Geographical position
Capital - Bandar Seri Begawan - located in the lower reaches of Brunei.
The most poignant moments in the discussion, to open the country for tourism or not, were quite free (within the meaning Muslims) like Europeans, and concerns about how people will interact with very different cultures, religions and social morality.
Typical for the modernization of the coastal zone does not affect the interior of the country, where still thriving subsistence farming. Another interesting fact is that outside of the country people from Brunei praktichseki not.
Local residents are tax exempt, many types of services, especially health and education (including overseas), are paid by the state, and the birthday of the Sultan of all gifts received. In addition, the state pays for the traditional annual pilgrimage to Mecca - "Hajj."
The first mention of the Chinese chroniclers of Brunei is at 6 n century. Oe. In the 10th century, Brunei was known as the "Buddhist Kingdom Srividzhaya empire of Sumatra," which probably was the prototype of the empire of Java. Brunei reached its heyday in the 16th century and played an important role in spreading Islam. At the time, like Portugal, Spain, Holland and Britain expanded its colonial possessions in Southeast Asia, the Sultan of Brunei have been able to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the state, despite the decrease in its territories and spheres of influence.
At that time, Brunei was a powerful state in the sixteenth century had occupied a considerable part of the island of Borneo and some neighboring islands. Life in the Sultanate of Brunei was in full swing: the sultans ruled the island, fought with neighbors and plundered in the surrounding seas. Dovoevalis to the fact that most of its lost territories.
Only in the 20s of last century, when the grandeur of the country's almost nothing left in the country have found oil. And Brunei became an overnight fabulously rich country.
Things to do
Interesting attractions for foreign visitors can be safely attributed the local air. If we have it actually is not visible, then in Brunei touched the body of a warm, sticky substance can feel all the time. It seems that it is not difficult to touch, it is possible to dip or wrapped in a bundle on memory. Strolling through the streets, as if to lay a corridor in the air mass, like a swim in the water.
Bandar Seri Begawan
The capital and only city in the country, it seems too big for its 60-thousand population. This is a very clean modern city with wide roads and high-rise buildings, mosques and markets mnogchislennymi. Some fabulous luxury goods on the streets of the capital of Brunei's Bandar Seri Begawan will not see: neither the splendor of Asian palaces, nor the charm of antiquity, no other strange things. Is that the main mosque of the state, surrounded by water flaunt Tutong white swan, striking in its architectural delights and size. Urban buildings for the most part nothing remarkable.
Another thing - the central part of Bandar Seri Begawan. The island of the same type of shabby houses rectangles, hovering above the muddy water on stilts in the middle of Tutong, introduced in the usual landscape of the modern city the very colorful zest. Live here are not the poorest people, who did not get sushi. In most cases, the owner of such huts very successful person has an expensive car and live in prosperity, many citizens simply trying Sultanate way to keep this identity pieces of Southeast Asia.
Mosque of Omar Ali Saifuddin - one of the most beautiful modern mosques in the East. Built in 1958, the giant mosque with golden dome is close to the river in its own artificial lagoon. The interiors of the mosque - a luxury: the walls are decorated with marble and Italian mosaics on the floors and the beds are soft carpets.
The magnificent palace of the Sultan - Istana Nurul Iman opened to the public only at the end of Ramadan and is striking for its unusual architectural forms, building luxurious harem, and the world's largest private collection of cars, among which there are not only rare but unique copies, many of which are created the world's best manufacturers of specially commissioned by the Sultan and exist in a single copy.
Dzherudong Park - a huge sports complex, which is under the personal patronage of the Sultan, to the stadium for the positive (a favorite sport of the Sultan), a luxurious lawn and field for the game of golf and excellent conditions and facilities for croquet. Unfortunately, access to tourists Dzherudong Park is allowed only if you have been officially invited by a member of the club. Not far from the playground Dzherudong Park is a beautiful new theme park with a huge range of entertainment.
Near the park is located Dzherudong-Beach, one of the few modern and equipped beaches in the country. The beach is decorated with beautiful cliffs. Near it are trademarks of the series, where you can buy fresh fish and other seafood.
Hassan Bolkiah National Stadium - one of the best sports facilities in Southeast Asia. It was built by Olympic standards, and includes track and field and field complex, tennis center, squash courts and a swimming pool. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the field of international standard at the club statutory and large golf complex near the capital's airport.
Kampung Ayer District - a complex of 28 traditional villages of the pile, from time immemorial under construction on the river by local residents of Brunei. About 30,000 people still live in this area, which is a strange mix of modern technology and ancient customs. Kampung Ayer Visit will probably be the highlight of your trip to Brunei.
Uasai Kandal - a beautiful natural area of the equatorial forest with dozens of waterfalls and rapids of water. This paradise is located about 12 km south-west of Bandar Seri Begawan. The wide paved road leads to the waters and rapids Air Terdzhun Tinggi - the most impressive local attractions.
Batang Duri, Temburong River located at 40 km to the south-east of the capital, is the starting point for Malaysian Kuala Lumpur and the well-known international scientific and educational natural Belalong Field Research Center, which explores the equatorial flora and fauna, and has worked to protect the unique, almost untouched by human hand, the wild forest.
There is also a small zoo Batang Duri Taman, where rare species are bred Civetta, monkeys, otters and birds.
Peradeyan - the most accessible forest in Brunei. Its wildlife includes many interesting local species of animals - squirrels, tree shrews, primates and endemic deer mouse - tiny reindeer representative, the size is actually slightly superior to rodents.
The only problem is that most of these animals - "night people", so watching them requires a lot of exposure and attention. At the reserve there are picturesque peaks and Bukit Bukit Patoy Peradeyan, which give the local landscape ocharovnie particular, as well as provide habitat for a variety of other living beings, it is believed that live here have not yet described by science types.
Temburong
Eastern District Temburong is the main ecological zone of the country, filled with wet evergreen forests, rivers and marshes, which give shelter to millions of living beings. The main attractions of the area - an excellent National Park Ulu Teburong, nature trail Bukit Pato, and colorful ethnic villages, ethnic Iban habitat, malay and murut.
National Park Ulu Teburong located within the vast array of tropical forest Batu APOI, an area of approximately 50,000 hectares. Because of its relatively remote location, rugged terrain and through the efforts of the state is able to maintain a natural environment with a large variety of plants and animals.
Bela district - the center of oil and gas industry. In 1929 in the Seria oil was discovered, and in 1932 started its commercial production. Since this is the main source of income for this small sultanate. Well, part of the S-1, where the first oil was discovered, even built a monument-Billion-Barrel Monument, celebrating, as the name implies, produce one billion barrels of oil. Despite this, the government is trying to preserve here the natural environment that has characterized Belaita before the start of commercial oil production.
In Belarus for tourists will be interesting to Preserve Sungay-Liang (about 70 km from Bandar Seri Begawan) - one of the few areas of lowland tropical forest in Southeast Asia, but also the protection of nature and the role it performs the recreational area where you can just relax close to nature.
Traditional cuisine
Many local food can cause an unexpected reaction from the unadapted organism. The islands of Southeast Asia known for its culinary traditions, formed from the East Asian "continental" culinary schools and local FPIC cooking. Arab, Indian and Chinese influence on Brunei kitchen visible to the naked eye, that in view of the colorful cuisine of the peoples of Borneo Brunei dishes attached to their own style of cooking.
The basis of the diet is, of course, rice. Most often it is prepared absolutely fresh, just as a side dish, shielding, and emphasizes the taste of the main course. Sometimes a figure painted by various natural dyes directly into the cooking process, boiled in broth or steamed, fried with spices and vegetables, stewed with water or coconut milk for dessert tenderize in coconut milk and mixed with bananas and other fruits, as well as make the rice crisps , rice cake "ketupat", rice noodles, a variety of baked goods made with rice flour and rice puddings, just grilled with various ingredients and served with vegetables, richly flavored sauce. Purely Brunei dish is considered a mixture of boiled rice and green beans, which is richly flavored sauces and served to many dishes.
Broadest application are vegetables, bamboo shoots, soy, coconut milk and even fruit. The natural conditions for growing of Brunei is a wide range of fruits and vegetables, starting with a completely ordinary banana, papaya or pineapple, and durian fruits to exotic, chempedaka, Tarapov, rambutan, langsara (lansiuma) beluny, aces-ur-ura and membangana. One of the most typical local vegetables is a "long bob" (Vigna sinensis), which is a long (3 m) and a thin edible pods, walking in curries and many other dishes.
Brunei - a fairly strict Muslim country, even here there is a Ministry of Religious Affairs, which monitors compliance with Islamic rules and promotes Islam in all aspects of life. Virtually all of life Bruneians revolves around Islam, "adat" or "common law" governs many aspects of both personal and social life of local residents. Some things and deeds are forbidden ('haram'), while others are permitted but not encouraged ("makruh"), and there's a whole layer of the events that fall under the term "halal", that is permitted by a Muslim.
The Constitution, however, take into account the features of other religions who professed people of the country, carried out and the right to full religious freedom. Moreover, in some well-known Islamic norms are made explicit concessions, and local residents have a reputation for liberals - Women in Brunei freely walk in the national as well as in European clothes, serve in the police, drive cars and participate in public life. Nevertheless, women are urged not to wear the dress of the calling with open knees and bareheaded. Lightweight long-sleeved clothing is acceptable, but when visiting places of worship and business activities should be pre-specify all the terms and conditions that are suitable for this case.
Bruneians are generally very tolerant and very easy to forgive the foreign minor violations of local rules and customs. However, compliance with local laws only emphasizes respect for the guest to the culture and customs of this country, which is considerably facilitates communication and understanding. When visiting a mosque, all visitors must remove their shoes and leave it at the door (similar to the rate applicable to the input of the local housing). Women must cover the head and knees to have a closed clothing and wrist.
Consumption of pork and alcohol is prohibited in Brunei, but private consumption of wine by non-Muslims in hotels and some restaurants are allowed (by the public should not do it). Do not eat meat, cooked without complying with Islamic rules, to touch his head a stranger (even children) to touch the Koran, or pass in front of the man bowed in prayer. Use your left hand if you can not transfer anything, this part of the body of Islam is "evil." Smoking is not encouraged.
Festivals
Most festivals are a celebration of Brunei with a pronounced religious character, or mark the anniversary of important historical events of the Sultanate. Dates of religious festivals are based on the Islamic calendar, so that the precise timing of their implementation does not exist.
Ramadan is one of the most important events in the calendar of Brunei. In celebration of Hari Raya, the door-Aydulfitri Brunei Royal Palace open to the public, and all the mosques of the country hold holiday services. The second day of Hari Raya, usually mark-Aydulfitri inviting all friends to visit, even His Majesty Sultan opens the door to his palace, Istana Nurul--Iman. Hari Raya-or-Eydiladha Hari Raya is celebrated, the Qur'an during the "hajj" (the holy pilgrimage to Mecca). During this period, the usual practice, are donations to the poor.
Chinese New Year is celebrated by all Chinese community of Brunei and lasts two weeks. It begins with a festive 'reunion dinner' before, which is visited by all members of the family, and continues a sumptuous dinner in every house and street parades. On the same note and scale of the Christian Christmas.
Of great interest for most visitors is the country's National Day (February 23) when the capital at the National Stadium, numerous parades, folkloric presentation and fireworks. Armed Forces Day parade is accompanied by many in the main square of the capital and most populated areas of the country, as well as various exhibitions and cultural events.
Visa
Russian citizens need a visa for entry. The normal term of paperwork at the embassy - about 2 weeks.
A good place for active recreation!