A'kum all. About a decade or so ago, electrical black outs (or as we call it.. 'Tutup Karan') is a normal occurrence especially during the festive season. Not a year goes by in the 80's or even early 90's where every time Ramadhan or Hari Raya rolls around, we in Brunei will definitely experience black outs. 10+ years has passed and we rarely have these cut off episodes anymore. Once in a blue moon only then it 'strikes'. But when it happens, it happens with a bang (punt intended). As everyone in greater Brunei Muara district experience last Saturday (26th April 2008) was one day (2 days for some) to remember (or forget?). I was lucky, where I lived everything was fine. The TV was on, air-conditions blasting at high speed... well, you guys get what I mean. It was different in 'Bandar'. Gadong was pitch black, so was Kiulap. And the sad thing was, my whole family had already made plans to celebrate my nephew's birthday in Kiulap. Minutes passed by, hours rolled and still no electricity. The watch was ticking 8.30pm, our guests started to arrive and still no 'lights'. Like it or not, we had to go through with the bash with or in this case without lights. This was a first for me. A whole birthday party (enclosed) in a room for 60 guests and the only thing that we had to brighten our night were tons of candles. Anyways, to make the story short, it was a fun (but dark) evening. My nephew still got his presents, everyone still had a wonderful dinner and BSB was still in the dark when we finished. Though it is not the authorities' fault the black out happened, but in my opinion they should have a 'Plan B' when something like this happens. Maybe they do, maybe they don't... who am I to speculate? Hopefully no one got hurt because of the darkness. Now that would be bad news...
