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Kampung Ayer translates from the Malay as "Water Village", although in the case of Bandar Seri Begawan's water village "water city" would be a better description. Home to 30,000 residents and built entirely over the Brunei River across from the capital, Kampung Ayer is a modern, friendly community and a highlight of any visit to Brunei.
Getting to Kampung Ayer is easy. Local tour operators can arrange a visit for you, or just hail a water taxi along Bandar's waterfront for the B$5 trip across. There are numerous walkways open to the public which you can wander and explore on foot.
To a lesser extent you can explore by water taxi although at the speed these guys travel you may only see the sights in a blur. Your boat will duck under low bridges between homes and weave at high speed amongst the many walk ways.
View of Kampung Ayer from the Air
The people of Kampung Ayer are friendly and if you are spotted wandering around you may well be invited in for tea by one of the residents. We visited a family at Kampung Ayer and were astounded at just how spacious and well appointed the homes are.
Our host's lounge room had very comfortable seating for dozens of people - forget images of rickety homes on stilts, Kampung Ayer homes are well built with all modern comforts and amenities including running water and power.
Kampung Ayer has a low lying golden mosque on stilts and the community is well serviced - there are schools, shops, a police station and a fire station (fires are much feared in the all-wood village. Ferry boats transport the kids to and from school and all access to the city across the river is by water taxi.
Walking the "streets" of Kampung Ayer
Despite living entirely on the water many Kampung Ayer residents have private cars - where do they park you ask ? On the opposite side of the river, where you will see hundreds of cars parked along the foreshore. The residents simply catch a water taxi to their car and drive off. In low-crime Brunei no one even thinks of stealing the cars.
Local people have lived in Kampung Ayer for over six centuries, and continue to enjoy a village lifestyle despite the air conditioners, tv's, computers and microwave ovens and modern facilities. Today, thanks to Brunei's oil wealth, they enjoy free amenities such as water and electricity, extremely cheap petrol (gasoline) subsidised cars and consumer goods, and zero income tax.
Be sure to take time to visit Kampung Ayer when in Brunei. It will be one of the highlights of your visit.
Kampung Ayer Mosque
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