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Friday, 22 August 2008

Brunei Darussalam


General Information

Brunei Darussalam is just 443 km north of the equator and located in Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world which is bordered by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak to the east and west respectively and Kalimantan (Indonesia) to the south. It has a total area of approximately 5765 sq km. The weather is hot and wet season with equatorial climate which its temperature averaging between 28°C to 32°C through out the year.

Brunei is comprised of four districts namely Brunei Muara, Temburong, Tutong and Belait. The capital city of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan. About 80% of Brunei discovered unspoiled rainforest.


Population
About two–thirds of the population is Malay and the rest are Chinese or members of indigenous tribes. Bahasa Melayu is the official language although English is widely spoken and understood.

Attractions in Brunei Darussalam

Brunei by Night Tour- DAY 1

In this tour, we will drive you through the city of Bandar Seri Begawan. We will have photo stop at Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, have a view of the Istana Nurul Iman Palace (The largest Residential Palace in the World) from the main entrance. Then we will proceed to have a view of the largest mosque in Brunei, Jame Ars’ Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque and our last stop over will be at the Night Market at Gadong.

Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman palace is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. The palace is located on a leafy, riverside sprawl of hills on the banks of the Brunei River directly south of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. It is largest residential palace in the world and the world’s largest residence of any type. It was designed by the National Artists of the Philippines for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin and built by the Filipino firm, Ayala International.

Istana Nurul Iman contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m²). Amenities include 5 swimming pools, and an air conditioned stable for the Sultan’s 200 polo ponies, a 110 car garage, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1,500 people.

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is located in Kampong Kiarong which lies close to the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan. Built to celebrate and mark the 25th anniversary of the reign of the sultan of the country, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah the 29th Sultan of Brunei.

The shining gold domes of the mosque overlook a landscape of attractive gardens and fountains. Along with them are the ornamented towers that can be seen from the main road. The interiors of the mosque combine the profoundness of art and the religious significance of Islam.

Night Market at Gadong

For a taste of authentic Malay delicacies, the night market hawker food stalls, a daily or weekly event found at several sites in and around Bandar Seri Begawan, offers a gastronomic treat for the taste buds.

The `Tamu Pasar Besar Gadong' located next to the fish market in the capital opens around 3pm or 4pm every day and it is a cooked food and fresh vegetables market.

The 'Pasar Malam' or night stalls has an assorted Malay cakes and biscuits and variety of hawker foods, such as pulut panggang, kueh cincin, penyaram, kueh Malaya, nasi lemak, cakoi, roti john, kebabs and also dishes such as pais, which can be found in the fish or beef variety, grilled and barbecued in banana leaves. Satay of all sorts can be also found at the markets.

DAY 2

Kampong Ayer

Early European visitors to Brunei described Kampong Ayer, or water village, as the Venice of the East. Today, visitors continue to be fascinated by these traditional and historic houses built on stilts over the water, spanning the greater part of the Brunei River.

Kampong Ayer is home to about 30 000 people and is accessible by boat or by wooden bridges from Bandar Seri Begawan. The houses in Kampong Ayer are joined be a maze of interconnecting timber walkways, and visitors are free to roam at their leisure. The government has provided every modern facility for the residents, including schools, clinics, police station and mosques. A visit to Brunei would not be completing without a trip to the unique and intriguing place.

The Royal Regalia Building

The Royal Regalia Building is located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan. It was built to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the Sultan’s accession to the throne in 1992. The museum is home to a collection of royal regalia, including the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armoury, the jewel encrusted crowns used during the coronation and a replica of the throne, which is used by the Sultan on state occasions.

There is also an exhibition which fully documents the history of the constitution of Brunei.The building is open to the public every day of the week (on Friday the opening hours are shorter than the rest of the week). Shoes should be removed prior to entering the building.


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Uniquely Singapore - 2 Days 1 Night






SINGAPORE MAP

General Information

Geography

The Republic of Singapore sits only 137km north of the Equator, separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Johor and from Indonesia by the Strait of Singapore. Singapore is made up of the main island – which is 42km long by 23km wide – and 63 other smaller islands. Singapore has a total area of approximately 693 sq km.

Singapore's climate is warm and humid, averaging between 23ºC and 31ºC, with an average of 2.3 metres of rain annually. The highest point is 163m at Bukit Timah Peak.

Population

The total population of Singapore is 4.6 million (2007 data). This figure includes approximately 1 million foreigners. The three major ethnic groups within the local community are Chinese (77 per cent), Malay (14 per cent), and Indians (8 per cent). The official languages of Singapore are Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English. English is the language of administration and is widely spoken.

Attractions in Singapore

Sentosa Tour Package - Day 1


Sentosa is Singapore's most popular leisure and recreation resort - a playground for people of all ages. It is visited by nearly 2 million tourists each year and offers such attractions, museums and other facilities that provide a variety of experiences, recreation and entertainment to visitors.


Underwater world

Asia's largest tropical oceanarium is a treat not to be missed. It houses over 2,000 species of fish and has a submerged perspex walkway which allows visitors to pass safely under the water within inches of sharks, stingrays and moray eels. And making its imperial appearance for the first time in Singapore is the Weedy Sea dragon, a marine fish that resembles the mythical majestic dragons in Chinese folklore.

A spectacular, multi sensory experience awaits visitors at Sentosa's Volcano Land. Budding explorers will discover aspects of the extinct Mayan civilization, fossils, archaeological digs and a "pit cage" to transport them to the very heart of the "volcano". Watch out for the half-hourly eruptions of "the world's most active volcano" as the power of ancient geological forces produce a 30-metre column of smoke that can even be seen from the World Trade Centre.

Getting there: Take the MRT to HarbourFront (NE1). From HarbourFront Centre, take the Sentosa Bus Service (bus terminal across), Sentosa Ferry, Cable Car, or walk across the causeway bridge to Sentosa

Sky Tower

It is one of Singapore and Sentosa’s latest attractions where visitors can enjoy this ride. Soaring 110 metres in height, the sky tower is Singapore's tallest public viewing tower.

Visitors will sit in a large disc-shaped air-conditioned cabin fitted with glass windows all around, at ground level that revolves slowly as the cabin ascends up a column, visitors can catch 360-degree views of the surrounding.

When reached to the top at 150 metres above sea level (approximately 50 storeys high), visitors will be treated to a paranomic view of Sentosa, the Singapore city skyline and the neighbouring islands.

Opening Hours: 9.00 am-9.00 pm daily
Getting There:
By Car: Park at Cable Car Station (M4) Car park
By Bus: From Visitor Arrival Centre takes Blue Line Service or from Underwater World/Siloso Beach takes Green Line Service. By Monorail: Alight at M4 - Cable Car Station

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom

Explore over 2,500 species of insects categorized by their geographical locations. You can get to see rare species including fist-sized horned beetles and metallic blue butterflies. Each and every species has a detailed explanation of its origin.

This is a great education tour for children and families.

Opening Hours: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Location: 51 Cable Car Road Sentosa, Singapore 099702 Tel: 62750013 (20m from Cable Car Station)


Leisure Tour - Day 2

Jurong Bird Park

Southeast Asia's largest bird park, Jurong Bird Park is home to over 8,000 birds of 600 species from all over the world. Highlights include the world's largest collection of Southeast Asian Hornbills and South American Toucans, and the world's second largest penguin exhibit. Daily shows include Breakfast with the Birds (9am-llam), Birds of Prey, Penguin Feeding Time and the Jurong Bird Park All Stars Bird show.


Opening hours: 9am to 6pm (Mon-Fri), 8am to 6pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays)
Panorail: 9.00am to 5.30 pm
Location: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925 Tel: 62650022
Getting there: Take the MRT to Boon Lay (EW27)

Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest giant observation wheel, offers visitors breathtaking, 360° panoramic views of Singapore and beyond.

Standing at a stunning 165
metres, visitors will be able to experience remarkable scenes of the Singapore skyline: the magnificent Marina Bay, towering skyscrapers, tropical greenery, and the bright lights and non-stop action against the beautiful skies.

For 30 minutes, they will feel on top of the world.
Indeed a must-see experience set to sparkle Singapore’s skyline!

Opening Hours: Opens daily from 8:30am to 10:30pm (Ready in first quarter of 2008)
Location: 30 Raffles Avenue
Getting there: Take the MRT to City Hall (EW13) or Promenade MRT)

Mandai Orchid Gardens

The blooms here at Singapore's largest commercial orchid garden provide a colourful display all year round. The garden is conveniently located right next to the zoo, and a whole hillside is covered in orchids.

Opening hours: 8.30am to 5.30pm daily.
Location: Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825 Tel: 62691036
Getting there: Take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio (NS16) station, and then bus 138