Tambulon – an "enclave" in eastern Brunei separated by Lam Mun Province in Sarawak, Malaysia. Compared with the prosperity of the capital Seri Begawan and the sophistication of siriya, the "oil city" of Malay Yi district, The Tambrong District is somewhat plain and simple, because it has nothing to show off about the city and style. But Heaven is always fair, and he gives peace and beauty to Tambron in the noise and wealth of the other three districts.
Tambulon with its vast forests Source: Flickr
Brunei's "enclave" first explored
Most of brunei's first impressions are of the civilization and industry of gold-capped mosques, water houses on the banks of the river, museums, and oil refineries. When it comes to the rainforest here, it may always be confusing. Although Brunei is small, it truly condenses the best part of Borneo's vast forests, which are covered by 3/4 of its territory, and with ample oil reserves, Brunei does not need to explore other types of resources such as palm oil, so large areas of equatorial primary forest are protected.
Tambulong District is a concentrated area of Brunei's primary forests, with a total area of 1304 square kilometers, and the mountains in the area are undulating and greenery. Tamblong District is a special presence for Brunei, having no connection with the rest of Brunei before the opening of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saiftin Bridge, and reaching Tambulong by land requiring a two-way detour to Mamao, Malaysia.
The Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifutin Bridge connects the Tamblon district with brunei mainland
The most fascinating thing about getting to The Tambulung is the waterway transportation. Depart early from Sri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, and board a speedboat bound for the eastern Tamblon district.
The speedboat sailed out of the dock and soon out of the city, and the houses and buildings were long gone outside the window, only the green on both sides of the river was constantly passing by. As soon as we reached the vast surface of the South China Sea, the mobile phone jumped into a signal for Malaysia's DIGI telecommunications company, and the water village on the outskirts of the city and the magnificent royal palace of the Sultan gradually disappeared from obscurity to vision. As the surface of the sea is gradually replaced by winding waterways, deep green mangroves and feathered Niba palm trees act like guardians of the waters at both ends of the riverbank.
Travel from Brunei through Malaysia and back to Brunei. With the switching of the mobile phone signal, it was found that another entry and exit had been completed, but there was no cumbersome customs clearance in the meantime. Along the way, the sky is blue as if it has just been cleaned, and the blue sky and white clouds are reflected on the undisturbed river, forming a symmetrical and chic picture, and the tropical rainforest style along the way makes people feel unreal in a paradise.
The waterway narrowed and narrowed, and when we looked back, we could no longer see the edge of the sea, and after 45 minutes, we reached the town of Bang A, the capital of Tamblong District. The town's people don't seem to wake up early because of the blazing heat of the rainforest climate, and the streets are sparsely populated. The permanent population of Tambulong District is about 9,000 people, among whom there are still many indigenous peoples who maintain many Malay traditions. There are no bustling street markets here, and even the houses are mostly scattered in the jungle. This apparent tranquility and blandness may be the biggest reason why outsiders tend to ignore Tambron.
An adventure in the National Forest Park
After a short break in the small town of Bang A, the journey to Ulu National Forest, known as the "Emerald of Brunei", officially kicked off.
To reach the national park, hop on a traditional "temuai" long motorboat that is specially designed for the meandering currents of the Tambulon River. Modern longboats are equipped with high-powered engines, and this journey can be said to be a rafting experience of speed and passion.
On the way to the park by boat, water splashes from time to time Image source: flickr
The longboat swims up the River At Tamburen, which is so clear that through the river, the round pebbles lying on the riverbed are clearly visible and seem to be within reach. Splashes of water between the rushing river and the bottom of the boat splash from time to time, and the branches of the water sweep overhead from time to time in the process of advancing on the hull, and a tropical rainforest version of the rapids leads a boat of people to the direction of the forest park. The further the boat went, the more secluded the scenery became, and at first you could see a few scattered longhouses and tree houses on the shore, and then in addition to the blue sky, there was only a strong and lush green of different shades.
Nearly an hour's boat ride flies by, and the end of the rafting is also the starting point of the forest park. Walking up the wooden pier, an empty longhouse is the tourist reception set up by the Brunei Tourism Board. The entrance to Ulu National Forest doesn't seem to match the national park's name, and is more like a log cabin in the primeval forest.
Tourist reception at the entrance of the park by the Brunei Tourism Board Image source: Flickr
A winding wooden boardwalk leads into the forest park, where dark green vegetation covers the rainforest densely, and the trunks are strongly wound, making people instantly feel the vitality of the rainforest. More than a hundred species of insects play a symphony in the trees, and colorful butterflies pull people further into the secret realm of Avatar.
Wooden boardwalk in the park Source: A travelogue of drifting wood
The forest park is home to world-famous tree species such as the Linden tree, as well as a variety of rare animals: more than 180 species of trees, 35 species of frogs, more than 180 species of butterflies, more than 200 species of birds and more than 400 different types of beetles that can inhabit a single tree at the same time. Among them, an international research base called the Bellalong Field Research Center has been deeply studying the species of the tropical rainforest. Walking on the wooden stairs, looking at the lush surroundings for a while, I shook my mind, but the next second I lifted my feet, I couldn't help but exclaim, I don't know which way the little insects ran out for a walk.
Wildlife in the park Source: Flickr
Over the past few years, it has been difficult to resist the erosion of termites, fungi and insects, and the wooden boardwalk has long become intermittent, and on the way to climb, it is inevitable that one foot deep and one foot shallow will have a close contact with the mud swamp, and the dream of jungle special forces that was stirred up by the Vietnam War pieces when he was young shines into reality.
Even though the vegetation has dropped by an unknown number of degrees, as the humid heat unique to the tropical rainforest climate continues to invade, it has climbed 1026 steps and is already wet for the most part.
Climb of the brave
The ultimate thrill-seeking adventure in Ulu Tamburong National Park is the Canopy Corridor, which takes more than 700 steps to the top to reach the highest 43-meter canopy, also known as the "Crown Jewel". This can be a challenge even for the most experienced hikers, a test of courage and determination.
Looking up from below, the canopy corridor at a high level is spectacular Source: Flickr
On the top deck of a 500-step steel suspension canopy corridor, the stairs inside spiral upwards, and the bright sunlight through the gaps in the tower bypasses each staircase, and just looking up is a bit dizzy. Before coming, I heard the locals in Brunei say that coming to the National Forest Park without climbing the peak is like going to the Great Wall and not climbing the beacon. After settling down and taking a short rest, I mustered up enough courage to overcome my fear of height and climb up the steps of the handrail. Reaching the climax, suddenly enlightened.
Walking toward the steel suspension bridge that stretches straight at the highest point of the steel frame, walking between the 5 connected tree canopies, in an instant, the tiredness of climbing is swept away. Looking out from a high place, there is only a vast green, the leaves shine green under the sunlight, making people have to sigh the magic of nature and the magic power of natural carving, such as the dreamlike tropical rainforest spreads over the mountains, the extreme view, the layers are stacked, the clouds are steaming, and the beauty is breathtaking. The leaf veins of the rainforest treetops are close to the reachable branches, the wind blows from the side, and a jump makes the suspension bridge shake slightly, suddenly dazzling.
Canopy corridors are a must-have challenge for brave people in forest parks Image source: flicker
Coming down from the peak, the moment the foot touched the ground, it couldn't help but soften, and it was only in an instant that it came back to its senses. Chartered by the Brunei government, Singapore also has a rainforest survival and combat training camp in the Tamblong Nature Reserve for a seven-day training period. During this period, the special forces had to complete a series of training programs in the jungle, complete the prescribed route, and finally arrive at the designated location before completing the training. Therefore, Tambulung Forest Park is also an ideal place for adventure and tempering the will. This climb is also a game of bravery.
Ulu National Forest Park is a great place for hikers Source: Brunei National Tourism Board
When the tension of this "hard journey" was not known how to relieve it for a while, the Ulumutong Waterfall in the park brought a rewarding surprise. Below the waterfall, in a wider area where the water flows more slowly, is home to the doctor fish, tiny freshwater fish that eat away at dead skin cells on the feet and legs for a natural spa experience. Take off the shoes and socks, immerse your toes in the water, the clear river water can clearly see the small fish swinging their bodies to the side, the coolness of the river water and the slight itch of the feet from time to time "kissed", so that the body can be completely relaxed, quietly look at the greenery, listen to the insects with your heart.
Below Ulumutong Waterfall, the water flows slowly, especially suitable for a nap Source: Flickr
In Tamburong, time passes very slowly, people can temporarily put aside the lights and shadows of the city, take a boat to appreciate the thousands of styles of nature, in a lush greenery, listen to birds and insects, explore strange plants, feel a different kind of Brunei style.