1.04 to 2.04.09, 1 day, currency rate 1 € = 2 B (Brunei dollar, the same value as the Singapore dollar)

highlights - the country is clean and orderly, but it is like a bridge between the rich Arab countries, and the religious Islamic regime – you won’t find any of the above here. An interesting fact is the high standard of living - literacy reaches 94%, the average life age is 77 years, everyone gets a pension, there is free health care and education, and sports centers, cheap loans and discounts on the many purchases (including cars), short work week, lack of income tax and the highest minimum wage in the region. Sultan of Brunei is considered one of the world's richest men, thanks to oil. I was surprised when I have seen the oil pumps in the lawn of city suburbs, just next to residential blocks.

We stopped just in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. There is not much to do there - because you need few hours to see  illuminated Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Sultan Palace. There also the night life doesn’t exist, everything is closed early. So we walked along the waterfront where you can eat well in local stalls. Thus, we reached the water village (Kampung Ayer). I experienced a little shock - it can be said that the rich mosque is next to the poor slums. The old, wooden, crooked houses are build on piles. Contrast is surprising. However, it is safe, residents are friendly. Only passing them on high, partly rotten foot bridges without handrail was a bit lack of comfort. In such a rich country I didn’t expect such a view in the capital centre - I recommend to see it.

accommodation – we slept in Pusat Belia, the cleanest hostel I have ever seen. Dormitories are separate for men and women and  cost 10 B per person (5 €) in 4-person air-conditioned room. This youth hostel is situated 5 minutes walk north from the bus station in Bandar Seri Begawan.

transport - the first bus to the harbour in Muara leaving at  6:30 am. Ferries to the Malaysian island of Pulau Labuan depart from 7:30 am, but there is confusion and frequent changes. You must pay the ticket price and extra 2 B departure tax. If you will be short with Brunei currency you can pay in Malaysian ringgits as well. Unfortunately there wasn’t immediately call from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu, you have to spend several hours on this duty-free island (cheap alcohol and cigarettes). We saw a direct bus from the capital to Kota Kinabalu leaving at 8 am. In this case, however, you must go through a lot of border check points - first to Sarawak, then again to Brunei, once more to Sarawak, and finally to the Sabah province.

day	destination	transport	price in B	€/ pp	duration	km
6	Kuala Belait - Seria	bus	1 B	€0.5	30 min	20
6	Seria - Bandar Seri Begawan	bus	6 B	€3.0	2 h	90
7	Bandar Seri Begawan - Muara	bus	2 B	€1.0	40 min	25
7	Muara - Pulau Labuan (Malaysia)	express boat	15 B + 2 B tax	€8.5	1.5 h	35
				€13.0		170