On March 2nd, I embarked on my longest journey so far – a journey that took me through…
Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei is one of Asia’s least known countries, which might be exactly why I was so drawn to visit when I was travelling through Borneo in March 2016. Amidst mountain climbs, island hopping, and orangutan spotting, I carved out two days to explore Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
As one of the world’s few absolute monarchies, Brunei wears its royal status proudly – giant portraits of the Sultan are everywhere. The country (or at least the Sultan) is incredibly wealthy, yet poverty remains a significant issue. The stark contrast between rich and poor is striking, even in the glittering capital.
I wasn’t interested in the grand buildings that the Sultan boasts about. Instead, I wanted to meet the locals and get a glimpse of their everyday lives. Most of my time was spent in Kampong Ayer, the largest water village in the world. I watched residents head to the mosque for one of their five daily prayers, made friends with local cats, and met the kindest shop owner who, when I couldn’t pay by card (plastic money is useless outside the city centre), generously gave me free water.
Brunei is a puzzling place – a land of unique laws and contrasts where extreme wealth coexists with modest living. I’m glad I took the time to get to know Brunei and the Bruneians just a little.