Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

My first trip to a Muslim country was to the Sultanate of Brunei. I wasn't sure what to expect exactly, as the main purpose of the trip was to see the rain forests of Borneo, but why limit yourself, right? Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei has its own extravagant sites to see, none more so than the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

Named after the 30th Sultan of Brunei, who ruled directly prior to the current Sultan, it's considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific region. It's dome is covered in pure gold. Anything less would seem out of place for the extravagant lifestyle of the Sultans.

The bridge leading to the mosque crosses an artificial lagoon. Perhaps you're starting to get the idea - it might be a tiny island nation, but its oil and natural gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest countries on a per capita basis. I'm happy to report that everyone I encountered on my trip was so friendly and welcoming.

One of the must-visit sites when in Bandar Seri Begawan.