Brunei: The Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures

In less than 35 days, we will all say goodbye to 2014. Before greeting the new year, it is good to remember my wonderful experience in Brunei. 

I miss Brunei! 

Whenever we think of travelling to other South East Asian countries, Brunei is always one of our least choices and not everyone knows how magnificent this place is. In fact, all I know about the country before is its Islamic religion and culture. It was only when we visited Brunei that I got to realize how marvelous the place can be. It was June when we flew to Brunei. For UP students, it is good to travel during that month because it's vacation time. 

It was midnight when we arrived at the airport and we stayed with a family friend. Before visiting different attractions on the first day, we first ate in a famous breakfast restaurant in Brunei. MyTown Eating House is a restaurant with a unique concept. It offers fresh pastries, noodles, and other Bruneian dishes. One amazing thing about the place is its cozy ambiance. Another one of a kind about it is it's menu that looks like a newspaper.

Breakfast in MyTown Eating House

After our first meal, we went straight to The Royal Regalia. It is a museum in the city that houses important items reflecting the history of Brunei and the Royal Family. It has a small souvenir shop inside and there is no need to pay for an entrance fee. Cameras are only allowed at the entrance lobby.

 

 (Left: in front of The Royal Regalia; Right: at the entrance of the museum)

In the afternoon, we had an experience of the water taxi in Brunei Water Village. This is a part of Brunei with houses on stilts and wooden or concrete walkways. At first, I thought it is a slum area but I realized that their houses even have air-conditioning units and modern architectural design. There are even school, fire station and police station in the area. We rode a small boat and had a trip around the village. Since the area has forests, we even got the chance to see a long-nosed monkey and a big crocodile. 

Awesome Water Taxi Ride

Brunei Water Village

We visited a night food market and it was the last thing we did on our first day in Brunei. Of course, we took the chance to eat local food. We tried the chicken satay and a pancake-like bread. 

(Food at the night market)

On the second day, we visited more beautiful spots in Brunei. We went to mosques like 

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and James 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. Both are exceptional mosques with great architecture. These mosques are beautiful in the day but shine more at night. We also walked in a park and took a photo of the picturesque place. We dined in different local restaurants and tried different cuisines including Indian and Bruneian. 

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

James 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque at night

After days of tours around the city, we spent the rest of our stay in the most luxurious hotel in Brunei. The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a 5-star hotel in Jerudong. I must say it is the best hotel I have been to. The view, room and recreational facilities are just jaw-dropping. I have tried their swimming pool and man-made lagoon. The resort also has cinema, restaurants, golf course and spa services. 

Man-made lagoon

Beach connected to the man-made lagoon

Restroom 

Hotel room 

In-room service for breakfast

Balcony and the view outside

And that ends our wonderful Brunei trip. I really fell in love with Brunei and I would love to visit the place again and experience more of what it offers. Oh Brunei, you are beyond beautiful!