The tiny oil-rich independent sultanate of Brunei Darussalam occupies just 5,765 km2 (less than 1 per cent of Borneo's landmass). However, due to the discovery of oil in 1906, its per capita income is one of the highest in the world.
Once a British colony, it is now an Islamic state whose 400,000 citizens are ruled by the Sultan. Geographically, it consists of 2 unconnected parts which are surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
It may be a super-rich oil state, but it has little nouveau-riche ostentation. It is quiet and relaxed, with picturesque water villages, two opulent mosques, some great food stalls, and a vibe as polite and unassuming as its people.
Jame Asr' Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
- one of Asia's most magnificent mosque with its intricately ornamented minarets and shimmering golden domes
- built in 1992 to celebrate the 25th year of the current sultan's reign, Brunei's largest mosque and its 4 terrzzo-tiled minarets are a fantastic sight. As the sultan is his dynasty's 29th ruler, the complex is adorned with 29 golden domes big & small.
- built in 1958, it is one of the most impressive mosque in Southeast Asia with Italian marble floors, Shanghai granite walls, chandaliers and stained glass windows from Britain and lavish carpets imported from Saudi Arabia and Belgium. Its glistering gold dome is made up of 3.3 million pieces of Venetian mosaic covering 520 sqm.
- named after the 28th sultan of Brunei (the late father of the current sultan), it is surrounded by an artificial lagoon. The 44 m minaret makes it the tallest building in central BSB.
('palace of the light of the faith')
- the biggest residential palace in the world, the official resident of His Majesty The Sultan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Hassanal Bolkiah. Consisting of estimated 2200 rooms, a mosque, and a spectacular 3km underground passage way with air-conditioned facilities plus a horse stable, and is also able to hold up to two thousand guests. The palace is located on riverside sprawl on the hills on the banks of the Brunei River directly south of the Brunei's Capital, Bandar Seri Bagawan, no more than a few miles outside the city center.
Fun fact: the best way to measure the grandeur of any residential structure is by counting the bathrooms. Istana Nurul Iman has 257 !
It is more than 4 times the size of the Palace of Versailles and 3 times larger than Buckingham Palace.
- on Brunei River; the biggest Malay Water Village in the world. An ingenius community with houses, clinics, schools and a mosque on the stilts.
home to about 20,000 people, Kampung Ayer consists of 28 contiguous stilt villages, built along the banks of Sungai Brunei. A century ago, almost half of Brunei's population lived here.
When the Venetian scholar Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his last voyage, visited Kampung Ayer in 1521, he dubbed it 'Venice of the East'.
Founded at least a thousand years ago, it is considered the largest stilt settlement in the world.
- built in 1992 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's The Sultan of Brunei accession of the throne in 1967. The museum houses a collection of royal paraphernalia and also an exhibition on the Constitution of the nation.
- has some excellent examples of Islamic art, a history of the oil and gas industry in Brunei, and an ancient ceramic collection from a shipwreck which sank 500 years ago. Other highlights include some wonderful illuminated manuscripts of the Koran, tiny Korans the size of a matchbox, and gold jewellery.
- Brunei's largest and leading shopping mall which has a variety of clothings, electronics and up to date products from all over the world.
Mercu Dirgahayu 60
– This one of the newest monuments in Brunei that was built in commemoration of the country’s late Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan’s 60th birthday. The monument brings such an attraction especially at night as the lights bring luminance to its unique design.
The site is a photographer lens-friendly and lovely place to go in the evening. The Mercu Dirgahayu 60 is a sight to behold during the day, but the night brings out its magnificent beauty.
- one of the best rainforest in the world in terms of the vast diversity and natural beauty.
- one of the best-preserved tract of primary rainforest in all of Borneo covers much of Brunei's 1288 sq-km Temburong district (population 10,000).
- the national park is accessible only by boat: take a speedboat ride from BSB out to Bangar, the district capital, roar down Sungai Brunei, slap through the nipah-lined waterways and then tilt and weave through mangroves into the mouth of Sungei Temburong.
- the park's main attraction is a delicate aluminium walkway, that takes one through the jungle canopy upto 60m above the forest floor.
Sungei Apan Waterfall:
Brunei national flower: River Simpor
Unique Habitats of Borneo:
Five major forest types can be distinguished:
1) Dipterocarp Forests
refers to the two-winged seeds that allow efficient dispersal by wind
about 500 species grow in Borneo
they flourish below 900 m where soils are not regularly flooded
such a forest features tall trees and is layered with an understorey, a mid-layer, the canopy and emergents
2) Mangrove and Nipa Coastal Forest
grow in the zone between the land and the sea
specialized plants adapt to the saline conditions with the most common type being mangroves
mangroves are replaced by nipa palms as the water becomes less saline
Macaques and the Proboscis Monkeys live here and feed on the sweet nipa palm buds
3) Freshwater Swamp Forest
Upriver, this type of forest is further divided into riverine and peat forest
Riverine forest is found near rivers and is nutrient-rich from regular deposits of alluvial silt; plants grow profusely which results in high wildlife densities; Riverine forest near Sabah's Lower Kinabatangan River are home to Orang-utans, Bornean Pygmy elephants, Proboscis Monkeys and many species of birds, amphibians and reptiles.
Peat swamp forest is less fertile due to the acidity of the soil. It is particularly common in the province of South Kalimantan and in parts of Sarawak.
4) Heath Forest
contains acidic, sandy soil and plants growing here have adapted to the low levels of nutrients
this forest is know as kerangas, and it is found from coasts to highlands
an example is in Sarawak's Bako National Park
Heath forest is dominated by densely packed trees with small leaves that grow into a low, even canopy.
Carnivorous pitcher plants are common here
5) Montane Forest
temperature drops and above 900 m, stunted myrtle, laurel and oak species form the montane forest
tree species are typically shorter, and mosses and lichens thrive in the misty conditions
Rhododendrons, ferns, orchids and epiphytes are also typical
and example is Sabah's Mount Kinabalu
Other Interesting Places:
Jerudong Park Playground:
- a B$1 billion amusement park, a Prince Jefri project which opend in 1994
- 
Empire Hotel and Country Club:
- a 523-room extravaganza commissioned by Prince as lodging for guests of the royal family. It is now an upscale resort.
Interesting fact: Seria is Brunei's second largest town and a centre for the offshore oil industry. Look for the Billionth Barrel Monument (to commemorate the day when the billionth barrel of oil was drawn from the Brunei oilfields).
Where to eat:
- Aminah Arif (Rahman Building): this place is synonymous with ambuyat, Brunei's signature dish.
(Ambuyat - gummy, gluey and glutinous: made from the pith of the sago tree, ground to a powder and mixed with water into a gelatinous goo. Us a special pair of chopsticks that's attached at the top, scoop up a bite-sized quantity and dunk it into a flavourful sauce. Shrimp and chilli mixes are the most popular. After the ambuyat is sufficiently drenched, place it in the mouth and swallow without chewing, just let it glide down the throat.
- Tamu Kianggeh (Jln Sungai Kianggeh): the food stalls here serves Brunei's cheapest meals, including nasi katok (plain rice, a piece of fried or curried chicken and sambal) and nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and served with chicken, egg and cucumber).
- Taman Selera (Jln Tasek Lama and Jln Stoney): an old-fashioned hawker centre, set in a shady park, diners eat excellent, cheap Malaysian dishes such as satay, fried chicken, seafood, rice and noodle dishes. Situated 1 km north of the waterfront, across from the Terrace Hotel.
- Pasar Malam Gadong (Jln Pasar Gadong): Brunei's most popular and beloved night market with authentic Brunei-style snacks and dishes.
Borneo:
see also: