Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Brunei - Abode of peace, bastion of tradition


IF you’re yearning for the romance of Borneo, look no further than Brunei.

The tiny oil-rich nation is famously singled out for having a head of state who was once the world’s richest man. Take away the mystic and you’ll find a country rich not only in oil money but also cultural heritage. It is perhaps the last bastion of Malay tradition.

If you have 6 hours: Head to the centre of town to Kampong Ayer, the unique water village that gave birth to present day Brunei. Wooden houses on stilts hearken to Brunei’s early days as a water community, and residents still travel in boats to get to land and downtown.

Hire a water taxi and have the boatman point out the different villages, the clinic, school and firehouse.

Back on dry land, make your way to the Royal Regalia building, a museum of sorts, filled with the sultanate’s royal regalia. The Royal Chariot used during His Majesty’s coronation and Silver Jubilee celebrations is on display, together with many other royal objects of interest.

Take a break at the annexe of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex and sip Fratini’s freshly brewed coffee while you watch the water taxis zip by along Brunei River. From here, it’s just a short stroll to the sultanate’s most iconic landmark, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, where you’ll get awe-struck by the gold-leafed dome and minarets made from Italian marble.

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