Our host took us for a day trip out of the city.
This gives an idea of where we drove from Bandar to Kuala Belait - which is the second biggest "city" in Brunei. We were on a 4 lane motorway for most of the trip. You can see how close to Miri we were. Miri is like Los Vegas to the Bruneians, they spend weekends there drinking, gambling etc.
The "Teapot Roundabout" in Kuala Belait
The main street - in its entirety.
The Government of Brunei pays the British Government to station a Battalion of Gurkhas, plus some other troops, near the oil refinery.
For those who have watched B & W British films of WW 2 or listened to The Goon Show, this would be a familiar name. This is the first one I have ever seen. The locals could shop in there but paid 25% more than the Garrison soldiers and dependents. There was also a liquor store attached but it was not open to locals.
There was a large supermarket just outside town. It sold lots of Australian and British products to cater for all the expats working at the refinery. However, you still know you are in Brunei. This was at the rear of the shop and not accessible from inside. So if you want your pork chops this where you go.
There are still a few 'nodding donkey' oil wells around.
My wife's cousin used to work for Shell - which developed the oil industry in Borneo. They are still the only company allowed to operate petrol stations in Brunei - current price is about 60 cents/litre for 98 petrol. He built this house about 12 years ago to be near the refinery. He has now retired and moved up to Bandar to be near his grandchildren. The trouble is he can't sell the house as it is only on a 30 year ground lease from the 'Crown" and it could be resumed without compensation. He is hoping to rent it out. Non-citizens have no legal rights to sell houses etc.
Even though he was born in Brunei he is not a citizen as he wasn't born a Malay Muslim. To become a citizen he has to pass a Malay Language written test. While he speaks perfectly good Malay he has trouble with the written version. When he travels overseas he has to travel on a British Subject Passport.
Closer to Bandar is 'The Empire Hotel & Country Club' a very posh resort. It was originally built as a retreat for the ultra-wealthy by the spendthrift Prince Jefri. After his exile it was turned into a public resort. At least one member here has stayed at this place. It looked to be under-occupied when we there.
Part of the only slightly over the top lobby.
Again, just a part of the swimming pool - lake? There were kayaks moored in the pool to paddle around.