Brunei

Brunei is an Islamic Monarchy, located between Malaysian Borneo and a cheapish flight from KL. The ruler of Brunei is the Sultan, who is the head of state, absolute monarch (no elections and no functional political parties), and the equivalent of Prime Minister. In 1997, he was named the richest man in the world. His name is General Haji Sir Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, but we will just refer to him as "His Majesty" going forward. Coincidentally, his birthday is July 15th and it kicks off a month of birthday celebrations. I made it in time to join in the festivites. But in a country that doesnt have alcohol, how fun can the celebrations actually be?

Everyone in KL asked me why I was coming here, and it was mainly because I've never met anyone who has been here. I may be a late adopter of technology like google mail and iphones, but I fashion myself a bit of a travel trailblazer. Anyhow, as it turns out, Brunei is an excellent destination to update my blog.

There are about 370,000 people in this oil rich nation smaller in size than Delaware, and everyone has private cars. There are only 40 taxis in Brunei and even less public transport, so you better believe I was elbowing old women and children in my path to get to the taxi stand. There are about 2 sights in Brunei, and I did them both in under 3 hours.

First up is the Royal Regalia Museum, which features regalia from His Majesty's coronation ceremony in 1968, photos from his childhood, and all the gifts he has received from foreign dignataries. It is a huge museum, but I only spent about an hour inside, but not for lack of regalia. I left because you have to enter barefoot and I couldnt stand the cold floors.



Most notable in the museum were the following regalia:

*photos from his childhood, including one "during" the circumcision ceremony. He was smiling so I can only imagine it was actually before the circuncision.
* a solid gold upturned hand used to support the chin during crowning. Think: a solid gold mannequin hand similar to what you'd see Jeff and Jody singing around in an episode of Today's Special. Apparently it was won by the current Sultan's ancestors in the 15th century after a victorious cockfight. Anyhow, in the 60's it wasnt known that Muslim men shouldn't use gold, so this hand will never be uaed again.

His Majesties mug is plastered everywhere around Brunei. I'm taking massive images on sides of every building. it's a good thing he is good looking. To be frank, he is smoking hot for a 65 year old. But I guess when you are a King, Sultan and President with riches like e has, you can pop off for a little bit of "work" now and again.

How many images of His Majesty can you spot?:


There were little tidbits of excitement during my short trip, like watching to city transform into a brightly lit, family-centric fairgrounds in honor of His Majesty. Or hiring a water taxi on the Brunei River and taking a photo of the Sultan's palace, then seeing a helicopter leave (with His Majesty inside, I was assured). Most notable, I think, was meeting one of the only other white tourists. Jim Patton was a sprite 83 year old who retired to the Phillipines and was visiting to renew his tourist visa. The reason he was so memorable wasn't because he was lucid talking my ear off, or outwalking me (his comment to hurry me up, "well, you arent overweight"). But, he was originally from The Burgh. No kidding, he had a full on Pittsburgh accent and everything.