Negara Brunei Darussalam

The Nation of Brunei, The Abode of Peace, is a country located on the North coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei is a Muslim country; a Malay Islamic Monarchy led by its Sultan. The country of Brunei is popular for its abundant oil reserves, agricultural products, gold, and harmonious and peaceful living.

I was lucky enough to have visited this wonderful country. So let me share to you some of the places I've visited there.

Sultan Omar Saifuddin Mosque_{Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei}

Sultan Omar Saifuddin Mosque is considered as one of the biggest and most beautiful mosque in the Asia Pacific. I was in awe just seeing the grand facade of this mosque. Imagine how much it costs building this infrastructure as everything you see in gold is actually made purely of gold or at the very least gold-plated. The mosque is open for public during specific times on a week. Picture taking is not allowed inside the mosque, but I assure you, you'll be amazed at how peaceful and grandiose this place is. Visiting this mosque made me respect the Muslims more when it comes to their faith and discipline. Never ever visit Brunei without going in here!

This elegant temple is an extension of the mosque at the end of a bridge along the artificial lagoon on the banks of Brunei River.

Kampong Ayer_{"The Water Village"}

Kampong Ayer literally means "Water Village", and as its name and the picture above suggest, it surely is a community living in the waters, Brunei River to be specific. Kampong Ayer consists of traditional stilt houses forming a community of estimated 13,000 residents. This water village once stood as the principal settlement in Brunei and the center of the country's economy. People living here travel through boat and so it's a no wonder that boats are more trendy here than cars. Kampong Ayer has a Cultural and Tourism Gallery open for all to pass on to generations the significance of the water village in the development of Brunei.

Brunei River

Brunei River is a major river in Brunei Darussalam that houses Kampong Ayer and a mangrove forest. A tour in the forest is open to everyone for about 50 Brunei Dollars. I was able to ride a boat tour on the mangrove forest and witness the playful, yet shy, Proboscis monkeys, an endemic species in Brunei. What more could I asked for that this boat tour also let me encounter numerous crocodiles of different sizes swimming or leisurely walking on the banks of the river.

My Brunei Trip was a short but a meaningful one. I will definitely go back and visit some more!

Selamat Tinggal, Brunei Darussalam!