Cover from Brunei

After four postcards from Brunei, i finally received also my first cover from this small country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. On every stamp from Brunei you can see Sultan Bolkiah (at least as a small icon in upper corner), member of The House of Bolkiah. The House of Bolkiah is the ruling royal family of Brunei. It is composed of the descendants of the first sultan Sultan Muhammad Shah and his family. The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and absolute monarch of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one Sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates back to the 14th century.

Stamps on cover:
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 23.12.1985.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 23.12.1985.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 23.02.2007.
The 25th Anniversary of Independence Day, issued on 23.02.2009.


Thank you, Hui Peng!

Flags of the World Series: Brunei

Brunei , officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.

Stamp on postcard is from set The 50th Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, issued on 31.5.2012.

Thank you Dewi!

Brunei: The Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government.The name "Istana Nurul Iman" means Palace of the Light of Faith. Istana Nurul Iman is the largest residential palace in the world and the largest single family residence ever built. The palace contains 1,788 rooms, which includes 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 5,000 guests, a mosque accommodating 1,500 people. The palace also includes a 110-car garage, an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies, and 5 swimming pools. In total, Istana Nurul Iman contains 200,000 m² of floorspace.

Stamps:
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 23.02.2007.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 09.10.1996.


Thank you Alicia!

Brunei: Usongan Diraja - The Royal Chariot

On this postcard you can see Usongan Diraja or The Royal Chariot. Gold-leafed winged chariot was used for the parade carrying the Sultan through the streets of the city on the occasion of his 1992 silver jubilee celebration of coronation in 1968. This chariot is today in The Royal Regalia Building.

Stamps:
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 23.02.2007.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 09.10.1996.


Thank you Alicia!

Brunei: The Royal Regalia Building

I have received my first mail from Brunei, 3 very nice postcards, and this is first of them.

The building, originally "Churchill's Museum", which had been established by the father of present Sultan of Brunei as he admired Winston Churchill, was replaced in late 1992 by the Royal Regalia Exhibition Hall. It was established to celebrate the 1992 Silver Jubilee of the Sultan's coronation as the king of Brunei. A historical review of the present Sultan's life is narrated through family pictures with detailed narrative texts in which the Sultan is highlighted through many of his portraits and a hologram.

Stamps:
Large Scale Rice Planting, issued on 11.01.2011.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, issued on 09.10.1996.


Thank you Alicia!