A Change of Plans
July 23rd. I decided to pull an audible and stay one more night here in Bangar, Brunei.
Why the sudden change? Even though Bangar is a pretty tiny town, it is absolutely packed with charm and fascinating spots. Plus, getting here is no walk in the park—there are no direct flights, and it's quite a hassle to reach by car. When I asked myself, "When am I ever going to be back here?", the answer was clear. I had to seize the moment and experience everything this place has to offer right now. Sometimes, the best travel decisions are the impromptu ones.
Crossing the River & Morning Market Finds
First thing in the morning, I crossed the river to check out the other side of town.
Wandering around, I stumbled upon a lively local morning market. I absolutely love the chaotic, vibrant energy of these places. I immediately grabbed some local grub for breakfast and continued my stroll.
Eventually, I wandered into a government-managed area. Deep inside, there was this beautiful, traditional monument that just oozed local vibes.
I wasn't entirely sure if it was open to the public, so I hesitantly asked some locals nearby. They completely brushed off my worries with a massive smile, basically saying, "You don't even need to ask! Come on in!" The hospitality here is just next level.
Chilling Out & The Sultan's Birthday Festival
After a solid morning of exploring, I headed back to my place. I took it easy, ate my market finds, got some chores done, and just soaked in the slow pace of the afternoon.
Then came the night. The absolute highlight of being in Brunei right now is the massive festival celebrating the Sultan's birthday, which apparently runs every single day until mid-August! I hit up the festival grounds, loaded up on even more amazing street food,
and ended up chatting with a bunch of locals. Hearing their stories and learning about Brunei firsthand was incredibly eye-opening. You really can't beat local knowledge.
All in all, it was a perfectly fulfilling day. Tomorrow, I hit the road and start moving again. I'll keep taking it at my own pace, but it's time to tighten my focus for the next leg of the journey. Let's do this!