Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam is a very interesting place to visit. Most people arrive by air and the well appointed airport is only 15 minutes from the city. Most hotels will provide a transfer, with exception of the only true budget option which is the local youth ... Read review
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A review by alimason on Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) July 28th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Value for Money
Average
Shopping
Average
Nightlife
Terrible
Ease of getting around
Excellent
Family Friendly
Excellent
Advantages:
a good place to visit
Disadvantages:
not a great deal of attractions
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam is a very interesting place to visit. Most people arrive by air and the well appointed airport is only 15 minutes from the city. Most hotels will provide a transfer, with exception of the only true budget option which is the local youth hostel. Apart from that you can expect to pay in excess of 25 pounds per night, with prices rising to hundred of pounds for the empire resort. There asre buses from the airport to the central bus stand in the city but they are infrequent, although cheap at $1 (brunei dollar).
Transport in the city is fairly efficient and in fact rarely needed, as its so small. As an avid walker i found i could get anywhere by foot. However the bus system is easy to understand and easy to use. Useful buses include the 39 which goes to the museum, 01 which goes to Gadong and 37,38 and 39 which all go to Muara. Taxis are also available but rather pricey and rarely needed. Finally there is also the wonderful water taxis, which are small boat that ferry people to Kampong Ayer and around, these are also useful for going up river to the interior.
Accommodation is sparce on the budget end of things in Bandar and in my opion the best option is the Jubilee hotel - relatively cheap at 26 pounds but well appointed with various facilites and in a good location. Of course if you fancy splaching out there are a plethora of places to do so, especially the Empire esort, created by the Sultans brother.
Eating in Bandar is no problem either as there are plenty of informal hawaker places or if you fancy something a little mroe special there are some excellent top-end restaurants, most of which can be found attached to hotels. Prices for a main meal start at about 1 pound and upwards.
Finally the attractions: Bandar isn't really a place where you can spend anymore than 5 days, without having nothing to do, although there are definitely a few places worth a visit:
1. Jerudong Park Playground is a themepark located out of town, entry is $15 and its often empty so definitely worth a visit. However the problem is that its open from 5 till 12 pm so there are no buses, as they stop at 6pm which means it is rather hard to reach especially as a taxi will cost $80.
2. Regalia Museum - a very interesting place documenting the sultan's life - most definitely worth some time and very easy to reach in the centre of the city.
3. Omar Ali Saiffuden Mosque - the most prominent feature in the city is impressive from the outside but less so inside - only worth visiting if you have lots of time.
4. Kilarong Mosque - This inmy opinon is the most impressive of the mosques and although its further from the centre it is still walkable.
5. Brunei museum - again another good museum and reccommended but as there on no pavements on the road to it you have to take the bus.
6. The old British Residency "Twelve Rooves" - an intersting place with photos showing the Uk - Brunei relationship over the years - not far from town and easy to find.
7. Kampong Ayer - the water village is probably the most famous attraction and can be reached/seen either by the myriad of board walks or by a tour on a boat for about $25.
8. The Istana - the sultans palace is best viewed from the river and is quite a sight.
Ther are also numerous possible excursions from Bandar, including Temburong District which can be reached via the town of Bangar by boat from the jetty in Bandar. There are also several nice beaches near to Muara which is only 45 mins by bus from Bandar.
All in all i think if anyone is in the region, Brunei is definitely a place to see.
Advantages: Regalia Museum, cheap food Disadvantages: Nowhere to stay, bad public transport
There are a few strange things about arriving in Bandar. The first is that there are very few buses, and getting in to the town from the airport can be quite trying, as taxis are very expensive indeed. The second is that the only cheap place to stay is a youth hostel, huge and with a sports centre attached, which you can't reserve beds in and which may turn you away fro no reason. However, if you do manage to get let in, it only costs ten dollars ... ...that long, you must be mad. In the town there are about three things to see. The main mosque, obviously, the water village, and the royal regalia museum. This last is well worth it - the opulence is incredible. You have to work quite hard to not be bored in Brunei- but it is possible! ...
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Advantages: clean Disadvantages: no form of entertainment, nothing to do there
Bandar Seri begawan in Brunei Darusslam is every bit as interesting as watching paint dry. If you are looking for excitement and have insomnia do not even go anywhere near it. Nothing happens in Bandar Seri begawan after 9.00pm. Everyone is at home watching satellite television, which leaves you, the visitor, wondering what to do besides walk around the deserted streets. Don't expect any pubs, clubs or entertainment outlets as Brunei is a dry country ... ...park. Jerudong park is akin to Disneyland but with the exception that all the rides are FREE. Yup, I kid you not. So, I guess if there is one reason to go to Bandar Seri Begawan then Jerudong is it. All in all, it is like one big retirement village. ...
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Advantages: Cheap. In flight crew are helpful. Seating is OK Disadvantages: No alcoholic drinks are served. Hub airport is boring
...Royal Brunei Airlines-known as RBA in the South East Asian region-has grown considerably since its formation back in 1974,when it commenced operations with two Boeing 737-200 aircraft. Today from its hub in BandarSeriBegawan, (BSB)Brunei's flag carrier flies to regional destinations such as Kuala Lumpur,Kuching,Kota Kinabalu,Singapore, Bangkok, Balikpapan, Jakarta, Bali,Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila while among international destinations served by RBA are Dubai,London,Frankfurt, Zurich,Perth, Brisbane and Calcutta.
Its home airport at BandarSeriBegawan is modern enough and has a few facilities including a prayer room,an over priced restaurant, several duty free shops, telephone and telex services,and a viewing gallery. It is not the most exciting spot on earth to have to while away a couple of hours in.I have had to use this...
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Advantages: Very affordable, Clean, Safe and beaches Disadvantages: Not so much nightlife available
...the rides!
For a chance to see brunei in its festive mood, arrange your trip so it coincides with the celebration of the Sultan's birthday (15th July). This is a truly big celebration in Brunei where our small city (or town), BandarSeriBegawan will come alive where the roads from the city centre leading to the Palace will be decorated with elaborate lightings.
Also just adjacent to the city is, what is dubbed the 'Venice of Asia', the Kampong Ayer or the water village. I have been to Venice and I must say there some truth in that because the huge 'village' (i prefer to call it settlement) housed the many handicrafts products of Brunei. Just like Murano with their Glass and a village in the Kampong Ayer with their brass products. To make a further comparison is the water taxis/bus, although I better warn you that the water buses in Brunei...
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...You cannot miss the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in the centre of Brunei's capital, BandarSeriBegawan. It is a beautiful white building with a wonderful golden real goldleaf dome. I think this is the nicest mosque I have seen. I was told that the architect was British - I'm not sure if this is true, but maybe he somehow made it more visually accessible to a British eye.
It was built in 1958, and named after the present Sultan's father. It is reported to have cost US$5 million at that time. It's set in grounds with an artificial lagoon complete with concrete boat. You cannot go on this but you can walk round the grounds.
It is acceptible for visitors to go inside at certain times - visiting is closed or limited on Thursdays and Fridays and you'd need to check out other times - you can't go in during prayer times. All this is if you...
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Production Year: 1972 - Family - Director: John Reardon, Charles Crichton, Gerry Poulson, David Andrews - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: William Lucas, Charlotte Mitchell, Judi Bowker, Roderick Shaw
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