Michael is a numbers guy. He wants to go to as many countries as he can so he took a side trip to Brunei. Brunei is a small but wealthy Islamic nation on the island of Borneo with 460,000 people. The official religion is Islam, and around two-thirds of the population is Muslim. Brunei’s Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is the country’s monarch and religious leader.
One of the most striking aspects of life in Brunei is the implementation of Sharia law. Introduced in phases, starting in 2014, these laws govern both Muslims and non-Muslims in areas such as public behavior, alcohol consumption, and more. Punishments under Sharia law can be severe, which has garnered international attention and stirred controversy. Michael said that he felt safe. Maybe the harsh laws contribute to a more peaceful country with low crime rates.
The average salary in Brunei is $2,500 per month. Brunei is a rich country due to its involvement in the oil and gas industry. The industry is responsible for 60% of the country’s GDP and makes up the majority of its exports. There is no income tax, all citizens get free healthcare and education, and people over 60 get a $200 per month pension.
When he arrived, Michael did not have any cash and could not get money out of the ATM. Luckily, he was able to use Uber to get to his hotel and he finally found an ATM. The lesson here is to have cash to exchange when you arrive in a new country.
He stayed at a guest house called Qing Yun Resthouse by the river. He planned to take some tours, but he discovered there had to be at least two people for most tours. He ended up exploring on his own.
He saw the front gates at Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. It is only open 15-20 days per year during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) celebrations, which mark the end of Ramadan. There are 1,800 rooms, 250 bathrooms, and more than two million square feet of floor space. A banquet hall for 5,000 people, a mosque for 1,500 people, a garage for 100 cars, a stable for 200 horses, 18 elevators, and 5 swimming pools. It cost $1.5 billion to build.
Other attractions on his visit were the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah temple, the Jalan Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien temple, and the Royal Regalia Museum. The museum is dedicated to the Sultan and houses an impressive collection of royal regalia, including the Sultan’s throne, the royal chariot used during coronation processions, ceremonial attire, crowns, and weapons. Admission to the museum is free. Michael said one of the most interesting parts of the museum was seeing the collection of gifts presented to the Sultan by foreign dignitaries, reflecting Brunei’s international relations.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Brunei is the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It has a golden dome that can be seen from other parts of the city. The mosque is surrounded by an artificial lagoon, that gives the appearance that the mosque is floating on water. The mosque is decorated with Italian marble from Venice, English chandeliers, and Saudi Arabian carpets.
The food in Brunei is meat-heavy. Ambuyat, often considered Brunei’s national dish, is a sticky, starchy dish made from the sago palm eaten with fish, vegetables, and spicy sauce. Nasi Katok is steamed rice, fried chicken, and a spicy chili paste. Hati Buyah is another traditional Bruneian dish made from beef lungs, typically stir-fried with soy sauce
and spices.
Michael did find a boat tour where saw a closer view of the floating villages as well as monkeys and a great view of the palace. The floating villages, symbolic of the country’s heritage, are a well-known part of Brunei. Some are over 1,000 years old. The largest floating village, Kampong Ayer, is home to about 10,000 people. The villages are connected by an extensive network of wooden walkways and bridges. These villages have modern amenities like electricity, running water, internet, schools and mosques. He also explored Tasek Lama Recreational Park.
While Michael was in Brunei, Lucas, Henry, and I were in Kuala Lumpur for our last full week. We spent time watching movies. Henry baked a cake, and Lucas and Henry attended the one-week Forever Wild Camp. The theme for this camp was performing. The kids spent the week learning to find their voice, developing characters, playing games, and having a blast.
Lucas was not excited that I signed him up for the camp because performing is not his cup of tea. It did not matter because he loves Solomon and Amanda, and the boys came home excited about what they did each day. They spent one day at Petrosains, The Discovery Centre. Lucas was over the moon to have a few records for the fastest pitch there. A few times during the week, the kids were having so much fun that Amanda and Solomon extended the days. It was a huge success.
We also made new worldschooling friends who we hope to see somewhere else in the world.
Michael and I also celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary and our 20th anniversary of knowing each other. I don’t know if we could have ever imagined at that time where our lives would take us. It has been an epic adventure so far!
