Special Sights in Bandar Seri Begawan
Posted July 3, 2026 by Jan
Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan
19 June, 2026
Salam Alaicum,
The Special Sights I visited in Brunei:
Located in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the largest and most opulent mosque in Brunei. It features 29 magnificent golden domes that represent the current Sultan of Brunei, the 29th ruler.
Completed in 1994, the mosque was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sultan's reign. The building features grand marble staircases and intricate marble fountains.
A massive, magnificent gold chandelier hangs directly from the center of the dome, serving as a primary focal point that illuminates the wide prayer space. The mosque is capable of accommodating up to 5,000 worshippers.
The site is popular with visitors who can enjoy free entry, but are required to dress modestly. Robes available for use.
The Ash-Shaliheen Mosque is also located in Bandar Seri Begawan. This mosque is the opposite of opulent. I much prefer its simple lines and humble color. I am remined of the architecture I had seen in North Africa and Central Asia. It features unique Moroccan-inspired architecture,characterized by sand-colored walls and distinct blue-green domes.
The mosque is situated near the Prime Minister's Office and is a popular place of worship for locals and visitors alike.
At midday today, a Friday in BSB, I take a long walk from my hotel to destinations unknown!
Eventually the sidewalk/roadway begins to rise. I keep walking. What will I find below and beyond the rise?
Situated along the Kedayan River, I find the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park. The park was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary (Silver Jubilee) of the ascension to the throne of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The main structure features five Islamic-style arched entrances representing the Five Pillars of Islam, twenty-five spiral columns signifying the Sultan's 25-year reign, and a large terraced water fountain representing the Sultan.
The facilities of the Park include a circular 12-point star mound at the entrance, parking places, jogging tracks, exercise equipment, and children's play areas.
I examine the flora. I spy one fascinating "leaning" tree and three "golden"potted plants. (See the captions on the photos.)
I am alone here. I assume the children and their families are at home today on Friday, the Muslim Sabbath.
Peace,
Jan
Out and About
Posted June 29, 2026 by Jan
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei
23 June 2026
Hello,
A word about Brunei:
Brunei is an Absolute Hereditary Monarchy. The Sultan is the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Head of State.
Brunei enjoys massive oil and natural gas reserves.
The citizens receive housing subsidies, automobile subsidies, free education and free health care. Everyone is neat and well-dressed.
I do not see a motor bike or motorcycle or any public transportation vehicle.
Late model cars and SUVs speed along multi-lane roads and streets. All the roads are modern and immaculate.
The citizens I meet are civil and generous. At the airport the Currency Exchange Agent cheerfully exchanges US Dollars and Thai Baht to Brunei Dollars. The Telephone Company Agent patiently inserts a Brunei SIM card. He then calls DART, the local ride app, and books a taxi for me from the airport to the hotel.
The hotel staff are exceptionally helpful.
My English-speaking guide/driver is knowledgeable and patient with his slow-moving passenger. In fact, all the customer-contact people including shop-keepers and restaurant staff, perhaps everyone speaks English.
The crosswalks along the main streets have “zebras” at many locations. As I walk along a sidewalk and approach a crosswalk, traffic in both directions comes to a stop as the drivers anticipate that I may turn and try to cross the road.
On my long walk from the hotel to the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Monument, a driver stops, comes out of his car and asks if I need help or want a ride somewhere. He asks several times.
The only complaint I have is the limited selection of mostly bland menu items. (I’m spoiled, I admit. I do live in Thailand.)
I made two decisions regarding this final Photo Gallery from Brunei.
Normally I post a photo gallery with a specific location or subject. For example, Mosque or Temple, Special Scenery, or Flora or Fauna.
This time the photos I selected are in chronological order: From my first Buffet Breakfast that coincided with the Muslim New Year Celebration to the final night shots and the illuminated bridges.
I also edied the photographs or left them in their original configuration to try to match the theme of the title of the gallery: “Out and About in BSB.”
Finally, my recent chore has been to identify each image to the best of my ability. Google Lens!
So please, come out and about with me as I visit the capital city of this unusual little country.
Cheers,
Jan
Brunei River Cruise
Posted June 28, 2026 by Jan
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Darussalam (pop 460,000)
16 June 2026
Hello,
After my arrival in the capital BSB I wandered from my hotel to the nearby Brunei River. For the next day I booked a river cruise.
Brunei is a small country of only 5,765 square kilometers, (2,226 square miles). Brunei is located on the northern edge of Borneo – an enormous Indonesian Island. Sarawak and Saba, two states of Malaysia are also located on the northern edge of the island They are neighbors of Brunei.
Despite the cities on the coasts and settlements and villages scattered around the interior of the island, Borneo is mostly jungle.
The banks of the Brunei River are lined with trees and more trees and an occasional monkey and certainly unseen crocodiles.
Several small settlements and the edge of the world’s largest Floating Village “Kampong Ayer” on stilts also appear. Finally, the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge (RIPAS Bridge).
The South China Sea beckons. Come along with me. Maybe we’ll spot a monkey or two. Crocodiles, probably not.
Cheers,
Jan
What I Found in Trang
Posted April 27, 2026 by Jan
Trang City
Trang Province
Thailand
April 24, 2026
Hello,
A late start today. My guide needs a new battery for his phone. While I wait, I wander around town.
We ride toward Na Muen Sri Weaving Village. The shop sells colorful clothing made from the textiles that are woven here. Out back two women operate the clattering shuttle looms. The ladies are pleased to see us but concentrate on their work.
On our way back to town, we stop at the Robinson Department Store for an early lunch at the Food Court. I order a soup. The lady server warns me that it’s spicy. I respond, No Problem. Believe me, it was spicy! So I comment to the lady, Very Spicy! We laugh!
Now we’re on a pilgrimage to visit several religious sites in town. First a Buddhist temple known for its outstanding wall paintings. Then a Cave Temple. Then a one-hundred-year-old Church. Then a Mosque. Then a temple with an enormous stupa.
A Christian Church? The Trang Protestant Church (1915). Nine to ten thousand Christians in the area. 1.5 % of the population.
A Mosque? Madinah al-Islam Mosque. Muslims account for almost 20% of the local population. There are at least nine major mosques in Trang Province which is on the Malay Peninsula. The Malaysia border is 170 km or just 106 miles to the south.
Finally, we ride out of town to visit a hilltop temple that is in its final stages of decoration.
An exhausting day.
What about dinner?
I walk to the Night Food Market. My favorites are grilled chicken and mixed vegetables.
I’m not finished. I need a souvenir.
At a clothing shop I spot the most outrageous shirt I can find. It’s one of just two in my size. I buy them both.
This trip to Trang was important for me… an “ice breaker.” For two years I hadn’t flown anywhere or been anywhere except my apartment in Bangkok or my little getaway at Jomtien Beach. (I’m not complaining! I know I am fortunate.) But… Did I lose the energy or the gumption to travel?
The short flights were surprising. At my destination I just walk off the plane into the airport and out to a taxi. No Immigration! No Customs!
Just wandering around town or making purchases at the Food Court or the Night Market is a delight. I am in Thailand!
(Is Bangkok Thailand? Is New York the USA? Is Pattaya/Jomtien Thailand? Is Miami/Fort Lauderdale the USA?)
Trang town is busy yet calm. In Thailand you never ever hear a horn beep. In Trang there are almost no other tourists. I did see a young (Russian?) family one day and one or two foreigners at the mall. Yet, I feel at home! Welcome. Comfortable. Relaxed. Safe. I am home.
Also, I am illiterate. I can’t read a sign or write a message or even understand a nearby conversation. My spoken Thai vocabulary is modest. I can say Delicious and ask Where’s the bathroom? I can name the days of the week. I can count. I can ask the price and I understand the answer.
The Spicy Soup Lady at the mall? Conversation in Thai. The Grilled Chicken Lady at the Night Market? She assumes I don’t speak Thai so she holds up four fingers. I respond “See sip Baht.” Forty Baht.
The shirt lady and the hotel reception staff speak English. The cleaning staff? Not so much. I do my best and they smile.
Thai people are so generous. When I do speak a few words, they usually respond, “Put Thai Keng!” Which means, “You speak Thai very well!” I smile and respond, “Kop Khun Krop. Thank you.” Apparently, I have a good accent in Thai.
Yet I Never Lost my New York City Accent.
But, in Trang… I Found my Travel Mojo!
See ya,
Jan
PS On 16 June, I fly to Bandar Seri Begawan.
FYI The Clock Tower Keeps Accurate Time.
Questions: What is a Dugong?
Who is Kinaree?
Botanic Garden and Waterfalls
Posted April 26, 2026 by Jan