Brunei, A Golden Royal Experience

The oil rich Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei, the Abode of Peace) is an aptly named little known gem of a destination, nestled on the northern shores of the huge island of Borneo, which it once ruled in its entirety in centuries past, along with parts of the southern Philippines.

This enchanting kingdom, ruled by a beloved and benevolent Sultan, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, considered the world’s wealthiest monarch and descending from an unbroken royal lineage dating back to the early 15th century, provides generously for the welfare of its 383 thousand inhabitants, exempting them from personal income taxes and providing them with virtually free universal education and medical care.

With over two thirds of the 383 thousand strong population professing the Islamic faith, Brunei is ruled according to the national philosophy of the Malay Islamic Monarchy, which encompasses respect and attachment for the age old Malay traditions and culture, reverence for the monarchy and its members, and a pious but tolerant way of practicing Islam

Brunei’s vast stretches of virgin tropical rainforests, its rich Malay culture and traditions, and its colorful history reading like the pages of an adventure epic, replete with tales of sultans, princesses, pirates, headhunters and swashbuckling European adventurers, are some of the country’s most charming traits.

This little slice of paradise is packed with a variety of easy to reach attractions, such as the tiny capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, probably South East Asia’s loveliest capital, a green, airy and well maintained garden city free of the crowds, traffic jams, pollution, noise and trepidation found in the region’s other capitals.

Bandar Seri Begawan, often simply referred to as Bandar or BSB, boasts of the world’s largest water village, Kampong Ayer, where some 30 thousand people still live in wooden houses on stilts, linked by water taxis to the mainland and combining an age old traditional lifestyle with the amenities provided by the modern age and the wealth of the country.

Overlooking Kampong Ayer is one of the region’s architectural wonders, the majestic Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque, which with its gilded minarets is a sight to behold.

Further down by the river seats the impressive Istana Nurul Imam – the Sultan’s palace and the world’s biggest residential palace with 1,788 rooms, which opens to citizens and visitors alike only once a year during the celebrations marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

In addition, Bandar and its surroundings have a number of interesting museums, including the opulent Royal Regalia Museum, which gives a good insight into the decorum and pomp of the Brunei royalty, as well as lively day and night markets, many parks and nature reserves, a seemingly endless supply of restaurants, coffee shops and shopping areas, including many modern shopping complexes and department stores, such as the impressive Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah complex in downtown Bandar or the newly opened Mall in the commercial area of Gadong.

Bandar is located in the Brunei – Muara district, the smallest but most populated of Brunei’s four districts. Outside Bandar, in the Tutong and Belait districts, but never too far due to the country’s small size, a number of interesting natural and cultural attractions can be easily visited on day trips, such as the hauntingly beautiful Merinbun lake, a remote jungle surrounded black water lake that is a heaven of tranquility and is recognized as an ASEAN national heritage site, or the traditional native longhouses near Labi, as well as the oil producing areas of Kuala Belait and Seria, and the many forest and nature reserves dotting the country.

More serious nature lovers will head across the Brunei bay to the district of Temburong, separated from the rest of Brunei by the Limbang Division in Malaysia’s state of Sarawak. Temburong is the least populated, hilliest and most jungle covered district in Brunei, home to many native longhouses and to some of Asia’s best nature reserves and field study centers, such as the world famous Ulu Temburong National Park and the Kuala Belalong Field Study Center, and offering as well an exciting array of ecotourism and adventure activities.

So much pristine nature means that Brunei can boast of having some of the freshest and purest air and one of the least polluted environments anywhere.

But Brunei is not just about rainforests. There are a number of good business and tourist hotels allowing for comfortable stays, beaches and islands to frolic in the South China Sea, water sport and white water activities, wreck and reef diving, sport fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, all kinds of sporting facilities, world class golfing, polo and horse riding, invigorating health spas, many outdoor and indoor playgrounds to keep the kids entertained, surprisingly good shopping opportunities, delicious food from local to international fare, several state-of-the-art meeting, conference, convention and exhibition venues, first class medical and educational facilities, an excellent and almost traffic free scenic road network that is sheer pleasure to drive on, as well as interesting business and investment opportunities to explore, among many other attractions to keep one busy while in Brunei.

However, the jewels in the crown of Brunei’s man made attractions are of course the enormous Jerudong Park, a fairyland playground built by the royal family for the enjoyment of locals and visitors, and the nearby Empire Hotel, an opulent but exquisite “7 Stars” property, complete with private beach, golf course, children’s playground, theatre, Cineplex, bowling alley, some 10 food and beverage outlets, and with some suites reaching astronomical rates affordable only to royalty or the world’s rich and famous !

With all this, Brunei is not exactly a budget destination, but it still offers surprisingly good value for money, having a good range of accommodation and food outlets, while most tourist attractions are free or charge nominal fees, and organized tours are reasonably priced.

Brunei, located some 5 degrees north of the equator, enjoys a warm and humid tropical climate year round with no marked rainy season, and is not at risk of typhoons, earthquakes or volcanic activity.

Furthermore, Brunei has the good fortune of being free of Malaria and most other tropical diseases, of having a stable government and of being one of the safest places on earth, with a very low crime rate, stiff anti-gun and anti-drug laws that include also a ban on alcohol sales and consumption, except for private consumption by non-Muslims, no internal strife and tight border and immigration controls.

Whether for its golden Royal heritage, its many unexpected treasures or its warm and friendly people, Brunei is a new and fresh destination for the discerning traveler, offering an experience not to be missed.