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Brunei for a Day on Oceania

Jan. 29, 2024 - After a day at sea between the islands of Singapore and Borneo, our ship pulled up to the small coastal city of Muara, Brunei on the island of Borneo. Before this cruise, I had barely heard of Brunei. Brunei only gets a few cruise ships a year; we were their second this year. It's an interesting place. First, Sultan Bolkiah has absolute power. I don't agree with some of his policies, so I could never live there. But I did enjoy visiting Brunei for one day. Second, the country is very rich compared to other countries in SE Asia, due to oil. The standard of living is high. But Brunei isn't geared much toward tourism. The capital (Bandar Seri Begawan) is a 45 minute ride away. Most people in Brunei own a car, so taxis and buses are very limited. But pre-cruise, I learned that Muara had a ridesharing service which could be used to get from Muara to BSB, where the infrequent tourists go. We hired a Dart Brunei driver to drive us around for up to 4 hours, and off we went. I really enjoyed my day in BSB.

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Our day at sea crossing over to Malaysia & Borneo was a little rough. Barf bags came out.
Our day at sea crossing over to Malaysia & Borneo was a little rough. Barf bags came out. 		On the sea day we looked for art work on an Art Scavenger Hunt. I love Riviera's art work.
On the sea day we looked for art work on an Art Scavenger Hunt. I love Riviera's art work.		 Brunei Arrival Card we filled out online had a very serious warning about the death penalty.
Brunei Arrival Card we filled out online had a very serious warning about the death penalty.		 It was obvious when sailing in how Brunei became so wealthy.
It was obvious when sailing in how Brunei became so wealthy. 		I saw a helicopter land on this oil rig tanker.
I saw a helicopter land on this oil rig tanker. 		We sailed by pretty but deserted Muara Beach near the port. Covering up well at the beach is required.
We sailed by pretty but deserted Muara Beach near the port. Covering up well at the beach is required.
Cruise center in Muara. Here we found the Dart Brunei rideshare desk, great vendors and a way to get Brunei $s.
Cruise center in Muara. Here we found the Dart Brunei rideshare desk, great vendors and a way to get Brunei $s.		 With Dart we rode to Bandar Seri Begawan to visit the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque
With Dart we rode to Bandar Seri Begawan to visit the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque		 Mosque is named after 29th sultan. It has 29 golden domes & a gorgeous ceiling.
Mosque is named after 29th sultan. It has 29 golden domes & a gorgeous ceiling.		 The temple itself can hold 5k people. I quietly photographed a few worshipers.
The temple itself can hold 5k people. I quietly photographed a few worshipers.		 At the far end a photographer was photographing a woman
At the far end a photographer was photographing a woman		 The mosque from outside in the garden.
The mosque from outside in the garden.
Women had to wear robes. Not a problem, but marble steps were tricky in sock feet. Inside the temple, I put my hood up.
Women had to wear robes. Not a problem, but marble steps were tricky in sock feet. Inside the temple, I put my hood up. 		2nd mosque (masjid) we visited was named after the previous Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddien. Here it is from the back.
2nd mosque (masjid) we visited was named after the previous Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddien. Here it is from the back. 		Mosque had a long walkway to a ceremonial boat
Mosque had a long walkway to a ceremonial boat		 I loved what was out back.
I loved what was out back. 		Mosque pillars
Mosque pillars		 Mosque pillars with water & boat behind on the water
Mosque pillars with water & boat behind on the water
Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque through a huge Frame structure in a field
Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque through a huge Frame structure in a field		 Dept of Mosque Affairs near the Saifuddien mosque
Dept of Mosque Affairs near the Saifuddien mosque 		Then 10 of us boarded this boat for a trip across the water to the stilt community
Then 10 of us boarded this boat for a trip across the water to the stilt community		 Captain of our boat is ready to roll.
Captain of our boat is ready to roll.		 The boat traveled up the river to look for proboscis monkeys. Saw interesting things on the way.
The boat traveled up the river to look for proboscis monkeys. Saw interesting things on the way.		 A few monkeys were asleep & not viewable from where I sat. But I did see egrets!
A few monkeys were asleep & not viewable from where I sat. But I did see egrets!
Then the boat traveled through Kampong Ayer. They have a school, several mosques, a fire station, and electricity.
Then the boat traveled through Kampong Ayer. They have a school, several mosques, a fire station, and electricity. 		Brunei has $ but houses are modest. Some are more modest than others.
Brunei has $ but houses are modest. Some are more modest than others.		 Stilt houses in Kampong Ayer
Stilt houses in Kampong Ayer		 A Kampong Ayer mosque & a beautiful bridge behind it
A Kampong Ayer mosque & a beautiful bridge behind it		 Kampong closeup of house
Kampong closeup of house		 Kampong jeti 2. At BSR waterfront you can pay a Brunei/Singapore dollar to have a boatman drop you here.
Kampong jeti 2. At BSR waterfront you can pay a Brunei/Singapore dollar to have a boatman drop you here.
A somewhat official looking boat (ferry?)
A somewhat official looking boat (ferry?)		 Back on land, we traveled outside the city to see the Sultan's Palace. Men are allowed to visit 1 day a year. Women? Never.
Back on land, we traveled outside the city to see the Sultan's Palace. Men are allowed to visit 1 day a year. Women? Never.		 Bandar Seri Begawan Istana Palace entrance - Sultan's home!
Bandar Seri Begawan Istana Palace entrance - Sultan's home!
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