BRUNEI the mysterious one BRUNEI Famous for its mega-affl uent Sultan, this jungle nation is a
convenient destination to twin with Malaysian Borneo – or even Melbourne. But what makes it stand alone? Asks Ben Lerwill
B
runei can often feel like Southeast Asia’s odd man out. Sitting in a region full of industry titans like
Thailand and Malaysia, this little oil-rich enclave in northern Borneo gets minimal time in the travel spotlight – many people mistakenly assume the country to be in the Middle East. But its mystery is also its draw. “We send a lot of clients to Sabah, so we
offer Brunei as a two-night add-on,” says David Carlaw, head of long haul product at Premier Holidays. “It tends to appeal to people who have been to Asia a lot and are intrigued by the Sultanate.” There’s a fair amount to be intrigued
by. Negara Brunei Darussalam, to give the country its full title, is an Islamic
Clockwise from left: Ulu Ulu National Park Resort accommodation; chilis at the market; the luxe Empire hotel; locals at the mosque in BSB.
state with a highly colourful history. The sedate capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, (BSB) might not have the clout of Asia’s big metropolises, but it plays home to a labyrinth of water villages and some great mosques and museums, not to mention the Sultan’s 1,788-room royal palace. BSB is a springboard for visits to the lush
rainforest. Ulu Temburong National Park is two hours from the airport! Also a short distance is the country’s
best-known hotel. The Empire Hotel & Country Club is somewhat of a destination in itself. Built with the Sultan’s money, it’s gleaming with gold, diamond and marble embellishments, as well as a spa and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. It’s the only property in the country featured by both Premier Holidays and Kuoni, as well as Audley Travel. “The Empire is an impressive hotel. It’s
www.sellinglonghaul.com
had a lot of money thrown at it in its time,” says Nick Ghosh, Audley’s Southeast Asia product executive. “It’s one of the reasons that Brunei is such an interesting side-trip.” Brunei won’t ever be a mainstream destination. The fact that no alcohol is sold (customs allow two bottles of wine or spirits per person to be brought in)– doesn’t help. But its quirks are part of its charm, and Brunei can offer an off-the- beaten-track tropical experience.
“It’s incredibly interesting to see how Bandar Seri Begawan has developed since they discovered oil. The original royal palace is a fairly simple wooden house.”
April 2013 49
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