Category Archives: Places

Not A Beach Lover

Posted by Jewelle Tan on February 1, 2012 None comments

We brought the kids to Lumut beach last weekend.

Finally, I know!

For many unavoidable reasons, we have been disappointing them over and over again or as I quote one very annoyed 6-year-old, “We are back for SO LONG and we still have not been to the beach!”. The said beach is less than 5 mins drive away, so yes she has a good reason to be upset.

But the thing is, I do not like beaches.

My idea of a place to relax would be either the jungles or mountains. It’s not that I fancy hiking boots or ski jackets so much, but I like the fact that these places are temperature-wise, cooler.

But I digress.

Now back to why do I not like beaches. It’s because watching the waves does nothing to my soul (like it is supposedly able to do). Playing in the sand always makes we wary of uncovering something dangerous or unsavoury (knowing our local beach users).

And most of all, I hate with a capital “H”, beach sandflies that never give me a break!

That’s right kids – this beach trip will have to last for a few weeks.

Berakas Beach

Posted by Jewelle Tan on August 28, 2010 3 comments

From our house in Lumut, the beach is less than 5 mins drive away.

Over in Bandar Seri Begawan, the nearest beach is at the Taman Rekreasi Hutan Berakas (Berakas Forest Recreational Park) – which is still around 15 mins drive away.

But despite being this “near”, it was only recently that we brought the kids to Taman Hutan Berakas. Located along Muara-Tutong Highway, the entrance is marked by giant Nepenthes sculptures in bright green.

You won’t miss it because there are signboards way before the entrance and there are nothing but trees, kilometres and kilometres before this junction.

The kids were thrilled to spot monkeys on the narrow and dim road with forest on both sides that finally led to one area of the park where there are swings, barbeque stands and picnic huts – and beautiful view of the blue sea.

This side of the park was pleasantly shaded by tall trees and I can imagine how busy it gets on normal afternoon (it was quiet then being fasting month).

The kids headed straight to the swings and there they stayed until we left – without even setting foot on the beach.

Because the beach was several steps down!

Not only is Taman Hutan Berakas a lovely park, this is a perfect place to visit when you fancy a picnic WITHOUT bringing home clothes and car full of sand.

Just ask the kids – Are you SURE you want to walk back UP these staircases later. You can already hear their answers when they look down the many, many, MANY steps!

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