15/11/2009- trip to Temburong

Last sunday it was our last activities with BEACA. We went to Temburong to experience the canopy walk at Kuala Belalong. Beside that went to the waterfall and Temburong Longhouse.
I have learned a lot from this trip and the experience was very valuable towards me. Thus I must applied it for my future own behavior.

First thing first I have learned to overcome my frighten of height during the canopy walk. Like what Dr Asmah said Canopy walk was just the small part of our life. Still more obstacles will be coming toward us and we have to get ready for ir. Futhermore what amaze me more was when we visiting the Longhouse. I dont expect that this kind of house was still use until now. The guider told us that there were sixteen families in this longhouse and ofcourse they related eachother. Moreover the Temburong people also getting advance in technology because from what we have seen when visiting there, was a group of adults and teenage gathered together to surf the internet by laptop on Wireless. My friends and were quite surprise to know that eventhough they were far from Bandar Brunei, they still knew what happening overthere. From that moment i realised that we dont judge the book by its cover. Although they still adapted their ancestors culture that was to live with whole family in one house but along the ways they also dont want to be lose in knowing technology nowadays. I also one of the trip organizers together with Syahir and Malik. We were asked to book a boat to Temburong and we did it.

For this trip each one of us have to pay $12. $10 for boat but will return after the trip and $2 as usual for drinks and bus. Since we were not familiar with Temburong District and dont know where to go, Dr Asmah hire a tour guider. This women was worked under one company and shes the one who will guide us where to go. From my view doing this business will giving a lot of advantages like giving more job to temburong people. Not only that, most of the workers was the Iban people. Our tour guiders was Iban, the temuai also own by Iban people. Im quite surprised to see how the Iban people worked to support their family. Not only thatwe also met some fisherman. Fisherman was one of the common job in Brunei. they then sell their fish to market and sometimes for their familiy.

Meanwhile, I also looking that most of the buildings in Temburong town had been renovate. This maybe for the comfortable of tourists and Temburong people. Moreover, most of the houses there was Bungalow but I also could see that in one house, there were more than 2 cars. There was this one house that im quite surprised to see because it was too old and not comfortable to live on but still this one family live on there. Maybe because they cannot afford to buy a house and rather stay there but it might dangerous to them especially when it comes to bad weather. Government should concern about this because it could showed to tourists that Government did not care to Temburong people. Apart from that Temburong also had became tourists attraction and this could brought benefit to Brunei tourism. Some renovation was also done in Ulu temburong to made the tourists more comfortable. Thus from there i could see that Brunei had made improvement in their tourism and able to seize the attention of other countries people to visit here.

From our departure till our arrival to Ulu Temburong, there were a lots of plants and animals we acrossed by, somes that i can remember was like mangaris (a tree used to made gasing- a traditional games play by Bruneian People), Baka and even we found a Dusun owned by people there. We also see some tree that give out orange and red flower and ofcourse we cannot find it in Brunei Muara town. When I searched through internet animals like Hornbills, proboscis monkey, Macaques and monitor lizards could be seen at Ulu temburong but that day I never seen one of them.

For our organisation that day, our boat was kind a late due to some technical error happen. Bus also late because they have to wait some friends. Drinks were provided by refreshments and foods we have to bring it own our own. but overall our activity run smoothly and everyone enjoy it.

As for myself, this Temburong trip had given me more experiance, Brunei had opportunity to became a great tourism country only if we made more effort on it. Seeing the Iban and Tenburong people made me realised that how they worked very hard to support their families and we should thank god that we have the privilege given by government especially in education. So use this opprtunity to study hard and improve our country. We also should be happy to live in town that supplies electricities, Shopping area, cinema not like in Temburong where we cant find this. To conclude trip to Temburong had slightly change my view of Bruneian people that not all of them enjoy to what have been given by government. Somes still suffered and have to work hard so that can support their life.

Photos to be upload by photographers of that day on Groupmail.

SAILING TO PULAU PELUMPUNG- 30TH OCT 2009

For this week 12 we aint go trekking like as usual. Instead we will go sailing at Muara Beach. I was so excited because never before in my life sailing in a cruise and ofcourse went to pulau Pelumpong. Like previous activity. Beaca must gathered at Shbie parking by 6am by Bus and off to Serasa beach but unfortunately that day there were no bus provided. Then we discovered that nobody took the transport organizer post. Thus we all have to go there by ourself. Luckily we manage to come there as soon as possible.

Arriving at Serasa beach we met up with Dr Irene, Dr Asmah and Haji Irwan. It was beautiful to see the view of serasa beach in the morning. After settling down, Taking some pictures and chatting with others. Then come this two people by small boat also known as dinghy. They introduce themself as Aideen and Peter. They will brought us to their Jenny's boat and off sailing around the Muara bay.

Next come the most terrifiying part. That dinghy we ride on was quite small but Peter convince us that he guaranted the safety of this Dinghy. He said this dinghy could carry up to 10person. Well i do believe to him because I think that he already experience about this. We were the first trip to go to the sailing boat. there were nine of us including Aideen and her husband. I asked Peter to wear the safety jacket or not but he said no worry you will be safe. From that time it was a mistake for me not to wear a lifejacket and trust him. When we depart from the shore, not more than 10minutes our dinghy was suddenly sinking. That was the most frightening experience in my life. what the worst thing more was i cant swim so i just depending by hugging peter. Thank god Nuh give me the lifejacket and I straight away wear it. I was very shocked and dont know what to do. Peter instrust us to hold into the boat.

That incident made us lost our valuable things like handphone, Camera, Handycam but that doesnt matter us at all what the most important thing was our life. We save from the sinking and no one hurt. only Dr asmah lip was bruised after that.

After that, the sinking thingy doesnt washed our excitement towards this sailing. Even we lost our valuable things, Life must go on then. Up in the sailing boat Aideen told us some Do and Donts during sailing like dont running, Hold to something so that you dont fall and beware of the rope or else you might tied on them.Our journey started after we all settle down. The captain then pulled the anchor off we go. Aideen continue giving us briefing about their sailing boat. According to her, the boat we ride on was called Jenny and The other where they live on was called Fetima. Im quite surprised to know that they living in the boat. Futhermore she also teach us how to read the map, I also got experienced to be a captain. we were told by The captain to watch out from the shallow water from the GPS.

After anhour sailing we stopped by at Pelumpong Island a manmade island. Dr irene told me that we were actually in the middle of Bunei bay and South China Sea. My friends and I took the opportunity to play around and we were having a very good time there. The Island was very beautiful and amaze me much. Having so much fun there made us not realised that it was time to go back to the sailing boat. Im quite sad leaving the island, it seems that its gonna be a long time that I will go there again.

Up in the sailing boat again Aideen teach us about knots. She taught how to make the 'kings of knot' and square knot. at first i didnot know how to make it but i learn step by step and finally i did it by myself. Afterthat we spend our time relaxing, chatting about our sinking incidents. Keem and I took this time to be at the back of the boat sitting and playing with the water. then finally we went back to where we start, packed our thing and say goodbye to our capten and Aideen.

I have learn a lot from this sailing. Our Dinghy is sinking and that made me more alert to wear a lifejacket whenever we going to the water area. We need a lots of experience inorder to be a good captain. It is not easy to handle a sailing ship. Leadership had been taught along the way we go sailing. As for me dont be so panic if the boat is sinking, try to be calm. We should prepare to what will going on.

For this sailing we have to pay for $35 per person but luckily it was paid by UBD. I ts quite worth it but the lost we had during sinking cannot compared to the money. We also crossed by a fisherman. Fishing in Brunei was one of the common job done by Bruneian people and also favourite hobbies by men. The Dinghy we ride was quite small and easily get sinking when overloaded. so The Captain should watched about this carefully. While for Jenny and Fatima, according to Aideen that single boat cost them 23,000 US dollar. This was due to the special wood that could resist water. Sailing from my point of view canbe one of the attraction in Brunei tourism, So inorder to evaluate about this Brunei government had to make on effort. Furthermore Brunei had a lot of beautiful side that not everyone knew like Pelumpong Island.

During our sailing, I found monkey, Jellyfish, Smallcrab and beachfly. I also discovered some rubbish left in Pelumpong Island done by irresponsible people. The water also pollute by Oil spill from the boat and ship. According to Aideen they can see dolphin at night here but very rare. Dugong also spotted in several time during nights.

We only had problems on Transport, Drinks are provided by refreshments. we only lack of food. So for next time it is a must to bring food together just incase someone hungry.

Sailing had change me much especially the sinking part. In the future i must learn to swim incase im sinking again. To be a good captain need a lots of experience. We have to depend to ourself and try to be indipendent. Dont throw the rubbish in the water because it will pollute and harm the living things inside there. Try to bring extra clothes just incase you will get wet and need to change.

To conclude sailing was one of our best activity in Beaca. I learn a lots from it especially sinking incidents. Some sailing safety tips that were given by Aideen was never sail alone unless if you were expert enough to do so, Always tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back, Learn how to swim and last but not least always check the weather.

OUR 'SOUTH POLE GIRL' COME TO VISIT UBD- 23TH OCT 2009

Last friday after recce, we were feel honoured to be visit by our very first Bruneian women who will going to South Pole on the next November later. We were glad that she can spend time with us to tell her story eventhough we know she quit hard to find a time due to her busy schedule.

At first Dr Asmah give us a brief introduction about her. Known as DayangKu Najabah Eradah or Era. Graduated at The Kingston University in BA science and comfortly now working at The Jabatan Perdana Mentiri. In the age of 26 she is now to be known the first Bruneian explorer.

After we see a mini video about their expidition, Era then stood up introducing herself.

5 Continents. 6 Faiths. 7 Languages. 8 Women. 1 daring ambition .....

She started by introducing her team. There were eight women in her team led by Felicia Aston . They were from different countries like Ghana, Cyprus, Singapore, United Kingdom, India, Jamaica and New Zealand.Then she continue with everything that she need to talk to like their food, clothing, how they training in Norway and New Zealand to suit the temperature in the southpole later.

After that, question and answer session held. one of my friend asked her why she do this kind a extreme thing? Era then answer it was because she want to try to step out from the comfort zone. which is Brunei is very lucky in everything like example education fee is free, oil is subsidise and government hospital is free from paying. Moreover she wanted to show that Brunei is capable to do this dangerous expedition and Bruneian youngsters is to be brave to take any challenge and adventure.

What i have learned from this talks was that as a young Bruneian we should be proud to be a Bruneian people, Dont take any granted for what have given to us, Willing to take challenges like what Era has do and try to make our Brunei proud

AWESOME TREKKING AT BIG TREE!!- 25TH OCT 2009

I will started this blog by saying yesterday trekking was so AWESOME, FUN and MORE CHALLENGING then the previous one. This trekking had more showing what the real trekking was. Although I admit when comparing to go to South Pole or Mount. Everest is far away more more challenging but still yesterday trekking was the most i like.

For this week, I just went straight to the location that is in the Kampung Mentiri because i already know the places due to Im doing the recce on saturday with Dr Irene and BEACA friends. Since Big Tree located at highland so we have to go with the car to upper place. The view in that place was so beautiful. I almost not believe in what im seeing because it show one of the best part of Brunei that people very rare to know. We can see south China sea and a few stranded island. Not to be surprise messages come one by one to show that we are not far from our neighbourhood country that is Malaysia.

While waiting for others to come by bus I took the opportunity to sit down and enjoying the beautiful view of sunday morning, Smell the scent of fresh leaves and watching the people doing their daily job. We were divided into three group since there were only three leaders and sweepers. My job for that day is to be the sweeper of Nuh and our members was Imelda, Mizah, Diana and Hj Irwan. I will be at the back of the group watching them walking, reminding to be careful of some dangerous spot, telling some plant we acrrosed by and also where are we going next.

Like we had been telling by Dr Irene during recce. For this trekking we will doing a Lollipop way where we will started walking along the stick and go circle through the lollipop. There is a time when we have to go down by rope because it was so slippery and quit dangerous. We also crossed a waterfall where the water flowed to the nearest river.

The most interesting part during the trekking was we were seeing like a big wall in the jungle where maybe it suit to do a rock climbing. I was so fascinate with this big wall and as if we were not in Brunei. Once again this part had shown the hidden beautiful of Our Brunei. The most amazing part of our trekking yesterday was we found the big tree that we aim to see and search for. once again i feel absorb with thE BIG TREE that stand there more than hundred years. it was so big that we only manage to go circle the tree by thirteen members.

Plants that we found was like Tongkat Ali. This Tongkat Ali is usually uses for medical purposes. Others like Liana vines, Kalamunting and Sumbui- sumbui. Different species of animal like ants, bee, spider can also be found during our trekking.

After two hours, we finally go out through the jungle. But we cant find the first group that lead by Dillah and we assume they were lost. Soon after we met up with Dr Irene, we told them some were lost in the jungle so some of Beaca with Dr Irene had to search for them. While waiting we took the opportunity to get some pictures of the environment and us. Fifteen minutes later they manage to find the group and bring them out.

What I had learned;

1. To be a LEADER you must have that power to SPEAK and INSTRUST your member.
2. TEAMWORK is so IMPORTANT when you are IN JUNGLE
3. DONT PANICC!! if you are LOST
4. WATER is IMPORTANT so you dont get dehydrated easily.
5. STAY CLOSE DONT GET SEPARATE
6. COMMUNICATE with your members

Overall, the whole trekking was FUN, AWESOME, AMAZING and FANTASTIC. I was delight to be one of the members of BEACA because i can see the beautiful of Brunei which were most of it hidden in the forest. Now i dont need to go outside Brunei just to see the beautiful of its environment becauce Brunei also have it.

PHOTOS to be upload by photographers of that day on groupmail.

18th OCT- Challenging trekking at Diplomatic resident

Diplomatic Resident located in Sungai Akar was our yesterday trekking. The place was quite awesome with much challenging things. Assigned as a Leader for this week was a big responsible for me because Im holding the decision where to go and my members is depending on me. So before we went trekking on the actual day which is on sunday, On friday all the leaders and sweepers were as usual doing the recce thing with Dr Irene. Our job is to make a trail marked for other BEACA members who will doing the trekking on sunday.

For me recce was quite tiring rather than straight away doing trekking because we have to make a trail marked on the tree with parang and it do takes our time much. Each leader will try to make a sign so that later would not be a problem to us to find the right path. The way was quite confusing because there were more than one path to go. Even there was a way which we can reached till Marakucing hill located at Subok. Not to be surprise to know there is also trail marked left by the previous trekker which is paper and it scattered all over the way.

On sunday as usual we wait for others at Shbie Park so that we went to the Sungai Akar together. Although transport problem occured but we manage to reached there safely around 6.35am. There we met up with Dr Irene and Dr Asmah. After done with the grouping we started around 6.45am and my group was the forth one to enter the forest. Each Group will consist four members. As to my group, I have Diana the only member, Nuh my sweeper and Dr Irene.
Since we were the last group then we were the first who picking the rubbish that scattered all over the place.

For several times Dr Irene angry to me because im just following the group infront of us. Like what she said that I remembered was to be leader is to led the members to find the trail marked we made and safely exit the forest, Not to be a follower. You have to search for your own way and not relying to others group. What she said is very true because following the trail marked will help us in getting our way and proven when we were the 1st one who manage to exit before others group.

Along the way some plants we found was like Tongkat Ali, Liana, 'Putat' tree and manymore. some animals we without accidently met was monkeys, ants and even spiderweb. According to Dr Irene some part of the forest especially lowland when it come to Rain the water will rises till our waist and it been proven when the soil is quite muddy around the lowland.

Im glad that I manage to led my group to find the way out because some of the group was lost in the forest but thakfully they also manage to go out although a bit late. This week trekking had given me more lesson than the previous because Im holding a big responsibility.

What I have learn:

1. WATER is important during trekking. Incase you lost then you can survive without food BUT cannot survive without water
2. SEARCH and FOLLOWED the trail marked that had been made during recce DONT just following the marked that have been made by others
3. As a LEADER Be RESPONSIBLE and DONT BE A FOLLOWER
4. Dont take two job as the same time when you are assign to be a leader. Leader is to LED OR ELSE YOU WILL LOST
5. TEAMWORK is Very important especially when you are in small group without anyone to rely on
6. SWEEPER is also holding big rensposibility in helping their leader to find way out.
7. Be PREPARE in what will happened.
8. DONT PANIC!! IF YOU LOST

To conclude, experiencing treeking through Brunei's forest make us more appreciate our forest and environment. BE RESPONSIBLE to not throwing any rubbish inside the forest even if you want to make a trail marked for others and not to DEPEND to others to picking it up for you. I would like to thanks tO NUH and DIANA for their help. without them we might be lose like others and this prove that TEAMWORK is leading to success.

PICTUREs to be upload by the photographer of the day in Groupmail.

9th OCT 2009- RIMBA

Another trekking had been organise by our BEACA members. As for this week Nuh and I was the trip organiser. Our job is to ensure every BEACA members doing their job according to what their post it. As usual like previous trekking, we assemble in the SHBIE parking waiting for bus and others. Around 6.10am we off to rimba and met Dr Irene there.

I was putting under Hj irwan and asri group and we were the 1st to enter the forest again. Led by Hj Irwan seems to be funny because sometime he doesnt know where wo go but this was when sweeper is needed. Asri the sweeper for him manage to search the right path and continue our journey.

What interest me in this 2nd trekking was not only we can detect a place where boar sleep and drink, we can also found sort of plants like Umbut Luba. this plants is used in cooking and very rare to find because it grow far inside the forest. Another was like Sumbui- sumbui, simpur. Both of this plant appeared in our currency notes as a symbol and simpur also represent Brunei during the APEC. Moreover there were also a lot of disabandoned houses and contractor's houses.

Actually at first our planning was to stop where we were instrust and then waiting for others. But instead of going back in the same way, we all agree to try another path to exit home . So for this part Dr Irene was becoming the leader and we just stick to our group behing her. Because the grass was thick and grew above us, one student volunteer to cut the grass with pemarang so that we can get through it.

Next for about 45 minutes we searching for new way finally we found the exit way. what i amaze me was we passed this area where all beautiful abandoned houses that had not been finished yet. Not only that we also passed this area called 'Executive houses' where the steward and stewardess, school's teachers and foreign people live. The environment was very nice and clean .

What I learn in this trekking was:

• COOPERATE is very important especially when we are in the forest
• Listen to the leader and follow what he want.
• Be prepare to what will we do and see
• Water is important during trekking because we easily get dehydrated
• Finding new way to exit is fun but only if we were with the expert person about the jungle in Brunei.

To conclude the trekking was very fun and we as student have learn a lot. Im looking forward for our next trekking that is to Diplomatic resident. Photos was taken by the photographer of that day and might be put on groupmail photos.

4th OCT 2009- Trekking at Lucky Garden

After stop trekking for a while, we started it again in week 8. For this week we went to Lucky Garden where is located in Brunei-muara. At first, i have no idea where is the location of this garden and what it look a like but when we go there it is like no other trekking places in Brunei.

In this week 8 our lecturer had given each one of us a responsibility that have to carry. As for me, my job was as a refreshment manager. I responsible in providing drinks for BEACA members after we finish trekking. Ofcourse not by my own money. Instead our treasurer for this trip collecting money $2 each members ang give it to me to buy drinks. Since we will going hiking and long walking isotonic drink would be better to regain back the energy. So I choose 1ooplus.

As usual we were instrusted to gather at the Shbie park before 6am and we only started the journey at 6.10am. After 20minutes, we reach there and met up with Dr Irene. She then divide us into three small group. As I said earlier each one of us has our own responsible. There was the leaders, sweepers, Bin members even transport organizer. five person per group consist of a leader, sweeper and three members. I was place under Asri's group and he was our leader while Hj Irwan is the sweeper. their job is to Led, Help, Guide us in everything we need to do. Beside me Nuh and Nazz also part of us.

As soon as possible we begin the journey by our group to be the first to led. Along the journey there was so many plants and insects we found. And even we across some plantation by farmers and we spotted one handmade windmill. the purpose for the windmill is to detect wind. we also detect mushroom in the forest. Moreover, we cross over small river. Since last night was raining so the land was quite muddy and slippery. We have to be careful inorder not to felt off. Before we went trekking yesterday, the leaders, sweepers and DR Irene had been surveying this place and they left many piece of papers to mark the path and our job was to pick the piece of paper that had been left. Not only that we also have to pick up the rubbish that been found like bottles and plastics.

After One hour in the half, we finally reach to the finish line. We were glad to find the way out by ourself and ofcourse by the help of papers that were spread along the path. There were a lot that can be learn after this trekking. First we as a group work out together as a team to help each other in problem occured, finding way out and dividing jobs like picking rubbish and leading the team. Second we realised that Forest also not excepting been pollute by rubbish. Third, if we were given a task we have to be responsible to carry it and not to avoid and lastly time is gold so be punctual not to come late.

Overall, the trekking for this week is tired but interesting because we learn a lot from it. Teamwork resulting in excellent job. Friendship and happiness bring about laugh and joy and that made us didnt fell any tired. About the organize for this week it was quite not appropiate due to some problem that cannot be avoidable. Around 9am we finally went home back to UBD and remember too more appreciate forests and not to threaten it.

UBD community action - 14th September 2009.

Another task has been given to us for this week. By the group of two, we are asked to do a survey in selected area. The main purpose of this task is to see how UBD communities use the electricity interm of good uses or bad. Air conditioners and Lights is our key focus here. Actually our assignment for this week has connected with our previous watching movie that is 'HOME'. Both of it has relating with Global Warming. As for this week, by doing this surveying we will hope to increase the awareness of conserving energy toward UBD communities so that to reduce the Global Warming.

I will desribe briefly how the electricity has related with global warming. It is not the electricity that has been contribute to global warming but actually the over running electricity is the cause of global warming because to generate the electricity we need fossil fuels. The fossil fuels had release greenhouse gases which later sent to the air. Thus it create Global Warming.

Furthermore in Brunei, not only UBD buildings uses much electricity but all of the buildings in this country uses electricity also. Only by turning ON the television, radio and hairdryer we have much contribute in polluting air by the electricity release greenhouse gases.

Back to our survey. Hjh Norhakimah (my partner) and I was selected to survey Chancellor Hall. After two hours touring this is what we found;

GROUND FLOOR

Air- conditioners (ON)

• Corridor of Chancellor Hall
• Lecture Hall (student studying)
• Main Hall
• Backstage of Main Hall

Lights (ON)

• Corridor of Chancellor Hall
• Toilet of Female
• Lecture Hall
• Main Hall
• Backstage of Main Hall

FIRST FLOOR

Air- conditioners (ON)

• VIP Lounge
• Corridor
• Senate Room
• Royal Lounge
• Preparation Room
• Preparation Room 2 (windows opened)
• Utility Room

Lights (ON)

• Corridor
• Exit by Stair

LOWER GROUND

Air- conditioners (ON)

• Toilet Corridor
• Cafeteria
• Exhibition AreA
• Store
• Room 1
• Room 2
• Room 3
• Room 4
• Room 5 (student studying)
• Room 6 (student studying)

Lights (ON)

• Exit to Lift
• Toilet of Corridor
• Parking Basement
• Exhibition Area
• Male Prayer Room
• Female Prayer Room
• Room 2
• Room 4
• Room 5
• Room 6

From the observation that we have done we assume the UBD community has wasting the electricity uses in Chancelor Hall. From our touring we found out the room was empty and not using but the Air- conditioners was ON even the lights. To our surprise although instruction leaflets has been stick in the wall so that to make sure people using the room to switch OFF lights and Air- conditoners after using but the instruction is not being followed. The people who just using the room left the room just like that. It is wasting not only the electricity but the paper being used to make the instruction. We also asked the Cleaner and Security there about the lights and Air- conditioner there and they said it was ON 24Hours non-stop. It was not surprise to know the Air- conditioner is being ON for long time because we can see water vapour on the window showing the area was cold. The wall is also feel damp and some algae started to grow on the wall. After this surveying we believe that not only Chancellor Hall wasting the electricity but even all the buildings in UBD area did it.

As a students we should know and concern about Global Warming that is arising now. Yet the UBD community without their conscious has contributing much on worsen the Global Warming happened around the world. Therefore we must alert, awake and start to make changes to save the earth from increasing Global Warming. Although what we cannot stop the Global Warming but still we can reduce it. We must believe that small thing we done can make big changes regarding to Global Warming.

From the experience I has gain the UBD community should be alarm about this Global Warming concerning of the uses of electricity. we should think by ourself that the more uses of electricity the more resulting in increasing of Global Warming. We still dont know what will happened in the future. At least we do something in order for our generation. If not us then who will be started to make differentiation. It is in our own hand to safe the earth.

Here are some steps should be taken inorder to reduce using of Fossil fuels in electricity:

1. Switch OFF the appliances like Television, Radio or Washing machine after using it
2. By using recyling paper, tin and plastic we are already reducing the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide
3. Dont use heat and air- conditoning too much
4. use public transportation rather than your own car.
5. Encourage to plant tree so that to obsorb more carbon dioxide.

(retrieving from http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm)

Nevertheless Brunei itself has to do something regarding to reduce uses of electricity in here and to find another alternatives to supply electricity rather than using fossil fuels. To sum up we will hoping the changing in Brunei so that together we be a part who trying to make changes for better life of tomorrow.

Some of the Pictures we taken on that day;

HOME- 7TH September 2009.

yesterday, beaca students watched another movie. this time it was documentary about the earth and its living things. the behaviour of humankind slowly but sure had polluting the earth. everyday new inventions and developments done, had made the earth suffered without realised. indeed, it showed dozen of pictures to proof what had happened to earth.

it is obvious to know that the causes of sickness of earth is ofcourse the global warming. but this is only one of the causes because there is so many thing that had affected earth. global warming is when the increasing of heat in the atmosphere all over the world which made some changes. the temperature now is more warmer than usual. more natural disasters happened and this global warming was to be assumed to continue for longer period more.

moreover, so many thing had happened that proof the earth is sick now. everything in this earth is linking with each other. like earth, sun and air. there is no one self sufficient. but now the bond between them was broken by human kind activities. people try to support their own life by taking the resources from earth. now humankind had been advance in everthing. instead of using workforce by people nowadays machinery had replaced it. the day before, we can only support for little population but now by machinery a million population is not a big deal for them to support.

when the temperature of earth is getting warmer, for sure the sea level was rising. melting of ice in the antartica is also contribute in this rising level. as the result the lowland countries is threaten in flooding like India. this is just one effect of global warming. when people hurting the earth it is also reflected to people like drought, flooding, tsunami and hurricane.

as we know earlier that earth has it linking with each other. the effect of global warming also effected the animal and even coral reef. like what been said in the movie

"one mammal in 4. one bird in 8. one amphibian in 3 are threatened with extinction"

while for coral reef, study had been done by scientist. they said coral reef were now in dangered of extinction forever because the sea temperature is getting warmer and producing more carbon dioxide. this ofcourse had threaten all living thing to survive. if there is no precaution taken to this then the the coral reef will gone in this century.

developed countries like india and heiti had suffered already much because of global warming. there is poverty and famine because of no food to consume and diseases is spreading.

Luckily some steps have been taken by developing countries to save the earth and the fuel. it is by making windmill. windmill can convert wind energy to mechanical energy. while for the wind turbines it convert wind energy to electrical energy. it goes same to the uses of solar energy. other alternatives that had to be done to save the earth is by planting more plants so that giving out more oxygen, recycle and dont use plastic bag as it will not composed only in one to ten year but needed hundred years to decomposed.

to sum up, the movie itself had showed so many thing that made our eyes open wide and more conscious to our environments. we should have take precaution from now to save the earth for the next generation. little time to save our earth but atleast we done something valuable. it up to us to do what next. as for brunei we also feel already the effect of global warming but compared to other developed countries we were blessed to have oil as our main resources because less suffering. Bruneian must also aware of what had happened to earth and start to make changes for the benefit to the future.

31st August 2009 - MOUNTAIN PATROLS

Last monday, BEACA was watching one movie called Mountain Patrols. this movie was based on true story wrote by Beijing Jounalist named Ga Yu. Ga Yu was sent to kekexili to cover a story about patrols volunteer who had been missing and the killing of rare Tibetan antelope. Ra Tai the leader of the militia brought Ga Yu to their 19th days of journey to find the head of poachers and skinners. through the eyes of Ra Tai and other patrolmen, Ga Yu witnessed the sacrificing of them to preserve the Tibetan Antelopes. from this movie it also showed some cultures that had been practiced by the Tibetan people and many more. this one hour in the half movie was very interesting and should be watch by all so that they were more about their surrounding environments.

Kekexili was a region of China bordering on Tibet. it was far southwest of Qinghai, one of the provinces in west China. Moreover, Far northern Tibet Autonomous region lived the remaining of Tibetan antelope, wild yaks and snow leopard. it was here where the story of journalist was focused on. what amazing about this place was the culture and environment there. people of Kekexili had a hard time in their life because they live in harsh environments. kekexili desert was also called as no-man land. there were less fire and climatic changes like snow, cold and even the dangerous quicksand. however even they facing all of this problems they could survive it though. this was prove in the movie. when Ga Yu reached to Kekexili, it showed the harsh environments and also when one of the patrolmen got stuck in the quicksand and die there alone.

Beside of the harsh environments, the movie also showed some interesting culture of tibet people. for example they sing and dance a lot. Dancing is an integral part of every tibetan's life. they dance and sing for nearly every event, wedding, funeral, gathering and even just for fun. inside the movies the patrolmens dance and sing along so that they feel homey and happy. it was because they travelled far from their village and the chances of die is very high. moreover, from all over the culture of tibet shown, there was one of it that was very unique. it's the Tibetan Sky Burial. this was one of the types of burial the tibetan does. there was actually other type likes water burial, ground burial and fire burial but the sky burial was the common one used.

sky burial is where the of the dead person are offered to the vulture as a final act of kindness to living beings. another reasons why they used this sky burial was fuel is scarce and often the land was too hard too dig and it was also an easy practice. for tibetans people vultures were Dakinis. Dakinis are the Tibetan equivalent of angels. moreover this ritual was very sacred. no cameras was allowed and only invitation people was to watch this ritual.

vultures are scanvenging birds feeding mostly on the carcasses of deadv animal. vultures that are talking above was called cinnerous vultures. they can be seen in various Tibetan inhabited areas. besides vultures, antelope was other animal and most impotant animal been emphasise in this movie.

Tibetan antelope was also called Chiru. nowadays there were only 75,000 left in the wild. tibetan antelope was listed as an endangered by the world Conservation Union and United States fish and Wildlife service. chiru's wool known as Shahtoosh. in the movies it showed poachers hunted the antelopes because of the pelts. pelts could brought more income to them because it was very expensive and legally sold outside the china

most of kekexili people before was shepherding and cattling. but due to the climatic changes. The grassland before had became desertland. all shepherd and cattle was die. and they saw selling antelopes was one desperate decision to made so that to support their own life and family. and now they decide to became poachers and skinners to raise for money.

Finally, the end of the movie was very dramatic. RA Tai the leader of patrolmens was die shot by the head of poachers. Ga Yu back to Beijing and publish his story to public and it shock all the nation. They were very surprised because they never thought it really happened there.

the movie itself had given a lot to learn, think and adapt to our life. we were blessed to live in Brunei Darussalam compared to kekexili. The environmetns here was far more better than kekexili. Brunei had it own preserved forest and resources. while for them it was only a desert land with less resources to get. the leadership of Ra Tai can be aplied to our very own life. life there was not that easy and great sacrifice was needed. apart from that even if they facing struggle and harshness in life they still can sing, dance and share hapiness with each other. it showed that whenerver happened to them they able to get through it with the support from one another. we also need to be like that so that even facing a big problem we could deal with it later.

only after the story of Ga Yu published, the awareness of the government of china was rose. they now made kekexili as the natural preserved and killing antelopes was ilegal. anybody caught selling pelts would be fined and prisoned. not only that due to reduce the negative impact of the railways construction on the life of wild animals, special animal channel was made under the Qinghai-Tibet railways.

MENUAI PADI- 17th August at kawasan kemajuan pertanian projek penanaman padi wasan.

Yesterday, for the second trip of BEACA, we went to Wasan Project Area Of Planting Paddy. it was where Paddy Laila was being planted. according to the Pelita Brunei: 1,344 hectares of land was used for this project and soon will be producing 8,064 ton of rice per year. this project itself was supported by His Majesty The Sultan Dan Yang Dipertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Like what His Majesty had said Brunei Darussalam was in need to increase the nation's agriculture particularly in riceso that to ensure the country will reached self-suffiency especially during the world food crisis.

when we entering the main road toward the project area, all we can see was paddy everywhere. feeling of anxious was occupying me because this was my first time experienced to see more closed how to harvest the paddy. and yes why our lecturer chose to go to Wasan Project Area to be our second trip was that they wanted us to get to know and see how to plant paddy traditionally and its procedure. this was because we only eat the rice and did not think where it was come from and how hard the process had done by them so that it finally became like that.


Arriving there, we were welcomed by the owner of the paddy area that we will going to harvest, Haji Mohd Ali bin Haji Bakar and one of his workers Ade. Dr Irene was giving small briefing to us on what to do. she said that we were giving one hour to practice how to harvest and asked some questions to the owner and his workers. after wearing boots, gloves, hats and Tembigan ( a basket tied in the waist and used to collect paddy that we got) we walked along the muddy and slippery path due to the raining last night. what came in my thought that time was is this place secured? because what i had learned and knew from parents before was that in paddy area there will be a slug, snake maybe and mouse sometime. this would be a challenge for me since i was afraid of all this creatures. how can i face them if i saw it? but luckily when i asked to Ade he said that this area does not had that such thing anymore because they are not using the buffalo as the transport in clearing the land. instead they used some sort of machine.

TEMBIGAN


PONDOK

During the harvesting time i feel exciting as now i know some methods being done in planting paddy and it was not that simple. harvesting was only part of the planting paddy. after harvesting, the paddy soon will be dried. i asked one of the workers and he said drying the paddy was depending on the weather. if it was hot day the paddy will dry quickly just in 3 days. another stages that will be done after harvestig was Mengirik and Mengisar. and this was done by machine like Thresher and Portable Rice Mill.

HARVESTING TIME!!

DRYING THE PADDY

one interesting fact i found surrounding the paddy plantation was that each owner identify their zone by different ways like planting papaya tree along their land, somes tied black plastic along a rope and even a leaf of tarap was also been attached to the rope along the corner.

Finally after one hour of experiencing how to harvest paddy, we get some rest and served with foods and drinks. in the meantime, Haji Mohd Ali also explained the use of shade by the side of paddy was to prevent the mouse from entering it. it was believe some mice manage to jump through the black shade. but at least they tried already to stop all the mice spoiling their paddy.

later the owner, Haji Mohd Ali gave us a pack of rice called 'BARAS LAILA'. on the way back home i had been thinking that how much effort had been done by them to produce a very quality rice from good paddy. this trip had not only teaching me in many ways but it also make me realized how important rice was in our daily life. the knowledge i gained from this trip will benefit me a lot especially when people asked what was the process had been done by people to make paddy then to become rice.

TESTING TESTING.. hahaha..

okiesss... why i createe this blog??



Becausee of BEACA..yess... BEACA stand for Brunei Environment Appreciation and Community Action. it is one of the new program under SHBIE.

as for todaay 17th August. it was our 2nd trip...but for me is my 1st trip due to some strong reasons hhaha.. THIS TRIP I WILL TOLD IN THE NEXT POST. THIS IS JUST A TESTINGG THOUGH..