Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Brunei has a GDP/Cap approximately equal to that of the US with the petroleum sector making up more than half of this GDP. Gas prices are extremely low at about 42 cents/liter (1.62 USD/Gallon) and Diesel is even cheaper at 26 cents/liter (98 Cents/Gallon). Sunni Islam makes up 67% of the population followed by Buddhism and Christianity. 

Being there during Ramadan was particularly interesting with the days being very quiet. If your looking for food there is a huge food market, but you will have to wait until about 6:30 to eat in public unless you bring the food home and eat in your hotel. Sales of alcohol are also illegal and you must only consume alcohol within your hotel. All of these laws and customs make Brunei somewhat boring, however the city of Bandar Seri Begawan is extremely well groomed, safe, and nice looking.

(Food market)

Every day they shoot off the canons to signal that everyone can eat. When we went into this empty park to run on the grassy field, we thought these trucks were coming to arrest us. We were in luck and the police just smiled and said hello as we goofed around in the grass.

Go on a boat tour down the river!

This is a must do and one of the few tourist attractions. Simply walk over to the river and hire one of the guys with boats. They will take you to see the Proboscis monkeys and around the town. 

(Proboscis monkey with the giant nose!)

(Saying hi to the daughters of the boat driver)

The worlds largest water village, Kampong Ayer

about 39,000 people live in this water village which consists of houses, schools, mosques, and much more built on stilts above the Brunei River. Water taxi's are used as a quick way to get around. 

Labuan, Malaysia

A duty free Island and necessary stop when taking the boat from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei. Stock up on booze and chocolate here before you head to Brunei where alcohol sales are illegal. 

(Chaz stepping off the boat with his giant backpack)

Sandakan, Malaysia

I only spent a few nights in Sandakan but my assessment is that it's a smaller version of Kota Kinabalu. I didn't find anything particularly interesting here but I have a fun memory of running through the rain with my new travel companion Chaz. I remember feeling chilly and really appreciating this feeling having had only hot and humid weather. The highlight here was actually the hostel we stayed at with fun people and super fast wifi. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the hostel. 

Sepilok, Malaysia

The main attraction in Sepilok is the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. First you watch a very informational video about Orangutans and how the center helps this critically endangered species. Then you can watch them up close during feeding time. Orangutans contain 97% of DNA in common with humans. Hence why Orangutan literally translates into forest person. 

(Massive crowd of tourists taking pictures of the Orangutans)

Trek through the rainforest!

(try not to get attacked by the monkeys)

Sipadan, Malaysia

Sipadan!

One of the top dive sites in the world, Barracuda Point!

Sipadan is an island formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that shoots up 600m (2000ft) from the sea bed off the coast of east Malaysia. Jacques Cousteau, the inventor of SCUBA, said himself "I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art."

Giant School of Bump Head Fish!