Beyond Rumors: Exploring Brunei's Hidden Gems and Cultural Nuances : Shavez Cheema

 Source : FB | Shavez Cheema

BRUNEI

People ask me alot of questions about Brunei. Is it safe? Is western friendly? Can we drink alcohol? Can we wear bikinis? Is there ANYTHING to do there? How to get around? Should we skip it? It's more expensive than Malaysia.

Let me try to dispel, confirm some of these RUMORS and give advice to who needs it

📑 TABLE OF CONTENT

• RUMORS

• HOW TO GET AROUND?

• WHAT TO DO? 

• SUGGESTED PROGRAMS

RUMORS

Is it safe?

 Perhaps one of the safest countries in the world. And the people are friendly and helpful.

Western friendly?

 Sure , why not. What is western friendly? Don't believe the media. Pay a visit.English is widely spoken too.Brunei is one of the most literate nations in the world and not just in this region.

Alcohol drinking allowed? - NO and YES. 

No in the sense you cannot buy it in public or drink in public. BUT as a foreigner you can bring in 12 tins of beer and 2 bottles a day. So its two of you, you can have 24 tins. How much more can you drink?! Where do you drink? At your hotel room/friend's house/ balcony. IF you are staying at a resort, just ask them if you can drink in the beach or lounge but in a covered bucket. NO harm in asking.Nu guarantees. But if it's too much of a hassle, then just skip it for a few days. Even in Sabah not everyone drinks out the door as they are out all day and only drink it on their balcony of the hotel room. Or like i said drink at a local non muslim friends house or in the hotel room or just ask the lodge/hotel manager on their advice

Bikinis?

Sure, go ahead and wear it at the beaches, or your hotel pool/balcony. No ones going to disturb you. Just don't go around town flaunting it. You wouldn't do that in Sabah, Sarawak or Kalimantan either. Brunei Beaches are very nice and quiet.

HOW TO GET AROUND?

 This one i would highly highly recommend you to RENT A car if you want to explore the country. Public transport is not the most accessible to all the locations so if you want the best experience, rent one. Brunei doesn't have many specialised nature companies so you can save money and instead rent a car? +6738816284 rental advise

WHAT TO DO ?

 I am a nature guy so i am not going to advise on anything non nature. Do your own research BUT some quick ones, do try jing chew, go to eco park, the museums and see the mosques. If you do want specialist nature guides numbers, i can hook you up with them.

If I was 'you' 4 Days 3 nights or 3 days 2 nights is the IDEAL time. What to do in the time frame? In several of the places except the beaches you have to pay ofcourse.

• The following beaches are great. Do a full day beach tour. Berakas Beach, Meragang Beach, Muara beach and even Tutong beach.

 

• Temburong National Park Canopy Walk way is a MUST 

• Labi road longhouses- Mendaram or Teraja. Nice waterfalls too

 

• LAKES- Brunei has two accessible lakes compared to the other states on Borneo. Tasek Merimbun in Tutong and Luagan Lalak Brunei

 

• Brunei Bay or boat rides

Where to stay? - There are MANY hotels in Brunei. You can stay at the waterfall village with Dayang Kemariah, Trandie Temburong and longhouses in Labi too.

Suggested program ( subjective opinion OF COURSE of mine)

Day 1- Explore BANDAR.Do a boat ride in the afternoon(Brunei bay, i can give a boatmans contact who knows this unique of the beaten boat ride and not the usual to see proboscis)

Day 2- Tasek Merimbun lake and beaches back in town

Day 3- Temburong canopy in the morning and afternoon labi longhouses and lake(luagan lalak)

Day 4 waterfalls(Wang Kadir/Teraja) and the trip finishes and goes to Sabah/Sarawak or back home.

Happy to give contacts to everyone above. Will have them in my guide book to travel to nature parks on Borneo and so on next year

Any advise +60128248052

Photos below are all mine taken in the past 3 days. Berakas Beach  Muara Beach and the gorgeous Eco Park in Bandar.

Good luck and enjoy

Source : FB | Shavez Cheema