Highlights of Bandar Seri Begawan

Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

One of the most picturesque mosques I’ve visited. It’s even more attractive to view at sunset when the gold domes reflect the sunlight. And it is surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains that cool and calm the senses.

Language and Literature Bureau

The history of Brunei spread out across a 30 meter wall. Created from mosaic tiles after a painting by a local artist, it was completed in 1965 and portrays the people of Brunei performing everyday tasks related to its economy. Though Brunei is a small country with less than half a million inhabitants, it has a robust economy driven by oil and natural gas. Its citizens enjoy free education and health care.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque

The SOAS mosque is one of two masjid negara or national mosques in Brunei. It is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei hence it is sometimes called SOAS 28 Mosque. The large central dome is made of real gold. The mosque is also known as the Taj Mahal of Brunei with Mughal architectural influences throughout the structure.

Interior detail of the SOAS Mosque.

Interior detail of the SOAS Mosque

The interior blends Islamic and Italian design elements. The carpets were hand made in Belgium and Saudi Arabia, the chandeliers were manufactured in Great Britain, the marble columns and floors are Italian. Note the escalator leading to the minbar (pulpit) in the background.

Close up of stained glass windows.

The Mahligai Barge

This is a replica of the ship of Sultan Bolkiah who reigned in the 16th century. It sits on the lagoon surrounding the SOAS mosque. It is used for national Islamic events.

Kampong Ayer (Water Village)

This is the largest water settlement in the world. It is connected by 30km of wooden walkways and is a self contained community with its own mosques, schools, stores, fire and police stations, etc. Dubbed as the Venice of the East, it has existed for more than 600 years. Definitely take a small boat to explore the 40 villages on stilts along the banks of the Brunei River.

Ripas Bridge

Ripas or Queen’s Bridge connects the city center and Sungai Kebun. This cable stayed bridge is name after the Queen Saleha, the Queen consort of the current Sultan of Brunei. It’s tower is 157 meters high (515 ft.) and is crowned by an Islamic dome.

Gadong Night Market

This is the best night market we visited. There were many food choices. We ended up buying a whole fish and rice which we ate at our hotel. The market is clean with tables for dining if you would prefer to eat here. Check out my article about Gadong market and its food offerings.

The Mall Gadong

This mall has a big food court and theaters if you’re not interested in shopping.

Rizqun International Hotel Lobby

Connected to the Gadong Mall, the Rizqun has a beautiful Art Deco lobby.

Where to stay:

Radisson Hotel

2203 Jin Tasek, Bandar Seri Begawan

https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-bandar-seri-begawan

This hotel is conveniently located across from a night market and the Royal Regalia Museum.

Where to eat:

Gadong Market

The selection of dishes prepared here are more than enough to satisfy the finicky eater. Ok they have hot dogs on a stick too.

Tasek Brasserie at the Radisson Hotel

I ate here twice as I liked the grilled sea bass served with anchovy crackers and pumpkin gulay. It was very good. I particularly liked the crackers sprinkled with dried anchovies.

Grilled sea bass

How to get around:

Don’t hesitate to take a taxi because the price of gasoline in Brunei is quite cheap and getting around by taxi won’t break the bank. There is no Uber in Brunei but there is Dart. You can ask the hotel staff to get a Dart car for you or download their app.

Currency:

Brunei Dollar (BND). USD$1.00 = 1.36BND at today’s rate.

Local Guide:

IG: Alohazizan

Phone: 6737316880

Azizan is well educated, speaks fluent English, enjoys interacting with visitors who can learn a lot from his narratives about the country’s political and cultural history.

Where to shop:

Yayasan Komplex across from the SOAS mosque. I bought some fabrics (including batik) and scarves at Nazmi Trading located on the first floor. The prices were quite reasonable and the salespeople were friendly and attentive.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

Filipino Struggles in History - Carlos Botong Francisco

In 1968, Antonio Villegas (then Mayor of Manila), commissioned Carlos "Botong" Francisco to paint the history of Manila for Manila City Hall. The series of large scale paintings was called Kasaysayan ng Maynila (History of Manila). The paintings deteriorated over time and no attempt was made to preserve these historical canvases until 2013 when Mayor Amado Lim sent them to the National Museum for extensive restoration. Four years later, in 2017, Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and the Manila City Council signed an agreement with the National Museum to leave the paintings at the museum so they may reach a larger audience in exchange for museum grade reproductions to replace the originals. Kasaysayan ng Maynila was later renamed Filipino Struggles in History and is now on display at the Senate Hall of the National Museum . Carlos "Botong" Francisco died in March 1969, a few months after completing the paintings. He is one of the first Filipino modernists and

The Art of Carlos Botong Francisco - Progress of Medicine in the Philippines

Pre-colonial period Pag-unlad ng Panggagamot sa Pilipinas (The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines) is a group of four large-scale paintings depicting healing practices in the Philippines from pre-colonial times to the modern period. Carlos Botong Francisco was commissioned in 1953 by Dr. Agerico Sison who was then the director of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) together with Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing of the National Museum, Dr. Florentino Herrera, Jr. and Dr. Constantino Manahan. These oil on canvas paintings measure 2.92 meters in height and 2.76 meters in width (9.71 ft x 8.92 ft) and were displayed at the main entrance hall of PGH for over five decades. Owing to its location, the artworks were in a state of "severe deterioration" at the beginning of the 21st century from exposure to heat, humidity, dirt, dust, smoke, insect stains, grime, termites and an oxidized synthetic resin used in an earlier restoration. These canvases were restored three times, the last was

8 Heritage Houses of Iloilo

Lizares Mansion The province of Iloilo on the island of Panay has a rich trove of heritage houses, left over from the sugar industry boom in the 19th century. Iloilo also had the largest port in the Philippines at that time which facilitated the export of sugar to foreign shores and deposited money in the hands of the sugar barons. The barons dropped their earnings into the acquisition of properties in Negros and the construction of beautiful homes in Iloilo, many of which are located in the vicinity of the Jaro Cathedral. The Lizares Mansion was built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares for his wife, Concepcion Gamboa and five children. The family fled to safety when World War II broke out and the house was occupied by the Japanese military. The family returned to the house after the war but left once again after the demise of Don Emiliano. It was sold to the Dominican order in the 1960s and was converted in 1978 to a private school, Angelicum School. The mansion now houses the

TravelswithCharie

Search This Blog