The Queen’s Baton Relay spent 26-27 January in Brunei Darussalam, during which time it visited all four districts: Temburing, Brunei Muara, Tutong and Belait.
The activities started at the eco-park Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, also known as Golden Jubilee Crown Park. The Baton was carried around the 12-hectare park along the winding paths, surrounded by green space, filled with tulips, baobab trees, and shrubs.
The next stop along the route was Kampong Ayer, the water village which, with an area of 10 square kilometres, is the largest water village in the world. Batonbearers took to the water to tour the settlement, which is built on stilts in the water and consists of houses, schools, and mosques.
The Baton boarded a boat and cruised on the Brunei River around the nation’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The first day of activities ended with a walk around Ulu Temburong National Park, popularly known as the Green Jewel of Brunei, which is home to unspoiled jungle.
Ahmad Syauqie bin Haji Satia represented his country as a Batonbearer by taking on the Relay around the park. Ahmad is a final year sociology student at University Brunei Darussalam who works tirelessly to help education be accessible to all and advocates for youth empowerment.
The following morning, the Queen’s Baton Relay joined a Brigade of Gurkhas, based in Brunei Garrison, for a sunrise run along the beach and into the jungle. As the Gurkhas returned to base with the Baton, its arrival was soundtracked by a bagpipe!
