BR-BV-11: BRUNEI TOUR 2D/1N

12:00 Meet with the guide at the airport in Brunei – In the city, Bandar Seri Begawan. Transfer and register at the hotel. Free time.
Today, Brunei is one of the richest and safest countries in the world, due to its large oil and gas reserves, which also makes up the majority of its’ exports and economy. Brunei also has one of the highest living standards in Asia.
Excursion sights:
• Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque –it is said to be one of the most beautiful mosques in SE Asia. Named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, who was the 28th Sutlan of Brunei and who also initiated its construction. In 1958, the building was completed and it is a symbol of modern Islamic architecture;
• Istana Nurul Iman –the official residence of the Sultan. The castle is located right outside the capital. And it is the largest palace in the world (in square meters of space) in which people live. Living area – 200,000m2 (257 bathrooms, 1788 rooms, 17 floors, 5 pools, 18 elevators). Completed – 1984 The cost of the palace is 1.5 billion US dollars. Anyone can enter the palace after the holy month of Ramadan, when its end is celebrated for 3 days (Hari Raya), guests receive gifts and food, and children are given money in green envelopes. The rest of the time you can only take pictures at the castle gates;
the largest mosque in the world, named after the 29th Sultan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah. Construction started in 1988. Opened after 5 years: on July 14, 1994 – the night before the Sultan’s birthday. The mosque was built as a commemoration of the silver jubilee. The mosque is located 4 km from the capital, on 20 acres of land in Kiarong village. At one time, the mosque can accommodate 4,000 believers. Built in the style of Turkish mosques, with four long minerets (58m) looking at 29 golden domes. Around the mosque there are gardens with a fountain and beautiful flowers, a separate entrance with an ecalator for the Sultan;
• Gadong Night Market, where guests can get to know and taste local delicacies, buy fruits.
21:30 Return to the hotel. Free time.

08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. City tour continues:
• Museum of Royal Regalia –Located in the center of the city itself. Opened on September 30, 1992. Mostly things related to the celebration of Sultan Hassanal Bokiahs silver on gold jubilee are visible. At first this building was called “Churchill Memorial Building”. It was opened by Sultan Omar Ali Saiffudien 3 and he was a big fan of Winston Churchill. But in 1992, it was named the Royal Regalia Exhibition, and on December 2, 2017, the Royal Regalia Museum, during the golden jubilee of the Sultan. In the museum, you can see the 1992 silver jubilee celebrations, where a street with people and a carriage that was used in the parade have been created. There is also a second carriage which was used for the coronation in 1968 and also during the Queen’s visit. Coronation costumes, ceremonial weapons, jeweled crown.
• Malaysian Museum of Technology – created to get to know the ethnic groups, handicrafts that tell the story of the development of the country of Brunei.
Motorboat ride on the Brunei River to a floating village. This village currently has 30,000 inhabitants. We will visit the local residents, where we will be treated to tea, coffee and local delicacies. This village was once described by Magellan during his visit in 1521.
12:00 Lunch at a local restaurant.
14:00 Transfer to the airport. The end of the tour.