|
| Brunei is a small yet
prosperous country situated on the island of Borneo and flanked by the
Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. This oil-rich land is known primarily
for the astounding wealth of its Sultan and its inhabitants, where the
citizens live a tax-free, heavily-subsidised existence. It comes as
no surprise that its population enjoys one of the highest per-capita
incomes in the world, owing to its wealth of natural resources relative
to the size of the country and its population. |
| |
| Brunei is also well-known
for its multi-faceted beauty - a quaint little country with so much
aesthetic and intrinsic qualities to offer. |
| |
| Brunei's Cultural
Beauty |
| |
| Brunei is a land steeped
in culture and traditions - and the Bruneians are quite proud of that
fact, too. Brunei embraces the Old Malay World culture, of which practices
can still seen in the country today, such as the use of the Jawi script
- an archaic script consisting of Arabic characters, used as a mode
of written communication of the Malays in olden times - in most (written)
official communications, official ceremonies, daily customs, and formalities.
But although Brunei still holds on tight to its old culture and traditions,
it is a vastly modern country in terms of trade, economy and technology
- a fact which is the very core of Brunei's appeal and charms.
|
| |
| In the heart of its
strong Malay culture and traditions, lies its strong Islamic foundation.
This unique and balanced blend of Malay culture and Islamic practices
is the Bruneians' way of life - a national philosophy, where faith is
interspersed with culture - which is the core of its unique cultural
identity. But despite the fact that Brunei remains a devout Muslim country,
it still maintains a respectful tolerance towards other religions and
beliefs. This mutual respect and understanding creates an environment
that is both harmonious and stable, fostering unity within the country. |
| |
| Brunei's Architectural
Beauty |
| |
| Many buildings in Brunei
incorporate Islamic style and influences in its architecture, especially
its mosques. The Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Brunei's largest
mosque, is easily recognisable by its spectacular 24-carat golden domes
which glitter in the bright sun during the day and glow during the night.
It also features fountains sprouting `colourful' jets of water at night,
gold-plated tiles, marble stones and fine Islamic calligraphy on its
interior, making it one of the most magnificent mosques in the world.
Another mosque which is just as impressive is the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin
Mosque, also topped with golden domes. The mosque is also considered
one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. It sits on an artificial
lagoon near the Brunei River, with a life-sized replica of an ancient
royal barge sitting outside the mosque in the waters. Like the Jame
Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, it is also lit up at night, giving an ethereal
quality to it. |
| |
| The palace of the Sultan,
the Istana Nurul Iman (Nurul Iman Palace) is reputedly the largest residential
palace in the world, with over 1700 rooms in it. It is located on top
of the hill overlooking the city, and its majestic domes are covered
all over with 22-carat gold leaves. Its sheer size and intricate design
render the palace a truly spectacular sight to behold, but it is only
open to public during Eid-ul Fitri, the only time when the Sultan meets
and greets his visitors. |
| |
| Brunei's Natural
Beauty |
| |
| The raw, unspoilt nature
of the island of Borneo means that Brunei is also a prime example of
natural beauty, despite its modern establishments. Well-preserved rainforests
make up more than 70% of the land area in Brunei, and its national parks
are some of the finest in Asia - examples of the perfect ecosystem.
Best of all, these national parks are easily accessible as they're located
near the main cities. |
| |
| The Ulu Temburong National
Park, Brunei's main nature reserve and wildlife field-study centre,
is home to an extensive array of flora and fauna from thousands of different
species. Taking a luscious ride down the river in a longboat gives you
the opportunity to experience Borneo's wildlife up close and personal
- proboscis monkeys hanging off the branches, Nipah palm trees gracing
both sides of the riverbank, melodious twittering from colourful birds
perched on branches of trees and butterflies from some of the rarest
species fluttering around. Alternatively, you can also choose to walk
through its lush surroundings, dense with plants from hundreds of species
- some of which could not be found anywhere else in the world. |
| |
| Brunei's beaches are
also perfect getaway spots with its pristine, white sandy beaches and
private atmosphere. Muara Beach, which is less than 27kms from Brunei's
capital, is perfect for family outings with its well-equipped picnic
areas and a children's playground. Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach is a scenic
spot located just a few minutes' drive from the town of Tutong. The
beach's feature attraction is a narrow strip of land which is flanked
by the South China Sea on one side and the Tutong River on the other.
Meragang Beach's unspoilt beauty provides the perfect background for
those who want a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. |
| |
| There is so much more
to Brunei, a tiny country with huge wonders, that could only be seen
to be believed. Direct flights to Brunei are available from Asian and
Middle-East destinations, and major European cities. It can also be
reached on land via trains and coaches from neigbouring Sabah and Sarawak. |
| |
| Article Information |
| This article was written
by Rozita J. Sekdek and was first published on 30 January 2007 |
| Courtesy of
www.holidaycity.com |
| |
|
|
