The interesting facts you might not know about Brunei

The Sultanate of Brunei is a very small Southeast Asian country located in the island of Borneo. It shares a border with Malaysia, and is a few hours’ drive from Miri and Limbang in the Malaysian State of Sarawak. The capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, is about 228 kilometres away from Kota Kinabalu, roughly 6 hours by land.

Brunei is not popular to tourists.

The first reason is that it is well and truly off the beaten track. Brunei does not get many tourists. Brunei has the oldest ruling Islamic monarchy in Southeast Asia. This is reflected in the number of mosques around the country. A trip to this small Sultanate should be on the list of any enthusiastic traveller.

Brunei gives you an immersive cultural experience.

Because you are able to explore Brunei at a leisurely pace, your cultural experience is more authentic. The economy is not dependent on the tourism industry, so the attractions exist to preserve culture and tradition. There are no massive integrated tourist traps that attempt to attract and milk money from foreign visitors. You get to experience the country’s traditional culture by observing the locals, dining at a local eatery, or visiting mosques and museums at your own pace. Unlike other cities in Asia, you do not have to travel to a remote village to experience Brunei’s culture as well.

Brunei is supremely safe and clean.

Brunei is an amazing destination hardwired for solo travelers and for those traveling abroad for the first time. Not only does it exude a peaceful charm, but it is supremely safe as well, making it the perfect destination for folks traveling solo. As a matter of fact, the crime rate in Brunei is so low that you can explore its capital freely, even solo at night. What’s more, the consumption of alcohol is illegal for Muslims and strictly restricted for non-Muslims, meaning you’re less likely to bump into drunken people behaving disorderly in Brunei.

You do not need to keep paying.

Oil made the Sultan and Brunei rich. Tourists do not need to keep paying entrance fees. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and the Royal Regalia Museum are all free.

People treat you well.

The people in Brunei were nice and showed us great hospitality. This includes not only the local Bruneians but also the migrant workers from Indonesia. You will be treated with the utmost level of respect.

Read more: Visit the most stunning mosques in Brunei

Food is awesome in Brunei .

The food in Brunei is a mix of Indian, Malaysia, Singaporean, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisines. Must-try foods during your visit are nasi goreng, ayam penyet, roti, kolo mee, chicken laksa meehoon, nasi katok, rending, and assam pedas.

Brunei has an emerging food scene so you will not have a problem finding good halal or non-halal restaurants and eateries.

Source Internet

Must-visit markets in Goa, India

Goa is a thriving city in India. Therefore, its markets are must-visit sights that cannot be ignored once you step a foot onto this colourful destination.

Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora

Open every Saturday from 6 pm until late night, the Saturday Night Bazaar is located at Arpora. This bazaar is divided into three zones: the Lower Field is peppered with kiosks featuring local and international clothes, accessories and knick-knacks; the Central Field houses an array of food stalls serving heavenly food from around the world; and the Upper Field features designer stalls and boutiques.

Calangute Market Square

Located in Calangute town, the Calangute Market Square feeds swarms of visitors every Saturday from 6:30 am until 12 pm. It is lined with food stalls and restaurants that sell delicious seafood snacks and other cuisines. You can get all kinds of seafood items along with chilled beer and other beverages. You can also buy fresh seafood, fish and meat from here. Not only food, this market is home to a variety of shopping stalls selling everything from textiles, carpet to accessories, leather items and souvenirs.

Mapusa Friday Market

The Mapusa Friday Market is a weekly market held in Mapusa, open from 8:00 am until 6:30 pm. This market sells fresh local produce, clothes, accessories, pottery and handicrafts. The Mapusa Friday Market also features food stalls serving up authentic Goan food. Chorizos (also known as pork sausages) are a must try!

Alankar Food Street

Located right in front of Alankar Theatre, the Alankar Food Street is a buzzing street featuring an array of vendors selling everything that is related to food. Its open from 6pm every evening. From mouth-watering Goan food to tandoori and Chinese, along with milkshakes and juices, you will find it all here. Wondering about the prices? Fret not, the food served here will definitely not burn a hole in your pocket and if you’re on a budget, the prices will really bring a smile to your face.

Anjuna Flea Market

Open every Wednesday from 9 am until 6 pm, October-April, Anjuna Market is always bustling with tourists. Though it is popular for shopping, but it also houses numerous food stalls that sell some of the delicious street food. Grab a bite while enjoying people-watching and then wrap up your evening with a walk along the beachside.

See more: Visit India's most spiritual cities

Source: Internet

The best 5 weekend getaways in Japan

Even if you only have a couple of days to spend, it’s definitely worth getting out of the city to explore other unique and beautiful parts of the country too. Here are some of our favorite weekend getaways from for your next trip to Japan.

Nara

Best known for its resident deer population and beautiful temples, you can reach Nara from Tokyo by train in about four hours. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Todai-ji Temple is a prime attraction here, as well as the deer roaming around Nara Park. It’s also nice to take a stroll through the Isui-en Garden to see the lovely flowers and pond, and the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine is worth a visit as well to see the forest, lanterns, and pathways. Stop by the Nara National Museum to learn about local history because the exhibits are bilingual in both Japanese and English. The Mt. Wakakusa area is great for longer hikes as well.

Read more: The land of cultural heritage, visit Nara in Japan

Kyoto

Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto, was also the country’s official capital for over 1,000 years. The city is home to a number of important cultural sites, including over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Kyoto is the place to go to experience geisha (or geiko, as they are known in Kansai) culture; the annual geisha dances held each spring are one of the city’s highlights. Kyoto is also known for its kaiseki (elevated Japanese cuisine), ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), and historic architecture.

Kanazawa

With beautiful temples, ancient shrines and a range of fantastic museums, this charming city lying on the Sea of Japan is not to be missed on your list. Wonderfully preserved, its ancient neighborhoods are lovely to wander around, with the old geisha and samurai districts being particularly delightful. In fact, Kanazawa rivals Kyoto in the number of historical and cultural attractions that it has on the show. Although seldom visited by westerners, Japanese tourists flock to this city. The highlight is undoubtedly Kenroku-en, an impressive castle with idyllic gardens surrounding it.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park draws in crowds from all over the globe. The site commemorates the victims of the 1945 bombings, when it became the first city to be attacked with atomic weapons. Today, Hiroshima is a lively, vibrant city, home to a number of historical sites, gardens, and parks. It is a great city for live sports and home to several national teams, including the Sanfrecce Hiroshima (soccer) and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (baseball). The main stadiums are the Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima and the Hiroshima Big Arch.

Fukuoka

The largest city in Kyushu, Fukuoka used to be two towns before the different areas joined to form the city we know today. A friendly and welcoming place, what Fukuoka lacks in terms of actual sights, it more than makes up for in its charm and pleasant atmosphere. With a couple of great museums, some great architecture, delicious ramen, and the chance to see their famous baseball team in action, Fukuoka is well worth a visit for all that it has to offer. Lying on the banks of the river running through it, there are some lovely temples dotted around the city and its surroundings. Many people use Fukuoka as a base from which to explore the rest of Kyushu.

Source Internet