BRUNEI, the hidden rich country

Brunei Flag

Brunei, the name was given. a small country which is rich by oil and gases. Maybe a lot of people don't know about this country. But, Brunei have a something special to discover.

Location & How To Reach?

Brunei in north Borneo island

Brunei are located between Sarawak, Sabah. The cheapest way to reach is fly to Miri (flight from Kuala Lumpur / Singapore) . Staying at cheap hotel (Venice Inn) with $25/night. Rent a car (Perodua Viva) only $30/day. You may get the contact number on Google. No worry.. the reason is in Brunei there is no backpack guesthouse except home-stay which is a bit far from the city center. 

Make a day trip is more fun. 

Let's Start The Journey!

  

You will checked at Malaysia and Brunei boarder. Make sure you check your nationality either visa are required or not to enter Brunei except Commonwealth & ASEAN countries. No need to apply arrival form even no fingerprint or eyes scanning. It's kinda drive-thru!The journey from Miri to Brunei will take 2 hours. 

The Brunei custom will asking for this form. Just tell them that you are using a rent car. Then they will give this form. dropped your car next to the counter, filled it and send to the customs. BUT, make sure the owner of that vehicle leave a copy of vehicle document. or you just notice to the owner first that you are going to Brunei. 

A few kilometer from the boarder, you will passing by a toll. For the non Brunei vehicle (a car), they will charged you B$3. You must prepare the Brunei notes because Malaysia Ringgit (RM) are NOT accepted. However, the Bruneian accept in Singapore Dollar because the value are the same.

When you on your way to the capital city, you just go straight within 2 hours or you just following the direction of "Bandaraya" on the signboard. Don't worry. No internet no problem. i can discover Brunei without a map except asking the local to get the direction or showing the picture.

when you arrived and wanna reach to the city center. you just find a GOLD dome mosque like this:

Add info for you, all the shops are closed include Starbucks, shopping mall or KFC on every Friday starting at 12 noon until 2 PM. this is because to respect the Muslims during Friday praying. In addition, the weekend in Brunei is on Friday and Sunday. Mean, they are working on Saturday. Kinda freak? absolutely no..this is how unique they are...concern the Muslims and Christians praying on Friday and Sunday. 

the only one mall maybe..or there's another mall besides this.. 

only one and the only of McDonald in Brunei. maybe less of customer's demand..

whenever the Muslims done their Friday praying and I'm waiting the shops open...I'm hungry!
I saw some of the tourist also feel the same thing..

Brunei airport have a less of routes but they have direct flight to Jeddah, Melbourne and London (via Dubai).
Amazingly, the structure of airport (BWN) is superb nice with Islamic arts. I saw a lot of foreign worker esp oil and gases industry besides the local pessangers.

well, I came here to see their culture, lifestyles and wanna see the gold at the dome of mosque. so, somebody informed me that i am able to see the gold dome at Masjid Jame'. So let's gooooooo... 

so this is.... the Imam (the head of mosque) telling me there's a lot of gold to put inside (i can't remember the amount but for sure toooo much). However, the tourist have a limitation of time to visit. and NO PHOTO inside of Masjid.

some of the foreign tourist also around of me with their agent. when they wearing a short pant or mini skirt, the Masjid will provide their trousers in order to respect the holy of Masjid. 

Points to Ponder

1. The boarder gate will closed at 10 PM. Make sure u leave least 7 PM to avoid traffic jammed.
2. Peoples say the Masjid is the highest concrete. But i saw some building is higher than Masjid
3. No alcoholic drinks at the shops. Hudud (Islamic law) had already implemented
4. A lot of South Asians & Pinoy (The Philippines) working in Brunei
5. Besides Swiss, Brunei also received another banknotes (Singapore) B$1= S$1
6. The cost living is low.. a cane just 80 cents. The Petrol just  0.53/liter
7. The local bank (owned by Sultan) provide less interest. the foreign banking very hard to compete
8. Clean and Peaceful. Train are unavailable.. the motorbike are rarely to see
9. Because less of entertainment (maybe) they like to spend their weekend in Sarawak & Sabah.
10. Mostly the Caucasians are working here as a employer in Oil & Gas industry.
11. The customs at the counter playing their phones during on duty...maybe a few. BINGO!
12. The housing area at the river also known as "vanice of the east". sightseeing just $10/person
13. Overall, they are friendly and welcomes me as a visitor.