The most celebrated time of the year for Brunei citizens is at the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, or Hari-raya. The end of Ramadan is also the time when the sultan and the royal family open their private residence to all Brunei citizens. The sultan himself shakes hands with everyone, without gloves on, welcoming guests with his utmost respect. The 29^th Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, his family, and their attendants greet all subjects as they enter the massive complex of 1788 rooms, the largest residential palace in the world. Be sure to plan your visit with Ramadan in mind, as hotel vacancies in Bandar Seri Begawan will be limited.

Alcohol is not sold in Brunei, but individual foreign visitors may bring through customs a 12-pack of beer, along with two bottles of spirits. A separate customs form must be filled out at the point of entry declaring any alcoholic products. While drinking is not taboo, it is recommended for those who must imbibe do so behind closed doors, such as in a hotel room. Drinking in public is not allowed.

The Brunei dollar (BND) has been the currency of the sultanate of Brunei since 1967. One dollar is divided into 100 cents, in the same division as the United States dollar (USD). The Brunei dollar is pegged together with the Singapore dollar (SGD) at a 1:1 ratio, mostly because Singapore is one of Brunei’s major trading partners. To find the value of the Brunei dollar find a conversion for the Singapore dollar and compare the currency you will be converting. Basically, Brunei prices are a little less than the prices people would pay in Europe or the United States. The reward is virtually no crime and a well-developed infrastructure, especially by Southeast Asian standards.

The sultan of Brunei is the head of state and he maintains total executive authority, including the ability to issue emergency powers. He also has direct control of the military, energy, finance, and other key governmental offices. Thus, the Royal family retains a venerated status within the country. Press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare. Visitors to the country are considered guests and should not publicly be critical of the government or the monarchy.

Brunei is comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware, and is about 10 times the land area of Singapore. Although small, Brunei packs a punch and it is advisable to book a tour guide who can take you directly to all the sites. Most will provide English speaking drivers who know the best locations, contacts, and directions. I used Intrepid Tours and they offered excellent service. For those who seek a home stay in Brunei, which will be discussed, it is best to contact the owner direct. The prices per night are reasonable, about $50 BND, and meals are included. The home stay I visited in Tutong can be reached at: telamba.wordpress.com