Things to do in Brunei

Brunei is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on the island of Borneo, the remainder of the island's territory is divided between the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Brunei is actually not on the top of the list of the people who wants to travel the world. As you read many articles about the country, they say that it is a boring country, no activities available, no night life, alcohols are limited and it is a small country.

1. Go to Kampong Ayer or Water Village

It is a 8km water bound village in Brunei where 30,000 people of the country is living. The boat is good for 6-8 persons depends on its size for only 20BND.

As I ride the boat in Kampong Ayer

Overlooking Mosque in Water Village

Local Houses

A subdivision in the Village

2. Walk around Bandar Seri Begawan

Most of the tourist spots in located in Bandar, the capital of Brunei. As you walk around the city there are many spots that you can take a picture for only free. Most of the attractions are also in Bandar.

3. Visit Istana Nurul Iman

It is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. It is only open during Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities at the end of Ramadan for 3 days.

It is closed when I visited the place

4. Go to Royal Regalia Building

It is the National Museum of Brunei, walking distance from Bandar. There is no entrance fee, you are only asked to register your name and put your things inside the locker and your shoes in the shoe rack. There is also a souvenir shop inside.

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5. Go to Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien

One of the famous mosque in Brunei located in Bandar Seri Begawan.

6. Go to Jame'asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

One of the most beautiful mosque in the Southeast Asia. It has 29 golden domes and can accommodate 4,500 male and female worshiper.

7. Visit Empire Hotel and Country Club

It is the most prestigious and luxurious beach resort in Brunei. You can just go there even if you are not going to check in but just having a picture taking for free.

8. Buy foods, drinks and stuffs in Gadong Night Market

This store is selling fruit shakes for only 1BND each

9. Eat Mee Goreng

It is actually an Indonesian noodles but also famous in Malaysia and Brunei. It is a sweet and spicy noodles and is best to it partner with chicken.

Mee Goreng with Chicken for only 3BND

One of the restaurant in Brunei that sells mee goreng with a chicken

10. Visit Labuan

Labuan is a federal territory of Malaysia. It can be reach by riding a ferry from Muere port for 4-5 hours. The fare is 15BND. It is a place where you can buy very cheap chocolates.

Have a safe trip Wanderers!

Kota Kinabalu – Brunei Intinerary

Kota Kinabalu is one of the most popular tourist spot nowadays because of its beautiful islands, cheap airfaire ticket, and cheap price of the activities.

I booked a roundtrip ticket from Cebu Pacific going to Kota Kinabalu for Php 2,800.00. Since I will be having a 4 full days I decided to go to Brunei.

Day 0

11:30 ETD from Manila

Day 1

01:30 ETA in Kota Kinabalu

          Stay in the airport to take a rest

06:00 ETD from airport

06:20 ETA in Bus terminal going to Brunei

          Breakfast (there is a 7/11, KFC, and convenience store near the terminal)

08:00 ETD from KK

17:00 ETA in Brunei

          Check in to hotel, Dinner

19:00 ETD from Hotel

19:30 ETA Brunei Empire Hotel

          Photo Ops

18:00 ETD Brunei Empire Hotel

18:30 ETA Gadong Night Market

          Buy some foods to eat and juice or shake to drink

19:30 ETD Gadong Night Market

20:00 ETA Hotel

          Good Night!

Gadong Night Market all the fruit shakes are only 1BND

Day 2

08:00 Good Morning!

          Prepare yourself, Breakfast

09:00 Tour to Water Village

10:00 Go to Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien

          Mall hopping then buy some souvenirs

12:00 Lunch, go back to hotel to rest

14:00 ETD from Bus station

14:20 ETA Jame Asri

          Photo Ops

15:00 ETD Jame Asri

15:20 ETA Istana Nurul Iman

           Photo Ops

15:40 ETD Istana Nurul Iman

16:00 ETA Bus Station

          Walk to Museum, go around the City

19:00 Dinner, go back to hotel

          Good Night!

Water Village

Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien

Day 3

05:00 Good Morning!

          Prepare yourself, breakfast

06:00 ETD Hotel

07:00 ETA Muere Port

p8:00 ETD Muere Port

12:00 ETA Labuan

          Lunch, Buy chocolates

13:00 ETD Labuan

17:00 ETA KK

          Go to hotel, check in

19:00 Dinner, Go to different night markets

Good Night!

Ticket going to Labuan

Welcome to Jesselton Point

Day 4

06:00 Good Morning

          Prepare yourself, Breakfast, Go to Jesselton Point

08:00 ETD Port (Start of Island Hopping)

16:00 (End of Island Hopping)

          Go back to hotel, clean yourself, arrange your things, and rest

19:00 Dinner

20:00 Mall Hopping

22:00 ETD KK

22:30 ETA Airport

          Rest!

Sapi Island

Mamutik Island

Day 5

2:15 ETD KK

4:15 ETA Manila

Have a safe trip Wanderers!

How to get to Brunei from Kota Kinabalu

If you are going to visit Kota Kinabalu you might consider going to Brunei which is its neighbor country. There are 2 options when going to Brunei from KK and vice versa: 1. via bus and 2. via ferry. For me to experience both since I will be coming from Kota Kinabalu I go to Brunei by bus and go back to KK by ferry.

Bus

From KK Bus terminal you just go to the ticket counter to buy your ticket going to Brunei which cost 100 Malaysian ringgit. Travel time is 7- 8 hours and you will cross many border so you will be asked to go down the bus to put stamp in your passport. The bus will stop in Bandar Seri Begawan which is the capital of Brunei. From the bus stop you can just walk to the (terminal of mini boats going to water village, museum, mosque, souvenir shops, mall and there is a Jollibee there. Note that there is only 1 bus going to Brunei every day and it leaves at 8:00 in the morning and arrives at 4:00 - 5:00 in the afternoon.

Ferry

There is no direct ferry from Brunei going to KK you need to stop over in Labuan which is a part of Malaysia. If you are coming from Bandar Seri Begawan you may rent a taxi or ride a bus going to Muere port travel time is almost 1 hour. In Muere port you will buy your ticket going to Labuan for 15 BND, travel time is 3-4 hours. Once in Labuan you will go outside the ferry let your passport be stamped in the immigration then buy a ticket in the counter outside going to KK for 50 malaysian ringgit, travel time is 3-4 hours.

Ticket going to Labuan

Inside the ferry going to Kota Kinabalu

Welcome to Jesselton Point

Frequently asked questions

                     Can I go to Labuan any time from Brunei?

        -Yes. In the internet you may read that you only go to Labuan at 8:00 in the morning but there are many ferry from different companies that departs from Brunei to Labuan but for your convenience you just go to Labuan early to arrive in Labuan and then to KK at 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

                     Is it hard to cross borders from KK to Brunei?

        -No. Immigration officers will only ask if what is your intension in going to Brunei. Somewill ask for your ticket if you will go back to your country, some will ask where are you going to stay in Brunei.

            Is there a stopover if you are riding a bus?

                        -Yes. It usually stops during lunch time to give time for everyone to eat lunch.

Have a safe trip Wanderers!

Exploring North Cebu with Kalanggaman Island

Cebu is one of the Philippines' most visited city no wonder because of its natural beauty. There are many activities the people can do when traveling in Cebu like canyoneering, climbing, island hopping, and it is one of the oldest city in the Philippines so a lot of historical places can also be seen here. 

Travelers usually spent 4-5 days to go around the North and South Cebu, for me it is a very tiring thing to do but if you have much time and budget then you can do the 5 day in Exploring Cebu. Since I am only spending full 2 days in Cebu I planned my itinerary very well. It was actually my 2nd time in Cebu the first time I was there is I explore the southern part of the city so this time I want to visit the North.

How I planned my trip?

I searched on the internet very well. I read a lots of articles, blogs, and posts just to do this thing. I once posted on a travel group in facebook about my inquiry in doing this itinerary because I wanted to visit the Malapascua Island, Bantayan Island (I want the Camp Sawi) and Kalanggaman Island (I wasn't able to visit the island when I've been in Leyte) and to tell you honestly none of them even encourage me that I can do this. No one supported me that I can do my planned itinerary that's why I study all the things I wanted to do, the location of the places, the contact number of the boatman, where to eat and if we need a place to take a rest during the night.

Day 1

1930 - 2050 Manila to Cebu (1,700.00)

2050 - 2100 Picture in airport, waiting for jeepney

2100 - 2105 Airport to Savemore (7.00/Jeepney)

2105 - 2130 Dinner (100.00/Jollibee)

2130 - 2135 Savemore to Parkmall (9.00/Jeepney)

2135 - 2140 Parkmall to North Bus Terminal (8.00/Jeepney)

2140 - 2200 Waiting time to full the Van

2200 - 0100 North Bus Terminal to Maya Port (200.00/Van)

0100 - 0600 Lights Off in Maya Port

Expenses: 2,024.00

Day 2

0600 - 0630 Wake Up! Waiting time for the boat going to Malapascua Island

0630 - 0700 Maya Port to Malapascua Island (40.00/Flat boat, low tide during that time so we need to ride a small boat going to the big boat & 200.00/Boat)

0700 - 0900 Breakfast (45.00/Carinderia) & Picture taking in the Island

0900 - 1000 Malapascua Island to Kalanggaman Island (750.00/Inclusive of boat from Malapascua     Island going to Kalanggaman Island, Buffet Lunch in the Island and they will bring us back in the Maya Port already not in Malapascua, 150.00/Entrance in Kalanggaman)

1000 - 1300 Picture taking in the Island, Swimming and Lunch

1300 - 1430 Kalanggaman Island to Maya Port

1430 - 1435 Maya Port to Bus Terminal in new port (20.00/Habal-habal)

1435 - 1600 New port to Don Pedro (37.00/Bus)

1600 - 1610 Don Pedro to Hagnaya Port (20.00/Tricycle)

1610 - 1700 Check in to Hostel (I forgot the name but it is a pink house near the Hagnaya Port, it is only 500.00 per night with one bed and electric fan, since we are 4 in a group we only pay 125.00/person), Take a bath.

1700 - 1800 Dinner (140.00/Carinderia)

1800 - 0300 Lights Off

Expenses: 1,522.00

                           

Boat from Maya Port to Malapascua Island

Welcome to Malapascua Island

Rock Formations

Beautiful Beach of Malapascua Island

OTW to Kalanggaman Island

 Welcome to Kalanggaman Island

The famous chair in the Island

Very beautiful beach

Clear water

Long stretch of sand bar

Day 3

0300 - 0400 Wake Up! Prepare for going to Bantayan Island, Waiting time for the ferry to go

0400 - 0600 Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe (170.00/Ferry, 10.00/Terminal Fee)

0600 - 0605 Sta. Fe to Kota Beach Resort or Camp Sawi (20.00/Tricycle)

0605 - 0700 Picture Taking in Camp Sawi

0700 - 0730 Breakfast (75.00/Carinderia)

0730 - 0800 Waiting time for ferry

0800 - 1000 Sta. Fe to Hagnaya Port (170.00/Ferry, 5.00/Terminal Fee)

1000 - 1100 Go back to Hostel, Take a bath

1100 - 1400 Hagnaya Port to Cebu City (170.00/Van, 30.00/Snacks)

1400 - 1500 Lunch (99.00/Fast food)

1500 - 1505 Cebu City to South bus terminal

1505 - 1730 South bus terminal to Simala Church (100.00/van)

1730 - 1735 Simala Church to Van Terminal (10.00/Habal-habal)

1735 - 1800 Terminal to Cebu City (100/van)

1800 - 1900 Drop off in Sto. Nino Church, Picture taking, Buy some souvenirs

1900 - 1905 Cebu City to Tabuan

1905 - 1930 Buy some dried fish in the market

1930 - 1935 Tabuan to Sm City Cebu (8.00/Jeepney)

1935 - 2030 SM to Cordova (35.00/Van)

2030 - 2035 Cordova to 10,000 Roses (10.00/Habal-habal, 20.00/Entrance)

2035 - 2100 Picture Taking

2100 - 2105 10,000 Roses to Cordova (10.00/Habal-habal)

2105 - 2200 Cordova to Cebu City (35.00/Van)

2200 - 2205 Cebu City to Park Mall (9.00/Jeepney)

2205 - 2210 Parkmall to Airport (8.00/Jeepney

2210 - 2300 Dinner in Airport (100.00/Noodles and Bread)

2300 - 0300 Lights Off in Airport

Expenses: 1,275.00

Day 4

0400 - 0410 Check in to Cebu Pacific

0410 - 0430 Waiting

0430 - 0505 Boarding in Airplane

0505 - 0625 Mactan Airport to NAIA

0625 - 0800 NAIA to HOME SWEET HOME!

 Ang Labo Bes, parang tayo :(

A Paradise, Welcome to Bantayan Island

Beach of Camp Sawi, Kota Beach, Bantayan Island

Magellan's Cross

Simala Church, Sibonga

The Mass

10,000 Roses, Cordova

Expenses

Day 1: 2,024.00

Day 2: 1, 522.00

Day 3: 1, 275.00

Day 4: 0.00

Total: 4,821.00

Travel Tips

1. There is a lot of Carinderia in Cebu, you may not eat in a restaurant if you are in a tight budget.

2. Look for the cheapest boatman good thing that I got to know mine, I forgot his name but I got his number (0935-350-2582)

3. Don't be shy to ask questions. If you don't know where to go just ask anyone and they will answer you with a smile.

4. The cheapest souvenirs is in the city.

5. Notice that we only checked in hostel for only 1 night. Take advantage of your evening travel time and you may sleep in the port or in the airport.

6. I don't know if there is an entrance fee in Kota Beach Resort, its just that we came there so early that all the people are still in their beds so we just go into the beach and start taking our pictures.

7. I just wanted to go the beach but I don't swim a lot so I only take a picture in Malapascua and Bantayan Island. Its only in Kalanggaman Island where I swim.

Have a Nice and Safe trip Wanderers! :)