The tiny nation of Brunei is one of the richest
in the world. In Bandar Seri Begawan, Istana Nurul Iman takes center stage,
palace of the sultan and the largest residential palace in the world.
Officially
named “Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace,” this wholly independent country
on the island of Borneo holds endless fascinations. Most of Brunei lies within
Borneo’s lush rainforests, yet the tiny sovereignty is one of the richest
nations in the world. The port city of Muara is the gateway to the capital,
Bandar Seri Begawan, home of the enormous Istana Nurul Iman, palace of the
sultan and the largest residential palace in the world, with 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms,
a 110-car garage and a banquet hall for 5,000 guests. A bit more modest, the
city’s Malay Technology Museum illustrates how Brunei’s Malay ancestors built
boats, caught fish and forged metals, among other primitive innovations.
Today
we took the included tour and it was amazing. As we got off the ship they had
some Brunei people greeting us.
We started our tour with a bus ride to Kampong Ayer (Water Village). Kampong Ayer is 600 years old and is home to some 30,000 people where water taxis are the most popular means of getting around.
Here,
the village’s centuries old web of homes, markets, mosque, schools, medical
clinic, police and fire stations hovers on stilts over the shallows of the
Brunei River. These unique enclaves date
back to the days of local royalty when nobles of the island of Borneo lived in
houses supported by stilts on the river. Our guide was very adamant about not
stepping in the meow meow shit.
We were invited to join a
family in their home for tea and snacks.
We then did a quick stop at
something that was not on our tour. It was the Sultan Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It
was completed in 1958, and is built after the classical Islamic architecture, using
Italian marble, gold mosaics, stained glass and chandeliers. A replica of a 16th
century mahligai or Royal Barge rest in the tranquil lagoon surrounding this
mosque, where religious ceremonies such as Holy Qur’an readings were staged
during the 1960s and earl 1970s.
We then went to the Malay
Technology Museum. It was officially opened on Februry 29, 1988 by His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhurm Sultan Haji
Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam.
The museum exhibits various
types of traditional technologies utilized by the indigenous people of Brunei
Darussalam. On display were some traditional handicrafts used by local
residents living in Kampong Ayer as well as other ethnic groups living on land.
The next stop was a local
market, bustling with vendors and buyers of colorful, locally grown fruits and vegetables
and fragrant herbs.
We then still had some time
so she took us to a small beach, where I got some sand.
We did not get to go to
Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei’s lavish Royal Palace. It is the largest residential
palace in the world and serves as the seat of Brunei’s government, situated on
top of a hill overlooking the capital and the Brunei River. Its golden domes
and sweeping rooflines echoes the Islamic and Malay architectural influences
and is a glittering example of Brunei’s enduring royal heritage. Here is all we
could see from a distance.
As we drove around today we
saw a lot of the countryside. Here are some pictures of other mosques, homes, Chinese
temple and interesting buildings.
Tomorrow is another port day
and another tour. Off to have a beer.
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