Brunei
3 days,
Aug 2010
INTRO brunei
Kind of travel:
me and my girlfriend Elisa in an independent travel
When:
17th- 20th Aug 2010
Do
I need a visa?
No, EU citiziens get the stamp at any entry border point for
free
How
I moved:
Brunei is a tiny country connected by a bus/minibus service
and several boats shuttling to Sarawak (Lubian island) and the
Temburung District (the separated Burnei enclave). International
flights to Kuala Lumpur abound. Forget trains and taxis are
expensive.
Freezing
or baking?:
definitely baking with temperatures up to 34 C and
humidity around 90%
Where
I slept:
Brunei does not offer many budget accommodations. In the capital
you have two options: Youth Hostel (15€ per bed) and the
central Brunei Hotel (40€ a double).
What
I liked:
the charm of being
in Sultanate, with golden roofed mosque. The fishing village
(part of the capital) is amazing. The feeling of safety outstanding
and the boat trip, slaloming among the swamps, from Batang to
Bandar is a must
What I disliked:
the heat
How much
daily:
Brunei is not as cheap as Malaysia: so consider a budget of
45 € day, the good thing is that you won't spent more the
few days here
Dangers/
hassles:
nothing that can be comparable even to a hassle, just get stick
to the Muslim ethic.
What
you do need:
a cap and long pants
IMPRESSIONS ABOUT BRUNEI
ISince born in 1984 Brunei it's the youngest country I've ever
been ; it's a sultanate whose capital in the evening is characterized
by a fairy tale atmosphere, as time stopped. Brunei is also
a rich country thanks to the oil pumped out by the Shell Company
and I wonder what would happen if it runs out.
I had poor expectations since all the reports read where claiming
being a dull country. However I 'd say it's worth a visit: the
huge floating village, the Saudaffi mosque, The Bolkiah Mosque,
The Sultan museum, the boat trip to Batang will keep you busy
for at least two days.
So if you are traveling in Borneo it pays to visit Brunei in
particular since the country highlights are quite different
from what you can find in Malaysia, and on the other hands it's
not worthwhile to do the efforts (also in terms of cost) to
visit the Brunei jungle having the whole Borneo at your disposal.
However if you are not in Borneo and the idea
of visiting a Sultanate makes you itchy, I'd definitely recommend
Oman being far more impressive then Brunei.
Alby
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