Discover Brunei: Top 10 Fun Facts to Uncover the Hidden Gems of this Unique Kingdom

1. Golden Mosque Dome

If you've ever secretly wished for a golden palace à la Scrooge McDuck, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei might just be your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: Its main dome is encased in 24-carat gold leaf, flaunting a glittering blend of Mughal and Malay architectural styles designed by Italian architect Cavalieri R Nolli, and making it one of the most breathtaking mosques in the Asia Pacific since its completion in 1958.
Source => mosqpedia.org

2. Sultan's Car Obsession

You think your car obsession is extreme? Wait till you meet the Sultan who keeps his driveway sparkling with the Midas touch: Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, boasts over 600 Rolls-Royces – including a 24-carat gold plated Silver Spur II from his wedding – 380 exclusive Bentleys, and multiple rare Ferraris such as the 250 GTO and F40, single-handedly sustaining Rolls-Royce and Bentley during their 1990s slump.
Source => spyscape.com

Did you know that the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was a freezing -89.2°C (-128.5°F) in Antarctica? Discover why this icy continent holds the bone-chilling record! ❄️🥶

=> Fun Facts about Antarctica-For-Kids

3. Green Heart of Borneo

Brunei: where monkeys don the longest noses and orangutans find solace in a green embrace! The nation is covered in over 70% pristine rainforest, home to unique wildlife like Bornean orangutans and proboscis monkeys, thanks to strict government measures such as banning commercial logging and declaring vast areas as national parks. This dedication to sustainability has earned Brunei the endearing title of "the Green Heart of Borneo."
Source => crisis24.garda.com

4. Empire Hotel Extravaganza

Feeling beachy, peckish, and a smidge indecisive? Fear not, Brunei's Empire Hotel has the perfect melange of water-bound fun and scrumptious munch: This luxurious getaway offers private beaches, lagoons, five fantastic pools, and six mouth-watering restaurants to ensure you never get bored from splashing around or trying out different cuisines!
Source => theempirebrunei.com

5. BFF Currencies

When Brunei and Singapore hang out with each other, they speak the same "financial language" – talk about awesome friendship goals: The Brunei dollar and the Singapore dollar share an unbreakable 1:1 exchange rate bond, making both currencies strong and interchangeable in both nations.
Source => trvlguides.com

6. Smoke-Free Brunei

Smoking in Brunei? Puff luck, mate: The country is a certified tobacco buzzkill with smoking bans in most enclosed public spaces, e-cigarette sales prohibition, and a no-smoke radius around smoke-free buildings, ensuring a breath of fresh air for all who visit.
Source => tobaccocontrollaws.org

7. Unique Currency Designs

If the currency in your wallet doesn't sprout sultans, flowers, and trees, are you really living life to the fullest? In Brunei, they sure are: Brunei's cash showcases Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien ibni Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, the 28th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, along with designs representing blossoms, tree-shaped birds, animal-inspired claws, vertical oblong tree patterns, and the Brunei Darussalam crest on their 1967 paper note and coin series.
Source => bdcb.gov.bn

8. Scenic Speed Limits

Driving in Brunei: a splendid (and surprisingly safe) voyage through picturesque landscapes and speed limits greener than the leafy canopy above. Buckle in for this scenic savory: the nation, known for its pristine roads and low traffic, enforces a speed limit of 100 km/h on controlled-access highways and even slower in populated areas, making for ideal, leisurely road trips!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Rainforest Adventures

For those who've always wanted to feel like Indiana Jones but minus the killer snakes and booby traps, Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park is practically a choose-your-own-adventure in real life: This exceptional rainforest reserve is home to the elusive rhinoceros hornbill and offers a smorgasbord of activities from zip-lining over lush canopies, trekking through the wilderness, to meandering down the river on longboat rides or tubes. Brunei's conservation efforts ensure that this little slice of paradise remains untarnished, making your adventure a guilt-free experience.
Source => trvlguides.com

10. Sticky National Dish

In a sticky situation with no utensils? Brunei's got you covered with their gooey grub and trusty bamboo forks: Ambuyat, the national dish of Brunei, is crafted from the sago palm's interior trunk and traditionally eaten with a bamboo fork called chandas, twirled around in shrimp or durian sauce, and enjoyed with an assortment of sides in lively group gatherings.
Source => willflyforfood.net