Bander Seri Begawan, Brunei

Brunei is a small Muslim nation on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea.  The rest of Borneo contains parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Brunei consists of 4 main regions, has a total population of 420,000, and is one of the richest nations in the world due to its oil and gas reserves.

Brunei is ruled by the 29th sultan, Hassanal Bokkiah, who has 3 wives and 12 children. His palace in Bander Seri Begawan, Istana Nural Iman, has 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a 110-car garage and a banquet hall for 5000 guests.  It is the largest residential palace in the world. Brunei just celebrated its 34th year of independence from the United Kingdom with National Day festivities in a special stadium.

We visited the Malay Technology Museum, an outdoor market, and a home in the water villages that line the Brunei River.  This area is often called the Venice of the East because of the homes built over water that can only be reached by water taxis.

Being greeted as we get off the ship

Grounds where the 34th  National Day was celebrated

Fruits and vegetables at the outdoor market

Foods for sale at the market

Whole, dried fish at the market

Another mosque in the background near the water village

Visiting the water houses

Tea and cakes were provided at one of the water village homes

View of part of the water village along the Brunei River

Beautiful Muslim Mosque