Brunei Darussalam
The oil-and gas-rich state of BRUNEI , on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, is one of Asia's oldest kingdoms. Early Chinese records refer to it variously as "Polo," or "Puni." The present sultanate dates to 1514, and the conversion to Islam; during this era, Brunei was the center of a vast empire which stretched far north to the Philippines. By the end of the 19th century, however, most of its power had been lost in the colonial expansion of South-East Asia. Brunei Darussalam, the country's official name (Abode of Peace), was a protectorate of the United Kingdom from 1888 to 1984, when it gained full autonomy. For a quarter of a century before independence, it had been a self-governing constitutional monarchy, with the British assuming responsibility for foreign affairs and defense.
Bandar Seri Begawan
The capital and main center of population, approximately 75,000, (and site of the only international airport) is Bandar Seri Begawan at the northeastern corner of the main part of the State. Downtown area consists of shops, banks, government offices, and hotels. Several places of interest are situated along the bank of the Brunei River. Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com
The oil-and gas-rich state of BRUNEI , on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, is one of Asia's oldest kingdoms. Early Chinese records refer to it variously as "Polo," or "Puni." The present sultanate dates to 1514, and the conversion to Islam; during this era, Brunei was the center of a vast empire which stretched far north to the Philippines. By the end of the 19th century, however, most of its power had been lost in the colonial expansion of South-East Asia. Brunei Darussalam, the country's official name (Abode of Peace), was a protectorate of the United Kingdom from 1888 to 1984, when it gained full autonomy. For a quarter of a century before independence, it had been a self-governing constitutional monarchy, with the British assuming responsibility for foreign affairs and defense.
Bandar Seri Begawan
The capital and main center of population, approximately 75,000, (and site of the only international airport) is Bandar Seri Begawan at the northeastern corner of the main part of the State. Downtown area consists of shops, banks, government offices, and hotels. Several places of interest are situated along the bank of the Brunei River. Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Built on an artificial lagoon on the banks of the river, the mosque initially seems more attraction than place of worship. However, this could not be farthest from the truth, and the grandiose mosque was in fact designed solely for prayer to Allah. From around Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, the golden topped dome of the mosque shines in the night sky. Although its population is only 400,000, 2/3 of the population of Brunei adhere to Islam, laws are based on Sharia. The country is extremely proud of its Muslim population, and the golden mosque was built to honor this section of the country. At a cost of around 5 million USD, the Bruneian Sultan spared no expense: imported Italian marble pillars and floor, granite from Shanghai, crystal chandeliers from England, ornate carpets from Saudi Arabia and a main dome of pure gold. Although the flashy exterior of the mosque and the ceremonial boat in its personal lagoon appear almost gimmicky in their seeming desire to draw in tourists, the mosque’s true purpose becomes clear when visitors realize they cannot enter the mosque, except in prayer. Despite the bar to entry for non-Muslims, the mosque is still one of the most beautiful structures in the country and declared by most to be the most beautiful and fantastic mosque in Southeast Asia. Source: www.atlasobscura.com
Built on an artificial lagoon on the banks of the river, the mosque initially seems more attraction than place of worship. However, this could not be farthest from the truth, and the grandiose mosque was in fact designed solely for prayer to Allah. From around Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, the golden topped dome of the mosque shines in the night sky. Although its population is only 400,000, 2/3 of the population of Brunei adhere to Islam, laws are based on Sharia. The country is extremely proud of its Muslim population, and the golden mosque was built to honor this section of the country. At a cost of around 5 million USD, the Bruneian Sultan spared no expense: imported Italian marble pillars and floor, granite from Shanghai, crystal chandeliers from England, ornate carpets from Saudi Arabia and a main dome of pure gold. Although the flashy exterior of the mosque and the ceremonial boat in its personal lagoon appear almost gimmicky in their seeming desire to draw in tourists, the mosque’s true purpose becomes clear when visitors realize they cannot enter the mosque, except in prayer. Despite the bar to entry for non-Muslims, the mosque is still one of the most beautiful structures in the country and declared by most to be the most beautiful and fantastic mosque in Southeast Asia. Source: www.atlasobscura.com
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
is the head of state and Yangi-Di Pertuan of Brunei. He has an estimated net worth of $20 billion as of 2008, according to Forbes. Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the world’s richest and has been head of state since 1967. Since 2009 his fortune hasn’t change according to Forbes magazine. He and Brunei weathered global recession with conservative economic policies and currency pegged to Singapore’s. But oil production is slowing and reserves are expected to last only 25 years, so the priority is aimed at trying to diversify the economy. The sultan continues to spend lavishly: in 2010 reportedly purchased 48 handbags, 24 “duck” umbrellas from Lederer de Paris shop in New York . The case against his brother Prince Jefri, accused of pilfering $15 billion from sultanate, remains in courts. The Sultan is famous for his vast automobile collection. It has been said that he has at least 7,000 cars and has bought over $789 million worth of high-performance cars. The number purchased by his business interests and the number actually used by himself and his family differ greatly. According to Guinness World Records the Sultan’s personal private collection has more than 600 Rolls-Royces, more than 450 Ferraris, and 134 Koenigseggs — the largest collection of that brand in the world. During the 1990s, his family accounted for almost half of all Rolls-Royce purchases, bulk buying slightly modified vehicles for diplomats and adding unique cars to their own collection. He also owns the very last Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a 1992 state landaulette. The Istana Nurul Iman palace, is Sultan’s official residence, provides visitors a spectacular sight. It is the biggest palace in the world, much bigger than the Vatican palace. US$ 350 million was spent in erecting the palace. It has 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms and the total floor area is 2,152,782 sq. feet. Source: www.therichest.com
is the head of state and Yangi-Di Pertuan of Brunei. He has an estimated net worth of $20 billion as of 2008, according to Forbes. Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the world’s richest and has been head of state since 1967. Since 2009 his fortune hasn’t change according to Forbes magazine. He and Brunei weathered global recession with conservative economic policies and currency pegged to Singapore’s. But oil production is slowing and reserves are expected to last only 25 years, so the priority is aimed at trying to diversify the economy. The sultan continues to spend lavishly: in 2010 reportedly purchased 48 handbags, 24 “duck” umbrellas from Lederer de Paris shop in New York . The case against his brother Prince Jefri, accused of pilfering $15 billion from sultanate, remains in courts. The Sultan is famous for his vast automobile collection. It has been said that he has at least 7,000 cars and has bought over $789 million worth of high-performance cars. The number purchased by his business interests and the number actually used by himself and his family differ greatly. According to Guinness World Records the Sultan’s personal private collection has more than 600 Rolls-Royces, more than 450 Ferraris, and 134 Koenigseggs — the largest collection of that brand in the world. During the 1990s, his family accounted for almost half of all Rolls-Royce purchases, bulk buying slightly modified vehicles for diplomats and adding unique cars to their own collection. He also owns the very last Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, a 1992 state landaulette. The Istana Nurul Iman palace, is Sultan’s official residence, provides visitors a spectacular sight. It is the biggest palace in the world, much bigger than the Vatican palace. US$ 350 million was spent in erecting the palace. It has 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms and the total floor area is 2,152,782 sq. feet. Source: www.therichest.com
Kampong Ayer (Water Village)
Situated over the Brunei River in the heart of the capital city, the village has over 4,000 houses, schools, police stations, clinics, markets and mosques constructed on stilts. The population of the village is around 30,000, most of them fishermen but there are also government officers and others working in the public sector. Kampong Ayer is equipped with basic and modern infrastructure. It receives a substantial annual budget from the government due to its status as a national landmark. Kampong Ayer is the world’s biggest settlement on stilts and has been existence for more than a thousand years. Archaeological findings reveal that Kampong Ayer regularly shifted its location for the comfort, safety and security of its inhabitants, until finally setting at its current emplacement. The houses are physically unique with their simple yet sturdy nature and modernisation has brought major changes with older materials being replaced with wood, zinc and concrete for the roofs, columns and walls. Wooden or concrete bridges link the houses. Each house is supplied with electricity and clean water. There are police stations, a fire station, clinics as well as primary, secondary and religious schools. Transport lines, sanitation, garbage disposal system, petrol stations, grocery shops, tourist centres, a community hall and a postal service are some of the other amenities available. People of the village use boats for transportation, the affluent use motor fibre boats and others wooden boats, said Nor Azme, project supervisor in Brunei Tourism. “Boat making is still carried out on a small scale for the repair of fishing boats and water taxis. Boats with motorised engines are now used as water taxis,” the tourism official told PTI. Economic activities in Kampong Ayer mainly focus on fishing and the production of handicrafts has created job specialisation in different villages. This has resulted in the villages being named after the products and economic activities found there. Fishing was usually carried out in the waters of Brunei Bay but there are some villages still active in fishing such as Kampong Saba and Kampong Setia, which use traditional equipment like balat (fish trap), tugu (enclosure) and andang (net). Kampong Ayer was mentioned by the foreign visitors as the “Venice of the East” or “Floating City”. Its distinctiveness has led the settlement to become one of the country’s major tourist attractions. Source: http://www.thehindu.com
Situated over the Brunei River in the heart of the capital city, the village has over 4,000 houses, schools, police stations, clinics, markets and mosques constructed on stilts. The population of the village is around 30,000, most of them fishermen but there are also government officers and others working in the public sector. Kampong Ayer is equipped with basic and modern infrastructure. It receives a substantial annual budget from the government due to its status as a national landmark. Kampong Ayer is the world’s biggest settlement on stilts and has been existence for more than a thousand years. Archaeological findings reveal that Kampong Ayer regularly shifted its location for the comfort, safety and security of its inhabitants, until finally setting at its current emplacement. The houses are physically unique with their simple yet sturdy nature and modernisation has brought major changes with older materials being replaced with wood, zinc and concrete for the roofs, columns and walls. Wooden or concrete bridges link the houses. Each house is supplied with electricity and clean water. There are police stations, a fire station, clinics as well as primary, secondary and religious schools. Transport lines, sanitation, garbage disposal system, petrol stations, grocery shops, tourist centres, a community hall and a postal service are some of the other amenities available. People of the village use boats for transportation, the affluent use motor fibre boats and others wooden boats, said Nor Azme, project supervisor in Brunei Tourism. “Boat making is still carried out on a small scale for the repair of fishing boats and water taxis. Boats with motorised engines are now used as water taxis,” the tourism official told PTI. Economic activities in Kampong Ayer mainly focus on fishing and the production of handicrafts has created job specialisation in different villages. This has resulted in the villages being named after the products and economic activities found there. Fishing was usually carried out in the waters of Brunei Bay but there are some villages still active in fishing such as Kampong Saba and Kampong Setia, which use traditional equipment like balat (fish trap), tugu (enclosure) and andang (net). Kampong Ayer was mentioned by the foreign visitors as the “Venice of the East” or “Floating City”. Its distinctiveness has led the settlement to become one of the country’s major tourist attractions. Source: http://www.thehindu.com
Cuisine
The cuisine of Brunei is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as India, China, Thailand and Japan. Being a predominately Islamic country, food is halal and pork is avoided. Alcohol is also banned in Brunei. Food in Brunei is often spicy and meals are usually accompanied by either rice or noodles. Popular dishes in Brunei include:
Beef Rendang: slow cooked beef in lemongrass and coconut sauce.
Nasi Lemak: a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves - usually served for breakfast. Nasi Lemak can be served with many side dishes ie. eggs, chicken, beets, roasted peanuts or vegetables.
Udang Sambal Serai Bersantan: prawns cooked with chili and coconut milk.
Serongeng Padang: chicken fried with garlic and wrapped in pandan leaves.
Ambuyat: a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch wrapped in a bamboo fork and dipped in sour fruit sauce.
Air Batu Campur: also known as ABC - a dessert/drink combining ice with sago pearls, red beans, noodles and grass jelly.
Source: www.goway.com
The cuisine of Brunei is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as India, China, Thailand and Japan. Being a predominately Islamic country, food is halal and pork is avoided. Alcohol is also banned in Brunei. Food in Brunei is often spicy and meals are usually accompanied by either rice or noodles. Popular dishes in Brunei include:
Beef Rendang: slow cooked beef in lemongrass and coconut sauce.
Nasi Lemak: a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves - usually served for breakfast. Nasi Lemak can be served with many side dishes ie. eggs, chicken, beets, roasted peanuts or vegetables.
Udang Sambal Serai Bersantan: prawns cooked with chili and coconut milk.
Serongeng Padang: chicken fried with garlic and wrapped in pandan leaves.
Ambuyat: a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch wrapped in a bamboo fork and dipped in sour fruit sauce.
Air Batu Campur: also known as ABC - a dessert/drink combining ice with sago pearls, red beans, noodles and grass jelly.
Source: www.goway.com