A few days ago we were supposed to board the ferries from Menumbok – Labuan – Muara for our trip back to Brunei.

But several days before that, my husband suggested that we take the overland drive home instead. Bad weather was expected and this would mean rough ferry rides or worse, being stranded in Labuan.

It was not a welcome change of plan because having driven back on many Decembers, we know what it would be like.

So instead of enjoying sceneries of Menumbok, Labuan and Muara port activities with huge ships, boats on curt trailer hitches – we spent a lot of time not-enjoying the sight of a long line of cars stuck back to back as we waited for our turn for the ferry across the Pandaruan River from Puni to Limbang for 3 whole hours.

The worst part about this river crossing that always means hours of traffic jam in December is that, it barely takes 5 mins.

In Bandar Seri Begawan, we may not see as many Caucasians as we normally do in Belait district.

We do however see a few faces most times we drive to the kids’ school, due to its proximity to hotels and tourist attractions.

Unlike the orang putih we usually see in Belait with their kids or working clothes, those we see here are usually walking under the hot sun drenched with sweat and looking close to fainting – except the smart ones who walk around with wide-brimmed hats (no such comfort for men, though).

The even smarter ones will walk out only when the sun is more merciful to these skins more used to piling on the clothes (instead of wishing they can remove everything) and wearing heated gloves (instead of wanting to jump into iced water)!

But despite the heat and humidity, I am sure many of these tourists enjoyed quaint found-only-in-Brunei scenes such as the Tamu at Kianggeh, still so colourful even on quiet weekend afternoons.