Bandar Seri Begawan

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1-21-06

Yesterday morning we hired a tour guide to take us around Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brueni. We climbed in a small boat which was going to take us up the Brunei river to see Proboscis monkeys. On the way I saw a 6 foot crocadile slide into the water. The boat stooped next too mangrove trees and we used binoculars to spot the monkeys. We saw them immediatley in the trees swinging around. The large ones were about 4 feet tall, had big wierd noses and they were very bulky. The females had smaller noses and they weren't as big. From far away it looked like they were wearing golden jackets.

Our boat driver pointed out a flying fox, which is a type of bat. We saw iguanas and another type of monkey and an eagle. The mosquitoes were fierce in the mangroves so we had to move on.

Our next stop was a village on the river built on stilts. There were wooden boardwalks connecting the houses. There were puffer fish and jumping fish under the houses. The jumping fish could walk or jump over the mudflats. we got invitd in a house and had tea and coconut cakes wrapped in palm leaves. The house was very nice even though it was built over a river.

We visited the National Museum that had everything about the Sultan and all of the past Sultans. There was an an exhibit on oil and gas, prayer books, and treasures form shipwrecks. The next museum was just about the Sultan, coronations, his throne, and all the gifts that were given to him. A lot of American Presidents have given the Sultan gifts.

The Sultan of Brunei built a Mosque for his people. It had a giant golden dome and tall towers. We took the stairs going up to it, but the Sultan had his own escalator. Inside the Mosque there were giant chandaliers and 1000 squares of carpet which people would sit and pray on. After we admired this beautiful Mosque, we went to the Empire Hotel.

The Empire Hotel was built by the Sultan's brother for 1 billion dollars. It was very tall, all marble and granite and had 460 rooms total. It had 12 elevators, escalators, and lots of glass looking out at the South China Sea. The cheapest room was $200.00 while the most expensive was $22,000 (which was occupied by the crown prince). Dad and I visited the second most expensive suite since we couldn't get in to the most expensive one. Outside there were giant swimming pools, one of which was salt water. I had high tea while there which was mostly chocolate desserts.

We flew the next day to Sydney, Australia

From Christie:

I just had to add that Brunei was the first country we visited that is owned by a Sultan. The country is incredibly rich because of offshore oil. The brother of the Sultan built the Empire Hotel as well as the Jiradong Amusement Park and spent billions of the countries money (or his money since there is no difference between the Sultan and the country). We went to Jiradong Amusement Park because it is the biggest in the world. What a dissapointment it was... all the good rides were closed and we were almost the only people there. We walked around in the unlit park looking for a ride here and there feeling like we had stepped into another dimension, or were on the planet after a nuclear holocaust. Paris got some satisfaction in doing the go-carts over and over.

Brunei was very modern and no poverty. It is a very small country and strictly Muslim.

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Photos

Flight to Brunei
Flying form Malaysia to Brunei with Mnt. Kinabalu in the background.

Jiradong Park
A NOT so amusing park. Sorry it is such a dark photo, but that was just the way it was, dark and spooky.

Poster
Don't do drugs.

Brunei River
Boat ride to look for Proboscis monkeys.

Monkey
Yes, if you blow up this picture you will see a proboscis monkey.

Flying Fox
This bat is huge and hanging upside down in the tree.

House on Stilts
River village house.

Boardwalks
The tide is out so the boardwalks keep you over the mud flats. Even the schools are on stilts. No bugs when you live on the river.

Tea
Tea and coconut cakes in the river village.

Sultan
Sultan's coronation museum complete with people-pulled chariots.

Mosque
Mom and Natalie had to put on black robes before entering the prayer room.During prayer, they would have gone to another room, women only.

Sultan
The largest residence in the world, they say. The basement garage holds 2,000 cars.

Empire Hotel
Big. The Empire Suite was book so we had to settle for high tea in the lobby.

Australia
Dad made a friend at the sandwhich shop that rented us his basement apartment with a view of Sydney and a pool!

Look What We Found!
The Diamond Princess! If we had only stayed onboard.

Whole 'nother Country
Downtown Sydney.

Comments

[Nancy Schwarz]

Hi Everyone, Nothing new here in Los Altos..Just hanging out with the kids and working hard. Have had back to back colds since Xmas. Christina might be coming here to stay in May..We have a little house in the back of our house..i hope she stays for a couple of months..we will see if she likes it. By for now.. Nancy, Ady, Briana, JJ and John

[Auntie Virginia & Kelsey]

Crocodile Hunter's autograph
My son is convinced that you will be seeing Crocodile Hunter. He excitedly wrote a letter to you last night and would like you to get Crocodile Hunter's, Steve Irwin's) autograph. Heck they live somewhere on that little island right? So I ask you please send me an address where I can send this letter. His last missive before going to sleep was " I can't wait to get Crocodile Hunter's autograph". Kelsey puts Steve Irwin right up there with Santa Claus so consider this your mission. (Your mission should you choose to accept.)