Brunei

Brunei is a small coastal state just 443km (277 miles) north of the equator in the northwest corner of Borneo, bounded on all landward sides by Sarawak (Malaysia), which splits Brunei into two parts. The landscape is mainly equatorial jungle cut by rivers. It is a heavily forested state, and most human activity is restricted either to coastal areas or estuaries. There are beaches with facilities at Kuala Belait, Lumut Beach near Tutong and at Muara. Tourist sights in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital, include the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the Churchill Memorial, incorporating the Churchill Museum and Aquarium. Outside the capital, it is possible to travel upriver to visit village settlements, such as the Kampong Parit Resort. Kampong Ayer, a water village, is reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world. Local food is similar to Malay cuisine with fresh fish and rice and is often quite spicy. Alcohol is prohibited.