Any Travels

Brunei Darussalam is situated on the north-west of the island of Borneo, between east longitudes 114 degrees 04' and 11 degrees 23' and north latitudes of 4 degrees 00' and 5 degrees 05'. It has a total area of 5,765-sq. km. with a coastline of about 161-km along the South China Sea. It is bounded on the North by the South China Sea and on all the other sides by Malaysian State of Sarawak.

The land surface is developed on bedrock of tertiary age comprising of sandstone, shale and clays. The terrain in the western part of Brunei Darussalam is predominantly hilly lowland below 91 metres, but rising in the hinterland to about 300 metres. The eastern part of the state consists predominantly of rugged mountain terrain, rising 1,850 metres above sea level at Bukit Pagon. The coast has a wide, tidal and swampy plain.

Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate characterized by a uniform high temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall. Temperatures range from 23 - 32 Degree Celsius, while rainfall varies from 2,500 mm annually on the coast to 7,500 mm in the interior. There is no distinct wet season.

Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts namely Brunei/Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong.

Belait is the largest district (daerah) in Brunei, as well as the western-most. Its capital is Kuala Belait. Other major towns and cities include Badas, Kerangan Nyatan, Labi, Lumut, Seria, Sukang and Telingan.

The district borders the South China Sea to the north, the Bruneian district of Tutong to the east and Malaysia to the south and west.

The Sungai Belait river flows through Belait.

Brunei and Muara is the smallest district (daerah) in Brunei, as well as the northern-most. Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, which is also the national capital. Other major towns and cities include Muara.

The district borders the South China Sea to the north, Brunei Bay to the east, Malaysia to the south and the Bruneian district of Tutong to the west.

There are several offshore islands in the Brunei Bay belonging to the district.

Temburong is the eastern-most district (daerah) in Brunei. It is an exclave, as it is seperated from the rest of Brunei by Malaysia and the Brunei Bay. Its capital is Bangar. Other major towns and cities include Labu.

The district borders Brunei Bay to the north and Malaysia to the east, south and west.

The Sungai Temburong river flows through the district, and the Sungai Pandaruan river forms the eastern section of the border with Malaysia.

Tutong. Its capital is Tutong. Other major towns and cities include Kuala Abang, Lamunin, Melit, Penanjong and Telisai.

The district borders the South China Sea to the north, the Bruneian district of Brunei and Muara and Malaysia to the east and the Bruneian district of Belait to the west.

The Sungai Tutong river flows through Tutong.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam as stated in the Brunei Constitution, with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan as the head of the Islamic faith in the country. Thus Islam plays a central role in the life of every Muslim in Brunei Darussalam. Other faiths practiced in the State include Christianity and Buddhism.

Official language is Malay. Other languages include English and Chinese (various dialects).

Places of Interest:

Bandar Seri Begawan
Although most people refer to it as BSB, Bandar Seri Begawan is the official name of the capital of Brunei. It is probably where you'll spend most of your time and money. You'll probably just refer to the city and its suburbs as simply Brunei or Brunei City, since the country is so small. You can see most of BSB's sights in a day. One of the most impressive things in the whole country is the Omar Saifuddin Mosque. At night it's particularly stunning with green lights illuminating the dome, casting a pleasant reflection in the pool below. It's the first religious institution I've ever seen with an escalator!

Something not to miss if you like gold is the free Royal Treasures Museum. You can see the sultan's coronation regalia as well as a myriad of gifts presented to His Majesty by various heads of state.

If you are interested in seeing a water village, take a river taxi to Kampung Ayer, where you can walk around on wooden planks that connect some of the houses.

Amongst backpacker crowds, the Jerudong Playground was once one of Brunei's major (if not only) attraction because it was like a free Disneyland. However, they began charging admission in March 2000 and since the amusement park is located in a suburb, you will have to take an expensive taxi back to your hotel. If you are staying at the Pusat Belia, you may be able to hook up with their pre-paid tour.

If you need to pick up some groceries or just long for a stroll in the mall, you can shop at The Mall, Brunei's only shopping mall. It's right across from the mosque and although very sterile, it has many brand name shops.

Jerudong
Jerudong is the playground of the sultan, where he indulges in his favourite pastime, polo. Jerudong Park is a huge complex with a polo stadium, luxurious stables, a golf course and trapshooting and croquet facilities. Unfortunately, you'll only be allowed in if you've been invited.

The hoi-polloi head to Jerudong for the Playground, a massive amusement park with a huge range of rides. Behind the park is Jerudong Beach, with stalls selling fish and some great cliffs. Jerudong is just north of the main highway between Bandar Seri Begawan and Tutong - it's best visited by car.

Pulau Ranggu
In the middle of the river near the Istana Nurul Iman, Pulau Ranggu is home to a large colony of proboscis monkeys, with their hugely distended noses. There are also plenty of macaques here. If you take a water taxi along the river around sunset, you may get a glimpse of the monkeys.

Culture

Brunei's culture mainly derived from the Old Malay World, which encompassed the Malay Archipelago and from this stemmed what is known as the Malay Civilisation. Based on historical facts, various cultural elements and foreign civilisations had a hand in influencing the culture of this country. Thus, the influence of culture can be traced to four dominating periods of animism, Hinduism, Islam and the West. However, it was Islam that managed to wound its roots deeply into the culture of Brunei hence it became a way of life and adopted as the state's ideology and philosophy.

Brunei Darussalam is richly endowed with cultural heritage steadfastly maintained until today. The setting up of the Arts and Handicraft Centre in 1975 is a living testimony as to the preservation and the proliferation of the arts and crafts of the bygone days which Brunei was renown for such as boat making, silver-smithing, bronze tooling, cloth weaving as well as mat and basket weaving. Relics and other various artistic heritage of Brunei Darussalam besides the ones mentioned above include Malay weaponry, wood carvings, traditional games, traditional musical instruments, 'silat' (the traditional art of self defence) and decorative items for women. Some of these are kept in the Brunei Museum and the Malay Technology Museum; not only for the world to see but most importantly for today's generation to admire and be proud of, for future generation to emulate, perhaps and something to remind us of our forefather's natural skill, creativity and innovativeness which over generations has been ingrained as one of the richest traditional culture in the Malay world.

I lived in brunei for 12 years...and from experience it is an ideal place to stop over for the weekend, or to use to break up a long flight say from australia to the UK.