"Brunei – the country that Oil built" Top 5 Page for this destination Brunei by Wild_Orchid

Brunei Travel Guide: 1,079 reviews and 3,306 photos

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque - Brunei

One nite in Brunei

Small country, small population but big in wealth. No agriculture, no industry but who needs it when you’re sitting on vast reserves of oil.

Welcome to Brunei: land of oil and more oil and the world famous Sultan of Brunei.

Evidence of its oil wealth is everywhere. From the wide highways (but with only a few cars on them), first rate medical facilities and mosques straight out of Arabian nights with their domes of gold. The
Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of course needs no introduction. I wanted to take my picture with him, but I'm afraid he's a bit of out of my league and I wasn't granted an audience with His Majesty. Maybe next time! :D

This is not a place that comes to mind when you think of holiday destinations. It’s the lure of money to be made that draws business visitors to the country. I was one such business traveler needing only a day in Brunei but uncooperative flight timing required me to fly in the evening before. With an evening to spare, but a dearth of night life, I took a leisurely evening stroll around the area of my hotel and I now invite you all to share with me what was a quiet and peaceful evening in Brunei…

Updated in November 2007
Not much has changed since my last visit. The town is as quiet as I remember from my last visit. This time my business trip takes me further afield & from Bandar, we drove 2 hours to Kuala Belait where all the oil & gas companies are based.

PS. If you have just 1/2 a day & a local friend willing to drive you around, you'll have no problem to cover most of the touristy sites of Bandar Seri Begawan within a few hours. It's really quite small...

Pros and Cons

Pros:Modern & clean facilities
Cons:It's pretty quiet
In a nutshell:One of the Richest Nations in the World

Last visit to Brunei: Nov 2007
Intro Updated Apr 21, 2008
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Reviews (9)

sunset at the river-view from my room - Brunei

Hotel by the river-with huge rooms Hotels (4)

I was given a large room with a large bathroom with free internet access (get the password from the hotel reception... more travel advice

The Queens Chamber & The Royal Bathroom Hotels (4)

This was my room in the main building. Rooms here are bigger and more luxurious than the resort rooms in the other... more travel advice

Luxuriate in the Opulence of The Empire Hotels (4)

The Empire Hotel and Country Club was built to house delegates to an APEC Ministerial Conference some years ago. It’s... more travel advice

Visiting a Mosque Local Customs (1)

The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque welcomes visitors. Visitors are allowed into certain public areas within the Mosque... more travel advice

Things to Do (4)
See All One for the Road

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Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 19, 2005

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Comments (30)

AlbuqRay Nov 17, 2008 at 8:44 PM Report Abuse

W_O, thanks for the updates on Brunei. I am still amazed how quiet it is. Rather than living in Bruei, you should choose Germany. It seems that the fast lanes on the autobahns would be perfect for you. :)
stevemt Jul 7, 2008 at 3:31 PM Report Abuse

Enjoyed your comments on Brunei, I look foward to a quick visit , in transit only unfortunatly, but better than nothing
HooptheWorld Feb 5, 2008 at 10:50 PM Report Abuse

Enjoyed your commentaries and photos. You write clearly and in so doing you inspired me to visit Brunei!
cachaseiro Sep 14, 2007 at 12:38 AM Report Abuse

interesting page with good tips and photos. thank you for sharing with us :O)
victorwkf May 19, 2007 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

I will be attending a meeting at Brunei in July 2007 at the Empire Hotel :) Do you know how can I do the BSB city tour from the hotel? Any public transport from Empire Hotel to BSB?
freddie18 Mar 27, 2007 at 7:47 PM Report Abuse

You have an amazing intro pix of Brunei. I wish I could have my second visit to the Sultanate sometime in the future. I like the place and thanks for your tips. Regards from Freddie of Toronto
starship Mar 15, 2007 at 10:51 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting look at this wealthy country. That hotel, WOW! A picture with the Sultan!?!? I'd be happy to come home with a postcard!! Thanks for sharing!
Pixiekatten Nov 11, 2006 at 12:54 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful pictures and good tips! Thanks :)
mansionion Oct 9, 2006 at 12:27 AM Report Abuse

Brunei was OK but I've yet to start building my Brunei page yet. Thx for usefull info frm your Brunei page. -m-
BlaTboy Sep 12, 2006 at 1:53 AM Report Abuse

Hey "O" HAPPPPPY BIRTHDAY !!! In advance!! Dunn wanna miss it lah!!!! Cheers B-out =)