Thursday, March 3, 2011

Sultan Brunei's Palace















 Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the biggest, 2,152,782 square feet, and has 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m²). Amenities include 5 swimming pools, an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies, a 110-car garage, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 5,000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1,500 people. The palace was built in 1984 at a cost of around $400 million USD and has 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators.

The palace is used for all State functions. It is both the seat of Brunei's government and the location of the prime minister's office. In addition to Audience and State Rooms, there is a Throne Chamber used for various occasions such as the proclamation of the Crown Prince and the annual Birthday Investiture.



The palace is only open for the public on the festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month.

Notice also the 13 satellite dishes outside the palace.























Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Jerudong Park


Jerudong Park is an amusement park in Brunei. It is the largest and most expensive amusement park in South East Asia, built and funded by the Bruneian government for $1 billion.
It is notable that during its first few years of operation, Jerudong Park featured no admission fees and free rides. It is currently larger than phase 1 of Hong Kong Disneyland. The public only had to queue up for rides. However, recently the number of visitors and tourists has dropped significantly and the administration has started a one time B$15 admission fee, and allride ticketing system. According to the park's website, many of its rides are for sale.
Currently, the theme park has reduced its footprint to Phase 1 and 2, the original Playground. It has introduced a revised system of ticketing called the ticket card system. The park is once again free entry to the general public, but guests have to buy ticket cards to be able to use the rides and attractions. These tickets come in $8 and $10 price range. The ticket cards have slots which can be punched using a single hole puncher - one punch equals one use of any ride or facility for one person. This system therefore gives the guest the choice to choose which ride he or she would want to use, and how many would be able to use the facility using the ticket card. An $8 ticket card has 4 slots and 1 free slot (effectively allowing one guest to use 5 rides/attractions - or 2 guests to use two rides with one extra). The $10 ticket card has 5 slots plus 3 free slots (which means a guest can use 8 rides attractions and so on). The free entry has seen a marked increase in the number of people going to the park, as shown on weekends where one can observe a large group of families having picnics in the field, or long queues on the remaining rides and attractions.














This sprawling amusement park was commissioned by the sultan in 1994 as a gift to his people. Entry was free until 2000, but when it started charging, locals lost interest. Now many rides languish, waiting for spare parts or to be re-insured but it's still an intriguing experience to wander round the massive semi-deserted grounds in the evening.
If the dodgems and laser guns don't capture your imagination, try catching a quick glimpse of the sultan's palace or have tea or dinner at the über-luxurious Empire Hotel nearby.

The Empire Hotel & Country Club

THE EMPIRE HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
Muara Tutong Highway | Kampong JerudongBandar Seri BegawanBG3122Brunei Darussalam


Number of Rooms 518 Number of Floors 7
               The Empire Hotel and Country Club is situated by the South China Sea and a short trip away from the world’s oldest rainforests in Borneo and it is truly one of the finest beach, golf, meeting and spa resorts in the Asia Pacific Region. Catering to many royal and state visitors to Brunei, the hotel provides even the most discerning traveller a truly unique experience in a 180 hectare tropical garden estate. The hotel features 532 spacious rooms including 2-bedroom garden villas and suites; all with balconies and breathtaking views, providing every visitor with their own empire including large marble bathrooms. The exclusive E-Club with full concierge facilities is available for the most discovering traveller and the hotel has many well equipped meeting and function rooms for a range of events and catered parties. The Grand Banquet Hall is now open and ready to accommodate up to 2000 persons for formal dinners and up to 3000 for cocktail receptions. Situated within the confines of the 180 hectares property, with unparalleled views of the South China Sea, the conference centre will bring the total meeting and function space to almost 7,000 square meters. The property has its own cinema complex featuring the latest movie releases plus a state of the art theatre for live performances and presentations. Recreational facilities include a lagoon beach and pools, E Kids Club, tennis courts, a fully equipped fitness centre, the Empire Spa and a well established world class Country Club with an 18 holes Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

















*Out of this WORLD!
 Service &  Facility 
If you do yourself one favour in this life, make sure you treat yourself to a few days at The Empire Hotel. Apart from the majesty of the property, the luxury and comfort of the rooms, the spectacular environment and sunsets unlike any you will have seen, each and every member of staff provide the most personalised service with the utmost professionalism, warmth and courtesy. A truly unique experience which will always be treasured. 

http://www.theempirehotel.com/