Exploring the Floating Beauty of Kampong Ayer

ブルネイに来る方々は、ほぼ間違いなく訪れるであろうウォーターヴィレッジ。 1,000年以上の歴史を持つ世界最大級の水上集落です。 かつて16世紀に訪れたヨーロッパの探検家から「東洋のベニス」と称され、現在も約9,000〜13,000人の人々が伝統的な暮らしを営んでいます。 単なる観光地ではなく、インフラが完璧に整った「本物の生活の街」である点が最大の特徴です。 事前調べでは、向こう岸へは１ブルネイドルで行けるとよく書かれていましたが私の場合は2ブルネイドルでした。 ちなみにブルネイはシンガポールドルも使えます。

Kampong Ayer, the world's largest stilt village with over 1,300 years of history, is the cradle of Brunei civilization. Comprising 42 wooden stilt houses, it is home to approximately 30,000 people (10% of Brunei's population). When European explorer Antonio Pigafetta arrived in 1521, he even compared it to the "Venice of the East"! This time, I visited by water taxi (shuttle boat). Although it looks like a slum from the outside, the houses are equipped with air conditioning, TVs, and internet access. The residents are friendly and hospitable, and there are adorable, fearless cats everywhere. Many foreign tourists stay overnight in the stilt village, such as the popular and chill guesthouse Kunyit 7 Lodge. Adresto on the island is also a popular dinner restaurant, serving Brunei's national dish Ambuyat, soto noodles, and satay, among other dishes. Kampung Ayer, a floating village, is also the cradle of Brunei's civilization. For centuries, dozens of sultans had their palaces located within the village. In modern times, Brunei's civilization gradually shifted from the water to the city center, and the floating village became a relatively underdeveloped area, similar to an old town in Taiwan. Besides water taxis, it only has one main bridge connecting it to the outside world (Sungai Goben Bridge). #Lev

As soon as you approach, boatmen will try to solicit your business. They'll initially ask for 50 Brunei dollars, but don't get on! You absolutely must bargain. The three of us finally settled on 30 Brunei dollars, which included seeing the proboscis monkeys and the floating village. The boatman will also help take photos and locate the proboscis monkeys. He mentioned there might be crocodiles, but we didn't see any.

My main destination was a populated island, so this was just a stopover. I planned a two-day visit, combining a 360-degree photo shoot from the boat with a landing. The most common greeting I heard from the residents was, "Which country are you from?" There are shops here.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.