Photo of the Day – Brunei
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Bandar Seri Begawan
Formerly a British protectorate, the tiny sultanate of Brunei makes up less than 1% of the landmass of Borneo. Its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is small enough to be toured in a day. Hire a water taxi from the main market for a visit to the vast water villages of Kampong Ayer. The people who live in this floating city are very friendly and many open up their homes to visitors year-round. After your tour of the river, don’t miss a chance to visit one of the most spectacular examples of modern Islamic architecture in all of Asia Pacific. Named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was built on an artificial lagoon and completed in 1958. The main dome is covered in pure gold and at 171ft high can be seen from anywhere in the city. It’s both Brunei’s most recognizable landmark and its number one tourist attraction.
