Written by Donovan May 30, 2016
Category: Asia, Brunei
Tags: backpacking, Bandar Seri Begawan, sightseeing, solo travels
Comments
Brunei is a small and rich country in Southeast Asia thanks to its oil and gas resources. It is not a famous destination on the tourist map, but normally visitors to Borneo would spend one day in Brunei just to get a feel of this oil – rich state.
For Singaporeans, Brunei is synonymous with army training as every year, soldiers are sent there to train in the lush forests. Since I did not get a chance to go to Brunei during my national Service times, I decided to pay a visit to Brunei as a tourist and to complete my Southeast Asian countries checklist.
While Brunei is much larger in land area than Singapore, it has fewer tourist attractions to offer. For the independent traveler, it is also quite hard to get around on the infrequent public transport and you cannot really find enough information online. It is thus important to have local friends to show you around the country. Every household has at least one car as it is cheap to buy a car and even cheaper to top up the petrol. Petrol is sold at 53 cents a litre which is one quarter the price in Singapore.
 |
| Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque |
In the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque stands tall as a symbol in the city with its golden domes. Visitors can enter the mosque to marvel at the interior architecture. Robes are provided as one needs to be properly covered up when entering the mosque. No photos are allowed in the interior, so one can only marvel at the architecture with his/her own eyes.
 |
| Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque |
Another noteworthy mosque is the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the largest mosque in the country. It was erected in 1992 to commemorate the 25-year reign of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The mosque is a jaw-dropping sight with four main minarets and two golden domes – its landscape is a mixture of artfully landscaped gardens and fountains.
 |
| inside Kampung Ayer |
Nearby, we have Kampong Ayer which is considered the largest water village in the world. It is dubbed as the ‘Venice of East’. It’s spread out on either side of the Sungai Brunei and the rickety shacks are connected to one another by a series of wooden planks.
Overlooking Sungai Brunei, the Brunei Museum is located approximately five kilometres east of central Bandar Seri Begawan. The Islamic Art Gallery is particularly interesting as it has some stunning exhibits including rare Islamic manuscripts and artefacts dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries.
 |
| Royal Regalia Museum |
 |
| royal chariot used by the Sultan |
Lastly, the Royal Regalia Museum pays homage to the members of Brunei royalty and a surprisingly must-visit stopover, not only because it is free, but also educational. It features a collection of artefacts gifted to members of the royal family ranging from a huge gilded cart and an abalone-shell chest to priceless gold and jewels.
These are all the free things that you can do if you have one day to spare in the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. Stay tuned to the next post for a day trip out of the capital and my epic hitchhiking adventure!
