Normally we don't do hotels here at Globe Spots but when the construction price tag is in the US$1 billion region, it qualifies. Every part of this hotel is build with the best materials and the foyer is 80 meters high. All this splendidness is the brainchild of the black sheep of the royal family of Brunei, Prince Jefri. A lot of things can be said of Jefri, but before he got sacked as finance minister he had wasted billions on personal expenses, including gold-plated toilet brushes, 2000 cars and a yacht named Tits, with two tenders called Nipple 1 and Nipple 2. If that isn't class, we don't what is.

A tasteful and modest piece of architecture that shows what oil money can buy. Build in 1958 with the finest material from all over the world; marble from Italy, stained-glass and chandeliers from England, granite from China, carpets from Saudi Arabia and a golden dome. In the artificial lake stands a replica of a royal boat. It's clearly the city's proud landmark and is considered among the most beautiful mosques in the world.

The Proboscis monkey is the largest monkey in the world and is a seriously threatened species that only live in Borneo. There are estimated 20.000 left and surprisingly Brunei is the home to half of them, where they live along the banks of Brunei River. The males are easy recognised with their potbellies, big blobby noses, and permanent erected penis (we kid you not). They are quite shy and keep to the shadow during the heat of the day, so the best time to observe them is at dusk along the river bank.

Brunei River, which snakes trough the capital, is home for about 30.000 people who live on stilt in water villages. Neighbourhoods are connected with a maze of wooden walk boards balancing several meters above the water level. Longer distances are done by zigzagging water taxis that shuttles between the city and the villages, and every point in between. Some have called it The Venice of the East though that might be stretching it a bit too far, but it's probably the liveliest area you will experience in Brunei.