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Travel Blog November 2005 Page 1
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In November 2005 we set off on a trip starting in Western Australia covering Brunei, Sabah in Malaysia, Thailand & a brief visit to Cambodia. Whilst away we maintained a Blog for the world to see. Following is a cleaned up version of that original Blog - spell checked and with some trip photos included!
Australian Embassy in Thailand - thanks for nothing
The Australian Embassy in Thailand has stocked up on anti bird flu drugs and protective masks in case of a bird flu outbreak but
this is only for staff......Australian citizens in the country will NOT be given assistance.
This is according to the Australian government travel advisory (updated today 28/10) at
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand
Why do we bother with Embassies if they aren't interested in helping their own citizens abroad? Don't expect a helping hand from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok - it's strictly user pays with little Johnny!
What a waste of public money these diplomats are.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Departing tomorrow
Perth Taxi's can't compete
We leave from Perth airport which charges $98 to park our car at the international terminal car park for 34 days, the duration of
our trip (rate is $17 a day for the first 2 days then $2 a day thereafter).
At that price its cheaper than two taxi fares which would have totaled $150. The $52 saving plus the convenience of having your
own wheels right off the plane on the return trip makes driving there yourself a great deal!
Thumbs Down to Perth Airport Shopping
A few thumbs down comments on shopping at perth airport.
Downtown Duty Free - NOTHING here is worth buying. As well as a rather rude 2% surcharge on credit cards, the prices suck. 100ml of Chanel perfume A$160 - same thing at Brunei airport $130 brunei dollars. Alcohol and cigarettes are also substantially more expensive than Brunei, Malaysia and Thailand.
Watch out for the Traveled money exchange booth - they screwed me a $7.50 fee as well as giving an appalling exchange rate without telling me.
Tamu Kianggeh riverside market, Bandar Seri Begawan
Balmy Brunei
Brunei may be a wealthy country but it is certainly affordable. We stayed at the Brunei Hotel in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan which is the best located hotel in town. 20 metres walk to the river, a 10 minute walk to the large Yayasan shopping complex and handy to everything.
Count on paying around B$4 - 6 for most meals in local eateries, food is generally good and the local curry shops are clean and friendly.
A 3 day transit visa to enter Brunei is B$5 granted on arrival. Stay longer than 3 days and you are up for B$20.
On the River in Bandar Seri Begawan
Friday, November 11, 2005
Bandar Seri Begawan may be a small city but the riverfront is alive and full of action. The riverside market (Tamu Kianggeh) has a hundred or so stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fish and so on.
Dozens of water taxis piloted by young Top Gun wannabees ply the river at amazing speeds, taking the locals to and from the Water Village (Kampung Ayer) across the river.
Bandar locals pay around B$3-5 for the trip to Kampung ayer, which is home to around 30,000 people. Kampung Ayer residents pay less than B$1. Tourists are offered 1 hour boat trips for around B$20-25 but you will need to bargain to get that price.
Lunch at the riverside restaurant "Piccolo Fratini" is a great way to enjoy the riverside life.....a little pricey at B$12.50 for a seafood salad and drinks around B$5 but you can't beat the views.
The cost of burning your digital snaps of this fascinating part of town is B$10 per CD at local photo stores.
Water Taxi, Bandar Seri Begawan
Day Tour of Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan is a small city but to see all of its attractions a day tour is recommended even for those who don't usually like tours - getting about by cab to visit the sprawling city's attractions can be a pain.
We took a half day tour at a cost of
B$65 a head which turned out well as there where no other passengers in the minibus.
The tour covered Kampung Ayer (the water village) including a boat trip there and back and cakes and refreshments in a home in the village. 30,000 people live in this village on stilts which has schools, mosques, even a police and fire station - all on the water.
These are no decrepit old shacks as in other water villages in Asia - the homes in Kampung Ayer are large, well furnished and appointed and very comfortable.
The tour also included a visit to the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkian Mosque - an enormous and beautiful mosque with seating for thousands, all in air conditioned comfort.
The tour took us to the interesting Royal Regalia Museum, which recreates the sultan's coronation ceremony and is a very impressive display. We also visited the Brunei Museum which has a few displays of village life but is mostly deserted and not really worth the trouble to visit.
Subsidised life in Brunei
Prices for many things are cheap for the locals in Brunei, all thanks to the country's oil wealth. No one pays income tax, many
consumer goods are subsidised and electricity and water is free.
Cars are cheap and there are plenty of late model cars on the roads. Public services are good and the city is clean and well maintained.
A few prices:
Petrol - B$0.35 per litre
Street cafe food - around B$3 to 5 in curry shops, more in hotels
Soft drink - B$1.80 for 1.25 litres
Cigarettes - $B3.30 per pack
Water - B$0.90 per litre bottle
Postcard - B$0.60 (postage is 50 cents and up depending on destination)
Hotel Bus to airport at most hotels is B$15
Taxi from the airport to the city - B$25
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