Jong Batu, River island in Brunei River, Brunei.
Jong Batu is a rock formation in the Brunei River that rises visibly from the water as an eroded stone outcrop. It measures roughly 20 meters in length and extends to about 15 meters at its widest point.
The name comes from the Nusantara maritime term 'jong', which described large sailing vessels that traveled through the archipelago in ancient times. This naming reflects the region's long history of navigation and the ships that once sailed these waters.
The rock carries a legend about Nakhoda Manis, a ship captain whose vessel turned to stone after his mother cursed him for abandoning his family duties. Locals share this tale with visitors, and it shapes how people see and relate to this stone formation in the river.
The formation is easiest to reach by boat from Kampong Ayer, a journey that takes about 15 minutes. River cruises often provide good views of the rock as they pass through the area.
A navigation buoy marks the exact location of this rock formation in the river. The shape of the stone actually resembles a partially submerged vessel, which reinforces its connection to the ship legend.
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