Day 171 Brunei (Bander and Temburong National Park)

Ian had kindly organised some time off work for the remaining days of my visit and today we went to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. First stop the Vietnam embassy to arrange my visa to visit their country. Five working days we were told but the express same day service costs a pound more. ...phew.

Then onto see (from a distance) the Sultan's palace. The Sultan opens it to the public about three times a year usually after he has mowed the lawn and tidied the shed.

Then a pop into the Brunei Royal Regalia museum to check out the Sultan's chariots. Yes this man has chariots and 60 plus robed men to power it! We also looked at the gifts the Sultan has received from other countries. Very lavish including a big green bowl from the Queen and a mosquito coil from New Zealand!
A visit to see the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque but it was closed today in preparation for Friday which is public prayer day. This is what it looks like at night....

Next stop a terrific boat ride to Temburong through curving narrow jungle waterways at high speed (is that a log or a crocodile?)

Lonely Planet describes Temburong as a sleepy place acting as a gateway to the National Park. Seems the girls in the sewing shop agree.

As do the tourist information centre.

We did stop for some good food in Temburoong and then back on the boat to Bander to see Kampung Ayer which comprises 28 water villages with 30,000 people.

Recent government improvements have included new freshwater supplies and a fire station pictured above.

There are many schools in the water villages.
Our water taxi driver almost forgetting to duck for the bridge (it was high tide).

Then onto the British Commissioners House now a museum to the bygone clolonial days.
On the way back we stopped at Jerudong Amusement Park which was empty as nobody uses it anymore. No dogems for us then but Ian did take me into see the Empire hotel (Bruneis finest) where Ian organises the yearly expats St Andrews night. A packed day (it helps having a local guide to see things quicker - cheers Ian).