My first visit to Brunei was work-related in April 1992. (It is officially called the ‘Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace’ or Negara Brunei Darussalam in Malay.) There was no problem entering the country but my exit became problematic. Why? Because I misplaced (no excuse – I was damn stupid!) my immigration card and that started the drama with the immigration officer. More on this in my next article about Missing Immigration Card in Brunei. Lesson learned: always staple your exit immigration card on your passport!
Four districts (called daerah in Malay) constitute the principal administrative divisions of Brunei. These are: (1) Brunei-Muara (where the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan is located), (2) Belait, (3) Tutong and (4) Temburong. In my succeeding trips, we went all the way to Temburong District. Not many are aware that Temburong (easternmost district is an exclave; hence, it is geographically separated from the rest of Brunei by Malaysia and Brunei Bay. This least explored area is geographically-separated from the three (?) other territorial districts.
I shall also narrate my other observations in Bandar Seri Begawan such as the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the coastal houses on stilts. As for the latter, it’s worth remembering the description of Antonio Pigafetta (an Italian historian), Ferdinand Magellan’s historian-on-board, during their Brunei sojourn as part of their circumnavigation voyage of the world.
