http___www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com_ga_category_backpacking-brunei_bandar-seri-begawan__1.xml
1.1 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 7.1 7.2 7.3 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 9.1 9.2 9.3 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 11.1 13.1 13.2 13.3 15.1 17.1 17.2 17.3 18.1 20.1 20.2 20.3 22.1 24.1 24.2 26.1 26.2 28.1 28.2 30.1 30.2 31.1 33.1 33.2 34.1 34.2 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 39.1 39.2 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 43.1 43.2 43.3 45.1 45.2 45.3 47.1 47.2 49.1 49.2 51.1 52.1 54.1 54.2 56.1 57.1 60.1 60.2 60.3 60.4
Brunei : Meandering Through Contrasts The mere mention of Brunei travel conjures an image of a majestic mosque with gold domes and towering minarets. This Islamic sultanate is located off the northwestern coast of Borneo. While the rest of its neighboring countries in the South East Asia’s backpacker’s trail rely heavily on foreign tourism to boost their economy, this tiny yet wealthy country is envied for its massive oil and gas deposits. In Brunei, tourism is encouraged but it’s not the priority. However, it does not mean that tourists should skip this restful country, it is actually a good stop over when crossing to either Sabah or Sarawak. There are many mosque scattered in Brunei Muara alone, home to Brunei’s capital city Bandar Seri Begawan (also called Bandar or BSB). Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the country’s most famous mosque dominates the city center as it stands proudly on an artificial lagoon. It is a masterpiece owed to a combination of contemporary architecture and classical Mughal architecture. Up close, the wall is actually cream not white and adorned with a few stained windows reminiscent of church windows. Though the windows are tall enough, it still feels like most parts of the mosque are concealed in those walls summoning a sense of mystery and seducing every curious tourist to enter and explore its inside. The towering minarets attached to the main building have majestic onion-shaped golden domes as if reflecting power and opulence. In fact, its main minaret is the highest structure in the city of Bandar. In the courtyard beside the main entrance of the mosque there lies a grandiose wudu or ablution area which pretty much looks like a pool surrounded with Moorish pillars. Wudu is a ritual purification in Islam where Muslims need to wash their hands or other parts of the body in preparation for salah (formal prayers) or handling and reading the Qu’ran (Koran). Upon entering the mosque I left my flip flops on the shoe storage and had to borrow the wear hijab (head cover for women) and prayer clothes hanging by the entrance. Photography is not allowed inside and I was escorted by the man manning the mosque to the center of the prayer room. The musalla (prayer hall) reflects jannah, the Islamic concept of heaven described in the Koran as garden of perpetual bliss with rivers of water, milk, honey and wine. In heaven, palaces are said to be made from bricks of gold, silver and pearls. The musalla has no furniture and is fully carpeted with beautiful patterned floral design. I was asked to walk only on the red carpet that leads to the minbar where the Imam (leader of prayer) holds the sermon. It is similar to the raised pulpit in some old Spanish colonial churches. Splendid chandeliers enhance the ceiling which complements the already luxurious main dome. The mosque’s minimalist design outside is contrasted by the splendor inside. Going around the mosque I came across a bridge that led me to the replica of a 16th Century mahligai (royal barge). It is a perfect spot to get a good photo of the mosque floating on the artificial lagoon. Another bridge continues to the gate and across lies the Brunei River. For hundreds or even thousands of years, the historic water villages of Kampong Ayer continue to grace the Brunei River. This sprawling village has a significant role in the history of Brunei tracing its existence to the seafaring cultural roots of the sultanate. Archaeological evidence points out that Brunei which traces its cultural roots to Malay traditions has participated in trade routes with China, Melaka and Indian Muslim traders with the latter introducing Islam to Brunei. Thousands of houses occupying the water which includes schools, mosques, hospital, and retail shops village are connected by wooden promenades. At first glance the water village may look like a slum but don’t be deceived as a leisurely stroll here will introduce you to wooden houses with air-condition, electricity, sewage system, internet, satellite dishes and some residents have their cars parked on the side of Brunei river. The village can be explored by foot but hiring a water taxi will give you a better view of the sprawling city. The government has attempted to transfer the locals to modern housing schemes on land but has not succeeded so far. I hope they preserve this natural heritage and help improve the housing standards instead. Brunei surprised me with its beautiful contrasts. A country so tiny yet so rich in economy and cultural heritage has managed to keep its traditions and environment intact despite its heavy urban development. And despite the “chaotic”, “terrorist”, and “fundamentalist” image of Islamic sultanates brought about by unjust stories, stereotypes, misconception and ignorance by some people, Brunei has proven the world wrong and continued to live up to its name – Negara Brunei Darrussalam meaning ” Abode of Peace”. *This is part of my Brunei series. About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life. Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com Viewed 4410 times by 1780 viewers Great photos you have here! I, especially, like the window and the sunset photo. I’m hoping I could go to Brunei someday, too Another great adventure and nice shots of the mosque. wow very nice shots! I am thinking of going to Brunei soon also. Can you share me your itinerary? Thanks amazing how the richest and the poorest can live side-by-side! teka sounds like manila lang ah! hhahaha ganda naman ng mosque!i’m from mindanao pero sa northern part so di pa ako nakapasok sa mga mosques talaga.i’d love to see one of those maybe sa malaysia next year wow! another fellow traveler here at solo backpacker pa. ang ganda ng mosque noh I love the sunset photo! We were not able to get on the barge Though it’s just a replica, it’s still stunning! Love the sunset photo! Its good that you were allowed inside the mosque, but would have loved to see photos of the inside (too bad it’s not allowed)! poor ba sila? bet lang nila magstay sa heritage houses nila.. and as long as Brunei doesnt have corrupt officials like in Indonesia – then i think keri ko magvisit ng Brunei! is it easy to visit? are they accommodating and friendly to visitors? the mosque is outstanding. i’m glad it’s open to visitors. i can assure you brunei is easy to visit. we welcome our guest and will help in anyway we can if you need assistance. it’s in our culture and religion to respect our guest. if you go wandering around kampong ayer, you’ll be greeted with smiles and hellos. ask nicely and you might just be able to go inside their homes and see for yourself how modern it is inside. I love the wooden houses that are painted in the bright colours. It looks like such a peaceful place. It’s one of my dreams to visit a mosque. This one is quite lovely. No need for photographs really. Your descriptions conveyed its beauty so specifically and visually. Oh, and I’m glad the villagers have enough love of their culture and heritage that they refuse to be relocated. That’s usually the problem in heritage sites that are also living communities. In Kyoto, the government gives incentives to locals who stay put and not modernize their houses. At least in Brunei, the villagers have the initiative to preserve their culture. Great! Btw, I couldn’t access your blog from FB groups. I had to go to your wall. Why kaya? Interesting place! I love the photos! gaganda! cool photos! i like the arabesque design on mosque windows… love your photos, specially the sunset shot!! do you need a visa to go there? I would definitely consider Brunei as a good side-trip to Sabah & Sarawak (my dream destinations in Borneo). That sunset photo is mesmerizing! Is that gold on the top of this place ? or just color ..looks attractive Hi Sheril, If i’m not mistaken, those are 18-carat gold leaves. Thank you for the excellent write-up on Brunei. There is too many misconceptions about Brunei that somehow scared everyone away from visiting us. Next time, if you drop by, send me an email, maybe I can take you on a foodie trip instead and introduce you to some of the most active bloggers too. In the mean time, you can have a look at this foodie blog (which is guaranteed to make you hungry) http://bruneifoodies.tumblr.com
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1
Conjures lua ach ní bhíonn ach Brúiné taistil íomhá de mosque maorga le domes óir agus minarets towering. Tá an Sultanate Ioslamach suite amach ó chósta Thiar Thuaidh Borneo. Cé go brath an chuid eile de na tíortha comharsanacha i backpacker an Áise Thoir Theas ar an rian go mór ar thurasóireacht coigríche chun tacú le n-eacnamaíocht, tá an tír seo go fóill beag bídeach saibhir envied dá ola ollmhór agus taiscí gáis. I Brúiné, tá turasóireacht a spreagadh ach nach bhfuil sé an tosaíocht. Mar sin féin, ní chiallaíonn sé gur chóir go mbeadh turasóirí skip tír seo restful, tá sé i ndáiríre a stopadh maith os cionn agus iad ag trasnú le ceachtar Sabah nó Sarawak. Bhreathnaigh 4488 ag amanna 1809 lucht féachana