Leave that BLACK box: A Trip to a so-called ISLAMIC COUNTRY

Since our blog is focusing on the way to have fun in life, I (Nurfarahin Zahiridin) would like to share to you guys about my totally exciting experience... A trip to a foreign country...hehehe..

Last year, i got a chance to go to Brunei. Actually, the main reason my family and i went there was to visit my father’s friend and his family (I called him Abang Haris).

13 Dec 2012 (Thursday)

From Senai Airport, we landed to Miri Airport, Sarawak . As we arrived at nearly 9.00 pm, Abg Haris suggested us to sleep at Miri Hotel and enter Brunei the next day. And.....we were very suprised to see that he pay for the hotel fee (for 4 of us : my father, my mother, me and my sister)....Alhamdulillah...hehehe...

14 Dec 2012 (Friday)

We entered Brunei through the Imegression post and Custom post. I like to hightlight that the boarder between these two country is quite invisible...you will not realize that you exactly at the other country as the post is old-school type (not as high-tech as S’pore-JB)...

After Jumaat prayer, Abg Haris bought us to Grand City Hotel, Gadong..to our suprised...AGAIN...he paid the hotel fee...Alhamdulillah...

That day, we went to several places..there are
·         Masjid Jame’ Asr Hasanal Bolkiah
·         Aminah Arif Restaurant ( tried out AMBUYAT-traditional food)
·         Pasar Gadong (just like Pasar Malam in M’sia- Gadong means Green)

This is ambuyat...made up from "sagu rumbia"
They process the rumbia until it become flour..

This is the way they make "Nasi Katok" (just like Nasi Lemak) @ Pasar Gadong

15 Dec 2013 (Saturday)

On second day, we went to some other places to know Brunei better..So, these are the places that we pay a visit...
·         Muzium Brunei
·         Muzium Teknologi Melayu
·         Yayasan Hasanal Bolkiah (among the earliest and famous shopping mall in Bandar Seri Begawan)
·         Masjid As-Solihin (this mosque is built inside the Brunei Administrative Area – just like Putrajaya)

Brunei also got something like "Tanggang"
They claim that this rock is one of his ship part..the other part is sinking..

School above the water

Floating Mosque

Floating petrol station..for boats to fill up their tanks

View of Kampong Air from Yayasan Hasanal Bolkiah

Can you see the sign in JAWI??
Actually it is crucial for all shops to show their sign in JAWI even for Chinese

Another Jawi sign... (That's my father)

Masjid As-Solihin

Palm tree..hehe.."pokok kurma" planted inside the mosque area..
Trust me,,the mosque smells just like smell in Masjidil Haram..

After Maghrib prayer, we had a good time playing some games at JERUDONG THEME PARK...but sincerely, the theme park is not so crowded with people like one in Genting Highland and whatnot..and the games provided are not so adventurous and exciting.. (Brunei people are too nice to play that stuffs)

16 Dec 2012 (Sunday)

Galeri Kampong Air

This is one of the government project
They build up the more structured and well organized house
in order to maintain the "Kampong Air " heritage

Temburong...as you can see, Temburong district is separated from the other district..actually, there are two ways to go there either through highway or river..so..we choose to travel by boat..across the wide river...

People in Temburong seems like shopping at Bandar Seri Begawan..so whatever stuffs they buy..they will put in on the boat roof especially for electrical devices..

Inside the Regalia Museum Building. We are only allowed to take picture here. All things in this museum belong to the Royal family and visitors can view them freely (not so free as they are highly secured inside the glass)

How generous they are??

Their traditional food...

!7 Dec 2012 (Monday)

Oil and Gas Discovery Centre
One Billionth Barrel Monument

Optical illusion!!

Totally the heart of Brunei..their main economic source
Once they reach one billionth barrel (on sea and land), Sultane build up this monument
Now, they have more than one billion barrels..