CAPITAL BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - POPULATION 381,371 - AREA 5770 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE MALAY
Fabulously wealthy Brunei is especially welcoming to well-heeled tourists. Budget traveler numbers are relatively low, and expats benefiting from Brunei's oil-fuelled economy are the most commonly spotted foreigners on Bandar Seri Begawan's peaceful streets. Head to the Temburong district (unconnected to the rest of Brunei, since a swathe of Sarawak soil sits solidly in-between) where ecotours are rapidly developing to entice more travelers. In the Belalong and vast Ulu Temburong National Parks you can take in views of steamy rainforest from the seat of a longboat or whitewater raft, or from a suspension bridge high above the forest canopy. If the slow pace of Ramadan (the fasting month) isn't your thing, avoid a visit in August and September 2009.
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