Brunei & Labuan

There lies a small rich country on the Borneo island ruled by a sultan and his family since 13th century. Very traditional muslim society, for example there is no place in Brunei where alcohol would be sold. That's why there is a “paradise” for those who want to escape to Labuan, duty free island only one hour from Brunei. Over there everything can be found from nice food to cheap alcohol and not that cheap girls - paradise for someone for sure.

Starting from Brunei, there really are not that much see. Main attractios to see are some huge moscques that are well widely decorated, even that we saw them only outside. Especially after Kuala Lumpur this city feels like a ghost town as there was barely ever tourists (or even locals) around.

Labuan has propably has beena a hot spot for tourism like a decade a go and now it has stucked on that time, combined that for import-export industry and oil business has caused a disappearance of tourism. During one hour ferry ride (Brunei-Labuan) I saw tens of oil platforms on the way and trust me, its not the most beautiful view from the seashore either. We just took a bus ride around island to see how is it like and of course to spot one of Labuans main tourist attraction: The chimney

Its middle of nowhere on the top of hill, have never been used as and the best thing is that no one knows for sure why it has been built, but still its unique and protected part of Labuan cultural heritage. So its not just a chimney, its THE chimney -quite sad in my opinion but at the same time hilarious.

We had another day in Brunei after staying two nights in Labuan. Among the mosques,

wildlife and water town were few other things to check out here. Before actual city of Bandar Seri Begawan the town was built ont he water and still these days there live around 1000 people in that watertown, also known “Venice of the East” which I find ironic. We took the boat taxi for small tour along Brunei river to see monkeys. There is specie called “nose monkeys”, only can seen in Borneo island and we did see few!! Plus we also saw some birds and baby crocodile so good wildilfe spotting indeed.

As summarizing, both Labuan and Brunei were interesting stopover visits for two days, but would not spend more time in these places and there is now no need to come back. And I would not to recommend just travel here, these places has to kind of logistically on the way. Its more like tick the box “been there, done that.”  This evening it was last time when seeing sunset before disappearing into the jungle.Wish me luck!