BSB
by call_me_rhia
BSB is the short form of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of the Sultanate of Brunei. It's a quiet and peaceful city, with a lot of green - so green and well looked-after that it does look like a big golf course. Very clean, modern but not tacky buildings, no traffic jams, big cars driving about slowly... definitely my idea of a heavenly place to live.
Actually BSB is only like this apparently: only half the population livs in the city - the other half, roughly, lives in the water villages on the other side of the river: long rows of small houses built on stilts... poor-looking in a way, until you notice that inhabitants park their cars by the river (where they take a boat to head home) - and what cars they are... A fond memory - not strcitly attacjed to the city is... the lifestyle and quality of life. Impressive. Retirment at 55 with state pension for everyone, no income taxes, free medical care, lots of government incentives for just about everything.
If there's one place I would love to move to - well, this is the Sultanate of Brunei.
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
by seagoingJLW
The mosque was built in 1958 at a cost of $5,000,000 US dollars. It was named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei.
It stands in its own artificial lagoon and is one of the tallest buildings in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The walls and the floor are made of Italian marble. The hand crafted stained glass windows come from England. the carpets come from Saudi Arabia.
Respect for the Sultan
by cochinjew
Sultan Hossanul Bolkiah is highly respected and in the words of one Malay ciiizen (non malays are not citizens anyway), better to say a Malay denizen, he is good to us. Nothing like the reverance Thai people have for Bhumipal Ayudej the King of Thailand. Brunei Malays know where the toast is buttered. So his birthdays are serious affairs. Fully six months before his 62nd birthday in July 2008, no one other than the Interior Minister have called together a committe to discuss matters relating to the celebration of His Exfellency, may Allah grant him long life, Hossanul Bolkiah.
Unlike the Malay Sultans of Peninsular Malaysia, this Sultan has absolute power and money to prove it. Like his father did in December 1962, when there was an uprising against the Sultan by disgruntled Malays and Indonesians. Gurkhas were flown in and soon the rebellion was over. By the way the Gurkhas are still here, you can see their army compound in Seria.
Cover up
by kyoub
I found that it is good to take a jumper along with me. That way I could pop it on over my T-shirt and shorts and look presentable.
I always wore something with sleeves and a jumper or long skirt when I was there.
If you go swimming it is best to wear a t-shirt and short, so you will not offend anyone with an improper swimsuit.
Brunei Currency - Dollar
by SLLiew
Brunei Dollar Exchange rate, US$ 1 = BND 1.7
It is accepted at par value in Singapore with the Singapore dollar per an exchange agreement.
Currency bill showing potrait of HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Coins in circulation: 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen
One dollar coin is no longer in circulation.
Bill denominations:
1 dollar - blue (polymer)
5 dollar - green (polymer)
10 dollar - red (polymer)
25 dollar - purple and beige
50 dollar - purple, light blue, light blue and bronze (polymer)
100 dollar - gold (polymer)
500 dollar - orange
1,000 dollar
10,000 dollar
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Me next to the pool in the excellent Terrace Hotel
Stairs down to overgrown pool
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, BSB
FLOATING VILLAGES (KAMPONG AYER)
