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From Diary 2. 8/6. 
I’m up at six, and walk to the Gadong Wet Market,
which mainly have fish and other odd
sea creatures – after eight. At least, I can get an Indian breakfast, as I
get back to the car.
I
have found what look like a green area with a path, between Mata-Mata and
Katok, and give it a try. Unfortunately, it seems like it is a military area
of some sort.
A
single farmer is cultivating a field, to the joy of the cattle egrets. I
think, it is a first for me: I see a group of wild rice finches. My parents
had them 55 years ago. The only remaining planned sight of the day is Brunei River. I crossed it earlier, but return to the bridge, hoping for better light. There is no chance, I can penetrate the jungle along it. That includes the extended sights of the day – and it is nine in the morning!
I
follow the Malaysian border home, through Lumapas.
Besides from the diggings, I see the tail of many birds,
I more or less follow the coast, towards the north. I sit-out a thundershower at a little diner, drinking coffee. I leave it too early, as the road have huge and deep lakes by now. Well, one more coffee at the next place.
Jalan Pelabuhan Muara is the most northern
It
I
figure, I might as well check a waterfall. Well, after yet another coffee
break. No lunch, and I fear my need for calories get covered by the
condensed milk in the coffee. Tasek Lama Waterfall is located in a big natural park, with several trails and roads. I start with the little but nice fall, found across a pond. It is in deep shade and impossible to get a proper photo of.
I
then follow a wide trail to a viewing tower, overseeing the canopy. It seems
like the monkeys tend to be found along trashcans. I hear some I might as well ser the Sultan's Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, which is the biggest in the country. And it is a magnificent building in pristine condition. And the largest gathering of bathroom tiles I ever encountered. I walk around it, passing one fountain after the other.
I’m
At dusk, I find my way home – to the Indian diner, and enjoy yet another
great meal. Then home to simplify the bag and finish the diary.
9/6.
First, I cross the enormous Temburong Bridge; It is the longest bridge
in Southeast Asia, with 30 kilometres. A neat bridge, quite like a
Danish. It crosses both the wide river-mouth, but also jungle-covered
islands. Then I reach the Brunei-Muara area, just
The first I meet is a family of Black Faced Langur Monkey;
Semnopithecus entellus. Then a lot of
interesting and some familiar climbing plants. I almost make to the river,
but the vegetation make an efficient wall. I head further in, mainly
along the large Temburong River.
At one stop, I almost crash into a concrete ditch on, what I thought was a resting place. I follow the road as far as I can, into the interior. At the end, it is clear further explanation must be done by longboat. I do my best to explore this area and the interesting plants.
I
Then I leave the Temburong area by its long bridge. I reach the mainland at noon, and head for the Gadong Wet Market, which mainly have fish. It is a bit late, but here are still a lot of fish in all sizes, same with shrimp to lobsters and squirts. One area have huge amounts of chickens, mostly filleted. A few butchers have meat as well.
I
I
I head inland through the mangrove, and encounter several large monitors
and one, which must be at least half dragon. Back at the car, I enjoy a
coffee and update the diaries in the comfort of a moderate air-con.
10/6.
A last visit at the Indian for coffee – and selfies, then it is time for
the short drive to the airport. I return the dirty car, but receive no
complaints. Two hours to finish diary and budget, before I fly to
Singapore, then Bali.
It
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a waypoint. It is just
some villas, scattered around the jungle and a gas station. Then I see some
flat, green fields
I can’t resist a sign for
the Taman Arkeologi Kota Batu. It turns out to be an archaeological
site; the 14th to 17th century Mausoleum of Sultan Sharif Ali. It have two kilometres of neglected concrete paths, straight through
the jungle. None have used them for years
point of Brunei, a peninsular
with its share of beaches. I head out here, just to see the area.
seems like the original vegetation was made up by pines, screw-palms and
gum-trees. I see a few silk-plants, but not anything interesting. 
remains a greyish day, which kind of spoiling the photos, but that’s
Asia, dry season or not. 
birds and the
rattling in the dry leaves from other animals. The, to my great joy, I see a
home at four, and get an Indian coffee, while I update the diary.
Then I go window-shopping for a couple of hours. First in the
neighbourhood, then all stores in the huge mall. 
to see it. As always,
penetrating the jungle cause a problem, but I find an abandon house and
its slightly overgrown driveway. 
I even manages to get to it a few
times. Here are a lot of bird and insects voices. I think most is within
the Ulu Temburong National Park, and is sure is virgin rainforest.
have to return to Bangunan, where I find the partly closed market. And
most appreciated, a mug of coffee. 
see the little historical museum; K. A. Cultural & Tourism Gallery
with their viewing tower. I’m the first guest to mandatory sign in, in a
week. 
At
dusk, I find my way back to the night market, in lack of any other
entertainment. The shy night geckos are out by now. 
I am kind of ready to find the Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Airport and
return the car. However, I have until ten, and spend the time with a
walk along the river. It is not pretty, but the overgrown trees and wild
orchids and ferns are.
have been a great experience to see a country with that much
unspoiled nature – although hard to access. And cheap too. I failed to
spend the B$300 / €200 I withdraw, despite I’ve been using cash only,
even at the hotel – but not the car, paid from home. 