Miri + Brunei Trip 2017: My First Solo Trip in Brunei

[Itinerary]

All the places which I visit is free of charge but before go in need to take off the shoes.  I spent around 1 ½ hours in exploring Brunei. It is quite rush but fun too.

Mercu Dirgahayu 60

The Mercu Dirgahayu 60 is a birthday gift presented by the people of Brunei to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on his 60th birthday. It symbolizes their gratitude, loyalty, and support for the leadership of the Sultan of Brunei in achieving peace, integrity, prosperity and progress for Brunei Darussalam.

It is in Waterfront and near with Tourism Information Centre.

Teng Yun Temple

I passed by this temple when want go back to bus station.

Memorial Clock

The Timepiece Monument is a memorial clock monument build in 1959 to commemorate the visit of the King of Malaysia.  It is in the heart of the city and it functions as a “Zero-Mile-Clock” used to indicate the starting point of distances between Bandar Seri Begawan and other places in Brunei.

Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

OmarAli Saifuddien Mosque is an Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque is often considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific, it is a place of worship for the Muslim community, a major historical site and a famous tourist attraction of Brunei.

From bus station, on the way to my first destination. A man shouted I and I thought my things fall in floor and he told me. Actually, he is promoting the water village package. As I did not has time to explore so I declined his offer. Then he said can take me to mosque by using short cut. I can walk by myself but what can I do, I just followed him. If has anything wrong, I will run away. When I saw the mosque, I thanks for his help.

That time was so hot, I took few pictures at outside of mosque.

I saw can go in visit but need take off shoe and wear robe. Inside cannot take photos and the walking place is limited. Before returned the robe, I asked staff helped me to take picture.

On the way from mosque to Royal Regalia Building, I saw Radio Television Brunei (RTB). When I small, my TV channel has RTB.

Royal Regalia Building

The Royal Regalia Museum (Malay: Muzium Alat Kebesaran Diraja), previously known as the Royal Regalia Building (Malay: Bangunan Alat Kebesaran Diraja) is a museum located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. The museum mainly houses the regalia of the Sultan and the royalty, as well as exhibits related to the commemorations of the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's rule of Brunei. The Royal Regalia Museum was officially opened on 30 September 1992 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

When the bus passed this building, I thought Royal Regalia Museum closed as the door closed. When I reached, I just knew that it is automatic door therefore when no people go in, it will close. At here also need take off shoe before go in.

When go in, the bag and hand phone need put into locker as inside no allow photography. I take the locker’s key from counter. I like to see the gift received by Sultan Brunei that is beautiful and interesting. Inside has souvenir corner that sell postcard, keychain, magnet and many more.

Brunei History Centre

The Brunei History Centre (Malay: Pusat Sejarah Brunei, abbreviated as PSB) is a government institution which conducts research, documentation, publication and dissemination on matters pertaining to the history of Brunei.

Compare with Royal Regalia Museum, at this Centre did not has many things to see and less people visit.

Kampung Ayer (World’s Largest Water Village)

Tourism Center

Miri + Brunei Trip 2017: One Day Trip in Brunei (Bus)

[Itinerary]

From online source stated that it has a bus stop near with E-Mart Riam but from Google Map, I cannot see the bus stop. The reason I chose to take bus in E-Mart Riam [8:30am-11:04am] because it is early reach in Brunei compare bus from Bus Terminal Pujut [8:15am-11:19am].

Before 8 am, I reached E-Mart Riam but the GrabCar driver did not know the location of bus stop therefore I go look around. I asked a staff in 7-11 convenience shop and been informed that the only bus stop is go to town. Therefore, I just thinking whether want to go Bus Terminal Pujut or not as the bus will leave on 8:15 am. Do I manage to catch the bus at there?

Lastly, I booked for GrabCar to go Bus Terminal Pujut. Upon reach Bus Terminal Pujut, a man asked me to go into the bus. I felt weird and stated that I want go to Brunei and he pointed the bus ticketing counter. I did not know which bus ticketing counter did he pointed. When he saw me go to wrong bus ticketing counter, he shouted me and told me go to the last bus ticketing counter.

A last bus ticketing counter, the staff told me that the bus will leaving soon so direct go to the bus. He also pointed the bus to me but I also did not know which bus do he pointed. I cannot find the bus and random went into a bus and asked the driver. The driver pointed the bus next to his bus. At this time, the Brunei bus slowly moving. Oh no….

The Brunei bus driver did saw me and I waved to him and asked, “Can I go Brunei?”. He nod his head and open the bus door for me. Finally, I can go to Brunei. The bus driver assistant asked for passport and paid RM 50 to him. I need to fill in Arrival and Departure Card.

In Malaysia Immigration, I need to return the small paper of “30 Days Stay in Sarawak” and my passport been stamped. The bus driver assistant assist us in Immigration. As the bus only has four people (Me, a man and a couple) so the process is very fast.

After that, we went into the bus. Around few minutes, we reached Brunei Immigration. My passport also been stamped in here. It did not has many people in Brunei Immigration. After that, the journey started.

Around 11pm, I reached Bus Stop in Jalan McArthur or Waterfront. It is quite fast than what I expected because the bus direct to Waterfront instead stop at Serian or Kuala Belait as everyone want to go Waterfront.

The bus did stop in Petro station to fill in petrol. The petrol price in Brunei is cheaper than Malaysia, around RM1++ while Malaysia started at RM2++.

When go down from bus, I asked the bus driver assistant about the bus ticket counter for return. He told me that inside the bus to pay for bus ticket and the same bus will back to Miri. After that, I crossed the road and started my solo trip.

Around 12.30pm, I went into the bus and the bus will leave on 1pm. Inside the bus has many passengers compare morning. Some foreigners also same bus with me.

Around 3pm, the bus reach Serian, wait for 15 minutes, and went to Kuala Belait. When saw the Immigration, it means that I am closely to Terminal Bus Pujut. Around 1 hour, the bus reached bus stop.