Brunei Darussalam

I had the exceeding fortune of visiting and performing in the country-state of Brunei Darussalam, or quite simply known as Brunei.  Geographically situated on Borneo, the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea, it shares the island with Malaysia and Indonesia. 

In this small and peaceful country, the majority population of Muslim Malays lives side by side with the Chinese and a significant community of expatriates.  While the temperature of hate in the rest of the world has gone up to Pluto, the people here get by with each other like a well-harmonized
Bach chorale.  Never since the time when I lived in Singapore in the '90s have I seen such easy-going mix of ethnicities and cultures; here discrimination and intolerance find no stopping place.

It is a short flight from Hong Kong on its stellar national flag airline, the Royal Brunei.  Do note that there is a limitation on bringing alcohol - I believe it is 2 litre - and the luggage has to pass through a x-ray scan when exiting the airport.  A drop over 2 litre and you will have to bid farewell to them at the customs.

Dining is a national sport here.  People love to eat, and there is a blinding variety of foods that I have never seen or heard of. 

The Chinese first recorded the island of Borneo about a thousand years ago, noting that it was a wealthy and strong empire.  The next millennium of its history is coloured by major wars with the Spanish and the British.  The turning point came in 1929 when oil was discovered, which, since then, had created most of its wealth and fame.

It came under the protectorate of the British (who wasn't?) in 1888 and finally in 1984 Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah proclaimed its independence.  Today, the capital city Bander Seri Begawan is a lively, westernized city that boosts equally vibrant local colours.  The beautiful mosque stood a stone's throw away from a shopping centre, and Times Square in Brunei will keep you occupied with the latest Hollywood movies alongside fancy cafes and local restaurants. 

I never stray far from a Fazioli piano!

Fly to Brunei on its flag carrier: http://www.flyroyalbrunei.com, and experience the Bruneian hospitality at The Empire: http://www.theempirehotel.com/.