The Attractions of Brunei Darussalam !. Review on Brunei, General

Brunei Darussalam, the oil rich state on the island of Borneo, is yet to be firmly positioned as an international tourism destination. However, this small prosperous nation does have a number of places of interest, as will be indicated in this short review.

Pride of place on the sites to see in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. This gleaming, ornate structure was completed in 1958 after four year's construction work. Specially selected materials were utilised including Italian marble for the floors and walls; granite chips from Shanghai for the exterior: stained glass windows and elegant chandeliers from Britain and magnificent carpets were sourced from Saudi Arabia and Belgium.

A golden mosaic dome with a surface area of around 5,600 sq ft rises majestically above the two-storey building. The dome is covered with Venetian, glass mosaics and next to it is a 166 ft high golden minaret. The undeniable beauty of this religious building is reflected in a sparkling, man-made lagoon, which also has a bridge spanning it.

Visitors to the mosque get stunning views of the river and the unique riverside village of Kampung Air. Visiting hours on Saturday - Wednesday are 8.00am - 12.00am and 1pm to 5.30pm; the mosque is closed to non-Muslims on Thursdays.

Kampung Air is a distinctive and unique stilted village on the Brunei River. The houses, although built in the traditional Bruneian style, today sprout radio aerials, TV antennas and satellite TV dishes. Go inside the houses and you will be surprised at the modern appliances. River taxis and fishing boats ply this fascinating enclave.

Brunei Museum is one of the best museums in the region and it is located in the suburb of Kota Batu, which was the first capital of Brunei. The Museum, is surrounded by more than 120 acres of very well laid-out gardens, and is itself located on three floors. The lower ground floor houses administrative offices, archives and libraries whilst the other two floors house the exhibits which include some excellent ceramics, bronzes, Borneo ethnography; architecture, fishing and hunting equipment and natural history exhibits.

The Museum, which is well worth a visit, is open daily, except Mondays, from 10.00am to 5.30pm.

There are some very attractive beaches in Brunei Darussalam. Muara is one of the more popular areas with its own beach on the South China Sea and the nearby Serasa beach, a delightful promontory stretching about a mile out into the estuary of the Brunei River. Serasa is the home of the Royal Brunei Yacht Club and is very popular with the ever increasing number of windsurfers.

At weekends there are numerous vender selling soft drinks, satay and sometimes local cakes.

Closer to Bandar Seri Begawan are the Crocodile, Tunku Gadong and Jerudong Beaches. Though smaller and less crowded than Muara they are equally pleasant for a relaxing walk or swim.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful beach views in the country can be had from the road running towards the Kuala Tutong beach. Here there is one side of the promontory a majestic bend in the Tutong River while two hundred yards away the South China Sea steadily ebbs and flows, although at during the monsoon season it pounds the shore.

At the Seria, end of the country, the Lumut beach is a favourite place for excursions. The sand is pleasant and there is a good view including the distant rigs far out to sea. Behind the beach is a river which is sometimes used for fishing competitions and there are unusual beach house made in the form of helicopters, ferryboats and a roller skating area.

There you have it - a short round-up of some of the tourist attractions of Brunei Darussalam.

Thanks very much for reading