Brunei - the fifth richest nation

It has been a while since I wrote a blog.  I just can't help but be inspired and share my experience during my trip to Brunei.

I went there with my husband as a celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary.  The destination was actually picked not on purpose but on budget.  We planned to go to Thailand and I was trying to book for a cheaper flight but unfortunately, the rate going to Bangkok is high all year round.  So I kept browsing and I came across Brunei, half the price.  So I decided to book for the two of us on a 3-day vacation.  

Then I started to look for cheap hotels, (that's what back packers do) when my Boss convinced me to book for Airbnb.  I started browsing and I found 3 hosts in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.  The first thing to check when booking Airbnb is the feedback of the guests who came from that place.  Then of course the location.  So I chose Lau's House.  Their house is a 15 minute drive from the airport.  Our host is a couple from Malaysia and Indonesia with a cute 2-year old daughter. I've read so much positive experiences before I decided to book this one.  The rate is cheaper compared to a hotel plus it will be a new experience for us.

Our host Eirene with her cutie little daughter Becca.

We arrived late night, but a friend who works in Brunei picked us up at the airport.  We reached Lau's house at Simpang 41.  It's a simple one, clean and homey with a spare air conditioned room where we stayed.  The following morning, James (the husband) dropped us off to down town and told us where all the interesting places we could visit.  With a map on our hand, off we go.

First stop is the "Water Village"  where the Cultural and Tourism Gallery is.  The place is called Kampong Ayer.  We were the first and only visitors that time because it's too early.

Taken at the Cultural Gallery.  Oooops no taking pictures inside, sorry. 

39,000 people live in this water village and considered as the world's largest water village.

We noticed that almost all the establishments, malls, stores have Filipino workers.  We learned that the amount of workers in Brunei is almost 23,000.  Starting salary is about $400 and some of the kababayans we talked with were already in Brunei for like more than 10 years and receiving salary of more than $800.

Her name is Chelle, lived in Brunei for 3 years with her husband and their kid.  She said living in Brunei is simple yet peaceful.

One thing I can say about Brunei is....there is no traffic.  As my hosts put it, it's paradise there.  If you are from Manila or India or Jakarta?  You will appreciate Brunei.

Then our friend Marlowe, who's working in Brunei for almost 7 years now, took time to tour us to the town of Seria where the Billionth Barrel Monument is located.  The monument was built in 1991 to commemorate the production of the billionth barrel of oil extracted in the rich Seria field.

With my friend Marlowe.  

Taken at the Billionth Barrel Monument 

The place is simply spectacular.  You can feel the richness of the land.  With all the oil extraction machines around you, that pumps the oil non-stop.  This is where the wealth of Brunei is coming from and it's there right beside us.  Simply amazing.

Taken in front of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. The mosque's most recognizable feature - the main dome, is covered in pure gold. 

It's called the most beautiful mosque in Asia Pacific - Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, it's the symbol of their Islamic Faith.  I just learned that they are not allowed to build high rise buildings taller than their mosque, so most of the buildings in Brunei are on average height.  People go to this place and pray.  Our hosts warned us that since it is a Friday, every establishment in the city close down from 12-2 pm to give way to their prayers.  We have to grab an early lunch.

Below are some of the interesting places we've visited:

Inside the super elegant 7-star hotel in Brunei.  The Empire Hotel.  

This is where the Sultan of Brunei resides.  It's called the Istana Nurul Iman.  Located on the riverside of Brunei River , a few kilometers south of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

In front of the most lavish and largest mosque in Brunei.  Jame-asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

Jame'asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, is the largest mosque in Brunei. It was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sultan's reign, and opened in 1994. It is known locally as the Kiarong mosque. 

It's impossible to miss this mosque.  It's glaring at night. You can get here by bus for a very cheap 1 Brunei dollar.

The escalator on my back is the sultan's own personal escalator at his private entrance to the mosque.

This experience for me is one of the best I have ever had.  I learned a lot about the culture, the country and the people.  I wouldn't mind coming back, maybe 2 years from now.