An overnight layover in Brunei (1) was copious time to see the sights in Bandar Seri Bagawan, the country's capital. While surrounded by Malaysia, the Sultan of Brunei chose not to join the country in the 1960s; he did want to share the oil revenue from the rich deposits offshore with the rest of Malaysia (1). The Sultan opted instead to remain a British colony until 1984.
Across the Brunei River lies the "floating" village of Kampong Ayer. Wandering to the dock, a small powerboat boat soon appeared and ferried me across (2). The village does not float, but is built in stilts, with rickety docks connecting the houses. Rain soon started, but it was not a passing shower.
Back across the river, the call to prayer rang out from the large Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, as I walked back to the hotel in the rain. On the flight out next morning me and two flight attendant were the only ones in the aft economy cabin.
(1) Officially Brunri Darusalam (Land of Peace).
(2) At one time, he was reputed to be the richest man in the world.
(3) "You don't want to go see the monkeys?" He asked in surprise.
At the floating village
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque on a rainy tropical night
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