Brunei
More to Brunei than Its Short Name
In case you didn’t know, “Brunei” is just a nickname. The country’s official name is Negara Brunei Darussalam, and that is a mouthful. As with its name, what most people know about this tiny country is just a small segment of its real beauty. There is more to this wealthy Muslim nation than what many know about.
One other thing you may not know about the country: Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, has streets lined up with glittering palaces and mosques. These are adorned with real gold and other pieces of precious jewelry that most people can only imagine from Disney movies.
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque—again quite a mouthful for a name) — is a definite head-turner. It is the most beautiful mosque in Brunei and in all of Asia-Pacific, and it is adorned with marble minarets and flanked by lush gardens. One can see its dome made of pure gold from several points in the city. It dominates the city skyline, piercing through the clear blue sky. And let’s not forget that the mosque stands on a man-made lagoon.
Brunei is rich not just in things that many can buy, but also a kind of wealth that no amount of money can purchase – the beauty of nature under the sea.
Brunei is a scuba diver’s paradise destination. There are many shipwreck dive sites to choose from, and the water is nice and warm all year round. The real catch is that while hordes of international divers go to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, Brunei’s dive sites and coral reefs remain pristine, untouched, and unspoiled.
Brunei is a must-see. Getting here is not difficult at all. This oil-rich country may not be easy to find on the map since it is quite small, but major airlines from London, Australia, and all over Asia regularly make their way to Brunei International Airport.
