Buzz
What wonders does Brunei hold? Is it worth the visit? We embark on a journey to unravel the answers to all the inquiries that readily surround this Southeast Asian country.
Hoisting the backpack, Brunei exudes tranquility.
Upon investigation, my companion and I observed that almost every resident owns a private car. With only 50 taxis in the entire country and relatively high fares, the primary mode of transportation for travelers like myself is the bus.
From the airport, you can catch bus 34 to the central bus station. An essential note is that in Brunei, buses cease operations at 6 PM, so it's advisable to book morning or afternoon flights. From the central bus station, you can reach any tourist destination. In case you miss the bus, the people of Brunei are quite friendly—you can ask for a ride.
Around 6:30 PM, we arrived at Le Gallery Hotel near the central bus station. Following the receptionist's recommendation, we headed to the adjacent restaurant for Brunei-style grilled lamb. Charcoal BBQ & Grill Restaurant seems quite renowned in this area, with prices on the higher side but truly living up to the saying 'you get what you pay for.' The lamb is delicious and incredibly tender.
Satisfying our hunger but overordering, we decided to request a takeaway container for the remaining food, ensuring a frugal breakfast the next day.
Around 8 PM, all eateries and public places were closed; no bars or clubs could be found here at night. Our travel itinerary dictated a disciplined routine, retiring early as there was nowhere to revel in the night.
The next morning marked the commencement of our exploration. The first must-visit spot was the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. We strolled from the hotel, a mere 15-minute shortcut. This mosque stands as Brunei's icon with its traditional Islamic architecture, a colorful front garden, and a bridge adorned with a crescent symbol.
Following that, we crossed the river to explore the water village on the opposite bank. Unlike the floating markets in Thailand, the Brunei water village exudes tranquility, embodying a simpler lifestyle than its commercialized counterparts.
Brunei seems to attract relatively few tourists; we felt like solo wanderers in this area.
You can rent a boat for a 45-minute tour of the water village at $15. From the Brunei water village, if you wish to explore the monkey forest, additional fees are required for the boat ride. The boat journey itself is quite delightful, offering views of the bridge spanning the river and glimpses of a school on the water.
We took a bus to Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Brunei after Sultan Omar Ali Mosque. Stepping into this enchanting place feels like entering a fairy tale world, with architecture resembling a palace more than a traditional Islamic mosque.
Arriving during prayer time, women were not allowed to explore. Fortunately, we met a friendly Bruneian who not only offered to take photos of the prayer area for us to imagine but also generously took us to Ringual Mall.
Wandering around Ringual Mall, finding limited fashion options, we followed the advice of our newfound friend and headed to the night market. Here, the variety of affordable food surpassed that of the shopping center. We bought a little of everything to savor a multitude of dishes. The most impressive was the sticky rice wrapped in grilled leaves with a meat filling.
The next morning, we seized the opportunity to visit the Brunei Palace, but unfortunately, it's only open on specific days.
Brunei is quite petite, requiring just over a day to explore nearly all the 'must-visit' spots. It's not a destination for those seeking excitement. After days filled with work-related fatigue, Brunei offers a peaceful retreat, from the scenery to the locals' way of life. If you get the chance, do visit Brunei—you won't be disappointed!
Brunei isn't a country for those craving hustle and bustle. After hectic workdays, Brunei becomes the ideal destination to experience tranquility, from the landscapes to the people's lifestyles. If the opportunity arises, make sure to pay a visit to Brunei!
You can visit Brunei at any time of the year, except during Ramadan, which starts from 17-5 and ends on 17-6. During this period, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from 5 AM to 7 PM. As the majority of Brunei's population follows Islam, most eateries close during Ramadan, and it's advised not to eat or drink in public during these hours.
The weather in Brunei is hot year-round, so travelers should dress modestly. The currency in Brunei is equivalent to the Singaporean dollar, allowing you to spend Singaporean currency in Brunei.
Source: Ngô Hoàng Anh/Tuổi trẻ
***
Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJanuary 15, 2019
