Read this blog: The one where we try Butter Chicken Masala pizza Monday 10th March 2025 Matilda has been struggling to remember the name of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam [the official name of the country] but in various places it is simplified to its initials so we considered adopting this convention. Various facts were revealed during our research and background reading. Brunei is one of the few dry countries in the world. Shockingly, fuel is cheaper here than drinking water. This might account for the quite aggressive driving style since there is no need to worry about accelerating and breaking gently to conserve fuel. We frequently heard the sort of throaty roar of a petrol engine which Jeremy Clarkson might enjoy. Alternatively it is possible that the driving seemed more aggressive to us after the relative gridlock in Manila where the volume of cars on the road meant that it was not possible to accelerate away from junctions or drive anywhere at any speed. Despite its vast oil wealth the country has managed to preserve 70% of its forests and owns a cattle farm in Australia which is larger than the country of Brunei itself. The animals are […]
Brunei
Read this blog: The one where we watch an International fireworks competition Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March 2025 Robert wanted to tick off his 53rd Hard Rock Café so we ordered a Grab to take us to the Mall of Asia, a large shopping mall built on reclaimed land. Momo the happy Corgi welcomes visitors to the Mall of Asia. The Grab dropped us at the Conrad Hotel and, while Robert was paying the fare, a charming hotel attendant opened the car door for Matilda and asked her if she had come for the fireworks. He explained that there was a competition going on and that there would be fireworks over the bay that night. A quick google search revealed that the 12th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition [PIPC] was taking place on Seaside Boulevard and that on 8th March our home team the UK, represented by Pyrotex Fireworx, would be up against South Korea’s Faseecom. The restaurants in and around the Mall of Asia were gearing up for the crowds and whilst we did not want to stay and become embroiled with the masses, we felt we might be able to see something from the Sky Bar at our […]