“Brunei 🇧🇳 ~A Small Country, With a Big Punch!”

• April 19, 2019
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

Brunei is among the least visited countries in the world. Few can even point to the Sultanate on a map, let alone consider taking a trip there. Those who have experienced the mass tourism in Thailand and Vietnam, will appreciate the refreshing tranquillity in Brunei. And the locals haven’t sold out to get a slice of the tourist pie.

In the case of our visit to Brunei, we also knew very little about this country. It was a very spontaneous trip for us, since we were in Malaysia and fully exploring Borneo, it was hard NOT to go to Brunei, since we were so close by. 

With little to no planning, we bought reasonably priced plane tickets, and hopped a flight, out of Borneo. We would returned to Borneo, before traveling elsewhere. Borneo is good size and we had so many places to see, yet! Brunei was like a side trip; a short flight, back and forth.

What surprised us the most about Brunei, after arriving, was it felt like we had entered the Middle East! It was like Borneo meets Abu Dhabi, meets Borneo.

Bandar Seri Begawan is the Capital city of Brunei. We flew in there and enjoyed the self-tour, not really knowing what we were doing. We just showed photos to a taxi guy where we wanted to go, and we got around the city that way. We hired a boat driver to tour the coolest and oldest part of the city; the water city. That boat cost us $1. We gave a really good tip.

Through our hotel, we made arrangements to buy a boat tour to visit the wilds of the Rainforest; Ulu Temburong National Rainforest Park. Unlike the city, the tours for the rainforest were very busy, so we were lucky to get two spots, last minute!

Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on the island of Borneo; the remainder of the island’s territory is divided between the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia.

We packed a lot into our four days, and loved it all!

Bandar Seri Begawan

We did a combination of walking, taxi riding, and boating, all within the city. At one time, while walking, and arriving at the outside of the gates of the kings palace, we actually saw the king in his car (driving himself). He waved at us. The guard at the gate confirmed it was really the king.

Palace entrance from the roadside; palace is named Istana Nurul Eman

According to inside reports, the palace in which Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah lives, is made up of gold. The palace is named Istana Nurul Eman. It was built in the year 1984 and it is spread over an area of ​​2 million square feet. The dome of this palace is studded with 22 carat gold. The Istana Nurul Iman Palace of Hassanal Bolkiah, is worth more than Rs 2550 crores. The palace has more than 1700 rooms, 257 bathrooms and five swimming pools. Apart from 110 garages, there are air-conditioned stables for 200 horses.

Hassanal Bolkiah

The monarchy has ended in many countries around the world, including India, but there are still many countries where the king is in power. Brunei is one such country which is ruled by the Sultan, whose name is Hassanal Bolkiah. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is counted among the richest sultans in the world. He was world’s richest man until 1980. According to a report by Business Insider, Hasanal Bolkiah has assets of more than Rs 14,700 crore and the biggest source of his earnings is oil reserves and natural gas.

NOTE: One crore is 10 millions. So you get approximately 140,095 US dollars for one crore of Indian Rupees

 

 

The Water Village of Brunei; Kampong Ayer is the largest of its kind, in the World.

Kampong Ayer, in the heart of Brunei’s capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, is the world’s largest settlement on stilts. Literally translated as “Water Village” in Malay, Kampong Ayer is a cluster of around 40 small villages connected by a 23-mile boardwalk. It also dates back, more than 600 years. The floating village stretches across the Brunei River in Bandar Seri Begawan, housing approximately 13,000 residents. Separated into different neighborhoods, Kampong Ayer has its own schools, police station, libraries and mosques. Locals use speedboats to get from the land to the village in the same way we use a bus. Getting lost in the labyrinth and snapping photos of this traditional lifestyle was really fun to witness!

After the boat tour, we walked around to see some beautiful Mosques. We were not allowed to go inside on this particular day, because we were not Muslim. but we enjoyed seeing them, just the same. 

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque was built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the current sultan’s reign, Brunei’s largest mosque dominates its surroundings. It’s impossible to miss the gleaming domes and four terrazzo-tiled minarets as you head towards Gadong. It’s certainly an impressive building. Since the sultan is his dynasty’s 29th ruler, the complex is adorned with 29 golden domes. At night the mosque is lit up like a gold flame.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is an Islamic mosque, and is often considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific. It is a place of worship for the Muslim community, and a major historical site

Next up, Ulu Temburong National Rainforest Park

Ulu Temburong National Rainforest Park covers a whopping 193 square miles. In context, this is almost 10% of the country’s surface area. Only 1% of the virgin rainforest is open to visitors. Longboats ferry passengers in and out of the national park on tightly regulated tours. Activities include jungle trekking, canopy walks and swimming in natural pools.
As Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo chopped down their rainforests, Brunei was tapping oil in the South China Sea. Flash forward to today and Brunei’s dense jungle is deforestation-free. Approximately 80% of Brunei is virgin rainforest. Most of the jungle remains in the same condition as it has for thousands of years.

Props to Brunei. They know a good thing, when they have it. 

Let The Good Times Roll!

We got up on our Rainforest tour day, in plenty of time for coffee and breakfast, then a driver picked us up to take us to the speedboat at a dock in the city. They call these boats “coffins,” and for good reason. If you are claustrophobic, it might be a bit uncomfortable. We loved it, and got a big thrill! I might mention, these boats run as water taxis for the local people. They are not just tourist transportation. 

With the windows open, it helps with the tight quarters. As soon as we left the city, the coffin boat picked up speed and it was really fun. We sat low in the water, so it was extra fun! With the windows open, the cool water splashing in, every now and again was refreshing!

With the boat picking up even more speed, we were soon whizzing by the mangrove-edged shores of Brunei Bay. We spotted a few crocodiles along the way. A thrilling series of twists and turns along the curly Temburong River followed, and we soon arrived in a small community where we disembarked the coffin speedboat and boarded a van.

Our small group in the van, we traveled over a bumpy road to meet a family who operated the longboats. We would climb down a narrow path, to a makeshift pier along the Temburong River, where we hopped into long boats.

We continued up the river, also very fast. The breeze from moving so fast, gave us the illusion we were being cooled from the tropical heat and humidity.

Unlike around the city, where I would be covered from neck  to toe, out of respect for the Muslim culture. On a Safari day, I was way more comfortable in a one-piece bathing suit, with a cover-up. This did nothing go against the dress code. Safaris are less restrictive in clothing, but still must practice modesty.

The virgin Rainforest looked absolutely majestic, and it felt very special to be there! The sun pierced through densely packed trees whilst the call of a hornbill and the screech of macaques occasionally rose above the almost deafening chorus of crickets. After about a half hour, our long boat driver, expertly pulled us over to a grass/mud bank, where we unloaded to enjoy a delicious lunch, to help fuel us up for what was coming. We were hungry. It had been over two hours, since leaving on the first coffin boat, to get this far.

After lunch, and lots of water, filling our water bottles to the rim, with a little time cooling off in the water, we loaded back into the long boat, and went further, to another unloading point, which is where we would begin our long, hot and hard hike, to the the canopy walk of the Rainforest.

The path led us to a series of steps that seemed to disappear up the hill. There were 860 steps in total. Up we went, one step at a time, taking short breaks along the way to ease our heavy breathing. The jungle gradually came to life, with the sounds of birds. Other than that, it was eerily quiet, as we made our way up the hill.

At about the half way point, Daryl decided to sit the rest of the hike out, till I came back. This would be the beginning of us noticing Daryl struggling to catch his breath. Eventually he would be checked out and learn his heart and lungs were just fine, but his hemoglobins had become too low. He is feeling fine these days, but on this day, his oxygen depleted blood, was not doing him any favors. It was a very tough hike, especially with the humidity level, but my curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to do this canopy walk. You see, the high canopy walk in Borneo got damaged in the storm, so we could not go on it. Here was another chance!

I finally made it to the canopy walk, and like others on the big trek up, was a little surprised, because there at the top of the stairs, was a massive metal structure that towered high above the jungle canopy. It was evident, as I watched others in the hiking group; there were mixed reaction after viewing such a monstrosity. Many expressed complete fear, and right away backed away off the trail, deciding not to climb the five level; over 120 feet-high tower.

As a result, there was no waiting line for the tower. I moved up to the base of it and without hesitation, began to climb; very carefully!

Just dont look down, if heights bother you.

From the tower, the bridge walks are connected. Each canopy walk, led to a smaller tower to climb, till all three walks are completed. I felt triumphant, feeling like I was soaring above the Rainforest canopy, high above the ridge.

The ladders were arranged in a zig-zag pattern, strangely reminding me of the fire escapes I’ve seen in movies, like in New York. Methodically I climbed and pulled myself to the top of that first tower. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment to have made it all the way. AND in flip flops, mind you!

It was simply magical to look out over the Rainforest. I will never forget this experience, and I could not wait to tell the big guy all about it! 

I had lingered up on the canopy long enough. Now it was time to make my way back down the tower. I took one final look at the metal tower, then slipped on back to the trail, to find my husband. The walk from getting back down from the tower, was something. Some who had stepped aside, earlier, we still there. Perhaps trying to drum up courage to go for it. Anyhow, they were mightily impressed as they watched us who did do it, come back down, safely. We got high-fives and lots of atta boys.

I felt proud.

Back with my honey, and back down off the ridge, we loaded in to longboats and made our way back to the city; all in reverse order. 

To see all the photos from Brunei, click on these links to enjoy:

Bandar Seri Begawan Capital City:

https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife-SouthEast/Brunei-Darussalam/Bandar-Seri-BegawanCapital-City/

Ulu Temburong Rainforest National Park

https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife-SouthEast/Brunei-Darussalam/Ulu-Temburong-National-Rainforest-Park/

Brunei Darussalam is a small Sultanate on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo, sandwiched between the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea. With a population of less than half a million and a sizeable income from oil and gas production, Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in Asia. Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan.