Apa Khabar?
How are you? in Malay.
Absynthe and I received a postcard from Brunei today! I bet none of you have ever had a card from Brunei, have you?
I bet most of you couldn't find Brunei on a map - I found out it wasn't quite where I expected it to be when I looked it up.
So, here are some facts about Brunei:
> it is a Sultanate formed in the 14th Century and was a British Protectorate for nearly 100 years
So, here are some facts about Brunei:
> it is a Sultanate formed in the 14th Century and was a British Protectorate for nearly 100 years
> Brunei (pronounced /bruːˈnaɪ/ in English), officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace (Malay: Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi: بروني دارالسلام), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia
> it is one of the smallest countries on earth, being only a little over 2200 sq mi.
> His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah is the head of state
> a soul and jazz singer, known as Zul F, (Haji Mohammad ZulFakhari bin Haji Muksin) won the Brunei Idol in 2005, and sang before the Sultan at his 60th birthday party
> a Pittsburg Penguin, named Craig Adams, was born in Brunei and raised in Calgary
> the Istana Nurul Iman palace (meaning Palace of the Light of Faith) is the world's largest residential palace (and the world's largest residence of any type)
> the interior of Istana Nurul Iman was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International, whose other works include the Burj-Al-Arab, Dubai
> it was built in 1984
> Brunei became independent from Britain in 1984
> oil wealth allows Brunei to have one of the finest health care systems in Asia
> there are five hospitals in Brunei
> the population of Brunei is around 385,000
> the government owns a cattle farm in Australia
> the farm is larger than Brunei itself
> Brunei's coastline is 161km
> the weather is tropical, hot, humid and rainy
> typhoons, earthquakes and severe flooding are rare in Brunei
info sourced from: wikipedia, lonelyplanet, cia factbook and tourism brunei
info sourced from: wikipedia, lonelyplanet, cia factbook and tourism brunei
His majesty's name is quite a mouthful to say the least.
ReplyDeleteJazz: isn't it just?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find if he had a nickname as the idol winner has.
that is a beautiful card
ReplyDeleteChar: and it was #899 of the cards sent from Brunei. as a comparison, my last card sent from Canada was #85373. but there are fewer people living in Brunei than in the city I live next door to!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful postcard! Even more amazing is where it comes from - so close to the Indonesian islands (where I was born). I'm surprised they have managed to stay an independent country - maybe because it's Muslim?
ReplyDeleteJeannette: I imagine the Sultanate has a lot to do with that. and the oil. though, apparently they need this farm in Australia because pretty much only chickens and eggs are domestic - everything else is imported.
ReplyDeleteAnd I learned from Oprah that they pay no taxes whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving seeing the Arabic script; so beautiful intermingled with our Englishy stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the good information. Now I'm a little bit wiser.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Sarawak which is a neighbour of Brunei. We share what was British Borneo,
ReplyDeleteIn July, my 13 yr old son Sam and I went to brunei
People think oil rich Brunei is in the middle East.
You can eat a rice dish for $1 necause the government subsidises rice. It is called nasi kodok.
http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2009/09/scenic-sunday-brunei-palace.html
http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2009/09/brunei-airport.html
Fascinating! I didn't know anything about Brunei other than how to pronounce the name! I had no clue that it was even in Asia. Thanks for the geography lesson. I'm going to look for pictures!
ReplyDeleteMeant to add...how funny they have their own version of Idol! Now that's one I would watch!
ReplyDeleteGeewits: funny, I didn't see that little fact anywhere - well hidden, I guess! is this where Oprah stores some of her millions?
ReplyDeleteJocelyn: it is beautiful, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteNora: you are welcome!
ReplyDeleteI love the internet. I have looked up so many things from the postcards I've gotten. I keep adding to my list of places I want to see in person.
Ann; I knew it was in that area somewhere, but I didn't realize it was on an island.
ReplyDeletethanks for your links, I'd forgotten you were there!
Susan: you can check out Ann's blog and I included a link to the tourism website - lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteand I know! I thought that was funny that such a small country as this even has an Idol!
Getting a postcard, from anywhere is always exciting. And, with the internet, not happening nearly enough these days. They are such artifacts! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, and yes I can tell your a kind Canadian, says one to another. Love your blog
ReplyDeleteGDP: although this Postcrossing is all done through the internet, but with family and friends... it's all email.
ReplyDeleteCinner: why, thank you kindly!
ReplyDeleteViolet, it's a beautiful card! I'm waiting for my postcrossing card... :)
ReplyDeleteMary: it is so much fun to see a card with a pretty picture on one side and real handwriting on the other sitting in your mailbox - have fun!
ReplyDelete