It's not often you come across people who have visited Brunei or have it on their list of places to go. Nine times out of ten if you do meet people who have been you will soon realise that they were their visiting friends or relatives, usually on their way elsewhere.
The main reason people dont want to go is because their is no booze, which follows that there is no nightlife and as such the tourism industry there is not that stronge. This being the case few people have heard of the country only that its Sultan was once the richest man in the world. This stands to reason as the average holiday brochure does not feature Brunei except for maybe on a borneo adventure.
It seems that over the past few years the Brunei goverment has made a
big effort to attract tourists with competitive packages and high class hotels but to date they seem still to have fallen short, more people have heard of Brunei but still few wish to go.
I would say Brunei could be popular with a traveller who is looking for a country that is still very much untouched by tourism and who is not looking for big activity. However, dont be fooled it is not untouched by the western world.
You will still find McDonolds and Pizza Hut. Brunei has one very good mall in the center of town that stocks most brands of clothes, trainers, electrical goods but I dont't remember them being of any good or bad value. Every other shop in the mall seems to sell VCD's (the quality reflects in the price).
The most talked about place in Brunei is Jerudong Park, this is a theme park which was built for the sultans sons 21st birthday as a gift to the people, it was free to enter but rummor has it that a small charge is now being made. It seemed to me that because it is free few people visit, except for on holidays when it is busy. Do be warned that if it is time to pray the park will stop (dont worry they will get you off the ride first).
It was an amazing experience to be on a scary rollercoaster on my own, its one thing to scream your head off with lots of other people but its quiet another to hear your own heart in your throat with impending doom.
You must go and see the fountain show at the park, it takes about 30 minutes from start to finish but it is done so well. Their are massive fountains dancing with lots of coulorful lights it was a beautiful sight.
Talking of beauty I must mention that Brunei its self is a beautiful country full of tropical forests, it has a contrast of buildings some amazing mansions others that can only be discribed as shacks but to me that is part of the charm.
I am yet to meet someone in Brunei who did not speak english (if a little accented), as for visas as a British passport holder (last I checked) you can enter by filling in a imigration card on the plane then you may stay for 30 days. Now to the important stuff booze, yes it is a dry country but they will let you bring in a stricked allowance if you are a none muslim, I think it is 12 cans of beer and a bottle of spirit (but do check).
If you are going to go I would highly recommend a trip to Labuan (an Island off of brunei), the ferry to the Island will take less than an hour but that its self is worth a go just for the views. When you get there you will que for what seems like an age to get stamped through imagration but once through the taxis are ready to wisk you to your chosen hotel.
I enjoyed the Sheraton, it has'nt the best pool area but a trip down the road to a neighbouring hotel can solve that on a cheap day pass. Labuan does serve booze, so down in the sherton bar you will find it flowing along with the nightly band. I thought the Sheraton suite were great and the service even better.
Across the road from the Sheraton Labuan is a mall, do watch out for pick pockets but also for the great bargains you can get here. I really enjoyed the shopping I felt rich and that was only the mall, there are several market areas with even cheaper gear. I would recommend a few days relaxing in Labuan but some people just go for the day (do book the ferry in advance).
Brunei is most definatly a place most enjoyed if you know someone from the expat community because thats how you get to go to any parties. Life in Brunei for a Brit tends to evolve around the Hash, so if you know a Brit there see if you can get an invite I wont tell you what its all about that would spoil the surprise but I will say its fun.
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Comments about this review »
ps2gamer890 01.01.2006 23:12
Lived here for 5 1/2 years. It's a dump and jerodong park is now a dump and quite expensive!! good review : )
pakalang 21.09.2001 02:28
great travel op! i have a few good bruneian frens and being a malaysian myself, haven't actually been there. will definitely go one day though.. cheers :)
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