Carrying on from Part 1 of my familiarisation trip to Borneo and Brunei, I will be talking about Brunei in this blog, everything you need to know if you're planning a trip! Brunei had a completely different feel to Borneo, extremely clean, it felt less humid, but still very warm. And of course, no alcohol anywhere! Read on for more information about travelling, flight times, things to do/see and the best places to stay! 

As mentioned in Part 1, you will depart from Heathrow Airport - Terminal 4 for your flight to Brunei via Dubai (if flying with Royal Brunei). If you are flying Business Class, which I highly recommend, then everything from check-in to security is very easy and smooth. 

 

This was my flight schedule: 

 

The first flight - London / Dubai - approximately 6 hours. 

The second flight - Dubai / Brunei Darussalam - approximately 7 hours. 

This is a very impressive hotel due to its palatial architecture and its located around 20 minutes from Brunei centre. The rooms are very spacious with the option for interconnecting rooms, which is great for families. The Country Club at The Empire is a must, with indoor swimming pools, bowling, tennis and so much more, accessible by buggy or a nice stroll. Like most hotels I visited on this trip, they had a fantastic sunset bar where you can enjoy a nice mocktail. 

I think this was my favourite thing we did in Brunei. Take a boat ride along Brunei River on the search for Proboscis Monkeys, Silver Leaf Langurs, Crocodiles and more, enjoy the beauty of the mangroves and bask in the peacefulness of the river. You may even see locals fishing for crabs! On the way back, we stopped at a traditional 'home on stilts' in the middle of the river, where we enjoys some tea and local sweets.  

This mosque was really breathtaking! You can rent a robe and go inside this mosque which I would recommend as the interior is really beautiful. Building started in 1954 and took almost 5 years to finish. Like the Masjid Bandaraya mentioned in Part 1, this mosque too is surrounded by a man-made lagoon, with an addition of an artificial barge which is meant to resemble a ship of Sultan Bolkiah, a Sultan of Brunei who reigned in the 16th century. 

If you are interested in history and museums then you must visit the many museums of Brunei. There are quite a few but these can be visited in one day. The Maritime Brunei and the Malay Technology Musuems are next door to each other and they feature artefacts recovered from a shipwreck site off the coast of Brunei back in 1997 and displays of a traditional Brunei village. The most interesting museum by far was the Royal Regalia Musuem with the main display at the entrance hall - a huge chariot used for the parade carrying the Sultan through the streets of the city on the occasion of his 1992 silver jubilee celebration. There is also an exhibit of a golden hand and forearm that the Sultan used as a prop for his chin at his coronation and an ornate crown. 

This list would not be complete with a mention of the Gadong Night Market. Wander down it's aisles and take in all the sights and smells of food from BBQ's to fresh fruit and vegatables. It really is a feast for all your senses! Opening at 4pm till late this is the perfect social hub to watch the locals and try some exotic foods such as the infamous Durian, sweet potato tea (very delicious), and smoked fish cooked right in front of you. The night market has such a lovely ambience and should not be missed! 

Just a few things to consider before you travel to Brunei. 

- Wear modest clothing. Brunei is a Muslim country and to show respect its best practice to have shoulders and knees covered.  

- Brunei Dollars is a closed currency, so make sure you have cash that can be changed over in the Brunei Airport, otherwise card is fine. 

- There is no alcohol served anywhere (even resorts) in Brunei. You can bring alcohol into the country but only to be consumed in your private dwellings. This does make it a great destination for a detox! 

- Bring sunscreen, a hat and lose, comfortable (yet modest) clothing. As with Borneo, it can get very hot in Brunei. Take care especially when on the boat trip looking out for mokeys, its easy to get burnt! 

 

Hopefully this covers everything adn piques your interest for travelling to Borneo and Brunei - either as a stop over or a longer trip. It is certainly different to other South Asia countries and a destination that you shouldnt miss out on!  

 

If you are interested in planning a trip to Borneo, Brunei or both then contact us on 01442617777 or email us at holidays@tailoredjourneys.co.uk