The Beautiful Architecture of the Buildings in Bandar Seri Begawan

 

Our host toured showed us the really huge office of the Prime Minister of Brunei and beside it, this Moroccan-inspired cream-colored mosque. Their Parliament Building was just as impressive with its huge blue dome. However, our pictures couldn't give it any justice at all. We also got to tour around the huge campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam, which looked like a brand new UP campus. You can really see that the government is sparing no expense in providing for university education for the country's youth.

The Country Club Life in Brunei

You would have to take a buggy ride going from the main hotel lobby to the country club.

They have a bowling alley!

You can play badminton here and even get a tutor!

They have an indoor lapping pool!

Eto, part of the golf course

If I were an expat in Brunei, I will most likely be a regular at the Empire Country Club. The lifestyle in Bandar Seri Begawan is so laid back and life is at a much slower pace than most Asian capitals that any day can be some sort of weekend - and driving here will take one just about 30-45 minutes from downtown BSB! 

The country club has a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, tennis courts, badminton courts, pelota, an indoor pool, even a bowling alley! We were there on a Sunday and it was relatively quiet, considering it was the weekend - so one can quietly practice one's swing here without too many distractions

Breakfast Buffet at the Empire Hotel in Brunei

 

I intentionally avoid eating buffets in Manila ever since it has become a trend for Metro Manilans to eat in popular buffet restos like Vikings for the simple reason that I will look like I'm 3 months pregnant days after eating there! But I make exceptions on vacations!! Anyway, how many times can you eat in a buffet, sa abroad pa, in such luxurious settings??!!! Rare, di ba? So pag buffet ang breakfast or dinner, gorah na!! I'll just worry about losing all the weight when I get back to Manila! Wag tumanggi sa grasya!!

The Quirky Faculty of Science Building at the University of Brunei Darussalam

This is one of the quirkiest buildings I have ever seen in my whole life!! This is actually the Faculty of Science Building of the University of Brunei Darussalam and it's still under construction. The picture couldn't really do justice to it because in reality, it's huge and colorful! I don't even know where to enter!

A Wonderful Tea Time at the Empire Hotel in Brunei

Look at the exquisite cubiertos!! I love them!!

 

The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong prides itself of its daily afternoon tea service. Well, the Empire Hotel here in Brunei has its own version. Our host treated us to this wonderful tea time experience and the delicious sandwiches and cakes really filled us up.