Flying out of Bangkok I was happy to leaving the pollution and heading back to villagey Bali.

Flying Royal Brunei Airlines means however that I have to spend 24 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capitol of Brunei.

The first thing you'll notice at the airport is that all the women wear head coverings, definitely a change of pace from freewheeling Bangkok. Located at the top end of Borneo, Brunei is very tropical and the temperatures were in the 90's when I arrived, sun beating down.

I took a local bus from the airport to downtown for $1 and looked for the cheapest hotel, The Capitol which charges $40. At the bus station a local advised me to walk the 10 minute route and I'd find the Capitol no worries. I walked for 20 perspiring like mad....no shade and not too many pedestrians to ask. Eventually I found the Capitol and after fulfilling the formalities of checking in I took a long nap in the cool of the room.

This evening I strolled down to the water ( the whole place is set on a river bank ) and ate nasi goreng seafood for $3 at an open air place.

People are pleasant here though reserved. Brunei is rich with oil money and the streets, buildings and cars look new.

Its 9pm and I'm in a shopping center with all the selections, videos, clothes, Dairy Queen etc. that you'd find in the US. No beer though, you can bring it in, but cannot sell it.

If I had transport I would of made more of an effort to explore. When I arrived it was hotter than hell and draging my laptop, plus gear wearing a shirt and thick jeans wasn't the ticket.

Flying out of here tomorrow at 8,50am and arriving in lovely Bali around 3 hours later.

I wouldn't make Brunei a deliberate stop on my RTW tour but think it would be cool to rent a vehicle and really explore the backcountry.

Will let you all know how much I get scalped for by the Indonesian immigration tomorrow.