Record temperatures and uncharacteristic weather in a number of locations in the world have made headlines recently, the most notable being the United Kingdom (UK) and France, where summer temperatures have soared to record highs of 38.7 degrees Celsius (at Cambridge University Botanic Garden) and 43 degrees Celsius (in Paris). So it isn’t a surprise that Jean Francois Le Dizes, a seasoned 72-year-old traveller from France, is amazed at the relative predictability of Brunei’s weather as well as the country’s clean and tranquil lifestyle.

“There is less traffic and air pollution here. More cars will lead to a rise in global temperatures,” he told the Bulletin yesterday. 

“With not many cars around, I enjoy walking in the streets here. People live well here and I hope that Bruneians will drive less cars, thus helping reduce global warming and climate change.

“In some countries, they develop rapidly and don’t think much about the environment and grow from nothing and hire more foreign workers to build their nation. In one Middle East nation, it even reached the extent where foreign workers make up 80 per cent of its population.”

Jean, a former math teacher who hails from the southeastern French town of Grenoble with a population more or less like that of Brunei (roughly 400,000 people live in the town) and overlooking the French Alps, says he likes to see this country.

“It’s just like my town as it is peaceful and serene,” he said.

Putting up at a hotel in the capital since four days ago, Jean added that he is also enthralled with the lively atmosphere permeating through the capital amid His Majesty’s birthday celebrations.

Jean, who also happens to be the director of Grenoble Gauche Alternative magazine, will be staying in the country for a week. He writes articles on the countries he visits and has authored a book entitled Man Who Travel Very Much. He has been to dozens of countries worldwide.

“I travel three to four times a year starting in 1962 to know the world and to see what they can offer,” he said. “I used to ride from the Antarctic Ocean side of Canada to the Pacific Ocean and from Beijing to Harbin, Mongolia and Shenzhen in China.”

Jean will continue his journey with visits to Sabah and Indonesia in the coming days.