 | Brunei Darussalam Today Despite its reputation as a rich country, Brunei has suffered a bit in recent years. The government has been forced to recognise a small but increasing unemployment rate and disaffected youths have been held responsible for the isolated incidents of crime, none more so than the sultan’s younger brother, Prince Jefri. Jefri’s extravagance in both his private life and, more seriously, as the country’s financial minister bred scandals and loud rumours of corruption, forcing the sultan to sack his brother in 1997. By that stage, Brunei’s reputation was damaged and its financial reserves se |
 | Brunei Darussalam History The earliest references to Brunei begin with its connections to the Chinese trading practices in the 6th century. Before the country was established as an Islamic state, Brunei was part of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire (later becoming the Majapahit Empire of Java). However Brunei was not to establish itself as a power state until its ‘Golden Age’ of the 15th and 16th centuries under the rule of Sultan Bolkiah (the fifth sultan). The 16th century also saw the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese explorers but they failed to make a lasting connection to the country via force. A subtle appro |
 | Jubilee Hotel Simple and clean standard rooms are found at this establishment which is situated right in the city |  | Orchid Garden Hotel With 155 rooms to choose from and a location between the airport and government offices, this hotel |
 | Radisson Hotel Brunei Conveniently located for tourists who want to experience the city’s hustle and bustle, you can wal |  | The Empire Hotel Address: Jerudong BG3122, Negara Brunei Darussalam Tel |
 | Trader Inn Bandar Seri Bagawan While the hotel is a little far from the city centre, it does provide a decently priced taxi service |  | Le Gallery Hotel This hotel is 15minutes from the airport and 5minutes from the capital. It offers a business centre, |
 | Yayasan The ‘one-stop shopping complex’, this place has a variety of local and international shops, both |  | The Mall Address: Abdul Razak Complex, Gadong BE3519 A department store, Pizza |
 | Teacher’s Day Teacher’s Day, 23rd September: held in recognition of teachers in the community, religion and coun |  | Hari Raya Aidilaha Hari Raya Aidilaha, (September/October): Animal sacrifices are made on this day which celebrates t |
 | National Day National Day, 23rd February: Preparations are made about two months beforehand with school children, |  | Public Service Day Public Service Day, 29th September: This day is held to honour the aspirations of the Government of |
 | Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day, 31st May: This festival is celebrated with military parades, artiller |  | Sultan of Brunei’s Birthday Sultan of Brunei’s Birthday, 15th July: This festival is celebrated across the country with mass p |
 | The Airport Restuarant & Coffee Shop The first certified halal menu restaurant in Brunei this place has a full halal menu, designated pra |  | C.A. Mohamed Address: Haji Daud Complex, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam BE3919  Ayamku Restuarant | Location: Jl Pemancha Opening Time: Open lunch and dinner  Kianggeh Food Court | Location: Jl Residency Opening Time: Open breakfast, lunch  Aminah Arif Restaurant | This restaurant is deservedly famous for its ambuyat – a national dish of the pith of the sago tre  RBC Airport Express Fast Food | Address: Brunei International Airport, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam |
 | Fast Facts -Dialling code: country 673 city 00 Note: within Brunei there are no area codes Emergency numbers Police: 993 Fire: 995 Ambulance: 991 Tourist Information Helpdesk: 238 2822 (this connects to Brunei’s government tourism authority: Brunei Tourism) Airport Enquiry: +673 2331706 -Population: 398,000 -Languages: Malay, English -Time zone: GMT +8 -Average January temperatures: 30°C -Average July temperatures: 32°C -Annual rainfall: the average is between 200-300mm of annual rainfall |
