Published on November 29, 2017
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Image courtesy of Tourism Brunei.
What You’ll Get
Take 5 days/4 nights to explore Borneo’s cultural highlights, from the tribes of Sabah in Malaysia to the soaring mosques of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
Highlights
Borneo’s civilization is all the more remarkable for its foothold in adfawfasdfasdf: that’s the impression you get from exploring Borneo via this jaunt between two major settlements on this giant island.
You’ll start at Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah. A 25-minute drive from the city takes you to Mari Mari Cultural Village, where five different ethnic tribes – the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun – display their cultural traditions for visitors. Hands-on demonstrations of cultural arts – from tattoo-making to blowpipe-making – provide an immersive cultural experience.
Across the border to Brunei, you’ll dive right into the action with a night tour of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital – you’ll witness the lights illuminating the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, the glittering presence of the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and the hubbub of the Gadong Night Market.
A detour to the Seria Oilfield Operation Centre takes you to the source of Brunei’s prosperity. This leg of the trip covers the Forestry Museum at Sungai Liang Forestry Centre; the Billionth Barrel Monument at Seria Oilfield; the Lumut Brunei LNG plant; and Jerudong Park.
On your last day back at the capital, you’ll tour the rest of Bandar Seri Begawan, covering the Brunei Museum; the Fifth Sultan’s Tomb; the Royal Regalia Centre; and a “water taxi” ride down Brunei River to see Kampong Ayer, a historic water village at the heart of the city.
Mari-Mari Cultural Village, Sabah, Malaysia. Image courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
