Visa run to Brunei

A two day trip, which was quite urgent because my Visa would expire in a few days. By ferry from KK to Labuan (quite a rich history) to Brunei. Roughly about 5 hours on the water one way.
Duty free paradise Labuan was a nice opportunity to buy some goodies. I found Bowmore whiskey there and couldn’t resist to buy one and share with some whiskeylovers here…and uhm…It’s already history.

In Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, I stayed with a lovely australian lady, who teaches at university in BSB. A 5 star hotel couldn’t beat it.
As I only had one day I quickly went into town and walked around some hours till my feet hurt.

My first impressions based on one day: Hmmm…a rich, amazing quickly evolved, bit boring, neat, kitchy, anti-drugs oilstate. Brunei people seemed quite shy and quiet.

This label you find everywhere, even on water bottles.

Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, which was unfortunatly in repair…

rich kids showing of their pimped cars

I wonder what’s the benefit of having a laptop in your trunk?

Brunei peeps

Sarcastic advertising. I couldn’t keep my eyes of it.
The sign is placed just at the start of Kampung Ayer, the water village, the old core of Brunei.

Can you imaging that the government wants to get rid of the water village? People lived here for over 1300 years. It’s like wiping the country’s history in one sweep.
No, let’s build shopping malls and go the “modern” way…*sigh*

Some nightshots.

They clearly have enough money to pay the electricity bills.

It happened to be the day before National day. I saw the preparations for the big parade.

Salam