Visit of this very small country in Borneo Island, situated among Malay states Sabah and Sarawak, took us lot of effort and no less finances. Although we did knew there is nothing excepting beautiful mosque (Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin) in capital city Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB), we didn't want to miss this reach small country. Actually Brunei is cheapest and even easiest way to get from Sabah to Sarawak.

We spent in Brunei only one night and few hours of walking within capital city, so more than few following information we are not able to reproduce.

TRAVELING

Getting there and away:

We were getting there from Sabah state capital Kota Kinabalu by the boat through Labuan island (5 hours), from Labuan island to the Brunei harbor in Muara city (1-2 hours) and then by the bus from harbor to BSB. As your equipment don't forget to take something what will calm down your stomach. We have experienced very big waves what caused every member and staff of boat was vomiting all the time. Whole way from KK to BSB took us 12 hours including waiting and shopping cheap bear in Labuan island (2-3 MYR).

From Brunei to Miri city in Sarawak, we went by car, what we’ve negotiated in hotel for about 50 MYR, with some guy who went there to work. That cost little more than total price for bus, but much more effective because ride by car was much quicker and we've been in Miri at 10 in morning.

MONEY

Currency:
Brunei national currency is Brunei Dollar.

Costs:
These prices are from September 2006:

• Bottle of drinking water (1,5l): 1-2 B$
• Double room in budget hotel: 28-50 B$

In Brunei unfortunately doesn't exist negotiated prices.

After mentioned hard and long journey from KK to BSB we've been very hungry and absolutely resigned, we've decided for Pizza Hut. That was not good decide actually, pizza there costs around 25 US$ excluding refreshments. Worst was, that although we've been very hungry we couldn't finish nor one pizza, probably because we have had small stomach after all long day without any food. We've finished it morning.

ACCOMMODATION

Relatively cheap hotel recommended us one harbor employee in Maura, who was trying to communicate with us while we've waited 3 hours for bus to BSB city at the bus station in the middle of nowhere. We've been very happy with this suggestion; at least we do not have used other effort to searching one. This hotel was situated close to main bus station, hence was in the center of this smallest capital city what I've ever seen. The room there was according to Malay standard, clean, nice, shelter with shared bathroom. I'm not absolutely sure with the price, but I think that was around 28 B$.