bathing and are ideal places for barbecues. From a summit on the Labi Road, you look over endless ripples of forest which stretch uninterrupted to the border and, in the mind's eye, into the vastness of Sarawak and Kalimantan. It does the heart good. Tutong District 1 Pantai Seri Kenangan (Tutong Beach) - SYC 1/2 day From the far side of Tutong town, turn right to PSK/Kuala Tutong. Half a mile on, the beach with the Tutong River behind, has shade, tables, shelter, is regularly cleaned and tidied and is safe for swimming (in very calm weather keep an eye open for jellyfish). Half a mile in either direction, by road or by track (to the right of the Istana Pantai), the beach is normally deserted. There is a beach festival once a year in July, with top-spinning, kite-flying and memorable talent contests. 2 Tasek Merimbun (Merimbun Lake) - SYC and 4WD often From BSB: Drive out of Tutong towards KB along the coast road. Turn left into Jalan Tanjong Maya/Layong, which is approximately 10km from Tutong. Drive for 7km and then turn into Jalan Penapar Ukong. Stick to the main sealed road, through Kg Bukit until you get to Tasek Merimbun. From KB: Drive out of KB towards Tutong. Turn right approximately 10 km before Tutong into Jalan Tanjong Maya/Layong. Drive for 7 km and then turn into Jalan Penapar Ukong. Stick to the main sealed road, through Kg Bukit until you get to Tasek Merimbun. There is an alternative route via Kg Lamunin and Kg Rambai, although this route is very difficult now, as the road has deteriorated considerably. There is a pleasant lakeside walk to a series of wooden walkways and an island. Birdlife is prolific, and it is a cool spot to spend time/have a barbecue. The lake is shallow and there are signs warning of crocodiles, but these rarely appear. It 33 August 2007 is becoming very popular with visitors, particularly on Friday and Sunday lunch times and on National Holidays. There is also a very good Environmental Exhibition Centre which was sponsored by HSBC. 3 Lamunin - SC 1/2 day A good area to drive in to see rural Bruneian life. Many interlinking roads and tracks and probably many jungle walks, several looping back ways to BSB. 4 Tutong River Trip - SC A trip up the Tutong River can be arranged from the Marine Yard at Kuala Tutong - follow the road to Tutong Beach and keep going to the end of the spit, it is on the left. For 10 or more people the cost will be $23 per head for half a day. Make sure the hire of boatmen and petrol costs are included in the initial estimate. Trips for smaller numbers can probably be arranged from the landing stage in Tutong (opposite the shop-houses). The trip goes through estuarine swampland, up through fairly heavily populated kampong areas (Malay and Dusun) to quieter reaches beyond Layong. If you are lucky you will see many birds, butterflies and monkeys. On the upper reaches, there are increasing numbers of crocodiles which you may be lucky enough to see sunning themselves on the sandbanks in the late afternoon. A similar trip can probably be arranged (certainly if you teach locally) on the Telamba River at Telisai, 10 miles from KB on the main road. 5 Louis Mini Zoo A privately owned zoo with a variety of animals and birds such as camels, donkeys, snakes, lots of monitor lizards, chimpanzees, porcupines, owls, ostriches, peacocks and lots more. The zoo is situated along Jalan Tutong, about half a mile from the Lamunin turn-off and just before you hit Tutong town. Entrance fees are $4 per adult and half price for children. Rather a depressing place though. 6 The Labi Road The road from Sungai Liang to Labi and beyond (about 57 miles from BSB) goes furthest into the interior of Brunei, crossing two ranges of hills. It is bordered by magnificent jungle, with many old logging trails and other tracks off to right and left, particularly along rivers and streams. A quarter of a mile from the turn-off at Sungai Liang there is the: , Arboretum (SC) On the right, a good place to familiarise yourself with local trees and plants, though not necessarily with their names since many are numbered only. , Rampayoh Falls (SC) At Labi, the surfaced road stops. A quarter of a mile along the continuing track, you will see a sign on the left for 'Wasai Rampayoh (Rampayoh 34 August 2007 Falls), 120 minutes'. This is a beautiful, well-maintained walk by a river, mostly in mature primary jungle. After 50 minutes there is a neat camp used by the British Army with a large natural bathing area and many places to laze around or do an assault course if the army is not in occupation. Continue along the main river for another 70 minutes to the falls, where there is a fine natural amphitheatre and a deep pool for swimming and diving. This is a good place to camp if you have the equipment and the nerve. , Other Waterfalls (SC, 4WD) Continue to the end of the track from Labi. Park by the new longhouse and then follow the stream to the left. A 30-40 minute walk, always following the stream, brings you to another attractive, though more frequented, waterfall with a basic picnic area. The path goes on, apparently, to more falls higher up. The Labi Valley is a real get-away-from-it-all place with strong reminders of traditional village life, both Malay and Chinese. There are several roadside shops for food and drink, including a Kedai Makan at the first fork (coming from Sungai Liang) in the valley. There are also a number of Iban longhouses dotted about, though lovers of the picturesque will find them too modern. Visiting Longhouses Visiting a longhouse (usually Iban and up the Belait or the Limbang River) is a popular activity for a long weekend. Longhouse dwellers have a strong tradition of hospitality and a high tolerance of visitors' behaviour and almost without exception people come away from a visit impressed and touched by the gentle courtesy of their hosts and the deft way they have been put at ease. Few of the formal rules of etiquette necessary for acceptance in Malay society apply, but the following general observations are worth noting: 1 If you stay the night in a longhouse, it will be the duty of the hosts to feed you. Particularly if you arrive without warning, it's best to bring food that can be added to the communal meal table: they will take it and cook it. Meat, vegetables, fruits are all acceptable. Small presents of coffee, dried fish, nuts, aji-no-moto (monosodium glutimate), sugar, salt, tinned food, etc., can be given in addition to or in place of the well-known gift of beer or spirits. For the children, balloons or a football are probably better than sweets. 2 As noted above, longhouses are very relaxed places and it is hard to offend, but when you are welcomed, probably by the headman, and asked to sit down with him and his immediate circle, try and make your feelings known, even if your Malay is poor and your Iban non-existent. A few words of conversation will always be appreciated. 3 Try to eat with some enthusiasm when you are called to do so. The food is quite tasty and not highly spiced. You may find that more than one 35 August 2007 family will ask you to eat. If you can anticipate this, eat sparingly at first so you don't have to reject later offers. 4 Later in the evening, there may be dancing. Be prepared to do the Hornbill Dance! If you can sing or play an instrument, it will be much appreciated. When (if) you get to bed, you will find that a lot of thought has gone into making you comfortable. Finally, if you take photos - you are usually welcome to do so - remember to get prints for the longhouse and send them with the next party. Temburong Getting There Boats go anytime during the hours of daylight. There is no fixed timetable, but they are more frequent when the greatest number of people is travelling, i.e. early morning and late afternoon: the last boat departs BSB around 5.15 pm. Don't forget your IC or passport. All boats leave from the main jetty in front of the food stalls by the fountain-like structure. There are two companies: a) Syarikat (a cooperative) - yellow boats ($6 single fare) b) YSY (Hj Salleh) - blue boats ($6 single fare) Look at the number of people going and ask what time the next boat will be leaving. The journey takes about 45 minutes. For the return journey, there is no certainty of finding boats back to BSB after 4.30pm (when Co-op sends its last boat). Getting Around Difficult, as there are very few taxis and very high fares. Unofficial taxis will take you so ask around especially on and around the boat. YSY have a land cruiser which they will hire out (with driver). See Hj Salleh (the boss), who is often on the wharf, or Sulaiman. Negotiate the route, timing, e.g. if you want to be picked up later, and the price. If they can't help they may point you towards someone who can. A taxi ride around the district costs $30. You can put a motorbike on the boat for $12 extra. Food/Drink Temburong has one row of shop houses with a number of restaurants: Hasinah Restaurant: Second from river. Indian Muslim, good rotis in the morning until 11.00 am. Acceptable Malay food at lunchtime ($5 for chicken, fish, two veg and rice). Will do takeaways. Temburong Restaurant: Third from river. Chinese. Offers a greater variety of food than above: venison, beef, sweet and sour fish, prawns, etc. Very reasonably priced: $4 for beef in ginger with rice. Chicken and Chips for $5. Bangar Restaurant: In the middle of the row of shop houses, exactly the same as in Temburong Restaurant; also cheap. 36 August 2007 Red Rose Café: Under the TembEC office. KPBT Hijrah Restaurant: No 8 from the river, serves buffet lunch and dinner daily. What to see/do a) Climb Bukit Patoi, which is nine miles along the Labu Road across the bridge, straight past the new hospital and the army camps. Forest Reserve: a marked path begins on the right of the road with a steep climb. Average time required is one hour through fascinating primary jungle (shady, not too hot). A pity the trees are labelled only in Malay. Look out for the wildlife: hornbills, monitor lizards, squirrels, monkeys. The view from the top makes the climb worthwhile. The really intrepid could try to continue along the ridge to Bukit Perdayan. For the descent use the same route. The alternative (keluar: left at top of the 'wall') is impossible to follow. b) Visit Karangan/Taman Batang Duri, a garden picnic area with a mini-zoo. There is a fine view over the Temburong River valley, and you can go swimming. The zoo would not appeal much to animal lovers, but may be your only chance to get near a civet cat, proboscis monkey or honey bear. Location: Mile 10 on the main road running parallel to the Temburong River. One mile further, at the end of the road, two paths go off. Left goes to Batang Duri longhouse (they're fairly accustomed to visitors); right (just about drivable for 300 yards) goes down to the riverside with a nice picnic place provided that (i) the river isn't in full spate, and (ii) not too many others have had the same idea and left their rubbish behind. You can always walk further upstream. There are excellent possibilities for 'tubing' on the river. c) Picnic along rivers especially near Batu Apoi, 31/2 miles along the Labu road. Turn right 100 yards after the bridge for an interesting logging track going up into quite dense jungle. Not recommended if wet. Temada Road has a number of longhouses, on or near Pandaruan River (this is the border between Brunei and Sarawak). There is nice, unspoiled countryside up here and plenty of jungle walks to be discovered. d) Swim/BBQ at the very end of Batang Duri Road (walk the last 200 metres down a track). NB: If you swim in any of Borneo's rivers, it is advisable to always make a quick mental note of the water-level. Heavy rainfall many miles upstream can cause these rivers to rise unexpectedly. e) Go boating in the river. f) Jungle treks and walks galore. g) Visit a longhouse along the Temada or Batang Duri roads. h) Cross over to Limbang for lunch/dinner and a beer by the river at Maggie's Cafe. Pick up your choice of fruit and vegetables from the excellent market. 37 August 2007 i) Make a round-trip: BSB to Temburong, across to Limbang and back to BSB down the Limbang River (passport required). j) Day trip to Lawas in Sarawak (easy onward access to Kota Kinabalu). k) Arrange a house/car swap with a colleague in Temburong. l) Enjoy a roti and a walk around town. Ulu Temburong National Park This is Brunei's first National Park in the Southern part of the Temburong District, which forms part of the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. All visitors must obtain a certified permit before entering the Park. The permit may be obtained from: The National Park Section Forestry Department Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources Bandar Seri Begawan 2067 Tel: 2381687/2381013/2382013 Fax: 2381012 E mail: jphq@brunet.bn Tour operators organise excursions to the National Park of one or two-day duration with an overnight stay at the Park headquarters at Kuala Belalong. Visits can also be arranged through the Outward Bound Centre in Batang Duri (Tel: 2382970/2382971, Fax: 2382972, email: obbd@brunet.bn). Their package also involves additional activities such as rafting, abseiling and flying fox. The journey in itself is an adventure. After arriving in Bangar, the journey continues along a sealed road to Batang Duri, approximately 16km from town. Then board a longboat for the journey up river. The duration of the journey depends on the level of the river. During long spells of dry weather, the boat may need to be pushed through the shallower areas. At the Park Headquarters, all visitors are required to register. A boardwalk starts at the Park Headquarters and continues over a suspension bridge then up the ridge to the start of the canopy walk. The canopy walk is a series of interconnected bridges and towers above treetop level. The climb up the towers to the canopy walk would not suit those nervous about heights. At 65 metres at its highest point, the canopy walk affords fine views over the rolling, jungle clad hills of Temburong and a close up view of the fauna and flora that inhabits the canopy. Limbang Limbang is a regional centre set on a river. It has a small water village, a large market and a new shopping arcade. It is largely driven by Bruneian money spent by the huge numbers driving in at weekends to take advantage of lower prices and the weak Malaysian currency. It has the reputation of being a bit of a red light area but this might only be so when it is compared to towns in Brunei. A day-trip or overnight stay makes a welcome break in a place with a very different atmosphere. Market day (Friday) is very busy with four out of five cars bearing Brunei number plates. Lots of local fruit and vegetables, dried fish, etc., and sometimes traditional craft goods are available. 38 August 2007 Accommodation/Eating There is a multi-storey hotel in Limbang, the Purnama, with reasonable rooms from M$65 to M$90++, as well as several others such as the National Inn and Royal Park at about M$50. All are air-conditioned and have televisions. The Purnama is in the centre of town, whilst the other two are on the left along the main road from Immigration, past the mosque. They are both on the riverfront in the last block - everyone knows them, just ask. There are plenty of places to eat in Limbang, including Maggie's Place near the National Inn for good seafood in the evenings. Try the little Malay places by the Bus Station (behind the Muhibbah Hotel in the town centre) for breakfast/lunch, or on the first floor of the wet market. The Chinese restaurants generally serve beer but the Malay ones do not. There are a few bars in the area near Maggie's, and the Purnama has a lounge where live bands perform in the evenings. Getting there from BSB By Road The journey takes one and a half to two hours, depending on how long it takes to get through Immigration and Customs at the border. It is an easy drive along a surfaced road. If you plan to go on Thursday or Saturday, it is advisable to book a hotel room in advance. The process of negotiating the Brunei and Malaysia Immigration and customs is described below: A. Departure from Brunei 1 Take your passport and a photocopy of your blue card and insurance certificate (in case of an accident). Complete the Malaysian Immigration forms and the Brunei car export permit form before you leave home if possible. (The same form is valid for this border and the Miri border) 2 When you reach the Brunei border at Kuala Lurah, join the queue to drive through. Present your completed car export permit form at the first window (customs) to have it stamped and details recorded. Present your passport at the second window. B. Entering Malaysia 1 Take your passport to the Immigration booth, together with a completed immigration card for Malaysia. 2. Take your copy of the blue card to the customs counter and complete a Malaysian car permit form to have stamped. These permits are valid for multiple entries to Malaysia for three months. Back to Brunei: A. Departure from Malaysia 39 August 2007 1. Have your passport stamped at Immigration and the Malaysian car permit form stamped at Customs. B. Entering Brunei 1. Have your passport stamped. Any visitors to Brunei or dependants with visitors visas only will also have to complete a Brunei Immigration form. 2. Complete an alcohol declaration form (if you have bought any in Malaysia) in duplicate and present these to Customs, together with the Brunei car form. Keep your copy of the alcohol form. (Your allowance is 12 cans of beer and 2 bottles of wine or spirits. Do not exceed this.) If in any doubt about what to do, don't be afraid to ask your fellow travellers who will be pleased to advise you. Kuala Lurah This is at the border between Brunei and Malaysia by road as described above. This is a collection of ramshackle buildings that has sprung up to accommodate visitors from Brunei who wish to cross the border to buy alcohol but do not wish to drive all the way to Limbang. Drive to the border from Brunei but leave your car on the Brunei side so that you do not have to complete the formalities for taking your car into Malaysia (at present, cars are prohibited from parking within 500 metres of the border post. A B$50 fine is in effect. Inform CfBT of any intention to cross the border). You can then walk to and across the border completing the normal immigration procedures as described above. A number of small bars have sprung up here that are popular with Chinese expatriates and they can be quite lively at weekends. The border crossing can be very busy at weekends and patience and courtesy to the Immigration officers is welcomed. Your duty free allowance can be purchased from here. Don't forget that the border closes at 10.00 pm so you need to think about leaving the bar by about 9.30 pm as you do not want to be stuck out at Kuala Lurah on the wrong side of the border without a car. Labuan Labuan is a duty-free island and as a result has become increasingly popular over the years with visitors from Brunei. This means that ferry tickets need to be booked in advance, particularly over long weekends. Getting there from BSB The trip takes about one hour by boat and you need to book in advance. Passports must be taken. Ferries leave from the Serasa Ferry Terminal, off the coast road just before Muara town. It is clearly signposted. There are several ferries a day and ferry times are printed in the Borneo Bulletin. The fare is $25 return (half price for children) and tickets are available from travel agents in BSB, Muara town and the ferry terminal itself. It is possible to book outward journeys on one ferry and return on another, two separate tickets being issued. People over 55 years of age are entitled to a senior citizens' rate. You can get an onward boat from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. 40 August 2007 What to do in Labuan The duty free shopping is becoming a great attraction in Labuan, and the range of shops is improving. There is also a daily market selling a variety of products including fabrics and Philippine handicrafts. There are some nice beaches on the west coast of the island and if you hire a car you could visit these. The Japanese War Memorial and the Allied Forces cemetery are outside the town centre and worth a visit. In the evenings there are bars, with dancing, discos and live bands. There are plenty of hotels and a number have been refurbished in answer to the growing need for overnight accommodation. The Manikar Resort Hotel, on the north side of the island opened in 1993, had good facilities and reasonable food but is now very run down. It is quite far from town but a courtesy bus runs every hour. The Waterfront Hotel and the Labuan Sheraton are two good hotels in town. The Tiara is a little bit further out of town ($6 Malaysian in a taxi) but offers very good facilities. Miri Miri is an oil city in neighbouring Sarawak that is good for entertainment and shopping. It is possible to get there and back in one day, but it is much more relaxing to have a couple of days. The queues at the border can be lengthy during public holidays and weekends after payday. Some travel agents in Miri have good bargains for international flights so, if you are based in Kuala Belait, you may want to establish a contact in Miri but do be wary of where you leave your car in Miri. Cars are much more expensive in Malaysia than in Brunei, so there is always a risk of theft. Getting there from BSB Take with you: Passport Photocopy of your blue card for your car Photocopy of your insurance cover note Brunei car permit form (can be obtained at the border) Malaysian Immigration form From BSB, follow the coast road towards Kuala Belait, (about 110 km). Don't leave this road. Close to KB you will reach a toll booth, where you pay $3. You then cross the Belait river and eventually you come to the Customs and Immigration Post for Brunei. Submit your completed car permit form at Customs to register your car. The stamped form is valid for travel to Malaysia for three months. You must have it stamped on entry and exit each time you cross the border. After customs go to the Immigration window where you show your passport. There is then a short drive to the Malaysian Immigration Post. Go to 41 August 2007 Immigration first and submit your passport and completed Immigration forms. Once you have been through the immigration procedure, then you will need to park your car and go to the Customs window on the right, fill in a Malaysian car permit form with the details from your blue card and have it stamped. This is also valid for three months. Continuing the journey, from the Malaysian Customs Post, follow the road to a roundabout and bear left to the bridge over the Baram river (on a clear day Mount Mulu will be clearly visible on the lefthand side as you cross. The toll charge is MR10.00. From the bridge, the route to Miri is signposted. Total trip time is normally two-three hours, but can be longer at holiday weekends. On your return journey you have to show your car pass at the Malaysian customs office and complete Malaysian exit formalities by handing in your passport for stamping. Then in Brunei you have to submit your passport. You must then hand in your Brunei car form to Customs, along with duplicate alcohol declaration forms for your allowance, which is currently two bottles of wine or spirits and 12 cans of beer per non-Muslim adult. What to do in Miri Shop, party, eat and drink. There are a couple of resort hotels located near Brighton beach to the west of the town. The Park City Everly is very reasonably priced, and has special prices for some weekends and at various times of the year, e.g. Christmas but it is a little run down but still perfectly acceptable. The Marriott Hotel has recently been renovated and is more expensive but worth it for a bit of luxury. The Marriott now offers a corporate rate for CfBT employees. Mention that you are with CfBT when you book your room. Travel agents in Brunei can book these for you and advise you on any special rates (make sure you ask for special rates even if none are advertised). Don't be afraid to ask for special rates or extras such as breakfast included. There are also some very nice serviced apartments, such as the Imperial Court in the centre of town, which can be rented by the day or week. Miri is also a starting point for getting to Niah Caves, Mulu Caves (by air or on organised trips - see travel agents), and the National Parks of Sarawak. It is also possible to drive from Miri to Kuching, although the road is not the best, so either travel with someone else in convoy or get good information from someone who has done it before. It is about 1000km so you would need to do it in two days, staying overnight in Sibu on the way. Some people do it in a day, but it is not advisable. There is also a domestic airport in Miri. Air Asia offers very reasonable fares to Kuala Lumpur and Johore Baru from which it is easy to get to Singapore. Book through www.airasia.com . There are also MAS flights to various destinations. From Kuala Lumpur you can get international connections. Masugara Travel (tel: 242 3963) based in BSB offers taxi drop-off and pick-up to and from Miri airport for a reasonable fixed rate. 42 August 2007 7 GETTING AROUND BSB 7.1 Public Transport Buses Run daily from the BSB bus station from the multi-storey car park in Jalan Cator, just off Jalan Sultan. Approx Length of Destination Fare Frequency Journey Berakas 40 minutes $1 Every two hours From 7.00 am to 5.00 pm Muara 1 hour $2 Every 45 minutes From 7.30 am to 5.150 pm Tutong 1 hour $2 Seria Bus: see below Seria 2 hours $4 Every 35 minutes From 7.10 am to 3.00 pm Kuala Belait 30 minutes (from $1 (No through buses to KB. Seria) Change at Seria) There are also buses which cover routes from BSB to RIPAS Hospital, the airport, Muara, Centrepoint in Gadong, etc. These buses are purple and the fare is $1.00 for adults and 50? for pensioners and children, regardless of length of journey. However, bus services cannot be seriously regarded as a regular and reliable means of transport although things are improving in this area. Bus route maps are available at the bus station and are also to be found in recent telephone directories. Taxis White and tan taxis are expensive and rather elusive. Always make sure the meter is switched on. A surcharge may be added after 9.00 pm. If you take a taxi from the airport, always make sure you agree the price before. There are taxi stands outside the airport and bus station. Taxis become scarce after 4.00 pm. Try phoning 2222214. If you find yourself in need of a taxi for the day, you can trying calling Mr. Lim on 8734082 who provides reliable service for a negotiated flat rate. Destination (from centre of BSB) Airport $20 Tutong $60 Berakas $25 Seria $100 Kota Batu $25 Kuala Belait $120 Muara $30 43 August 2007 Water Taxis Boats are a very common and traditional form of public transport in Brunei for travel around the water village (Kampong Ayer). Water taxis crossing from the wharf along Jalan McArthur to Kampong Ayer cost 50 cents or $1 per person. A pleasant half hour trip around Kampong Ayer via the Palace should cost no more than $10 per person from Jalan Kianggeh next to the Tamu. 7.2 USE OF CARS DURING THE ORIENTATION COURSE Availability During your Orientation Course, a car will be hired for you from a private company. The car is available for up to two weeks. Costs Hiring costs are at CfBT's expense for two weeks from the date of renting. Thereafter a car may be used for a further two weeks at an approximate cost of B$150 per week. CfBT Inspection Form This will be given to you on arrival. Refer to this form for confirmation of who owns the car, and check it for accuracy of completed details. Sign and return the form to the CfBT office as soon as possible. Make a written note of any discrepancies on the form before returning it. Report any mechanical faults during the hire period to CfBT in the first instance or direct to the Hire Company. Details of the Hire Company will be given to you during the Orientation Course. When returning the car, please make an appointment with the office so cars can be mutually checked. Please return the car in a clean condition or you may be charged the cost of a car wash, and fill the petrol tank. Accidents and Insurance You are responsible for the first $1000-$2000 worth of damage incurred in the event of an accident involving a hire car. Ensure you read the section on Road Accidents (page 49). In the event of an accident involving a hire car or CfBT car: , Stress the car is borrowed rather than hired , Co-operate but do not give up your passport under any circumstances. , Use the CfBT address and office telephone numbers for contacts When involved in an accident, it must be reported to the Police within 24 hours if you wish to make a claim on insurance. If the police are called to the scene of the accident, you may be interviewed or asked to go to the police station to make 44 August 2007 a statement. If there is time, you may wish to contact CfBT for advice first. It might also be helpful to have a Malay speaking member of CfBT 's staff with you to help with any language barriers. If the police intend to prosecute you will be asked to pay a bail bond of $500. Don't lose the receipt. 7.3 Legal Formalities on The Road Land Transport is the government department dealing with the legal requirements of the road, i.e. driving licences, vehicle ownership, road tax and driving tests. Offices are located in Bandar and regional centres. Post Offices can renew driving licences and road tax on vehicles less than seven years old: older vehicles require a certificate of roadworthiness. Office Hours Monday to Saturday 8.00 am to 11.45 am 1.45 pm to 3.00 pm Friday (Road Tax renewal only) 8.00 am to 11.00 am Bandar Seri Begawan Old Land Transport Building Enquiry counter All application forms for driving licences, road tax, etc Room A or B Interview with Licensing Officer Counter 3 International Driving Licence Counter 4 Renewal of Driving Licence Counter 5 Payment for Driving Licence + processing of papers Bandar Seri Begawan New Land Transport Building (Vehicle Testing Site on Jalan Gadong) Vehicles Under 7 Years Old - Submit application and supporting documents - For payment and collection of disc - Lost Blue (Registration) card - Learner Drivers Vehicles Over 7 Years Old - Road tax (for vehicles over 7 years old - after inspection, cash payment and issuance of disc) - Road tax (for vehicles over 7 years old - payment of inspection fee) Land Transport offices are located in the other three districts of the country and you are advised to refer to your copy of the map book in your Welcome Folder to find these. 45 August 2007 Driving Licences International Licences It is legally permissible to drive on this licence for 90 days from the date of arrival. Licences from Other Countries It is sometimes acceptable to drive in Brunei on the strength of an overseas licence, provided it is currently valid. Once you have a work permit and multiple re-entry visa, you are legally obliged to apply for a Bruneian licence. Applying for a Bruneian Licence (Full or Provisional) Applications are made at Land Transport offices. Before submitting the application, prepare the following documentation and cash fee: , Completed computerised green application form , Original driving licence and photocopy , Passport or IC and photocopy , Fee: $10 for one year $30 for three years (for subsequent licences only) In BSB, submit your documents to the Licensing Officer at the Old Land Transport building in Room A or B. He will check the documentation and, on very rare occasions, recommends the driver sit a test. Once approved, you will be referred to Counter 6 for processing and payment. Driving licences are usually issued for one year. On renewal, you can apply for a three-year licence. Renewal of Driving Licence The same procedure is followed for renewals, but this time include the original driving licence. Alternatively, you can renew your licence at the post office before the expiry date. It is essential that your Bruneian driving licence be renewed on or before the licence expires. Driving without a valid driving licence is an offence and carries a heavy fine or driving ban. Also, driving without a valid licence invalidates the Third Party Insurance on your car. This also is an offence and carries a heavy fine, and you will be suspended from driving for one year. Road Tax and Road Tax Renewal Documents required: Complete Form A (Regulation 64) - Pink Current Insurance policy or cover note with photocopies Fee of $2.25 per 100 cc (e.g. 1600 cc - fee is $36 per annum) Inspection Fee: $5 for cars over seven years old Section One: Road tax for cars under seven years old. Submit application and supporting documents to Counter 6. Make payment and 46 August 2007 collect disc at Counter 7. This can also be done at Post Offices. Section Two: Road tax for cars seven years and over. The car must undergo a manual roadworthy inspection. This is carried out at the New Land Transport building on Jalan Gadong (see map in your road atlas). Prepare the following supporting documents: , completed Form A , current insurance policy and cover note , fee ($2.25 per 100 cc) , inspection fee $5 Take car and documents to the Land Transport Testing Station. Join line 3 or 4 and submit documents to the office. Car is then inspected. Road tax is issued upon passing inspection. If the car fails, a list of faults is given, and the car must be repaired and re-tested before road tax is issued. Allow two hours for this test. Some workshops will do this for you for a fee of about $30. Fees: , 1st Roadworthy Test $5 , 2nd Roadworthy Re-test $10 Tax Disc is collected from the New Land Transport building on Jalan Gadong. Loss of Road Tax (Log Book/Blue Card) This must be reported to the Police. Take a copy of the report with valid insurance policy and receipt to Land Transport and make an application for a replacement. Learning to Drive A learner driver may only drive accompanied by a qualified government approved instructor. All learner drivers must use a government approved driving school to learn how to drive. The minimum requirement for eligibility to sit for a driving test is attendance at three lectures on the rules and regulations of driving, and ten hours of driving lessons. First apply for a provisional driving licence. Whilst making the application, obtain a copy of the government appointed driving schools. The next step is to choose a driving school with an instructor who speaks English, and register with them. Driving instructors who can speak English are in short supply, demand is high and they have long waiting lists. Fees Payable to Driving School $15 per driving lesson (45 mins to one hour) 47 August 2007 $100 for three lectures $10 for learner insurance $80 for driving test $10 for highway code test (paid to the driving instructor for payment to Land Transport) Driving Test The test has a written and practical component: Written Test Lectures (and sometimes videos) are given as preparation for this. The test itself is divided into two parts - the first 24 questions are multiple choice and you may get up to six wrong answers and still pass. The next 16 questions are road signs and one wrong answer means an automatic failure. One person failed because they identified the familiar road sign showing two children crossing as 'School' when strictly speaking it should be 'Slow, Children Crossing'. Should you need to, and at the discretion of the examiner, you can sit this test again. Practical Test This involves general driving and some very precise reversing, where turning rulers are used to measure the clearance. It is unusual but not impossible to pass first time. However, if you fail the practical test, you cannot re-apply for two months. Driving Schools BSB Bernard Shak (Tel: 4425169) Tutong Sitihara Driving School 1290 Kg. Sg Kelugo Tutong Tel: 4240048 (Contact Stella) Motor Insurance The legal minimum requirement is Third Party insurance. Below are general details on the type of insurance available and some points to consider. Purchase of insurance is entirely a personal choice and it is advisable 'to shop around' the various companies listed in the Yellow Pages when selecting insurance. In view of recent acts of vandalism and an unfortunate accident when a tree collapsed on a parked vehicle, it is advisable to give serious thought to purchasing Comprehensive Insurance. Once insurance has been purchased, please make sure you are familiar with the Company's procedure and expectations in the event of your being involved in an accident. 48 August 2007 a Comprehensive Insurance , Advisable for new and relatively new cars , Annual premium is based on the car's engine capacity , Excess on new and used cars is 3% of the value of the sum of the car insured , No Claims Bonus: 1st year - 0% 2nd year - 20% 3rd year - 25% 4th year - 33% (If insured with a local company, maximum can be 40%) , In the event of a write-off, the company pays compensation according to market value of car at time of accident. , Comprehensive Policy does not cover: 1. damage to windscreen by stones/gravel - can be insured against for an extra 15 per cent premium. (GRE Insurance Company includes this insurance in its premiums.) 2. theft of cassette player from car - can be insured for an extra $40-$250 per annum. b Third Party Insurance , Covers damage or injury to a third party only , Insurance covers unlimited liability to claims by third parties. c Third Party Fire & Theft Insurance This costs three-quarters of the Comprehensive Insurance premium, so it is not worth taking out. For extra cover, you may as well take out a Comprehensive policy. d Depreciation , Can be up to 25% once a new car is on the road. , Ask the company about the car's value on each annual policy renewal to ensure cover for correct value. e Insurance & Road Tax through Car Dealer , If buying a new car, the salesman will register it for you and take out insurance, usually with a local company but you can specify which company you want. , Ensure the salesman arranges Full Comprehensive cover. Many local companies issue policies with limited cover. 49 August 2007 , Commercial Union charges about 5% more than local companies but has no limitations on its cover. f Motorbikes e.g., for 500 cc: Comprehensive $300 per annum Third Party $40 per annum g Jeeps If soft-top, 25% loading: otherwise same as cars if used for social and domestic purposes. h Accident Procedure and Insurance Claims Procedure as outlined by Commercial Union: , Report to the Police within 24 hours , Obtain a claim form from the Insurance Company , Complete this and submit it, together with photocopies of your driving licence and passport and the original "Notice of Intended Prosecution" form , Take the car to a workshop authorised by the insurance company. , Road Tax and Driving Licence must be valid at the time of making insurance claims. Minor accidents may be settled by cash on the spot. All other accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours if an insurance claim is expected or intended. If a police statement is not obtained, the insurance companies will not pay. Some drivers may not report to the police if it is their fault. Some do not want to report it to the police even if it is not their fault. The police can take 8/9 months to send notices of prosecution. Telling them you will be in Brunei for two years is likely to guarantee prosecution. Some insurance companies specify both who may tow the car from the accident site and who can repair it. Damage has to be photographed by the insurers and repairs can only be made with the permission of the insurer, if you intend to claim. Most damage is repaired on a 'knock for knock' basis, each driver paying for their own repairs. Please note that if you are found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will not be covered by your insurance. 7.4 CAR LOANS AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP 1. Car Loans The maximum amount of the CfBT loan available to all teachers is $10,000. It is interest free and repayments are made over 20 months (or the duration of the contract if less than twenty months) 50 August 2007 The repayments are debited directly by the Finance Department from the salary. Before making an application: , Consult the notice boards, colleagues, workshops, or the grapevine to find a suitable car. , Check the Blue Card/Log Book: do the logged specifications match the merchandise? Colour, Engine/Chassis number? Do the logged owner's details match the IC details of the seller? , Check if there are any existing loans - government or private. Is a letter of clearance available? , Agree on price. , Consider insurance: purchase own or transfer? Please be aware that you cannot upgrade an existing policy. If you wish to upgrade insurance, you will need to buy a new policy. It may be possible to cash in the existing policy with the brokers for any time remaining and begin again. 2. Making an Application for a Car Loan Bring to the office: Car logbook or photocopy for initial checking , Any documentation or photocopies for clearing existing loans , Completed loan application form. All documentation will be checked by CfBT and, if in order, a loan will be recommended and approved and a cheque issued. It should be noted that, if the price appears to be too much for the car in question, approval for the loan may not be given. Finalising the Sale Obtain: , The car , Logbook , Green transfer of ownership form completed by the seller (must be undated) , Any documentation to clear loans , Insurance documents if transferred (policy and paid receipts). , Pay the cheque and obtain a receipt. 3. Transfer of Ownership Prepare the following documentation in preparation for the transfer: , The logbook/blue card and photocopy , Green transfer of ownership form completed by both the seller and the teacher (buyer). Section II to be completed by the seller and Section III to be completed by the teacher (buyer) - obtain an extra form (see below) , Photocopy of buyer's passport - including personal details and work permit 51 August 2007 , Signed photocopy of seller's passport or I.C. , Insurance - policy originals or cover note and photocopies , Any supporting documents stating clearance of bank and government loans (normally a stamp on the blue card: "OWNERSHIP CLAIM CEASED"). Bring the above to the CfBT office for checking. The additional green Transfer of Ownership form is necessary since CfBT will be part-owners of the car until the loan is repaid. This form, signed but not dated, is kept on the teacher's file until the loan is repaid. CfBT also requires a copy of the blue card. Take the car, together with the original blue card (ensure your name, address and signature are on this), plus a copy of the blue card, insurance cover note and a completed green form to Land Transport. You will also require a 'CfBT Ownership Claim' letter from the Accounts Department. A fee of $5 is levied at Land Transport to cover the cost of inspection. The Blue Card with the CfBT ownership claim in must be brought back to the CfBT office and a copy made for the Housing/Finance Department. When the car loan is repaid in full, a letter indicating 'Cease of Ownership Claim' can be obtained from Azizah in the Housing Department. This has to be presented to the Land Transport Department with the Blue Card to obtain another stamp to indicate that CfBT has no further claim on the car. Outstation teachers should be able to arrange the transfer independently, but please contact the office if you need assistance. 7.5 DRIVING IN BRUNEI , Driving is on the left , Road signs are in Malay but they follow international conventions and are not difficult to understand. , Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and passenger seat. If you want to install rear seat belts, Hock Motor Company at No 19, Simpang 21, Km 3 Jalan Gadong (Tel: 2425133), have been recommended , Child seats are now compulsory as is the wearing of rear seat belts but not adhered to. , Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious offence. Traffic regulations in Brunei will be familiar, but the local attitude towards them is quite different. Driving habits may differ considerably to those you are used to. You may need to make considerable modifications to your style in adapting to Bruneian road conditions and driving tendencies. In the early days here, allow time for a period of adjustment as you acquire experience and adapt to driving in Brunei. Give yourself plenty of time to meet appointments and arrive at your destination. This will give you the chance to find your way and allow time for mistakes en route without rushing. Drive slowly and carefully, keep alert and maintain 52 August 2007 concentration. Make sure you indicate to tell people exactly what you are doing, even if other drivers fail to do so. Road Hazards The police are not routinely armed and are usually friendly and unthreatening. Traffic police and radar traps are less in evidence here compared to your own country. Consequently the rules, as we know them, are frequently not observed. Most drivers are sensible, but some drivers rarely miss the opportunity to overtake, turn into the line of traffic or to run red traffic lights. There are drivers who do not hold a driving licence, are not insured, and many are under-aged. There are occasional police roadblocks where speeding drivers are stopped. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR LICENCE WITH YOU. 1. Road System The road system is overloaded with the number of vehicles continuing to increase, although nowhere near as bad as other Asian capitals. Types of Roads: Jalan (Jln): Main roads (eg Jalan Kota Batu, Jalan Muara) Simpang (Spg): Side roads (off main roads) - these are usually numbered but can be named. Lebuhraya: This is the main dual carriageway that links the airport with Jalan Gadong and the capital. Coast Road: From Muara to Tutong, this is a lit, dual carriageway. There are no petrol stations along the route. From Tutong to KB, the road has been widened. Some sections are still single carriage, unlit, and drivers need to exercise caution. However, work is in progress along this stretch to make it into a Highway. On this stretch, petrol stations are scarce - there is only one at Telisai 15 minutes beyond Tutong. Watch out for unexpected U-turns or right hand turns where there is no visible exit. 2. Road Conditions Road surfaces tend to be reasonable but large and small potholes can occur overnight. They can constitute a real hazard. Storm drains are everywhere and are deep and damaging. Speed humps (sleeping policemen) are often unmarked and therefore completely unexpected. Take extra care when driving at night as some roads are poorly lit. It is still possible to meet wandering water buffaloes at night. Monkeys can also cross the road unexpectedly. Dogs and cats tend to roam freely. 53 August 2007 3. Weather Hot daytime temperatures, particularly at peak hours where the sun is directly overhead, make driving uncomfortable as the air conditioner loses its effectiveness. Try to stay cool 'mentally'. Tropical rainstorms do appear suddenly. They can cause sudden heavy flash flooding. Reduce speed to avoid aquaplaning and put your lights on. When visibility is poor and it is impossible to proceed, pull off and wait for the storm to abate (floodwater disappears quickly). Some drivers tend to see puddles as a hazard and will actually slow down or drive around them unexpectedly (in some cases this makes sense as they can conceal potholes or other hazards). 4. Traffic Jams Traffic jams are part and parcel of commuting in Brunei. Peak times include: School Days: Both shifts at drop-off and pick-up times Government Offices rush hours: 7.30 am, 11.30 am to 12.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 4.30 pm to 5.00 pm Private Sector rush hours 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm Mosque (Prayer times) 11.30 am to 2.00 pm (Fridays) Government Pay Day Last few days of the month Other causes Police checks Police arrange these at random and will usually inspect the vehicle and driver, and may request additional checking of licence, logbook, insurance and road tax so carry photocopies of these in the car. Break Downs Vehicles are sometimes abandoned by the road. An open bonnet, flickering hazard lights or a branch sticking out of the bonnet or boot may indicate this. Royal Escorts Members of the Royal Family are often encountered on the roads. They are usually accompanied by several outriders (policemen on motorcycles), who will expect you to stop and give way. Follow any instructions given by an outrider immediately. Roadworks Appear very unexpectedly, can be poorly sign- posted and are often unlit at night, including large road construction equipment. Sometimes there is insufficient space allowed for braking and filtering. A real hazard. 54 August 2007 5. Road Habits/Practices It is necessary to adapt your experience and expectations of other drivers to local interpretation and practices of the road code. There is a wide cross section of types of drivers with a matching range of ability, so you must display constant vigilance and concentration to cope with these common features of driving. Patience, a good sense of humour and lightning reactions are essential in order to enjoy your driving and avoid frustration. Overtaking: Is frequently done without signals on blind bends, on the brow of a hill, on the inside, at high speed and subsequently slowing to a crawl. Overtaking from Practised particularly during traffic jams the inside: Traffic lights: On green - nearly always means it is safe to proceed but be alert. Be particularly careful where there is a filter light. There is no amber before the lights turn green and green lights are often anticipated. Running red lights is very common. Avoid doing this. Approach a red light with caution and give a long brake signal to warn traffic behind you that you intend to stop. Lane Discipline: Not a strong point - on dual carriageways cars will weave in and out of traffic at high speed and the outside lane is frequently occupied by slow drivers. Consequently, overtaking from the inside is very common and the hard shoulder often used. Parking: Often illegal, double, multiple and especially at schools' drop off/pick up times, and Friday mosque time. Roundabouts: Approach with caution as cars frequently approach in the wrong lane. Exit roundabout with extra caution. Giving Way: Affirmative driving is common, so it is not unusual for cars in simpangs to pull out in front of traffic in main roads. Conversely a line of traffic on the main road may stop unexpectedly to allow a number of cars to join the road from the left or the right. Indicators: Are not necessarily a signal of intent. Often not used, particularly on fast stretches of road, and when there is a signal it can come after the manoeuvre has started. Horn: Use is not generally acceptable as it causes 'loss of face'. Airconditioner: Reduces the engine's power in a small car and the car can fail to accelerate at critical points. 6. Petrol Stations Petrol is cheap - around 53 cents per litre. Only unleaded petrol and diesel are available. Most petrol stations are closed after 8.00 pm, although some operate 55 August 2007 from around 6.00 am to midnight. Petrol stations close a couple of hours for prayers on Friday. You can purchase oil, coolant, distilled water, etc, and you can also inflate tyres at petrol stations. Some offer car cleaning and mechanical services. 7.6 ROAD ACCIDENTS Road accidents are common. A few CfBT personnel have been involved in very serious road accidents. Several others have had minor accidents. Carry with you: - Driving Licence - Photocopy of Log Book (Blue Card) and Insurance Policy (be familiar with your company accident procedure; check when purchasing policy) - Identity Card - Emergency contact numbers. Identify: - Other vehicle involved (make, colour and registration number) - Other driver (name, address, telephone no.) - Insurance details - Witness with commitment (name, address, telephone no.). Authorities Police are more in evidence at road accidents. Harsh penalties exist for those convicted, but the way to a conviction can be fraught with difficulties, especially if involved with an unlicensed, uninsured, under-aged driver. Minor Accidents These are typically road accidents involving damage to vehicles with minor or no personal injury. They do not necessarily involve the police. If involved, stay cool and accommodating. Try to assume a non-committal apologetic air, even if it is not your fault. Aim to save the other driver's face. Be helpful when giving personal details, i.e. give name, CfBT address and telephone number as contact. Details need to be accurate for the police. On the spot cash payments are acceptable. Be prepared to negotiate cost, but also be aware that it is sometimes better to settle for a slightly higher cost to avoid continuing hassle. Serious Accidents These are typically those accidents involving personal injury and serious damage to vehicles. The police will be called. If the police do ask you to make a statement, you are advised to discuss the implications with either a member of CfBT staff or our lawyer. Be as helpful as possible but hold firm that you need advice on what to do next. 56 August 2007 It is a good idea to be accompanied by a friend or a member of CfBT staff when making reports at the police station. , As a bystander, be prepared to help in whatever way you feel most confident. There may be a need to: o Assume the role of co-ordinator and organise other willing passers by o Administer first aid o Telephone ambulance/rescue service/police o Transport injured people to nearest hospital. There is now a Borneo-wide 24 hour breakdown service: Advance Global Auto Services in Kiulap (Tel: 2237472). They provide all the usual auto club services for a cost of $120 a year for a car up to seven years old, then $170 a year for a car more than seven years old. Some workshops such as Sabli on telephone number 2391122 or mobile phone number 8812112 also provide a 24-hour recovery service. Another 24 hour roadside service is 247 ASSIST. Call the administration office on 245 5247 for details on rates and membership. They provide the usual auto club services and send a Road-Service Technician to deal with the immediate problem when you call the 24 hour access hotline. 7.7 BUYING A CAR To the newcomer to Brunei, the cost of cars is a shock. The situation is, however, fairly fluid at the moment. In November 2001, the previous car tax rates, which ranged from 40 per cent up to 200 per cent, depending on the size of the engine, were all abolished and replaced by a flat 20 per cent. New cars have subsequently come down in price and this is beginning to affect the second hand market. The implications of this are that there will be a glut of second hand cars on the market, but sellers will still be trying to recoup most of what they paid for their cars, so it might take some time before the prices come down significantly on the second hand market New cars There are number of new car dealers located on Jalan Gadong, Jalan Tutong and on the Beribi Industrial estate. The majority are very helpful and can arrange finance. It should be possible to buy a new car in the 1000 to 1500cc range between $17,000 and $25,000. The initial interest-free loan extended by CfBT to new teachers can be utilised. Second Hand Cars Dealers are mainly located on Jalan Gadong and Jalan Tutong, although few treat second-hand business very seriously and private sales through notice boards at shopping centres tend to be a major route to buying. However, NBT Toyota Dealer seems to have a reasonable selection of second hand cars available. Beware though - dealers are importing second hand cars from Japan and these are not always the bargain they appear. Best avoided as spare parts can be hard to obtain. 57 August 2007 The Borneo Bulletin carries lists of finance company repossessions and suggested tender prices. You would think you might get a good buy here, but again be wary. The tender reserve prices are always a lot more than the car is worth and you would need to know what you are looking for and have time to look as well. You are free, however, to tender any price you wish. There are some good second hand buys about, but be prepared to look long and hard. When you find your vehicle, get it checked over by a mechanic before you make an offer. No seller with a genuine vehicle for sale will object to this. Which Make? All Japanese makes such as Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru, Daihatsu, Suzuki are popular, but Korean cars such as Hyundai and Daewoo have a poor reputation. Having said that, this does mean that you can buy much newer Korean cars for a very low price. Avoid exotic cars, which may prove expensive and difficult to maintain with spare parts being very expensive or unavailable. European cars are best avoided for that reason. Four-wheel drives are popular but unnecessary for everyday use and tend to be more expensive to run than sedans. They rust quickly if used on the beach. Where to Look? Notice boards (Supermarkets, International School, Yacht Club, CfBT, etc) Personal contacts - make general enquiries - CfBT teachers, other teaching colleagues Borneo Bulletin Car dealers Finance company/bank repossession sales Bobwhatson.com a newly established website that advertises events, clubs, things for sale, etc., in Brunei. The classified ads on www.brudirect.com What to pay? You should be prepared to bargain hard, as it is definitely a buyer's market. Ask advice before agreeing to anything. Indicative car prices: CAR Year ASKING PRICE Mitsubishi Lancer 1997 $10,500 Nissan Sunny 1.5 1997 $8,000 Toyota Corolla 1.3 1992 $4,500 Suzuki Esteem 1996 $6,800 58 August 2007 Age and Size? Try to get a car less than five years old, which should ensure two/three years relatively trouble-free motoring. Air conditioning is considered essential in this climate. Remember it does take power from the engine and the car can fail to accelerate at critical times, so give careful thought to the size of engine you choose. With such heavy use, air-con units do not last much more than about five years before they start to give trouble. Replacement parts are expensive and bills of $1000 are not unusual. NB: Cars being driven into Malaysia must be fitted with a third brake light also known as an eye height brake light. Garages and Workshops CfBT does not officially recommend any particular mechanic. Ask around for a reliable mechanic convenient to where you work or live. Reputations and locations tend to change over a period of time but, if you can find a reasonable workshop, your regular business will be valued and you will be more likely to receive good service than if you flit about. The grapevine amongst CfBT teachers and other expatriates is a useful way of getting information about good or bad places to take your car. It is advisable to consult other people before you take your car to a workshop. The car dealers and workshops are mainly situated along Jalan Gadong shortly after the first bridge. There are many workshops along Jalan Muara and on Jalan Berakas. There are some more in the area of Jalan Gadong and Jalan Tutong. The dealers have a good reputation in relation to the actual work carried out, but are usually more expensive. There follows a list of workshops which people tend to use. Reliable and obliging and is willing to Remus Wong at C-Ray's Auto be called out more or less any time. Garage, He will pick up/deliver cars for repair. Jalan Pasir Berakas. His prices can be high, however, and Tel: 2394056 it's a good idea to get a couple of Mobile: 8711835 alternative quotes and present these to him when he's pricing a job. Han Lee Engineering Lot 386, Spg 40, Jalan Kota Batu, near junction with Jalan Muara. Very good for bodywork repairs. Lau Motors 51 Jalan Gadong, Subaru Agents Bakat Motors Jalan Tasek Lama. Gives good, accurate estimates, and completes the work fast. They also drive you to work or home if you are going to Bandar, and this is especially useful if you work at SOAS, SMJA or STPRI as most jobs can be finished during work hours. Castrol Jalan Gadong (on the left by Isuzu). Does various kinds of servicing. $55 for oil filter change, spark plugs 59 August 2007 change, greasing and engine washing. Small problems are normally spotted at an early stage by the mechanics. Sin Hup Huat Tyre & Auto Service Spg 261, Jln Berakas (Tel:2425836, 2423384). Very reliable but expensive. CAC Car Aircon Centre Simpang 22, Jalan Gadong (Tel: 2420794) Autorama Mr Clifford (Tel: 2448984). Maj Enterprise No 58, Jalan Muara, Kg. Delima Satu (Contact Simon Tel: 2339635) Mobicare Services (see Ernest or Very good mechanics who will pick Raymond) your car up for you. Simpang 639, Mile 5, Kampong Bunut, Jalan Tutong. Tel: 2656511 or 8713875 7.8 CARS IN KUALA BELAIT A fair selection of cars is usually available, depending on such factors as garrison movements, outflow of Shell staff, government recruitment and availability of government loans for car purchase. The main sources of information are listed below but don't forget the best source, your school staff room. Every other person seems to know somebody who wants to sell a car. Information also obtainable from: Supa Save, Seria main Seria-KB road, opposite F9 road sign Hong Eng Supermarket near the river, west end of Jalan Pretty Panaga, SRC, KBRC Shell Clubs - ask a colleague for help "Tradio" BFBS Radio 7.00 am and 5.30 pm daily Salam monthly Brunei Shell Newspaper, with many small ads Borneo Bulletin daily local newspaper. Garages and Workshops The following have been used by CfBT teachers in KB: , Castrol Services, Komplex Harapan, KB (Tel: 3333360) , Gan Brothers Workshop, Lot 2355, Jalan Pandan Tiga (Tel: 3332927) 7.9 CARS IN TUTONG Teachers posted to Tutong have the best of both worlds in terms of finding a car as KB is as accessible as Bandar. Look out for vehicles parked on the roadside which are for sale, particularly outside the insurance companies 60 August 2007 Maintenance and Servicing There are a number of good garages in and around Tutong: , Shell Garage: Ah Yang (4222066) on Jalan Tutong opposite the mosque (they service the local driving school cars!) , Kah Huat Brothers, Kg. Petani (4221367/4241570) - behind the old cinema , Masa Enterprises on Jalan Seria Driving School Sekolah Latehan Syarikat Saldi Zul, Kg. Surau (Tel: 4221334) 7.10 CARS IN TEMBURONG For teachers posted to Temburong, a car is just as necessary as elsewhere in Brunei. The following workshops have been used by teachers for servicing/maintenance: Ah Meng - Kg. Sibulu. Competent service but often a long wait since popular with locals Lim's - Jalan Puni, Bangar A tyre and battery service - not really a mechanic, though he will do basic servicing including oil-change. He will sell you a new exhaust to be fitted by Hj Mohd Hussin (see below). Friendly and helpful. Service: $40 approx including parts (oil and filter). Hj Mohd Hussin & Sons - Kg. Batang Mostly do welding and paint jobs - Tuan. quite good and not too expensive. Partial respray and partial derust: $180. Ampuan Hj Daud/Hj Salleh - Kg. Batu General Mechanics and the most Apoi popular with CfBT teachers. He is helpful and reliable, willing to tow your car if you have a breakdown. Prices are reasonable but spare parts may have to come from BSB. Shell Garage, Jalan Batang Duri. Toyota specialist. Reasonable prices but only one mechanic. Car washes available. Yi Tien Siong, Kg Belingos Able to do most things except resprays. Popular with the locals. Car washes available. Hj Radin & Anak-Anak (IBB Bank Tyre service only. building) 61 August 2007 7.11 GENERAL CAR MAINTENANCE You will probably find that you are using your car a lot more in Brunei than you did elsewhere, even though point-to-point distances are not great in most cases. Consequently, the need for repairs and general maintenance will increase in proportion. Basically, the same rules apply as they would in your own country. The sensible approach is to shop around, get a few quotes and don't be frightened of asking for a price, you will not offend local sensibilities - they expect it. However, bazaar-style bargaining is not the norm, often the first price quoted is very near to what the workshop expects to be paid, but it might be slightly modifiable if you use a correct, gentle approach. Check what a service entails and be specific about exactly what you want done. Don't take anything for granted as a tune-up/service might just mean changing the oil, oil filter and putting in new spark plugs. Hints on Preventive Maintenance It is a good idea to develop a few simple habits which may avoid unnecessary breakdowns. Jump leads: Buy a good set and know how to operate them. Battery: These can fail quite suddenly and don't seem to last more than a couple of years. Keep topped up with distilled water. Keep the terminals clean. It is often a good idea to buy a new battery when you buy a car, then you can be sure. Tyres: Use manufacturer's specifications for pressure/size. Keep in a roadworthy condition and bear in mind that you will be driving on very wet roads at times. Regularly check that the spare tyre is pumped up and make sure your car has a jack and the other tools you might need to change a wheel. Practice changing a wheel at home as your first puncture will undoubtedly be at night in the pelting rain. Make sure wheels are properly aligned. Coolant: Keep your radiator topped up. Wipers: Replace perished rubbers quickly. If the car is parked in the sun for a long time, lift the wipers off the windscreen. Keep water reservoir filled. Air Con: Turn off air conditioning switch when starting the engine to avoid battery overload. Have it checked for gas regularly. A top up costs $20 and will increase the life of the unit. Belts: Have fan and air-con belts checked regularly for wear and tension. Less readily visible but no less important is the belt which drives the valve camshaft. (the "timing belt"). If this breaks, the damage to valves and pistons could cost you over $1000. Lights: Make sure that your headlights are correctly aligned and bright enough to get you home on a wet, dark night. Have your indicator and brake lights checked regularly. 62 August 2007 Brakes: Have the brake pads checked regularly. If your car breaks down, the public are usually very helpful. It is usually quite safe to lock and leave the car in order to find a mechanic. Do not, however, leave your car unattended for too long, especially at night, as there have been a few cases of vandalism and thefts. The mechanic may fix on site or tow to the workshop. There are a few 24-hour towing services operating now (see above page 50). They are listed in the Yellow Pages and it's worth carrying their phone numbers in your car. A mobile phone is also very useful. Labour Labour is usually charged at between $8-$12 per hour and you shouldn't pay more. (The low cost of labour is often the reason that repair bills seem low.) Parts Replacement parts are generally expensive, particularly if the part has to be imported. The following is a list of some of the costs incurred for repairs and replacements. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it might give you a general idea of the prices you can expect to pay. Batteries : $70 - $110 depending on the quality of the battery. Tyres : The cost of tyres seems to vary according to your requirements. The cheapest quoted are Yokohama at $65 each. The most expensive are Michelins at $125 each. Michelins were, however, considered excellent quality by the purchaser. Generally the cost of tyres was quoted at between $75 - $90 depending on size. You can make savings by buying them in Malaysia. Servicing : Annual service with a number of replacement parts including oil filter, contact points, plugs, oil,wipers, bulbs etc., $80 - $150. General : The following is a short list of some repairs people have had to pay for. It may give you an idea of the prices you should expect to pay. Parts of exhaust pipe $60 - $80 Tie rod ends and cost of call out $79 Outer drive shaft replacement $440 - $1200 Gear stick bolt and shift link $50 - $100 replaced plus towing charge Exhaust repair $60 - $80 Damaged car wing, beating out, spray $100 - $200 Total respray with welding $700 - $1400 63 August 2007 Towing charges BSB + environs $25 -$50 7.12 MOTORCYCLES Brunei differs from other South East Asian countries in that there are fewer bikes on the roads. Recently, motorcycles have become more popular amongst the local community. Except for real enthusiasts, new bikes are recommended since major repairs are not always easy to arrange and parts can be difficult to obtain. However, there are some excellent motorbike mechanics. You may need a back up car or have access to one when it rains heavily. Dealers Kim Hock Motor Co Unit 6 #01-A Hj Daud Complex, Gadong. Considered the best place. Deals in new and second hand motorcycles. Delivery for new bikes can take three months. Spares for Yamaha bikes can be ordered, repairs are available for any make of bike. The staff are helpful and welcoming. Soon Teck Motor Jalan Gadong, first on left coming from Berakas Road. A repair and spare-parts shop, also deals in some second hand bikes: (Tel: 2420223/2426470). Boss and staff are quite friendly and helpful, and may know of someone selling a bike privately. Shariff Auto Services Agent for Suzuki motorcycles. Komplex Warisan, Simpang 24, Jalan Gadong Motorcycles in KB They are available from time to time but there are no facilities for maintenance or for buying spare parts except at Kim Hock, Jalan Gadong, BSB. You can easily go to Miri once your visa is in order to get spares, which are readily available in Sarawak. Prices range from approximately $2000 - $7000 depending on size. The same sources as for cars apply. Be prepared to get wet 30 per cent of your motorcycling life. Protective clothing is unbearably hot. Riding Make sure that your driving licence is valid for Brunei. It may be necessary to take a test. 64 August 2007 Helmets are compulsory. They are available locally but not top quality. Protective clothing is generally not available. Locals tend to ride in T-shirts and sandals, but this is not recommended. On a bike in Brunei, extremely defensive driving is advisable since motorists are not used to bikes and make no allowances for them. Watch out for a lack of awareness of motorcycle braking distances, driving too close, lack of indications, pedestrians, unfenced animals (water buffaloes and dogs) Road surfaces can be treacherous for bike riders, e.g. potholes, grit and water. 8 TELEPHONE SERVICE AND INTERNET New Installations New telephone applications from Green IC holders are subject to regulations which involve a payment of $100 ($50 deposit and $50 connection fee) from the applicant. In order to avoid the deposit, CfBT invites landlords to apply for the telephone line in their own names as Yellow IC holders, but they are under no obligation to do this. If landlords are unwilling to provide lines in their own names, teachers can still apply by following the procedures below. 1. Obtain an application form and necessary letters from the Housing Department (see Azizah). 2. Complete the application form and deliver it to TelBru Sales Department with the following information keeping copies for future reference: , Standard letter of guarantee from CfBT , Copy of CfBT's certificate of registration , Copy of own passport (personal details pages and EMPASS) , Ministry of Education letter indicating approval of appointment (the Professional Department of CfBT can provide this) , Copy of your CfBT employment contract showing contract dates , Copy of Green IC (take the original also). 3. If a telephone line or points are not already installed in the property, request TelBru to proceed with this. A contractor will be sent out and all installation costs are to be paid directly to this contractor by you. It should be about $50. 4. Await written approval from TelBru Sales department. The installation contractor may deliver this personally. This process can take about two weeks but if nothing is heard after this time contact the Sales Department directly. 5. Once approval has been granted, proceed with the following: , Deliver the approval letter to TelBru Sales Department 65 August 2007 , Show your IC and pay the connection fee of $50 and the IDD deposit of $50. Remember to keep your receipt to reclaim your deposit on leaving the property. 6. Purchase a handset ($50.00 - $120.00). Your phone service should be in operation within a few days. Reconnections To have an existing line reconnected, proceed with steps 1,2,4,5, & 6 above. The reconnection fee is $50, plus the installation fee of $50 and three months rental deposit ($13 x 3), the total charge being $139. The reconnection fee of $50 can be reclaimed when leaving the property by producing the original receipt. Please note that the $500 IDD deposit has to be paid as well if the landlord is unwilling to have the line installed for you. If you have any problems with any of these steps, please contact the Senior Officer in the TelBru Sales department. Bills You are advised to pay your bills by the due date at TelBru or Post Offices or you will incur a late payment charge of two per cent and very possibly have your phone cut off, incurring a $50 reconnection fee. If your bill does not arrive in the post, go to the payments counter of TelBru and ask for a print out of your bill. It can then be paid on the spot. Phoning Overseas Rather than using the 00 prefix for phoning overseas, which can be expensive, there is the alternative 098 prefix "economy rate" which is quite a bit cheaper, e.g. $1.10 per minute to Australia instead of $1.80, $1.50 instead of $2.50 to New Zealand. There is also a 097 option, which is even cheaper but not available for all countries. You can also use 095 on a mobile phone at the same rates. Skype is increasingly popular and works well with a broadband connection. Mobile Telephones Mobile telephone services in Brunei are provided by DST Comm and by b.mobile. Mobile phones start from around $90 and can be purchased from a number of stockists in the country. After that there are two possible options: DST "Prima" system. Take the phone to any DST office to register. Registration costs $100 and there is a $400 deposit to pay. After that the line rental is $50 per month. To register, take the following to any DST office: , Completed application form , Valid IC and signed photocopy , Letter of employment or contract letter verifying period of service and salary received 66 August 2007 Bills need to be paid promptly before the date due on the monthly bill, otherwise the line will be disconnected immediately and there is a reconnection charge to pay. There is also a GSM roaming service available to allow the phone to be used while overseas. There is a $30 registration fee for this service and then a charge of $10 per month. Caller ID is also another of the range of services they offer and this is available for a $10 registration fee and no further payment. "Easi" Card This allows subscribers to make cellular telephone calls via a prepaid service. To register for this service, you first need a GSM telephone then you need to purchase an Easi starter pack at $30 available from DST or from mobile phone stockists. INCOMM has a good selection of mobile phones, although DST at the airport usually stock Easi starter packs. Some mobile phone shops will only sell you an Easi starter pack if you buy a phone from them. This enables you to register and gives you your first $20 subscription that is valid for 35 days. Easi recharge cards are easily available through a variety of stockists including some supermarkets and you can opt for a $10 card, valid for 15 days, a $20 card, valid for 35 days, a $40 card, valid for 75 days, or a $100 for 180 days. Provided the next recharge card is purchased and installed before the previous one has expired, the outstanding credit is carried over. There is also an annual $25 licence fee which will be deducted from your Easi card balance but you will be warned when it is due. SMS and roaming service are available through Easi. b.mobile “post paid package” You can register for b.mobile services at TelBru Headquarters and The Mall. They are also available in KB, Tutong and Temburong. Registration costs $80 and there is a $100 deposit to pay. After that the line rental is $38 per month. “pre paid package” The starter pack for b.mobile is $49. This includes the connection and license fee as well as $18 worth of phone credits. After that, you can opt for the $8 top up card, valid for 30 days and the $18 and $38 cards which are valid for 180 days. The Internet Connection to the Internet is a fairly painless process. Application forms can be obtained from the main TelBru office in each district. Usually the application procedure can be completed within twenty-four hours. You will need to have a copy of your IC (a photocopy of the IC receipt will do as it has your IC number in the top right hand corner), your telephone number and the $20 registration fee. The account type you choose will vary, as there are a number of options available depending on the amount of Internet time you intend to use. 67 August 2007 Typical options are: Account Name Monthly Fee Free Hours E-mail economy 3.95 8 Student 8.00 14 Personal 15.00 20 Personal Special 30.00 40 In addition to an email address (two for the Personal Special account), you will also be allocated 2MB of disk space for each email account. There is also an option called "e-speed" which provides a permanent broadband connection at a higher speed but it is quite expensive ($98 per month for 256 kbps access). DST Com has also begun an ISP service called Simpur.net. The charges are higher than Brunet but more facilities are available. Contact DST to register. There is also the option to buy prepaid Internet cards for various amounts of time and there are many cyber cafés around. 9 RADIO AND TELEVISION There are several local radio stations, such as Pilihan Network which broadcasts on 95.9 FM with a variety of music, documentaries and in various languages. There is also Kristal FM on 90.7 FM. In KB, it is also possible to hear British Forces Broadcasting Service on 92.0 FM. Terrestrial Television Three local television channels are available in Brunei. The local television station is Radio Television Brunei (RTB) which has good reception. Malaysia television channels 1 and 2 have variable reception and are obtainable by a VHF aerial. An internal aerial costs from $40-$80 and an external aerial $300-400. Satellite Television There is now only one option available: Astro This is a digital satellite service, requiring a small dish and a decoder, which costs about $300 to install, then about $50 a month depending on which plan you choose. Basic packages typically offer STAR World, BBC and CNN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Animal Planet, Travel and Living, Cartoon Network and music channels. Movie channels and sports are usually additional. You need to apply in person with a valid IC and passport containing an employment pass with a validity of more than six months. The office is upstairs in Gadong Properties building, Gadong. 68 August 2007 10 BANKING IN BRUNEI There are several different banks in Brunei, the two largest and best-known being HSBC and Standard Chartered. There are branches of these banks in BSB and in the main towns outside the capital. Temburong has a branch of the Islamic Bank of Brunei (IBB) only. All banks offer the usual facilities: remittances, personal loans, travellers cheques, and automatic teller machines. Banking hours are normally 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 11.00 am on Saturdays but HSBC has slightly longer hours, being open from 8.45 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday. Standard Chartered is also open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday and 11.30 am on Saturdays. Baiduri Bank has one branch at Supa Save Supermarket in Gadong and another at The Mall that open seven days a week until 9.30 pm. Only HSBC has internet banking however. Banks get very busy on government servants' payday, so you are advised to avoid the bank on those days. Some teachers, in fact, prefer to bank with a sub-branch, as the main branch is often very crowded. CfBT pays teachers' salaries into their bank accounts by the end of each month 11 MEDICAL MATTERS Physical Health There is no reason to be especially worried about your health in Brunei; given a pleasant climate and an interesting life, it can, in fact, be even better than it is at home. 'Tropical Diseases', many of which are diseases of poverty and under-development, have a lower incidence in Brunei than other SE Asian countries. They still exist but as a resident you are in an excellent position to protect 69 August 2007 yourself against them. You have control over your immediate environment; you can ensure your food is hygienically prepared, your water supply is pure, your home protected from mosquitoes and other pests, and that your car is properly serviced and maintained. Teachers are most vulnerable to these types of tropical illness when travelling during holidays. At these times, to a certain extent, you lose control over the environment (having once chosen your destination) and therefore need to take extra thought and care about the food you eat, water you drink, brush your teeth with and swim in as well as the ice that goes into your drinks. You also need to protect against insect bites. There is also a tendency while on holiday, away from constraints and conventions of home and work, to take risks or take part in activities which lead to an increase in the number of accidents. Serious illnesses and accidents do occur, but because of the lifestyle and length of time abroad these tend to be the same kind of illnesses you would get at home, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. With worldwide increase in tuberculosis and its prevalence amongst migrant workers in Brunei, teachers are advised to have the Mantoux test to ensure they are protected. Residence in Brunei will have little to do with their appearance. More important is access to medical facilities should you require them and adequate insurance cover for repatriation should that prove necessary. In the short term it is common for teachers in their first months in Brunei to experience minor coughs and colds as you would at anytime when you make major changes to your home and work environment. It takes time to develop immunity to new strains of bacteria or virus. Due to the very humid climate wound healing can be slow and problematic. Cuts and bites need to be treated carefully; they should be thoroughly cleaned and kept dry to avoid infections. Hospital Facilities There are four hospitals in Brunei: 1. The General Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan, known as RIPAS (opened in 1983) 520 beds - operating every speciality except interventional cardiology (which is available at JPMC) and radiotherapy for cancer treatment. 2. Kuala Belait Hospital, known as Suri Seri Begawan 200 beds operating a majority of specialities. 70 August 2007 3. Tutong District Hospital, known as Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pg Hj Al- Muhtadee Billah 125 beds. Twelve permanent doctors. Serious cases would be sent to BSB. 4. Bangar (Temburong) District Hospital, known as Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam 50 beds. Three permanent doctors. There is also a private medical clinic at Jerudong Park (JPMC), which is open to the public. It offers a range of services and the Welfare Department at CfBT can provide further details and a scheme of charges. Government Hospitals or Outpatient Clinics. CfBT provides medical insurance cover for all employees and subsidised medical insurance for all dependants at 50 per cent of the premium. This excludes children under 12 years of age as they are entitled to free medical treatment at government hospitals and clinics. The policy covers outpatient and inpatient treatment, other than the excess of B$100. Patients in KB, Tutong and Temburong can go direct to the hospital outpatient department without a referral. Patients in BSB can go to their respective outpatient clinic. However, a patient seeing a specialist has to be referred by one of the following: , Outpatients , Casualty , Child Health Clinic , Private Doctor Referrals from private general practitioners and dentists are subject to a referral fee. Your private doctor or dentist should be able to give you a precise amount, but it is a minimum of $25.00. Most of the specialist clinics at the General Hospital do have appointment systems. 71 August 2007 Outpatient Clinics (Pusat Kesihatan) This list (below) will tell you which clinic you are supposed to go to, depending on where you live: Berakas “A” Health Centre Berakas “B” Health Centre Block 22, No 8, Simpang 485, Bangunan Flat Kerajaan, Kg Sungai Hanching, Jalan Kg Anggerek Desa, Jalan Berakas Muara Kg Serusop Kg Lambak “A” Kg Pg Si Raja Muda Kg Lambak “B” Kg Delima Satu and Delima Dua Kg Salambigar Kg Panca Delima Kg Sungai Orok Anggerek Desa Kg Sungai Hanching Kg Jaya Bakti Kg Sungai Tilong Kg Pulaie Kg Manggis Satu and Manggis Dua Kg Orang Kaya Basar Imas Lambak Kiri Maktab Melayu Paduka Seri Begawan Lambak Kanan 1,2,3,4 and 5 Sultan Maktab Teknik Sultan Saiful Rizal Kg Madang Jalan Kebangsaan Lama and Baru Kg Sungai Akar Barrek Polis Berakas Berakas Kem Kg Jaya Setia Kg Tanah Jambu Kg Burung Pinggai Berakas Kg Subok Lapangan Terbang Lama Jalan Kustin Kg Perpindahan Terunjing 72 August 2007 Muara Health Centre Gadong Health Centre Al-Warasah Commercial Centre, Dialysis Centre Building, Kg Rimba above HSBC Gadong Industrial Area Kg Kapok Kanan and Kiri Kg Gadong Estate Kg Meragang Kg Menglait Kg Sabun Kg Pengkalan Gadong Kg Serasa Kg Rimba Kg Masjid Lama Kg Katok Pekan Muara Kg Tungku Tanjong Pelompong Rimba Government Housing Perpindahan Serasa Kg Beribi Government Housing Kg Mentiri Jalan Babu Raja Police Housing Kg Sungai Buloh STKRJ Mata-Mata Kg Batu Marang Gadong Police HQ Kg Pangkalan Sibabau Kg Batu Bersurat Kg Salar Mentiri Government Housing 1 and Kg Mata Mata 2 Kg Beribi Kg Sungai Besar Kg Kiarong Kg Kiarong (Maktab Duli) Kg Perpindahan Mata Mata Government Flats Kiarong STKRJ Kg Tungku STKRJ Kg Rimba Universiti Brunei Darussalam 73 August 2007 Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Kg Sungai Asam Kg Lupak Luas Kg Pengiran Bendahara lama Kg Buang Tengkurok Kg Burong Pinggai Ayer Kg Kelugus Kg Lurong Dalam Kg Panchor Kg Pandai Besi “A” Kg Lumapas Kg Pandai Besi “B” Kg Buang Sakar Kg Pandai Dalam Kg Kasat Kg Sungai Pandan “A” Kg Baong Kg Sungai Pandan “B” Kg Putat Kg Pg Setia Negara Kg Tarap Bau Kg Pekan Lama Kg Sungai Kebun Kg Sungai Asam Kg Ujong Klinik Kg Peramu Kg Sungai Siamas Kg Bakut Pg Siraja Muda “A” Kg Setia “A” Kg Bakut Pg Siraja Muda “B” Kg Setia “B” Kg Bakut Berumput Kg Bolkiah “A” Kg Lurong Sikuna Kg Bolkiah “B” Kg Setia Pahlawan Kg Tamoi Ujong Kg Pekilong Muara Kg Tamoi Tengah Kg Saba Darat “A” Kg Pg Tajuddin Hitam Kg Saba Darat “B” Kg Pg Kerma Indera Lama Kg Saba Tengah Kg Limbongan Kg Saba Ujong Kg Ujong Bukit Kg Saba Laut 74 August 2007 Jubli Perak Health Centre, Sengkurong Kg Sungai Tampoi Kg Sinarubai Kg Selayun Kg Burong Lapas Kg Sengkurong “B” Kg Kilanas KgTagap Kg Jangsak Kg Sengkurong “A” (Pasai) Kg Sentol Kg Mulaut Kg Tanjong Bunut Kg Bukit Bunga Kg Bebatek Kg Bukit Anggor Kg Masin Kg Peninjau Kg Parit Kg Jerudong Kg Pengkalan Batu Kg Jerudong (Polo grounds) Kg Batu Ampar Jalan Jerudong Kg Batong Kg Tanjong Nangka Kg Pancor Murai Kg Lugu Kg Bebuloh Kg Katimahar Kg Junjongan Kg Kulapis Kg Kuala Lurah Kg Medewa Kg Limau Manis Kg Perpindahan Bunut Kg Batang Perhentian Kg Bunut Kg Wasan Kg Tasek Meradun Kg Kupang Kg Bengkurong 75 August 2007 Bandar Seri Begawan Health Centre, Jalan Ong Sum Ping Pusat Bandar (Town Centre) Kg Ujung Tanjong Kg Kianggeh Kg Sungai Kedayan “A” Kg Berangan Kg Sungai Kedayan “B” Seri Complex Kg Bukit Salat Kawasan Bangunan Badiah Kg Kota Batu Maktab Perguruan Ugama Kg Pelambayan Taman Chempaka Kg Dato Gandi Kawasan Istana Nurul Iman Kg Sg. Matan Jalan Tutong (Kg Temasek) Kg Serdang Jalan Tutong (Telanai) Kg Sungai Belukut Kg Kiulap Kg Menunggol Padang Baru Kg Riong Tasek Kg Pudak Pusar Ulak Kg Pulau Baru-Baru Kg Mabohai Kg Pulau berbunut Perumahan Perkerja Lembaga Kumbang Pasang Bandaran Kg Sultan Lama Kg Pintu Malim Kg Sumbiling Lama Kg Belimbing Kg Pengiran Pemancha Lama Kg Sungai Lampai Kg Kuala Peminyak It is perfectly easy to switch from one GP to another if dissatisfied. However, a patient will not necessarily be seen by the same doctor on each subsequent visit to the clinic. If you wish to see the same doctor, make a note of his/her name 76 August 2007 and ask for him/her next time. If he/she is on duty, there will be no difficulty. Most doctors are extremely competent and well qualified. Patients are seen on a 'first come, first served' basis in clinics. Waiting times vary but a wait of two hours to see the doctor is not unusual. However, once referred to a specialist clinic any follow up is by appointment. Referral from outpatient clinic to specialist may be on the same day if a specialist clinic is being held. Outpatient Office in Brunei-Muara District: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 7.45 am to 12.00 am 1.30 pm to 4.15 pm Ong Sum Ping Clinic: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm Friday, Sunday and Public Holidays 2.00 pm to 9.00 pm In All Other District Hospitals: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 7.45 am to 12.15 am 1.30 pm to 4.15 pm Friday, Sunday and Public Holidays Closed Casualty Department This department, like all other specialist departments, is not segregated. Only accident and emergency cases are dealt with here. However, there is a provision for common illnesses to be seen to outside the above working hours in the form of an Outpatient Clinic but the public are not encouraged to attend unless absolutely necessary as medicine stock is limited. The Casualty Department is staffed 24 hours. If you have an emergency at home, you can: 1. Ring the hospital (Tel: 2242424) and ask for Casualty. There is a flying squad service with a doctor and resuscitation equipment. 2. Ring for an ambulance (Tel: 2222366 at present) or the Emergency No. 991 In-Patient Treatment There is open visiting for parents in the paediatrics department and parents can stay overnight in the case of inpatient treatment. All meals are provided free of charge for inpatients. Private, fee paying services are also available at between $50 - $150 per night Staying in RIPAS Hospital If you are admitted to hospital you need to be prepared. Conditions are basic and you will need to make sure you have the following essential items: , towel(s) , soap 77 August 2007 , toilet roll , flip flops or shoes that can get wet (the toilet floors can be wet so good shoes are not recommended) , plastic/waterproof bag (no hooks or shelves in the toilets so you need something to protect your things) , cardigan or jumper (the air conditioning is very effective so nights get very chilly) , light duvet/extra blanket , flask with hot water for tea. Children's Ward You are expected to provide everything for your child, including nappies, formula, bottles, wipes: an extra blanket is a good idea as well. Adult's Wards Visiting hours are on the wall. These are largely ignored and you are only asked to leave if the doctors are making their rounds. Women patients are expected to wear the sarong and shirt provided to prevent any embarrassment for male visitors. These are usually somewhere on a trolley, along with sheets and blankets. Help yourself and, as supply can be erratic, put a spare set in your locker if you can. Similarly, the changing of sheets is erratic, so you may want to do it yourself. Food and Drink Nothing is available other than the three meals a day and afternoon tea. There is a canteen and there is a small shop where you can get bread, biscuits, newspapers etc., but it is a good idea to bring supplies with you. If you have a thermos/flask, you can get it filled early in the morning so you have hot water to make coffee, tea, which you provide yourself. Doctors and Nurses The doctors are very good but may not tell you what is happening; so do ask them if you are unclear. Also, be clear on medication dosages, as information is not always passed accurately to the nurses. Also, if something is being mentioned (other than temperature), you will need to keep a note as the nurses will only ask at the end of their shift and you will be expected to know what has happened. Maternity Ward If you want your husband to be present at the birth, you must have it written on your notes by the antenatal doctor. Otherwise your husband will not be allowed in. It is not the norm for husbands to be present, so the midwives may be a little uncomfortable with this. You will be asked for details of your Passport and Identity Card for yourself and your spouse in the delivery area so take these documents with you. After the birth, they will ask you for a towel or blanket. This is to wrap the baby up in to go to the ward. You will need to provide baby blankets, clothes, nappies, wipes, plus all the items previously mentioned. 78 August 2007 Private Doctors Reasons for using private doctors are: , Convenience , Avoiding long waits at the hospital when feeling ill , Provide continuity of treatment , To build a relationship with a particular practitioner. Fees are similar for KB and BSB: $20 - $30, $25 + medication charges, $100 for a smear test. Clinics without laboratories may use Singapore (see list). All have their own dispensary. CfBT does not pay for private treatment. Jerudong Park Medical Centre is now open for maternity packages and IVF. CfBT teachers should not take time off during schools hours unless this is unavoidable (e.g. emergencies or where the teacher is too sick to go to school). In most cases, specialist appointments can be made to avoid clashing with school sessions. Should the doctor issue a Medical Certificate, please ask for the diagnosis to be written on the MC. Bear in mind that a Medical Certificate from a government doctor is preferred and is a requirement if the period of illness is for more than two days and includes a Friday or Sunday. Holistic Healing Jag Therapy is a well established and long running natural therapies clinic run by Jagdesh and his daughters. They are all trained and qualified and provide natural remedies for a diverse range of conditions. Consultations are on a walk-in basis and patients normally donate $20 which covers the visit as well as any treatment and natural herbs etc. that you may need to take home to complete your treatment. There are also yoga classes and massage available. Jag Therapy is located at #18, Spg. 538-13, Sungai Akar, behind the new Manggis Hua Ho Department Store. Call 234 3128 for further information. Dental Facilities In BSB and KB there are both private and government dental clinics. In Temburong and Tutong, there is a hospital-based service. CfBT will not pay for any dental treatment. In a CfBT survey, government dentists in all districts received positive comments for a good, cheap service. Prices quoted for government dentists includes: $15 for a check-up $5 for an extraction $100-200 for a crown $20-80 for a filling $1800 for an implant Private dentists are good but not cheap, although it is felt that a private dentist would be more inclined to try to save a tooth rather than extract it. Prices quoted for private clinics includes: $30 for a check up, $50 for a filling 79 August 2007 $200 for a root filling over three visits $500 for a crown, $675 for gold Optical Services In BSB, there is no shortage of opticians who will give you a free computer eye test and offer a very good range of frames. There are no services in Tutong and Temburong. Very good prices and services are available in Limbang, Miri and Labuan. In general, frames range from $80 to $150 (although designer frames are more expensive); single focus lenses are about $50, bifocals $110 to $150 and varifocals $180 to $450. Vision Works Optical Company, offers a discount to CfBT staff. Family Planning Although there is no official family planning in Brunei, contraceptives are available. You can get an IUD fitted at RIPAS hospital. Diaphragms are not available. Oral contraceptives can be bought from pharmacists. Women already taking these are required to produce a letter from a doctor in order to purchase new packs. First-time users should go initially to the antenatal section of the hospital and make an appointment to see a gynaecologist. After an examination (this should be requested, even if it is not suggested at the hospital) the woman will be supplied with a sample pack of pills, which she should take to an outside pharmacist in order to buy a supply. Oral contraceptives are not available free at the hospital. The cost of a month's supply varies: the price depends on the type of pill. (Note: CfBT does not pay for these.) Condoms are available in pharmacies and department stores or supermarkets as well. HOSPITALS RIPAS Hospital 2242424/2232188 RIPAS Pharmacy 2242424 Ext. 287 Blood Bank 2242424 Ext. 338/315 Jerudong Park Medical Centre 2611433 Tutong Hospital 4221011/4260721/4260723/4260724 Kuala Belait Hospital 3335331/3335332 Temburong Hospital 5221526 Sports Medicine and Research 2380700 Ext.109 & 2380689 (Physio) Centre 80 August 2007 PRIVATE DENTISTS J Lim and Chung Dental Surgery 2448290 Unit 3 Block E (Dr Chung and Dr Janet Lim) Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong Leslie Ong 2451122 No 9, 1st floor, Block 1, They also have a night clinic Monday, Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7.00 to 8.30pm PRIVATE DOCTORS Hart Medical Clinic 2225531 Wisma Setia, 1st floor, Unit 4, (Dr Hart) Jalan Pemancha, BSB Riverview Medical Clinic 2238238/8753403 Next to Riverview Hotel, (Dr C D Reynolds) No.179, Jalan Gadong, Gadong Lim Medical Clinic 2422788 Block D, Unit 1, 1st floor Abdul Razak Complex Gadong Dr Chhan Paediatric Clinic 2422141/2 Ground floor, Unit 9, They also have a night clinic, Block C, Kiarong Complex Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7.30 - (opposite CfBT office) 9.15 pm Dr Prema (Gynaecology) 2421727 Next to Nyonya Restaurant Jalan Gadong Lee Clinic & Dispensary 2426468/2448049/2448073 Unit 2 1st floor, Block E Uses a Singapore laboratory for Abdul Razak Complex investigations Gadong PHARMACIES Guardian 2225198 Yayasan Complex, BSB Centrepoint Gadong 3227801 Seria Plaza, Seria Jerudong Park Medical Centre 2611433 81 August 2007 Paediatrics There are several Maternal and Child (MCH) Health clinics. They provide a health worker type of service including immunization. (This is in addition to the Inoculation Centre in RIPAS). The MCH clinics have a 'Road to Health' card to guide and record immunization. Inoculation Centre - Ong Sum Ping Clinic, 4th floor , Typhoid , Yellow Fever , Meningitis A & C type , Hepatitis B (adults only) Chest Clinic - RIPAS , Mantoux test (for tuberculin sensitivity) , BCG (for tuberculosis) School Health Service (Ministry of Health, First floor) All school aged children Hepatitus B Every Wednesday 1.30/3.30pm at the Inoculation Centre BCG All children not already vaccinated BCG Booster Primary 1 CDT/Polio Booster (Cholera, Diphtheria Tetanus) Primary 1 Rubella Primary 6 girls Baby Health Clinic Children under 5 years old , Hepatitus B , BCG (NB: Mantoux test at RIPAS) , Tetra Hip & Polio (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, influenza type b) , MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Malaria Prophylaxis - Entomology Unit (Tel: 2381640) Ministry of Health Gamma Globulin Injections available privately 82 August 2007 Blood Group/Blood Donation On CfBT's Medical and Immigration Record Form, you will see that we ask for your Blood Group. This is an "awareness raising exercise" carried out by us on your behalf. It is to bring your attention to the special circumstances in Brunei. The local population predominantly belongs to RHESUS POSITIVE blood groups. As a result, the collection for donation of RHESUS NEGATIVE is by expatriate groups for expatriate groups and visitors. The Blood Bank at RIPAS Hospital keeps only small amounts of each group (A NEG, O NEG, B NEG, AB NEG). They therefore, from time to time need to supplement their supply and, in an emergency, would contact CfBT to help them find a suitable donor. Names will not be given without prior consent. If you wish to become a regular Blood Donor (whether your group is POSITIVE or NEGATIVE), please contact the Blood Bank, Tel: 2242424 ext 338, 315 or see Mandie Whitehouse. All donors are screened for Hepatitis, VDRL & HIV. It follows that if you are Rhesus NEGATIVE you might like to "team up" with someone with compatible blood if you would be willing to donate to each other in an emergency. Refer to the CfBT Welfare Department for more information. 11.1 NOTES FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Baby Food, Nappies and other Vital Equipment Everything you will need and can get in the UK, Australia or New Zealand is available in Brunei. However, supply can be erratic and prices are higher. If there is a particular brand you use that you cannot live without - bulk buy! Nappies 'Huggies' and 'Pampers' are available but tend to be very expensive and the sizes are not generous. A lot of people find the brand 'Sealer' as good, if not better, than these, and half the price. Be careful when buying though as there is a difference between the various packs, and those with the solid blocks of colour are better as they have a little extra 'frill' around the edge of the nappy and do not leak. „Huggies? swimmers for toddlers and babies are also available. Pull Ups Pull-up nappies for potty training are available but supply can be erratic, so you would be advised to buy several packs at a time. Other Items Napisan can be found in the Children's Section in department stores, together with sterilising tablets, teats, bottles, etc. Baby Foods The main brands, Heinz, Farleys, Milupa and Gerber, are generally available, and occasionally organic brands are available at Supa Save. Jars range in price from $1.10 to $1.80, and tend to be fruit, vegetables, desserts and chicken 83 August 2007 dishes. The best selection is probably in Supa Save. Milupa 'baby rice' is always available, but products such as Heinz Muesli Cereal tend to run out quickly. Medical Information Guardian Pharmacy This is located on the lower ground floor of the Yayasan complex, opposite the Hua Ho Supermarket and another branch next to Jaya supermarket, at the back of Centrepoint in Gadong, Delima Square, ground floor of Hua Ho Mall at Manggis, Jaln Muara and the Seria Plaza, Seria. They import a lot of products that you will use, such as Sudocream, Calpol, Liquid Panadol, and a variety of baby products and children's medicines. You do not require prescriptions, but usually need to talk to the pharmacist for medication. It is advisable to telephone the pharmacist first and ask them to leave your item behind the counter for you to collect, as they are not always there. Baby Clinics There is a baby clinic for each area and these are sign posted by a mustard or blue sign with a red crescent and star. It also says 'Bidan Kerajaan'. You can register at the clinic with your baby/toddler, or if you have your baby at RIPAS Hospital it is done automatically. Immunization programmes are done at the clinics, as are progress checks and also general appointments. A doctor attends at least one day a week but you usually need to make an appointment. The clinics provide vitamin supplements and liquid panadol free of charge. They are generally very busy in the morning so it is best to go in the afternoon (1.30 to 3.30 pm/3.45 pm). The main clinics are: Jalan Muara : just after Simpang 485 on the left-hand side (if you are driving towards Muara). Kota Batu : on the right-hand side driving towards Muara, just after the Seafood Centre. NB: The sign is on the left-hand side of the road. Jalan Subok : as the road changes its name to Jalan Sungai Akar, on the right driving towards Jalan Muara. Places to go with Pre-school Children in Brunei Muara District The climate in Brunei and the lack of pavements for long pushchair walks presents some challenges for parents of children of this age. Gadong is a terrible area for buggies as you spend most of your time lifting the pushchair over obstacles. However, most of the big department stores and the new complexes are much better and, increasingly, have ramps, lifts and escalators so it is possible to use 84 August 2007 pushchairs some of the time. However, Brunei is generally a safe place and the local people love children so you can be certain to receive a warm welcome. Don't forget to take sun cream, insect repellent and plenty of water. Jerudong International School (JIS) Toddler Group takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Kindy section of the school from 8.00 am to11.00 am The group is open to anyone, not just JIS parents, and provides three large carpeted rooms with toys, climbing equipment, play dough, sand tray and coffee. Phone the JIS Primary office for up-to-date details on the cost at 2411000. This is a good place to make friends. Berakas Camp Toddler Group takes place every Tuesday and is open to anyone. Find your way into Berakas Camp following the main road through the camp towards the mosque. With the padang on the left, turn left at the mosque. The toddler group meets in the first bungalow on the right after the turn to the medical Centre. Get your own group together and take it in turns to meet at each other's houses or different clubs for a swim. Keep the group fairly small and decide on some basic rules beforehand, such as, phone and let someone know if you can't make it. Indoors McDonald’s, Gadong Can't be missed as there is a big sign. It is on the left-hand side of the next block to Centrepoint as you stand facing it. This is probably one of the best play areas. It has quite a good-sized area upstairs and is popular for birthday parties. Toilets are usually clean. Sugar Bun, Hua Ho Manggis Mall, Jalan Muara. This is on the fourth floor, and has a big ball pit/play area. Lots of fun but once the children are in it is quite hard to actually get them out without going into it yourself. Sugar Bun food is similar in style to KFC. Jollibee, Seri Complex (next to Utama Bowling Alley) Again, there is a small children's play area with a couple of things to play on. Yayasan Shopping Complex There are two small play areas in here at Jollibee and KFC, both on the ground floor, which is quite a nice place to take small children. Bebeland next to Mothercare in Kiulap There is a large playroom upstairs. Jungle Gym at Kiulap Very popular with toddlers and children up to 10 years old. Children are charged $6.50 for two hours 85 August 2007 Some people find the heat makes outdoor activities uncomfortable, so these places are most popular early in the morning or after 5.00 pm Bukit Shahbandar Located on the coastal highway after the turn-off to the Empire Hotel and before you get to Jalan Jerudong. The upper picnic area is shady and a good place to take small tricycles and a snack. There are also swings, slides and two mazes. Damuan Park Located just after the Sultan's palace (Istana Nurul Iman), as you drive along Jalan Tutong going out of Bandar. It is one of the few places you can use a pushchair and children's bikes. There is a climbing area and a collection of tractors and farm machines are dotted around the far end of the park. Also, there are a couple of restaurants that open about 5.00 pm. Protection against mosquitoes is needed. Tasek Lama Located on the right-hand side of Jalan Kebangsaan, at the end of Jalan Tasek Lama and in between the new high rise cream and brick-coloured flats. It is a cool and shady park, even when it is quite hot. The path/road follows a small stream up to a pool and waterfall. If you are feeling energetic the road that forks to the right goes up to the reservoir but it is a steep climb. There are some attractive picnic areas and it is a pleasant walk, plus you can use pushchairs and bikes on the main path. Be careful on the side paths as these also have suffered from erosion. Trijaya Jerudong Equestrian Park Located in the grounds of Jerudong Polo Park. It is shady and safe for pushchairs. There are lots of tarmac routes and some more overgrown tracks for the more adventurous. A pony ride that lasts about 30 minutes costs $10.00 (more suitable for an older sibling). Kids' Hash takes place on the third Sunday every month at different locations. Take a walk in the jungle in the company of other children and parents. You can choose between a selection of three runs to suit the age range from 2 months to 15 years old. If you would like to know more and where we are next running please contact us at kiddieshash@gmail.com Jerudong Clinic sometimes holds a baby splash class at the clinic's pool in the Medical Centre. Call the gym on 2611433 to find out more. Jerudong Park playground is also a great place to take children. Head for the small climbing frames or the Caterpillar ride and Carousel. You can take your own picnic or eat at one of the food outlets. Please refer to the Social Life section for more details. 86 August 2007 Private Nurseries and Kindergartens in BSB Those listed below are not the only ones available, but they are the main ones used by expatriate families. Hours vary, as do facilities and cost. Like all these things, it is best to visit and see which comes closest to your requirements. International School Brunei The pre-school kindy runs from 7.30 am to 11.30 am Mon-Thurs and Sat, although you can choose which days you want your child to attend for the term, e.g. only Mons and Weds, or every day. Little Stars (coming from Tiong Hin along Jalan Muara, turn left into Jalan Sg Tilong. Turn right into Simpang 255, then left at the first turning. The drive leading to Little Stars is between the first and second house on the left in Simpang 255-29) A popular choice, particularly with working parents, as the school has a minibus that collects and returns children within a certain distance - currently five kilometres - so the hours are not a problem. New premises are being built and these will be ready soon. Again, it is small with a friendly atmosphere with plenty of assistants in each class to help the teacher. Children do not need to be potty trained and the school will help with your efforts! A fairly structured day is followed, for example, on Tuesday the Nursery 1 and 2 classes do singing, and each day there is a variety of activities. Also optional afternoon activities, including Art and Craft and Cookery have been introduced. A uniform is worn. Holidays follow the Bruneian school system. The school has a more formal atmosphere then you might expect. Berakas Camp Kindergarten Situated next to the football pitch and also very popular. Drive on to the camp, bear right at the roundabout, go past the parade ground on your left, then turn left after the football pitch and it is signposted. Open Monday to Friday, 8.15 to 11.45. It costs $540 per 12-week term. Call Jackie (2393853) or Cathy (2394096). All these work on a part-time basis, i.e. you can go to as many or as few sessions as required. Appointments are not usually needed, and visitors are welcomed by all. Joyful Kids Montessori School This pre-school which takes children ages 3-6 years is located in Beribi, #17, Simpang 130, Jalan Telanai. The school?s mission is to provide each of its pupils with an environment in which they can develop their full academic, social and physical potential, based on the Montessori principles of learning. The Montessori system of education is based on two fundamental beliefs regarding the nature of young children: early childhood education should encourage the child?s innate desire to learn, and not attempt to fill the child with facts and individual differences must be recognized and respected in order to encourage 87 August 2007 each child to develop to his/her fullest potential. The Joyful Kids Montessori School follows the structure of the curriculum on the five areas in Montessori learning: Practical Life, Sensorial Arts, Language Arts, Mathematics and Cultural Arts. For further information on enrolment and registration call 2652 229. 11.2 A - Z HEALTH FOR THE TRAVELLER Acclimatisation The body possesses mechanisms to survive in a hostile, hot climate but it is an adaptive process which takes one, two or three weeks. The strain on the body is shown by a high pulse rate and body temperature, and serious illness can result unless the stress is lessened or muscular activity reduced. By gently increasing activity the sweat glands are trained to: , produce more , start more quickly , retain more salt in the body. In addition, the body learns to absorb more water from the stomach and bowel, transport it to the sweat glands where it emerges to be evaporated, thus cooling the body. In circumstances where air temperature is higher than body temperature (37.5?C) the body relies solely on evaporation of sweat for cooling. Unfortunately, high humidity, for example the hot and wet environment of the jungle, inhibits evaporation of sweat and this cooling mechanism. Children adapt to hot environments very quickly and happily, especially thin, wiry, active children who have a large surface area to weight ratio, which facilitates evaporative cooling. Alcohol Individual responses and tolerance to alcohol are variable but a consumption of more than 20 grams daily (equivalent to approximately one pint of beer or two glasses of wine or two single measures of spirit) is often related to deterioration in work performance and an increased incidence of disease and risk of injury: for example almost half of all drownings are associated with alcohol consumption. Just as with drinking and driving, alcohol and swimming make a bad mix. Cholera Cholera is a disease usually associated with slums and extreme poverty, and an absence of the most basic hygiene facilities and education. However, in 1999 there was an outbreak of cholera in Brunei attributed to contaminated food. The authorities took immediate action to isolate and eradicate this and it is not normally a disease associated with Brunei. Summary of advice: , Cholera is spread by contaminated food and water; hygiene precautions are the most reliable way of avoiding risk. 88 August 2007 , There are no official vaccination certificate requirements for travel to any country. , The current cholera vaccine is not recommended by the WHO and is not considered to provide worthwhile protection. Dehydration Our thirst sensation is not reliable in telling us our body's needs in the tropics. The message is to drink water or watery drinks (beware of alcohol which dehydrates) BEYOND the point of thirst quenching, OR drink sufficient water to produce urine which is consistently pale in colour: Dark urine or low urine output are signs of developing dehydration. There should be sufficient salt in the diet to replace that lost through sweat otherwise painful heat cramps or salt deficiency heat exhaustion could occur. This is more common during early acclimatisation, after two or three days' heavy sweating and work, with drinks but no salt replacement because of lack of appetite or vomiting and diarrhoea. This advice runs counter to current recommendations to reduce dietary salt intake in an effort to lower the prevalence of hypertension. You should seek the advice of your medical practitioner if you already have hypertension, heart disease or chronic kidney condition. Dengue (See personal protection against insect pests) Illness is spread from person to person by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, after an incubation period of five to eight days, there is a sudden onset of fever, headache, and severe joint and muscle pains - the latter giving rise to the popular name of "breakbone fever". The initial bout of fever resolves only to recur, and a rash usually appears between the third and fifth days of the illness. The rash starts on the trunk and spreads to the limbs and face, and consists of small spots. Within a few days the fever subsides and recovery follows. Although undoubtedly an unpleasant illness, serious complications are uncommon, and in particular there is no persisting arthritis. Unfortunately, immunity to infection does not last long and so second attacks, perhaps with a different strain of virus, are possible. There is no vaccine currently available. Gastro-enteritis Gastro-enteritis is simply the technical name for a stomach or intestinal infection leading to diarrhoea, and is not necessarily severe or life-threatening. The seriousness of diarrhoea depends on how much fluid is lost from the body: because a child's total fluid volume is greater in proportion to body weight than an adult's, the effect is greater the younger the child. A baby can become dehydrated within a few hours of the onset of severe diarrhoea. Diarrhoeal disease is usually contracted by contact with infected food or fluid, but also from hands that have touched infected material. Faeces of an infected person are highly contagious, and therefore very careful hand-washing is essential after using the toilet. 89 August 2007 If the diarrhoea is bloody, very profuse and watery, or associated with a high fever, or if the diarrhoea goes on for longer than three days (one day in a baby), medical help should be sought. However, in most cases a rotavirus or similar infection will be the cause, and the natural course is only two to three days. Replacement of fluid loss is the most important part of treatment. Drugs are quite ineffective in the vast majority of cases. A suitable fluid-replacement solution may be made with a finger pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar added to 250 ml (about one mug-full) of boiled water, with a squeeze of orange juice to provide flavour (and a token amount of potassium). The concentration is very important as the sugar helps aid the absorption of the salt, but too much of either is harmful. Taste the solution and if it tastes saltier than tears, discard it and start again. Eight level teaspoons of sugar (white, brown or honey) plus half a teaspoon salt added to one litre of water should be about right. Special packets of powder (e.g. Dioralyte, Rehidrat) for adding to water may be obtained from your doctor or at a pharmacy. Give one cupful of mixture for each loose stool. For children, seek medical help if the child vomits or appears drowsy, has fast breathing, or is dehydrated (eyes become sunken, tongue is dry, skin loses elasticity). Diet: Feeding should be continued during diarrhoea if the child feels like eating - especially high-calorie, low-residue foods. Bananas, cereals, bread and margarine or butter, biscuits, eggs, and milk are all suitable - concentrate on the foods the child likes most. For children who are breast-feeding this should continue. Starving a child suffering from diarrhoea is now thought undesirable, although appetite is often reduced. Drug treatment: is necessary only for some of the specific types of diarrhoea mentioned, such as severe dysentery, typhoid, cholera, and giardiasis - all of which are much less likely than a viral cause. Anti-Diarrhoeal Agents: Such as Raolin, Codeine, Lomotil, Immodium, Awet. While they may give some measure of relief, they may also prolong infections. In principle, they hold back part of the body's natural and appropriate response, which is literally to flush out the infection. Their use is only recommended when sanitary arrangements are difficult e.g. on long journeys, and then limited to 2 to 4 doses. , They should never be used when the sufferer has bloody diarrhoea , They should never be used for children under the age of 10. Prevention: The likelihood of diarrhoea can be minimised by observing these tips: , Pay close attention to household hygiene - particularly hand-washing before meals and after using the toilet , Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen by washing hands before food preparation; keeping stored food in the fridge (especially meat); covering 90 August 2007 all food left out in the open, even for short periods; cooking meat thoroughly; boiling water if there is any doubt about its purity (then keeping it in the fridge - it will taste better); washing fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating; and not permitting flies in the kitchen. , Avoid the use of pre-cooked foods bought in the streets; milk and other dairy products (especially ice cream) unless you are quite sure they are manufactured hygienically; salads and other uncooked foods, and cold meat except in hotels and restaurants. Viral Hepatitis The illness seen in all forms of hepatitis is similar, and results from acute inflammation of the liver. It is frequently heralded by symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, generalised weakness, and aches and pains Hepatitis A How it is spread Hepatitis A virus is spread by the faecal-oral route, usually by person-to-person contact, particularly in conditions of poor sanitation and overcrowding. Food-borne outbreaks, which have become more important and frequent in developed countries, may be due to the shedding of the virus in the faeces of infected food handlers during the incubation period of the illness: the source of the outbreak can often be traced to cooking. Raw or inadequately cooked shellfish cultivated in sewage-contaminated tidal or coastal water, and raw vegetables grown in soil fertilised with untreated human faeces, are associated with a high risk of infection with Hepatitis A virus. Consequences of Infection Although the disease has a low mortality, patients may be incapacitated for many weeks. There is no evidence of persistence of infection with Hepatitis A virus, nor of progression to chronic liver disease. Hepatitis A and the traveller Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for persons who are not already immunized (this can be checked with a blood test), and who are travelling to endemic areas. Where the vaccine is not yet available, normal human immunoglobulin (commonly referred to as gamma globulin) contains the Hepatitis A antibody and will prevent or lessen the severity of the illness. This injection needs repeating every six months or for every period of travel. Other preventive measures include strict personal hygiene, avoiding raw or inadequately cooked shellfish, avoiding raw vegetables, and not drinking untreated water or raw milk. 91 August 2007 Hepatitis B How it is spread Transmission of the infection may result from accidental inoculation with minute amounts of blood, which may occur during medical, surgical, or dental procedures; during immunization with inadequately sterilised syringes and needles; sharing of needles during intravenous drug abuse; during tattooing, ear piercing, and nose piercing; during acupuncture, during laboratory accidents, and accidental inoculation with razors and similar objects that have been contaminated with blood. However, Hepatitis B is not spread exclusively by blood or blood products. Hepatitis B surface antigen has been found in other body fluids such as saliva, menstrual and vaginal discharges, and seminal fluid, and these have been implicated as vehicles of transmission of the infection. Consequences of Infection The symptoms and manifestations of Hepatitis B are similar to those of Hepatitis A. Chronic liver disease may follow the infection. This may be severe and may progress to primary liver cancer. Active Immunization Hepatitis B vaccines have been developed. They are safe and effective, and have been licensed in many countries, including the UK and USA. The course consists of three injections given over a six-month period. Malaria Malaria is still the single most important disease hazard facing travellers to most tropical countries, where it remains a serious and usually neglected public health problem. Drug-resistant malaria continues to spread at an alarming rate. Travellers have a clear responsibility to protect themselves, by taking appropriate anti-malarial medication as well as precautions against mosquito bites. Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes. Travellers may acquire malaria from mosquitoes in about 105 countries, although many of these countries under-report their cases of malaria - perhaps so as not to harm their image or their tourist trade. Effects of Malaria The incubation period following the bite of a mosquito bearing the infection is at least five days, but as long as a year may elapse before symptoms appear, especially if anti-malarial drugs have been used. The principal symptoms are fever, malaise, chills with sweating, and headache; abdominal pains, jaundice, and coma sometimes develop rapidly. Diarrhoea may also occur. 92 August 2007 Diagnosis The early symptoms of malaria, of which fever is the most common, are non-specific. This is why, especially when symptoms do not appear until after the traveller has returned home, the possibility of malaria is not always considered and the diagnosis may be missed. If malaria is suspected, a blood sample should be taken immediately and examined under the microscope. Detection of parasites under the microscope confirms the diagnosis but requires experience and skill. Treatment Should preferably be carried out under medical supervision. Anyone with suspected malaria should seek medical help urgently. Prevention In many countries over several centuries, malaria has been controlled or eradicated by reducing the amount of stagnant water, which mosquitoes need in order to breed. Prohibition of stagnant water in Singapore was effective. Personal Protection The most important way of reducing the number of mosquito bites is the application of insect repellent (containing diethyl toluamide or "deet") to the skin, especially in the evening and, when out of doors, at night. Mosquito nets over the bed are a time-honoured way of avoiding bites at night, and nets impregnated with permethrin should be used. A wire mesh across the windows can also be helpful. Anti-malarial Drugs for Prophylaxis The drugs at present available are not true prophylactics because they do not in fact prevent infection, as they do not prevent the uptake of the parasites. The main effect of prophylactic drugs is to suppress the development of the red blood cell forms of the parasite, which is why prophylaxis has to be continued for so long after leaving the malarial area, if it is to be truly successful. Personal Protection Against Insect Bites Many serious diseases in the tropics are spread by insects. Insects spread many diseases for which drug treatment is difficult, dangerous, or non-existent, and for which we do not yet have vaccines. Prevention of insect bites is the single most sensible and effective precaution a traveller can take to avoid these diseases. 93 August 2007 Repellents A chemical repellent is the best, and perhaps only suitable personal protection against outdoor biting insects. As far as is known, repellents act by interfering with the sense organs with which insects locate their victims. Most of the commercially available insect repellent preparations contain diethyl toluamide (commonly known as "deet" or DET), ethylhexanediol, or dimethylphthalate (DMP). These preparations come as lotions, sticks, gels, creams, or in aerosol cans or pump-action dispensers. Citronella oil is distilled from a tropical grass and is used as a soap perfume. It has long been sold as an insect repellent but does not remain effective for as long as deet. However, some people prefer its lemony smell to the less agreeable smell of deet. Buzzers Some users believe that these devices work, but every time their effectiveness has been put to the test under controlled conditions, no difference has been found between the biting rate with the device on and with it off. Clothing Long sleeves and long trousers have for many years been recommended to be worn after dark to minimise the risk of mosquito bites. Protection against Insects Biting Indoors In addition to the repellents already described, several other useful counter-measures can be employed when the "target area" is confined to a house or hotel room. Mosquito Nets, Spray, Coil, and Vaporising Mats Screening windows is seldom completely effective in keeping mosquitoes out of rooms, so other lines of defence may also be needed. Aerosol spray cans of insecticide contain pyrethroids, which are synthetic near-relations of the natural product pyrethrum and are very safe, although they should not be used over uncovered food. They do not harm pets or domestic animals. They have no residual effect on mosquitoes that enter later on during the night. The old-fashioned, but still effective, way of dealing with these insects is to light a slow-burning "mosquito coil" which will smoke gently, giving off pyrethrum or pyrethroids for 6-8 hours. A modern version of the same idea is a small mains-operated heating plate that slowly vaporizes a mat containing pyrethroids. Vapona strips slowly give off vapour of the insecticide dishlorvos without any need for heating. The vapour emitted by coils, vaporising mats, or vapona strips kills mosquitoes in sealed rooms, but in comfortably ventilated rooms the vapours may do no more than repel or stun insects so that they do not bite. Care may be needed to achieve even this, for example, on a porch or veranda one should 94 August 2007 always place the source of vapour upwind of those to be protected and perhaps at floor level, to deter mosquitoes heading for the ankles. Other Measures Ornamental ponds should be stocked with small fish to eat any mosquito larvae that may start to develop there. Other water containers around houses are likely to be rubbish and should be either removed, flattened and buried, or punctured so that they cannot hold water. Control of Domestic Non-Biting Pests Although they do not bite, house-flies, cockroaches, ants, and termites are often worrying pests in the tropics, and some may be a serious health hazard. Flies, for example, are able to carry more than 100 different types of harmful disease-producing organisms, and may transfer them directly from excreta to food and children's faces. In the kitchen, exposed food, unwashed plates, crumbs, and rubbish are an open invitation to flies, cockroaches, and ants. Very attractive foods such as sugar and jam should be kept in the refrigerator and others, such as breakfast cereals, biscuits, or bread, should be kept in screw-topped containers. Ants and Cockroaches Ants' nests can often be located by following the trail of ants back to its source, and can then sometimes be destroyed with boiling water. Pyrethroid insecticides may also be effective in irritating cockroaches and driving them out of the crevices in which they hide. Otherwise, the best insecticidal approach for a cockroach infestation is to scatter a carbamate insecticide such as "Baygon" in powder form near crevices, drain-inspection covers, and in the bottoms of cupboards and closets. Poliomyelitis Polio is common in countries with poor hygiene, and is a serious hazard to travellers who have not been immunized. Infection Polio is caused by a virus, which is spread from person to person either in mucus from the nose and throat, or by contamination of food or drink with infected faeces. Once the virus has travelled to the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, it damages these cells and causes paralysis of the muscles they control. Immunization People who have never been immunized or who have no record of immunization should receive three doses of polio vaccine, preferably at monthly intervals 95 August 2007 before they travel. People who have been fully immunized at any time in the past need only a single booster dose of oral polio vaccine every ten years, if they intend to travel. Skin Urticaria One of the commonest skin troubles to affect teachers on holiday is an attack of hives or nettle-rash (urticaria) which can follow the eating of contaminated food. A sudden outbreak of itchy red or white weals, occurring either on its own or with diarrhoea and vomiting, should point to the probability of some dietary indiscretion. Most attacks do not last long, but if the weals continue to appear for longer than three days it is wise to seek medical advice. Fungal Infections Keratin - the more or less impermeable material that forms the outer layer of the skin - unfortunately provides a suitable home for various types of fungi. Moisture and sweat tend to encourage invasion and spread of the fungi through the keratin layer, and the result is an annoying and often itchy rash. Ringworm Some fungi cause ringworm, which is itchy, red scaly patches that spread outwards while clear in the centre. The advancing edge consists of small blisters that develop as a reaction to invasion by the fungus. Medication applied to the affected area is usually successful. Ringworm Infection of the Scalp Fungi that affect hair produce circular patches of red, scaly hair loss on the scalp. This occurs only in children and takes several weeks to develop. Children may acquire these infections from local playmates or pets (cats or dogs with mangy skins should be carefully avoided). Treatment (tablets) should only be prescribed by a doctor. Athlete's Foot Several sorts of keratin-inhabiting fungus prefer to take up residence between and underneath the toes; these sites are also popular with various yeasts, especially the Candida variety which causes thrush. Individuals whose feet remain wet for long periods, with water from a swimming pool, the sea, rivers, or in floods, will find that soaking the skin encourages invasion by these organisms, and an itch that starts between the fourth and fifth toes is followed by scaling and splitting of the skin that slowly spreads to other toe webs and other parts of the foot. 96 August 2007 The use of open footwear with no socks usually ensures that toe webs are adequately ventilated, and prevents the condition. Powders such as Mycota will ease the condition. Thrush The Candida group of organisms are yeast-like fungi that proliferate in any moist area of skin. They are the cause of oral "thrush" in babies' mouths, exacerbate athlete's foot, and also frequently cause a shiny red soreness in the folds of the groins. Nystatin (Nystan) or miconazole (Daktarin) cream are useful and those who are overweight or wear nylon "jockey" shorts, should wear loose-fitting cotton shorts. For women, Canesten cream and suppositories are available over the counter from JPMC pharmacy. Prickly Heat Prickly heat is a very common condition in warm, sunny environments and is due to plugging of sweat ducts; if the mouth of the duct is blocked, tiny shiny vesicles appear which may quickly dry up. Deeper blockage results in the small, irritant red papules which form the rash called prickly heat, and which break out on the trunk and around the neck. Sufferers should avoid washing too frequently, and simple application of calamine lotion or Nivea cream will relieve discomfort. The condition disappears as the traveller becomes acclimatised. Bacterial Infections If bacteria called pyococci penetrate the skin following damage, the itchy, crusty, or blistering condition known as impetigo may develop. This is best prevented by washing grazes twice daily with warm water and soap - more frequent washing is unwise since removal of protective greases from the surface will only make it easier for bacteria to penetrate undamaged skin. Sun A suntan is often considered attractive and socially desirable, but obtaining one can have harmful effects both in the short and long term. Moderate sunshine improves the quality of life, and has been claimed to improve a person's overall work performance. Unfortunately, in many circumstances, it may damage exposed tissues: well-recognised examples include effects on all human skin such as sun-burning, ageing, and cancer, and cataracts of the human eye. Other skin reactions affecting only some exposed subjects may also occur. These include polymorphic light eruption, often mistakenly called prickly heat, a harmless condition usually kept in check by high protection factor sunscreens and avoidance of strong sunlight. Other relatively common abnormal reactions include excessive sun-burning from photosensitivity caused by certain perfumes, cosmetics, sun barrier creams, and medications taken by mouth or applied to the skin. During man's evolution, protective responses have developed which tend to protect against these phenomena, namely tanning and thickening reactions of 97 August 2007 the exposed skin. These occur, however, only as a result of sun damage and not before: thus a tanned skin may give protection against further exposure, but unless already genetically present its acquisition through sun exposure is always associated with skin injury. New arrivals should be aware that the damaging rays in sunlight, ultra violet radiation (UVR), are strongest when the sun is high in the sky, namely in the middle of the day, particularly at low altitudes near the equator. Adjacent reflecting surfaces such as rippling water mean exposure is increased. Sunburn is therefore particularly likely on beaches and at sea. Furthermore, cool winds, haze, light clouds, swimming in water and thin, close-fitting or loose weave clothing do not do much to reduce the ray's intensity. If a tan, however, is considered a social necessity, it should be acquired gradually, moderately and carefully to minimise damage and its unpleasant consequences, namely sunburn in the short term and skin ageing and cancer in the long term. As the Australians say: SLIP, SLOP, SLAP (slip on a T shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat!) Tetanus All teachers should be immunized against tetanus, because the risks are widespread and correct treatment following injury may be difficult to obtain. How Infection Occurs and How Disease Is Spread Tetanus is caused by infection of wounds with a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, which damages the nervous system and muscles with a powerful toxin. The toxin causes forceful, continuous muscle contraction and severe spasm, often leading to death from respiratory problems and exhaustion. Prevention The best method of prevention is by immunization with tetanus toxoid in infancy, with booster doses every ten years (although immunity probably lasts for longer than this). Those who suffer an injury may require a further dose, especially if it has been longer than five years since their last immunization. Tuberculosis BCG has been shown to provide a very valuable degree of protection against TB, lasting at least ten years. In Brunei BCG is given at birth or soon after; its overall effectiveness in infancy is not known, but it appears to prevent the most serious complications of childhood TB. It would be of doubtful value in adults over about thirty-five (for whom we have no evidence of its efficacy), even if they are tuberculin negative. Domestic staff can get infective TB and be a real risk for an expatriate family. Anyone who develops a chronic cough for three or four weeks or more (often the only sign of TB) should be sent to the local government chest clinic for chest X-ray and sputum examination. 98 August 2007 12 SECURITY General The level of crime in Brunei is lower than in cities or towns in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, although it is on the increase. There have been some instances of serious crime involving CfBT teachers, although usually it is just burglaries, the majority of which occur when people are out of the house, at school or on leave. Items stolen are of the easily portable and disposable type: cameras, cassette players, video recorders, watches, jewellery, cash and, in a few cases, clothes. It is strongly recommended that you take out a personal home contents insurance policy. (See below for further details) At home you assess the risks/dangers within your own environment. They are topics of conversation with friends and colleagues. You read newspapers and listen to television reports. On arrival in Brunei, and when travelling in the region, you are outside your usual environment and therefore need to reorientate yourself regarding the factors which affect your safety. Back home you are not normally conscious of your own race, colour, religion, class, gender, nationality or dress, nor do you think of such things in terms of the reaction they may produce from others, or any offence they might give. If you are a non-Muslim in Brunei you must be aware of Islamic values in an Islamic country, and behave in an appropriate manner, having regard not merely for what is illegal, such as alcohol, but for what may be considered rude or abusive, such as public displays of affection. 'Modesty' in dress and behaviour is recommended to avoid unwanted attention. General Precautions CfBT asks landlords to make their houses as safe as possible. , Make it a habit to lock your car. Do not leave valuable items, e.g. handbags, in cars even if they are locked as they can provoke break-ins. , Close and padlock your front gate if possible. , Fit small alarms on all windows and doors (about $6 each). , Close windows and lock all doors on leaving the property even for a short time. , Secure sliding glass doors with blocks of wood. , Use bolts and both locks (Yale + handle lock) where these are provided. , Lock your doors if you decide to take a nap or shower during the day: anyone could be wandering around. , Inform neighbours and friends if you are going to be away for a week or more, and leave an inside and an outside light on, preferably on a timer. , Keeping a dog is certainly a deterrent to thieves. However, you must balance this against the problem of finding someone to look after your dog while you are on holiday. Also you should bear in mind a dog will deter any Muslim friends from visiting and that some landlords will not allow dogs to be kept. Check with the Housing Department. , Missing keys should be reported to the Housing Department immediately. 99 August 2007 In the past there have been cases of men breaking into female teachers' houses. There have been some very serious incidents, which have been very traumatic experiences for the women concerned. Please take the following precautions in an attempt to avoid these incidents: , Never undress in front of a window (common sense really). , Never walk about the house or garden, and particularly do not answer the door, scantily dressed. You never know how far you can be seen or who will turn up unexpectedly to read the meter. , Do not leave underwear on the clothesline overnight. Not only is there a risk it will be stolen but it also indicates who lives in the house if it is only women. , Do not go to the beach alone. , Wear a one-piece swimming costume on public beaches. If walking along the beach or to and from your car, cover up with a T-shirt and/or sarong. , There are reports of flashers, for example, encountered by females walking/jogging. Remember to vary your route. , On rare occasions both male and female teachers in cars have been followed and harassed by local drivers after dark and during the day. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, lead the other car away from your home towards a friend's house or local police station if necessary. 13 INSURANCE It is a wise precaution to be insured at all times. Remember that once your heavy baggage arrives in Brunei, or after 60 or 120 days - depending on which insurance option you choose - you are not covered. If you are robbed, make a report at the police station in person, and get in touch with the CfBT office. There are several reputable insurance companies operating in Brunei. More information will be given during the Orientation Course, but Willis (2427800) offer the following services: , Home Protector Insurance As the name implies, this covers household items including cameras, television, hi-fi equipment, against fire, theft, lightning strike etc and can be taken out at any time for a 12-month period. , Medical Insurance Details of specific medical insurance plans are available in the C(BT office. Full up-to-date information will be given on the Orientation Course. 100 August 2007 Insurance Companies Used by CfBT Teachers , Commercial Union, Jasra Harrison, BSB. , Willis Sdn Bhd, Scout Headquarters Building, Jalan Gadong BSB Tel. 2427800 , AIA, Wisma Jaya, Jalan Pemancha, BSB Tel. 2239112/3/4 Insurance is a personal matter. It is up to the individual to select suitable insurance if desired. Check around and ask colleagues for advice before deciding. Workman's Compensation Domestic Policy This is legally required by the Labour Department for anyone in your employ. For a premium of $50.00 per annum, a domestic servant is covered for injury or death in the course of work. Wages are paid to the sick worker while he or she is incapacitated. If the domestic worker is not covered by this type of policy, the employer's maximum liability, e.g. death, is $28,800 in line with the labour law. There is a much more comprehensive policy available now through National Insurance Company for $125 per person, including medical and repatriation in the event of death. 14 RECRUITING AN AMAH (DOMESTIC SERVANT) The following procedures are undertaken at: Department of Labour, Immigration and IC Offices Jalan Kebangsaan Only a working married couple with a child or children are likely to obtain permission to employ an amah/domestic servant. As this is a long and, at times, frustrating process, newcomers to Brunei should not dwell too long on whether or not to employ an amah. Steps in employing an amah 1. Obtain a Licence A "Licence" is the legal permission granted by the Labour Department to a specified individual allowing them to employ a domestic servant. Application forms are available from the 4th floor of the Department of Labour. In order to obtain a licence, submit the following documentation: , Completed computerised application form (BUR 301) 101 August 2007 , Photocopy of back page of applicant's employment contract , Photocopy of applicant's passport (pages to include personal details and employment pass) , Photocopy of IC of applicant and spouse , Photocopy of Tenancy Agreement , Letter in support of application from CfBT , Photocopy of husband and wife's salary slip Return all documentation to the 4th floor, Department of Labour. (This process takes about two weeks). The outcome of your application is verified in writing in Malay. (NB: 'Disokong' means Approved, 'Tidak' means not approved.) Do not be deterred by 'Tidak' - you should re-apply. Take the letter personally and see the officer who signed the letter if possible and explain your situation to him. The acceptance letter will have two copies of the licence (LESEN) with all the important numbers printed on them. If you do not receive this letter after two weeks, you should return to the Department of Labour to follow it up. Your dossier will have a reference number beginning with PJB. 2. Selecting an amah Once the Licence is approved, arrange to: a) Import a new amah (NB: although the majority comes from the Philippines, you can import an amah from all ASEAN countries) b) Bring back an amah who has previously worked in Brunei c) Transfer an amah from another employer in Brunei NB: Non-Muslim families may not employ Muslim amahs. 3. Payment of the Bond This refundable bond of $600 has to be lodged at the 5th floor of the Labour Department. The bond is taken to ensure that the amah has a guaranteed return ticket home. A receipt will be issued - take good care of this receipt as you will need this to obtain a refund. 4. The Contract You will require four copies of the Contract for Domestic Servants from STP stationers or the shop at the Immigration Department. If your amah is coming from the Philippines, you will also need four contract forms from the Philippine Embassy. Take the contracts with a $1.00 stamp, to the Registrar in the Magistrate's Court, Mile 1, Jalan Tutong, to have them legally certified. You need these to apply for the Employment Entry Visa. 102 August 2007 5. Application for Employment Entry Visa Obtain visa application form from the Immigration Department (2nd floor) and complete. Then submit following documentation: a) Completed Visa Application Form. b) Two copies of the letter supporting the Visa application. c) Photocopy of Licence, together with the original and the receipt for the $600 Bond. d) Photocopy of amah's passport. e) Photocopy NBI clearance (National Bureau of Investigation, Philippines). f) Two passport photographs of the amah. g) Completed white card. h) Two copies of Borang 23. Submit at the 2nd floor of the Immigration Department. A preliminary interview with the immigration officer is required prior to approval. The Immigration Officer will check all documents and, if approved, initiate a telex to the Brunei Embassy in Philippines. Allow seven days for the telex to be sent (you must follow this up quite persistently). The visa will be issued to you in one week. It is in the form of a letter, to which the Immigration Department will attach Form A. Take a few photocopies of the visa, the letter and Form A. 6. Authentication Certificate You will need the following papers: a) Four Philippines Embassy contracts which have been certified by the Registrar of the Law Court. b) Photocopy of own IC. c) Photocopy of Licence. d) Flight details of amah. e) Authentication Certificate form (completed) and a payment of $60. NB: The Philippine Embassy is no longer processing amahs hired directly. The employer must find a local amah agent who is registered with the embassy to do the paperwork. After three days, collect the 'Authentication Certificate', which is a statement to the effect that your legalised contract has been deemed genuine by the Philippine Ambassador. Now you are ready to bring your amah to Brunei. Go to any travel agent, take a photocopy of the visa and book a flight. The travel agent will not issue an actual ticket, but will give you an MCO, a voucher enabling someone to collect a ticket overseas. Send the amah the authentication and adjoining contract, the original Visa (keep a photocopy), and the MCO. You can use the courier service, LBC Mabuhay, located at the top left corner up behind the Seri Complex Post Office. For a small fee they will hand deliver in about 5 - 7 days. This is a much safer method. Make sure the amah has a few working days clearance to complete any 103 August 2007 final paperwork prior to departure. First timers pay an overseas worker registration tax of about B$300. This can cause a delay in departure. 7. Application for an Employment Pass When your amah arrives: a) Arrange for her to have a blood test and X-ray. Application forms for chest X-ray and blood test are available from the Immigration Department (2nd floor). , Blood tests are carried out at the new building on the airport roundabout in BSB. , Chest X-rays are carried out at RIPAS Hospital. , Results of chest X-rays and blood tests are obtained from the above address. , A second blood test for HIV is carried out three months later. There is a charge of $15 and $5 for the above tests. b) Take the above, a copy of your Licence and four copies of the Contract of Service previously purchased from STP, to the 4th floor, Labour Department. Two copies of these contracts should have $1.00 stamps attached. The signing of the contract takes place in the presence of a Labour Officer (4th floor, Labour Department). The amah may have a brief interview with the Labour Officer prior to signing the contract. c) Submit the following documents to the Department of Immigration: , Amah's passport. , Photocopy of Licence. , Two passport photographs of amah. , Blood test/X-ray. , Labour contract. , Immigration form (BUR A) completed by the employer and a copy of the agreement issued by the Immigration Dept. , A Worker's Compensation Insurance Policy. These are a legal requirement and are available from most insurance companies at $50 p.a., for the minimum legal cover. Bear in mind, however, that you are liable for any medical costs for your amah, and in the event of her death in your employ, you would be liable for repatriation of remains to the Philippines which can be very expensive (more than $10,000). There is a more expensive policy ($125) with National Insurance Company which will cover you. The Employment Pass is issued on the spot for the period of validity of the Licence. 104 August 2007 8. Apply for Identity Card Take the amah with her passport (and photocopies of the relevant pages of the passport) to the IC Department, fill in and submit an application for an Identity Card. Take two IC size photos and $2. Collect IC on date specified on the receipt, usually four to six weeks later. 9. Annual renewal of an amah's documents The following documents are needed: , Licence renewal form Borang 302. , Completed Contract forms. , Blood test & X-ray report. , Empass renewal. , Copy of air ticket (if amah is returning on completion of contract leave). , Single Entry visa form. NB: The procedure for getting the necessary documentation is subject to change at short notice. All efforts have been made to update the information, but be prepared for any changes. You need a lot of patience. If all the above seems a little off-putting, you can choose to pay an agent to do all the paper work. For $1000 (this includes the single entry airfare,) the agent will offer a choice of amahs, do all the paper work, and even renew at the end of each contract for an additional fee of approximately $150. This is strongly recommended in the case of working couples. Employing the amah yourself without using an agent involves a great deal of running around and long waits in line at Immigration. A reliable agency is Ivyan Link Agencies, Unit 14, Block A, 2nd floor, Bangunan Begawan Pehin Dato Hj. Mohd. Yusof, Spg 88, Kiulap, 2236073/2236074. AMAH'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT This is a rather grey area with most employers setting the terms and conditions of employment to suit their own family needs. Generally speaking, the amah attends to all household chores and the care of the child/children as required by the parents. Her day usually begins at 6.00 am and finishes after the evening meal and the children are in bed. She will work six days per week and have Sundays off (the day off is negotiable). Having public holidays off is at the discretion of the employer. Monthly wages range from $250 to $400 (food provided) or $350 to $500 (no food provided) depending on experience. Accommodation and basic furnishings are provided as part of the wages. 105 August 2007 Initially it may be an uncomfortable feeling having a strange person living in your home and having to tell someone how you like your housework done and your children cared for. As time passes, most employers enjoy having an amah. Perhaps the secret to a good amah/employer relationship is to be friendly, approachable, flexible, firm and allow for some human error. A part-time amah can be employed locally without all the trouble of applying for a licence etc. This is ideal for singles and couples without children who would normally not be eligible to apply for a full-time amah, or for families who just do not want an extra person living in their home. Although common, such arrangements are unofficial and not sanctioned by the Immigration Department however. Part-time amahs normally charge between $5 to $7 per hour and can normally be recruited by word of mouth. Just ask around among friends and neighbours who have amahs of their own. There is an extensive amah network! 106 August 2007 15 CHURCHES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Bandar Seri Begawan Location English Services St Andrew?s Jalan Kumbang Pasang 7.30 am to Sunday (Anglican) Tel: 2222768/2235578 9.30 am to Sunday 6.00 pm to Evensong Our Lady of the Jalan Kumbang Pasang 6.30 pm to Saturday Assumption Tel: 2222261 7.30 am to Sunday (Roman Catholic) 9.30 am to Sunday Rev: I. Fang 5.30 pm to Sunday Christian Fellowship No.4 Mdm Tay Giok 10.30 am to Sunday Centre Lian Also evenings (Independent) Flat, Jalan Berangan (Near Capital Hostel) Tel: 2429773 (Nelson Janting) Bethel Church St Andrews's Church 5.45 pm to Sunday Tel: 2449706 James Lee Seria Location English Services St Margaret's Lorong 3, Seria 8.00 am to Sunday (Anglican) Tel: 3222303 Rev: Noel Chin Our Lady of Conception Jalan Raja Isteri 5.45 pm to Saturday (Roman Catholic) Tel: 3222304 8.00 am to Sunday Rev: Cornelius Sim 5.30 pm to Sunday Bethel Chapel Lot No 3258 9.30 am to Sunday (Independent) Tel: 3222779/3222783 10.30 am Pastor: Geoffrey Yong Kuala Belait Location English Services St James Church Jalan McKerron 8.00 am to Sunday (Anglican) Tel: 3335139 10.30 am Rev: Dunstan Chua St. John?s Church Near the hospital 8.00 am to Sunday (Roman Catholic) Tel: 3334207 5.30 pm to Sunday Father: Ivan Christian Fellowship Tel: 3335103 Centre Michael Lee (Independent) Other Information Most of the churches have other meetings during the week and also run Sunday schools. Some have other Sunday services but in Chinese and/or Malay/Iban/Murut. There are also other churches which have services only in Chinese or one of the other local languages. 107 August 2007 16 DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS The British High Commission There is a British High Commission in Bandar, with a High Commissioner and a staff of twelve. The High Commission is situated on the 2nd floor of the Yayasan Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan. The postal address of the High Commission is PO Box 2197, Bandar Seri Begawan BF8674. The Consular section deals with passports, and can renew a passport within five working days, but if you wish to travel to the United States, you will need a passport with a bar code which will take longer as it has to be done in Singapore. It will register a birth, but this is merely a registration and has nothing to do with nationality. All CfBT teachers with British nationality should register with the High Commission so that there is a record of your presence and whereabouts in any emergency. Registration formalities can be completed through their website. The High Commission in Brunei has always stressed that it cannot offer any help beyond legal advice to any British Citizen who breaks the law in Brunei. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (Visa/Passport Section) 9.00 am to 2.00 pm Friday (Visa/Passport Section) 9.00 am to 12.15 pm Saturday & Sunday Closed Telephone (Consular Section) 2226001 Fax: 2226002 (Chancery) 2222231 Email: brithc@brunet.bn Website: www.britain-brunei.org.bn The Australian High Commission thThe High Commission has recently moved and is now found on the 6 floor of the DAR Takaful IBB building just past the Coffee Zone on the corner of Jalan Sultan and Jalan Pemancha. The postal address of the High Commission is PO Box 2990 Bandar Seri Begawan, BS 8675. The Consular Section deals with issuing and renewing passports. Renewing takes approximately ten days. A baby born in Brunei to Australian parents can be registered at the High Commission. Information about Australia as well as visa regulations and frequently asked questions can easily be found on their website www.bruneidarussalam.embassy.gov.au. 108 August 2007 All Australian nationals should register with the High Commission on their arrival in Brunei and are urged to advise the High Commission of their email address and any subsequent changes of house address and telephone number. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 12.30 pm 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm Friday 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Saturday and Sunday Closed Visa Section: Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 12.00 pm Telephone: (Consular Section) 2229435 Fax: 2221652 Email: ozcombrn@pso.brunet.bn Canadian High Commission The Canadian High Commission is located at 5th floor, No 1, Jalan MacArthur Building, BSB, BS 8711. They keep a register of Canadian nationals living in Brunei, and encourage all Canadians to register. Application forms for passports can be obtained from the High Commission, but passport applications must be forwarded to the Canadian High Commission in Singapore to be processed. The postal address of the High Commission is P.O. Box 2808, Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8675. Tel: 2220043 Fax: 2220040 Email: hicomcda@brunet.bn New Zealand Consulate The High Commission responsible for Brunei is in Kuala Lumpur and the postal address is PO Box 12003, 50764 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: ++603 238 2533 Fax: ++603 238 0387 THE BRITISH COUNCIL The British Council office opened in Brunei at the end of 1985 and is located in the British High Commission offices. Its main purpose in Brunei is to give the public information and advice about study opportunities in the UK. The Representative or any of the staff will be pleased to see you. 109 August 2007 Opening times: Monday to Thursday 9.00 am to 12.15 pm 4.45 pm to 4.30 pm Friday to Saturday 8.00 am to12.30 am Tel: 2237742 17 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE Borneo, lying astride the equator and being forested by tropical rainforest is one of the richest areas of the world for flora and fauna. There are dozens of books about its wildlife and scope no doubt for dozens more. Even if you want to, you couldn't even scratch the surface in describing what one may encounter on this island. So this is not intended for the wildlife enthusiast nor for the hardened expatriate, with years of experience of various plagues of frogs and invasions of insects, but for those new to the tropics and its abundance of creatures and who feel put out at having to share their space with hordes of wee beasties. Spiders and insects make up by far the most numerous and diverse group of animals that you will encounter. All spiders are poisonous but very few have mouthparts that are tough enough to penetrate human skin. There are no spiders here that can kill but there are some that could give a nasty bite but only if one were to try and handle them. As with anything that bites or stings, the only real causes for concern are if a person produces an allergic response or if the victim is a small child. In most cases simple first aid will suffice. The commonest household spider is the Huntsman; it is pale brown in colour and the female is easily identified by the large, circular egg case which it carries slung beneath its body. It doesn't build a web but hunts its prey. It can grow quite large, up to about 4" across and is useful in keeping down household populations of cockroaches. You will almost certainly come across these spiders and they could bite if handled, though I know of no such incidents. They always run away if threatened. Other large spiders are not particularly common though occasionally one may encounter a rather hairy species. I've seen a few, they are darker brown than the Huntsman, possess much larger mouth-parts, and seem quite aggressive but again retreat rather than attack when disturbed. Web-building spiders are to be found outdoors, and are usually inaccessible. By far, the commonest insects are ants. There are many different species, they are present in all houses and it would cost a small fortune in insecticide to keep them at bay. None cause any harm, though there are some that give sharp bites especially the Weaver ant which is to be found outdoors only. It builds its nest from living leaves in bushes and trees and defends its territory viciously. A useful method of keeping ants from cupboards and tables is to stand the legs of the cupboard etc in dishes of water. It is also possible to buy paper impregnated with insecticide to line the shelves of cupboards. It has the unlikely name of "No Bugs M'Lady"! They don't seem to like chalk either. 110 August 2007 Termites make periodic invasions into our homes but create no problems other than the eventual destruction of untreated wooden articles. Cockroaches are extremely common and can grow to quite large sizes. They are scavengers and eat almost anything. The easiest way to keep them down is to be quite scrupulously clean in the kitchen and occasionally spray around nooks and crannies where they are likely to hide. Bees, wasps and hornets are often to be found in the home though are much more common in the jungle. Some do not possess stings; others can deliver enough poison to make one quite ill indeed. Treat them like you would wasps and bees back home, i.e. don't anger them and you'll be OK. The only incidents of stings I know have all been accidental. It is impossible to be specific about insect stings; some are initially very fierce yet the effects very short lived. A sting from a large wasp may be nothing much initially yet make one feel feverish an hour or so later. Treatment by home first aid with soothing creams is usually sufficient but in rare instances individuals show allergic responses to the venom and should be taken to hospital. Other "nuisance" insects include mosquitoes and sand flies and both these bite through design and not by accident. Mosquitoes are very common and everyone takes measures to keep them out of the house. Screens may be put up at doors or windows, mats may be electrically heated to produce a vapour that kills them or chemical coils lit to drive them away. None of these methods are totally successful and everyone will experience bites. Most people however seem to react less and less to bites the longer they stay here. The population of mosquitoes in the immediate vicinity of your house can be kept down by making sure there is no standing water for them to breed in. They need very little and even an eggcup of water would do. Sand flies are found at beaches, especially where there is a lot of rotting wood, as this is where they nest. They are extremely small and difficult to see yet their bite may sometimes irritate for a fortnight. One should use repellent at the beach and possibly also light a fire or coils if having a barbecue. There is currently no incidence of disease that may be borne by mosquitoes and sand flies in Brunei, though this is not so in other parts of South East Asia. There are many other insects that will invade your space, yet are quite harmless: moths and butterflies may reach 10" across, stick insects up to 12" are not uncommon, neither are very large beetles, and cicadas may have a 4" by 11/2" body and 8"wings and fly around your living room at speed, stupid but harmless. There are a couple of other nasty invertebrates to mention; the centipede and the scorpion. Neither are particularly common and like to nest under logs or stones or in piles in vegetation. The centipede should not be confused with millipedes, which are quite harmless; centipedes have one pair of legs to each body 111 August 2007 segment, move quickly and sinuously and can bite. Millipedes have two or three pairs of legs to each body segment, move more slowly, almost regally, and cannot bite. Scorpions have a sting in their tail and may sting rather like a wasp. They are much less potent than the large African Scorpion and their sting, though painful, is not lethal. Newcomers to the tropics are usually most keen to know about snakes, which of course are relatively common here. Snakes are abundant in Borneo and Brunei yet encounters are rare and usually involve the snake heading for a hiding place. The vast majority of snakes are afraid of large creatures, such as man and will have retreated to a safe spot, having felt the vibrations of one's footsteps long before. Should we encounter a snake unexpectedly it is most often going to be harmless, though of course it, if unable to escape, may imitate the striking actions of a poisonous snake to fool us. It usually does! Species of non-poisonous snakes number over a hundred, poisonous snakes less than 40. Many of the poisonous snakes are not dangerous to people, either because their mouths are too small or because their poisonous fangs are set at the back of the mouth and they cannot bring them to bear. The poisonous snakes that could be dangerous can be divided into two groups according to their venom. Neuro toxic venom is carried by cobras, kraits, coral snakes and sea snakes. Their bite is not particularly painful and should sufficient venom be injected death will be due to respiratory failure as muscles become paralysed. The other group carry extremely painful bites, localised swelling and pain, though these are rarely fatal. If bitten by a snake, examination of the wound will indicate if it was poisonous or not. If poisonous there will be one or two puncture marks, if not there will be a row of teeth marks and no larger puncture marks. Identification of snakes is not particularly difficult though one shouldn't rely on one's own identification unless very experienced ... play safe! Cobras, when angry are quite distinct as they spread the skin around their neck to produce a hood. Easy to spot but, unfortunately, not the case when they are on the ground and at rest. Kraits have either large yellow and black bands or large white and black bands, while there is one type that has a bright red tail. 112 August 2007 Coral snakes are brown or black with bright red or blue stripes along the length of their body. All snakes found in the sea should be considered poisonous. The other group of snakes is the vipers. They are usually shorter and "stocky" in relation to their length. They have a broad, triangular head and are usually very sluggish, indeed the only one I've seen in the wilds lay on a tree root while inspected by over 50 people and didn't move a muscle. There are quite a few species and they are often quite brightly coloured. What to do if bitten This is unlikely but it seems pertinent to include some advice just in case. If bitten by a neuro toxic snake: a) Stay calm and if possible keep still. (Movement accelerates the spread of venom). b) Keep the point of the bite below the level of the heart. (It will probably be on the limb). c) Clean the site of the wound, but on no account cut or suck it. d) Apply a tourniquet just above the bite, release it for about 90 seconds every ten minutes and move it a few inches higher. This will only be effective if applied within 30 minutes of the bite. e) Get to hospital and if possible, kill the snake and take it for positive identification. For the haemotoxic group, all the above points apply except the use of the tourniquet, which localises the effect of the venom and would cause greater tissue damage in that area. It is said that victims often suffer more because of shock so all snake bite victims should be treated for this. If children are bitten, then it is much more urgent to get them to hospital. Other reptiles in Brunei include lizards, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises. Lizards are everywhere and harmless, especially the small house lizard or gecko, locally known as cik-cak according to the noise they make. Every building has them and they do a useful job by eating insects. Crocodiles are extremely uncommon and to see one would be a rare occurrence. Brunei's mammals are quite shy and you won't see many. Monkeys are quite common though, even quite close to the centre of town but they are not tame and 113 August 2007 you will be unlikely to get close to them. There are no large cats in Borneo but a small bear does exist. Known as the honey or sun bear, it is black with brown markings and very fond of honey and termites. If cornered it is very aggressive, and possessing large claws, is not to be tangled with. It is to shy, sleeps mainly by day and avoids contact. Worth a mention is the Probocis monkey, unique to North Borneo with the largest populations concentrated on mangrove islands at the mouth of the Brunei River. There are one or two poisonous fish namely the Stone fish and the Lion fish. The former can deliver enough poison to kill, through hollow dorsal spines. It lies in wait for prey and is extremely well disguised. The Lion fish is an exotic looking fish with feathery fins, more active than the Stone fish. It too delivers poison from dorsal spines. They are not especially common but a wise precaution when swimming is to wear something on your feet. Last but not least, a word about Jelly Fish. 1992 was a particularly bad year for Box Jelly Fish (aka Sea Wasp) in Brunei waters. The Box Jelly Fish is shaped like a box, or cube (unlike most jellyfish which usually have an umbrella or saucer-shaped body). It can measure 10 - 20 cm along each side of its body but, being translucent or slightly bluish in colour, it can be difficult to see in the water. At each "corner" of the cube is an arm-like projection and from these arise the long (up to three metres) tentacles. The stinging cells, which inject poisonous toxin, can be located anywhere along a tentacle. Therefore, contact with any part of the tentacle should be avoided. Prevention The safest precaution is to avoid water sports, swimming, diving, water skiing, in waters during seasons in which these animals are known to be prevalent. Only exposed skin would be vulnerable to jellyfish stings and protective clothing (wet suit, full tracksuit or similar) should be worn in affected waters. First Aid Vinegar (and only vinegar) poured all over tentacles for 30 seconds. Keep the victim still and only remove tentacles after they have been neutralised with vinegar. (You need at least three litres). If the patient is unconscious, check for pulse and respiration as CPR may be needed as a priority over vinegar. Pressure immobilisation of affected limb. Call for medical help urgently and take to hospital. 114 August 2007 Remember The venom effects may take some time to kill so all casualties should be removed to RIPAS or Muara Medical Centre where there is anti-venom. All of the coastlines have these jellyfish and it is especially dangerous in shallow calm waters. We are unsure of the season but it looks like it might be from April to September coinciding with the prawn season. Protection Clothing from ankles to wrists protects from the stingers. Lycra suits are ideal but whole body pantihose is effective. Birds in Brunei Brunei is a particularly good spot because its forests are not being felled at anything like the same rate as in the other South East Asian countries. From September onwards, the number of species is augmented by huge flights of passage migrants. Some of these like Yellow Wagtails, Common Sandpipers and Golden Plovers are familiar to Europeans. Others like the Black Winged Stilt, the Chinese Egret and the Oriental Pratincole are peculiar to the Eastern Hemisphere. 115 August 2007 18 AN INTRODUCTORY WORD LIST FOR BRUNEI Siapa nama awang/dayang? - What is your name? Nama saya .......... - My name is .......... Di mana tinggal - Where do you live? Saya tinggal di .......... - I live in/at .......... Awang/Dayang dari mana? - Where do you come from? Saya dari .......... - I come from .......... Saya tidak faham - I don't understand Saya tidak pandai cakap Melayu - I don't know how to speak Malay Apa Awang/Dayang cakap? - What did you say? Selamat pagi - Good morning Selamat petang - Good afternoon/evening Selamat malam - Good night Selamat Jalan - Goodbye Selamat tinggal - Goodbye (to someone you are leaving) Apa khabar? - How are you? Khabar baik - Fine (this is the only possible answer to this question) Sekolah - School Sekolah Rendah - Primary school Sekolah Menengah - Secondary school Guru Besar - Headmaster Pengetua - Principal (not used as a title) Guru - Teacher Cikgu - Teacher (used as a title) Murid - Pupil Penuntut - Student Pejabat - Office Bilik Darjah - Classroom Bilik Guru - Staffroom Bilik Tandas - Toilet Surau - Prayer room Kantin - Canteen Dewan - Hall Sakit - Ill Sakit perut - Stomache ache 116 August 2007 Sakit kepala - Headache Jalan - Road Motosikal - Motorbike Bahaya - Danger Jalan tidak tembus - No through road Awas - Caution Kereta - Car Berhenti - Stop Ikut Kiri - Keep left Batu - Stone/mile Satu - One Dua - Two Tiga - Three Empat - Four Lima - Five Enam - Six Tujuh - Seven Lapan - Eight Sembilan - Nine Sepuluh - Ten Sebelas - Eleven Duabelas - Twelve Tigabelas - Thirteen Empatbelas - Fourteen Limabelas - Fifteen Dua puluh - Twenty Dua puluh satu - Twenty-one Dua puluh dua - Twenty-two Tiga puluh - Thirty Tiga puluh satu - Thirty-one Seratus - One hundred Dua ratus - Two hundred Tiga Ratus satu - Three hundred and one Tiga ratus dua puluh - Three hundred and twenty Seribu - One thousand Teh - Tea 117 August 2007 Kopi 'O' - Black coffee (with sugar) Kopi Susu - Coffee with milk, (usually condensed) Air limau - Lime juice Air, ayer - Water Kopi - Coffee Air oren - Orange juice Air batu - Iced Water Air suam - Warm Water Gula - Sugar Beras - Rice (uncooked) Daging - Meat Sayur - Vegetable Timun - Cucumber Bawang - Onion Bawang putih - Garlic Garam - Salt Tepung - Flour Ubi kentang - Potato Kobis - Cabbage Tomato - Tomato Lada - Chilli Epal - Apple Pisang - Banana Mangga - Mango Nenas - Pineapple Kelapa - Coconut Anggur - Grape Oren - Orange Betik - Papaya Saya lapar - I am hungry Saya haus - I am thirsty Makan - To eat Minum - To drink Mee Hoon - Rice vermicelli Daging Kambing - Mutton Ikan - Fish 118 August 2007 Udang - Prawn Ayam Goreng - Fried chicken Nasi Putih - Boiled rice Nasi Goreng - Fried rice Mee - Noodles Mee rebus - Boiled noodles Mee goring - Fried noodles Daging lembu - Beef Ayam - Chicken Sotong - Squid/Cuttlefish Kacang - Beans/nuts Telur goring - Fried egg Berapa? - How much/how many? Mahal - Expensive Boleh kurang sedikit? - Can you reduce the price a little? Ringgit - Dollar Sen - Cent Satu ringgit/seringgit - One dollar Seringgit setengah - One dollar and fifty cents Satu kilo - One kilo Satu biji - One (piece of fruit or vegetable) Dua ringgit sekilo - $2 per kilo Tiga ringgit setengah sebiji - $3.50 each Boleh - Can/able Tidak boleh/tak boleh - Cannot Balik - Go home Datang - Come Selamat datang - Welcome Ibu - Mother Bapa - Father Ibu-Bapa - Parents Anak - Child Isteri - Wife Suami - Husband Perempuan - Female Lelaki - Male 119 August 2007