Travel to Brunei Part 1

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our employees visited Brunei from June to July as part of a research project.

I will describe the situation in a prose-like manner. Please enjoy.

Overview of Brunei

Brunei is a small country located on the northeastern coast of Borneo Island, facing the South China Sea, and is the most strictly Islamic nation in Southeast Asia, flanked by East Malaysia to the east and west. The official name is Negara Brunei Darussalam. Generally, it is often simply referred to as "Brunei", but the formal name is used in more formal contexts. The population is approximately 460,000. There is a time difference of -1 hour with Japan.

Blessed with oil and natural gas resources, the GDP per capita is high (approximately 28,000 BND as of 2009 statistics), and welfare is well-developed. It is said that the "preservation of Islamic monarchy based on Malay principles" (abbreviated as "MIB") is regarded as the "national ideology" (declared by the Sultan upon independence in 1984). Ceremony and formality are particularly emphasized.

Supported by abundant oil and natural resources, the political and economic climate is extremely stable, but nurturing industries other than resources remains a challenge.

The area to the right on the map below is called Temburong. It is one of the destinations for this business trip.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Source: Wikipedia

Travel via Singapore

Entering Brunei via Changi International Airport from Haneda Airport.

During the transit at Changi International Airport, I was guided to the isolation area.

The isolation area looks like this.

Mandatory 14-day Quarantine

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a 14-day quarantine was mandatory. As a quarantine location, the seven-star Brunei Empire Hotel was arranged. Originally, it was such a beautiful hotel, but unfortunately, I couldn't step outside my room at all.

Source: Tabipoketto (https://www.tabikobo.com/tabi-pocket/asia/brunei/article35011.html)

The prepared room for quarantine looks like this. It's relatively modest. I spent 14 days confined here.

However, I was able to look outside and get a slight sense of the tropical country.

This railing became a path for monkeys.

Meals During Quarantine

Since I couldn't step outside my room at all, meals were brought three times a day.

Dinner on one day

Breakfast on one day

Lunch on one day

Unfortunately, in Brunei, due to religious reasons, alcohol cannot be consumed.

Release from Quarantine

After being released from the 14-day quarantine, I explored the Empire Hotel.

I plan to update a few more times in the future.

※This is the YouTube channel of Mr. Okouchi, who assisted me locally. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC62anuVuFAHxW6iHY7k1UPQ