Brunei being a Muslim country is completely free of alcohol. It was not until I forked out $4.00 per can for a 330ml can of coke did it dawn on me that they probably thought I was drinking those two bottles of rum in my case hence the mark up on the cans of Coke. We are all use to staying in hotels and being charged ridiculous prices for food and beverage in the hotel minibar. Well in Brunei there is no minibar and I had to go to the cafe downstairs to buy 4 cans of warm coke. Glasses with ice were sent up and two cans placed in the non bar fridge. Sometimes there is nothing like a coke to refresh you and I am respecting there no alcohol policy, non muslim foreigners are permitted to bring in two litres of spirits or 48 cans of beer.
Interestingly I am travelling on a NZ passport and Su's Mother on a UK passport we could enter no problems and in fact stay 30 days. Christine and Su on their Australian passports had to apply and pay for a $5.00 visa which last 72 hours is there something they know about Australians?We hit the shopping Malls yesterday taking a cab playing Capitol Radio from London a sign of the Sultan of Brunei's love of the UK and in particular the Queen of England. The girls bought up on handbags, purses and clothing. Sadly for me a fake Rolex was in the offering but declined to the temption to adorn my wrist for the sake of brag value. Unfortunately camera shops are very far and few between and yet to see anything remotely interesting, plenty in mobile phone and computer shops. Prices in these items are around Australian prices if not slightly dearer. I don't think we realise how competive Australia has got in electronic goods in recent times.
Today before flying out we will do some sight seeing taking in a mosque or two and might take a photo or two...that's if i can keep the women away from those shopping malls.
Next posting from the UK.
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