- Address: Belait-Tutong, Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, Brunei Darussalam.
Do you know where they like to relax Brunei? At the Snake Lake. No, you do not think that the locals are so harsh and fearless. There are no reptiles here. Just the shape of the reservoir itself is very similar to the Latin letter S. If you look down at Lake Tasek-Merimbun, it seems that a huge snake is crawling. In fact, it is absolutely safe and very beautiful here - clean fresh air, cool water, shady beaches and picturesque rainforest.
Features of Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun
The lake is in the Tutong area. This is the third largest, but the most sparsely populated area of Brunei . Despite the low population density, the ethnic composition here is very rich. In Tutong, you can meet representatives of the Iban, Kedayan, Dusun, as well as various distinct tribes. So a walk to the lake can be combined with a fascinating acquaintance with the rare Brunei customs and traditions that are kept by separate ethnic groups away from the sparkling gold of the Sultan's capital.
Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun, in addition to its unusual shape, has several more features:
- in the vicinity there are many necropolises of the XV century;
- in the center of the lake there is a small island (it is also called the "snake's eye");
- the landscape around is very diverse (here there are exotic equatorial forests, viscous marshes, plains alternating with hilly hills);
- Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun is one of the largest in Brunei;
- water has a dark gray hue, sometimes it seems and is completely black (all because the lake runs into two rivers, the channels of which pass through peat bogs).
At the weekend on the shore of the lake a lot of tourists, mostly locals who come from neighboring areas to buy and sunbathe. The beach is not equipped for a good rest. There are no changing rooms, sun loungers and umbrellas, but this does not make it less popular with tourists and Brunei. The picturesque surrounding nature fully compensates for the lack of some amenities. On the shore there is a small boat station where you can book a boat trip.
In addition to the Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun, Tutong has many other attractions that you can visit along the way. This is the Sungai-Basong Resting Park , the cultural village of Ruma-Budaya and the large open market of Tamu-Tutong-Kampong-Serambagan , where inexpensive exotic fruits, various souvenirs and unusual products made by local artisans are sold inexpensively. You can also stop by the interesting local Pantai-Seri-Kenangan Beach. On the one hand, it is washed by the sea, and on the other - by the Tutong River. There is a small park, equipped picnic places and a cozy restaurant where delicious dishes are served from fresh seafood.
How to get there?
Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun is located about 60 km from the capital of Brunei. By car it takes about an hour. The shortest and most convenient route from the center of Bandan Seri Begawan is as follows:
- departure to the Jln Gadong track;
- movement along Jln Tutong and Jalan Lamunin towards Jalan Rambai;
- departure to the Jalan Rambai;
- turn onto the Jalan Rambai Merimbun road, which will take you to your destination.
You can also go to Snake Lake Tasek-Merimbun through the route Muara - Tutong Hwy. The road will be a little longer, but you can visit many interesting places along the way (several beautiful mosques, villages on the water and authentic tribal villages).