1. Brunei is supremely safe and clean
Brunei is an amazing destination hardwired for solo travelers and for those traveling abroad for the first time. Not only does it exude a peaceful charm, but it’s supremely safe as well, making it the perfect destination for folks traveling solo. As a matter of fact, the crime rate in Brunei is so low that you can explore its capital freely, even solo at night.What’s more, the consumption of alcohol is illegal for Muslims and strictly restricted for non-Muslims, meaning you’re less likely to bump into drunken people behaving disorderly in Brunei.
And, did we mention that its government is deeply committed to maintaining cleanliness as well as providing excellent welfare services for its citizens?
2. A tantalizing and diverse cuisine
When it comes to food, you won’t be disappointed with what Brunei has to offer. While it’s not known as a foodie’s haven, it nonetheless has a titillating cuisine, blending Indonesian, Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indian influences. Furthermore, the country has an emerging food scene, with countless of eateries and restaurants popping out. Here, you’ll get to satisfy cravings with a smorgasbord of delicious dishes, including assam pedas, rending, nasi katok, chicken laksa meehoon, kolo mee, roti, ayam penyet and nasi goring.
3. It has a very relaxing ambiance
Need to escape the bustling city life? Then, you can’t go wrong with Brunei as your best option for your next international destination. Overall, the atmosphere in Brunei is unhurried and easygoing, which is very dissimilar to its chaotic, noisy and frenetic neighboring travel destinations like Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
In Brunei, there’s no rush in heading to the workplace, like what we’d normally see in the streets of Manila. Plus, there’s no need to jostle or compete for seats in buses and other modes of public transportation here. Despite its immense wealth, Brunei doesn’t thrive on a fast-paced lifestyle. Whether you’re traveling alone or with your beshies, you’ll love the relaxed pace and quaint way of life in this country.
4. There are plenty of attractions in Brunei
They say there’s not much to do in Brunei for foreign travelers. But, guess what? There are dozens of places to visit, fabulous sights and incredibly fun things to do in Brunei for Pinoy travelers. From photography connoisseurs to casual sightseers, Pinoy travelers will love the country’s collection of attractions and diversions, including Kampung Ayer, Sultan’s Palace (Istana Nurul Iman), Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkia Mosque and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. Additionally, the country has a handful of treasure troves that will give you a deeper insight of its history and culture, including Malay Technology Museum, the Brunei Museum and Regalia Royal Museum.
5. Brunei has a host of natural wonders
Speaking of attractions, Brunei also has a medley of natural wonders that will surely take your breath away. For nature lovers, you’ll get your fix exploring Ulu Temburong National Park – the first natural park in the country. As you wander around the park, you’ll likely bump into its famous Canopy Walkway – an Instagram-worthy 60-meter-high suspended bridge with jaw-dropping views of the verdant Bornean rainforest. Meanwhile, beach bums will find their bliss in Muara – a serene town beloved for its long strip of pristine white sands.
_Photo credit: kenfish
6. Brunei is visa-free for Philippine Passport holders
Got a passport, but don’t want to go through the costly and time-consuming visa application process? Why not pack your bags and just head to Brunei? As long as you’re traveling for leisure purposes, you can enter Brunei, and stay there for a maximum of 14 days without a visa. In other words, you don’t have go to through the hassle of securing and organizing a bunch of important documents, to set foot on this foreign land.
7. It’s just a quick plane ride away
From Manila, it will only take you around a couple of hours to get to Bandar Seri Begawan – the capital of Brunei – by air. That’s just about the same travel time as to a flight from NAIA to Davao! On average, there’s a flight per day bound to Brunei from the Philippines through aircrafts like Royal Brunei 686, Cebu Pacific 409 and Royal Brunei 684.
8. It’s far from being a crowded tourist destination
Let’s face it, Brunei doesn’t have the allure of some of Asia’s other more famous travel destinations. But on the bright side, we’re pretty sure that it’s far from being super crowded and touristy. You may hit its capital on foot, visiting a mishmash of attractions, without literally bumping anyone and rubbing elbows with other travelers.
Although some folks may think of it as a drawback, being less touristy means there won’t be opportunistic con artists like tour operators and taxi drivers who prey on naïve tourists. Moreover, the attractions in Brunei aren’t crowded, and there won’t be anyone around to ruin your best snaps of the gleaming Sultan’s palace or a mosque.
9. Brunei offers an authentic and deep cultural experience
Since you can explore the country at a rather leisurely pace, you’ll have a truly deep and authentic cultural experience in Brunei. With the country not depending on tourism, the attractions in Brunei exist to preserve its wondrous tradition and culture. Unlike other established Asian destinations, there’s no integrated and massive tourist trap to lure milk money from its foreign visitors.
In Brunei, you may experience its traditional culture by visiting museums and mosques, dining at local eateries as well as observing the country’s locals. Not to mention, you don’t have to travel to an extremely remote area, just to experience its culture.
Photo credit: Flickr/Gadong Night Market/IQRemix/CC-BY
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