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lacsap
Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 38 Location: South East Asia
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject: Moving to the Haven of Peace |
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Well done Javagall
OK. I'll try and answer your questions. Mobiles: no problem. There are two networks, DST which most people use and B-Mobile which is not quite so popular. There is a prepaid scheme with both, where you buy scratchcards for credit, called Easi for DST, can't remember for B-Mobile, or there is a monthly post-paid system. Depends how much you use your phone. Most people, if you just text all the time are quite happy with the scratchcards, but if you use it more and intend to roam to other countries, then get the postpaid system. Coverage is good in most places. If you have a phone from the UK, you will have to make sure it is not locked into your UK provider. Otherwise just buy a cheap one here. Check www.qqestore.com for prices. All models available, depends on your level of geekiness which to buy. Musical instruments: several music schools offering tuition in most instruments, the schools JIS and ISB also offer tuition, instruments available to buy in shops, limited range, depends what you want. Not a musician myself but plenty of people are so they might be better able to advise. Broadband is simple. You do it through TelBru. Works fine, installed quickly, they'll even set up your wireless network.Service prompt and efficient (not all Brunei is like that, believe me). Cost $68 a month.
Baggage, you'll find it will arrive just as you are moving into your house, otherwise the shipping company will keep it for a while.
Anything else you need to know, just ask. |
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jsteventon
Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:58 am Post subject: Musical instruments |
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Many children here learn an instrument and the two or three specialist shops in BSB meet the needs of the majority. The student can also hire an instrument from JIS (maybe ISB too)
Think lacsap has answered all the other queries! Mobile phone and broadband efficient and easy to organise here...
JS |
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Javaggall
Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject: Such a good source of info! |
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THANK YOU - I can't imagine what people did before forums like this were set up! Every little anxiety or wonder we have, someone reassures us! I have no more questions at present but will certainly post them if any more arise. Will wait to buy mobiles out there - thanks for the link - and will look into music later. Cheers everyone - see you in September! |
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Javaggall
Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject: Money Matters |
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Just a thought - we aim to send some money to the UK each month to keep things ticking over here - and hopefully save a little!!! Are there any laws/limits to how much you can send home/take out of the country - and bring into the country for that matter? We will probably bring some dollars with us - is there a limit?
Also, is the hotel where we will be staying at first well equipped - I believe it will be self catering?
Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me. |
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jsteventon
Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject: Brunei |
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Hi,
As far as I am aware there is no limit on bringing in or sending out money. very easy to send to a home bank account each month...
The hotel is fine - living room/kitchenette plus bedroom and bathroom. A good way to do things as you can then set about finding exactly the home you want at the price you want - if under the rent allowance you can keep the difference, which is a great option. CfBT used to put people straight into their house, but have changed this due to popular demand. The hotel is in a good location near the arport and main highway...
JS |
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gajackson1
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 4:11 am Post subject: |
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When I first came, I thought there was a higher limit on exiting/entering Brunei - but yep, there seems to be NO limits. I think where you will find the issue is in getting to/leaving from Brunei with X amount in currency, for whatever the limits are in relation to the OTHER country.
I don't know who you bank with there - but if it is Standard & Chartered, HSBC, or CitiBank, you're gold! Because those 3 are already well established here. (I wish I had set up a S&C or HSBC account before arriving from Korea; I have an S&C account now, though).
I wish I could comment more on Islamic banking and the banks/services offered here (it is currently a VERY hot topic on some of the international boards - the Korean on`s, as well), but I honestly can't. If you are serious about saving & investment, though, you may really want to take a good look at those opportunities, or other wealth management options.
The savings potentials ARE here, but with a plan & smart management, you can do a lot, lot better, making those savings work smarter & harder for you. The power of interest & all that.
Cheers!
Glen |
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lacsap
Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 38 Location: South East Asia
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Transferring money from Brunei is very easy nowadays. Most people tend to have an account with HSBC here. If your account in the UK is also with them, or with their internet arm First Direct, then it is simple to transfer as much as you like via internet and it only costs $10 per transfer. If you transfer via internet to a non-HSBC bank in the UK then it's $15. The maximum you can send is actually $5000 a day. At least that's what it is for me. See http://www.hsbc.com.bn/1/PA_1_1_S5/content/brunei_51/download_centre/forms/gtariffapr09.pdf for full details.
HSBC in Brunei have been a bit difficult to deal with recently, largely because a couple of CFBT teachers have done runners owing them a lot of money. They therefore make us jump through a lot of hoops to get any loans or credit from them. Standard Chartered are OK, they have internet banking as well, but you are unlikely to have an account with them in the UK, which makes transfers more expensive.
Islamic banks such as the TAIB here in Brunei are OK, but limited in the services they offer. They have savings accounts, but they do not offer a guaranteed interest rate, rather they pay a "dividend" every year, and you don't know what that is until they announce it. Last year it was 2.25%.
Don't worry about the whole money transfer issue however, it is very easy once you know what to do. Indeed once you have set up a regular payment every month, you don't need to think about it again.
One absolute rule regarding money is, do not have anything to do with any of the "financial advisors" who infect the place, companies such as Finesco. Stay well away. They are not your friends. I am sure everyone else will back me up on that.
Good luck. |
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celtica
Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:13 am Post subject: |
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With HSBC I believe the limit depends on what you request when you open the account/the internet banking
...Some I know have a $10,000 daily limit. Whether it goes higher than this I don't know. |
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Javaggall
Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject: Cheers |
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Thanks again - we have a UK account with HSBC so that seems encouraging.
More questions I'm afraid....
We have been told that you shouldn't swim in the sea unless in a wetsuit as they are "nasties" in there. Can anyone clarify? What nasties? Sharks, jellyfish etc or sewage/pollution??!! How can a wetsuit help?!?!?
Also, is there the opportunity to rent a house with a pool? Is this do-able? Are we living in cloud cuckoo land? If it is do-able, how much more expensive is it? Maintainence easy to organise? Affrordable?
Thanks again - I appreciate everything you are telling me and feel almost organised  |
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lacsap
Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 38 Location: South East Asia
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 4:35 am Post subject: |
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Some people swim in the sea, but I wouldn't. Box jellyfish, which are the most poisonous creature in the seas, have been known to frequent the water here. You can wear a stinger suit which is like a thin wetsuit, but why risk it. Sharks, don't think so. On some beaches there are some violent undercurrents which can drag you out very quickly. Locals, who are not good swimmers, have been drowned while swimming in the sea. Pollution is not so bad in the water, but beaches are often strewn with litter. There are plenty of swimming pools around, at the Yacht Club, the RBA club, the Mabohai and the Panaga in Kuala Belait. There's also the public pool at the Stadium complex in BSB which is ok. Regarding a pool at home, not really worth it. You can have an above-ground one fitted, but the novelty wears off quickly and they are a pain in the **** to maintain, with cleaning and the chlorine etc. One or two teachers have managed to get a house with a pool but very few. Just join one of the clubs. |
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Javaggall
Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject: Dress Code |
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Just another question!! I am very clear about what I need to wear at work but less clear on "down time attire". Can anyone advise as to flipflops and shorts? For me and for my husband? Is it acceptable for him to drop the children at school in shorts, flipflops and short sleeved shirt? I understand that I must adopt appropriate wear at all times - never was one for a bikini! - but will I be ok in t-shirt and shorts in public places? Thanks to anyone who can reassure.  |
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celtica
Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
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This can vary as widely as the schools themselves.
Some principals are outspoken about what is expected of female teachers ...both in and out of school. The emphasis being of covering to elbows and lower calves .... for non and muslims even when out of school .
Other principals allow short (above knee) skirts and shorter sleeves....
I would say the majority of female CfBT wear 3/4 pants when out rather than shorts. T shirts are widely worn. |
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lacsap
Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 38 Location: South East Asia
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Not sure I agree with celtica on that one. Don't know of any principals who dictate what female staff wear OUTSIDE school. How can they? You can wear more or less what you like within reason obviously. It's not Saudi Arabia. As for men, when not in school, most of them, particularly the Antipodeans, just seem to go around in shorts and Tshirt. Don't stress on this, it's really not a big deal. For school wear just look at the pictures on CFBT website, for outside, wear what you would in summer in the UK. (I don't mean a raincoat and a jumper!!) |
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celtica
Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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I have a friend whose principal regularly brings it up in the staff meetings....... 'is outspoken'
along these lines ......
females should remember that they need to cover up (and not wear tight clothing). Even if you (female teachers) don't know who the people around you are - the people know you from school.......it reflects badly on the school if you wear unsuitable clothing......
This principal has been through every style of clothing the local females wear to school and criticised each and every one, if it wasn't up to her standard.
Obviously she can't actually dictate what you wear outside school...but she lets her feelings and expectations be known!
How each expat reacts to that is all part of the 'living in Brunei' experience. Some ignore it; some pay lip service; some get all upset about it.
For each person it ultimately has to be what you yourself feel most comfortable with.
Some women have also commented on their dislike of the staring they receive from some men ....obviously how they dress is going to be commensurate with how comfortable or uncomfortable they feel in a certain place/situation. [/i] |
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Javaggall
Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 41 Location: Tees Valley, UK
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: Dress Code |
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Thanks again - I think I am clear as I have a good idea about what I'll need to bring now. Also, I am SOOO not someone who would wear anything too tight or revealing anyway so won't be anything to get used to on that front! Husband is going to be fulltime dad and kids will attend ISB - reading between the lines, he'll be ok in casual, short sleeves and shorts??? Someone told me (there's always a someone who knows things, isn't there???) that men can't show their toes. My husband is desparate to know that this is not the case as he is a big flipflop fan in hot weather.
Also, just to let you all know we have our date to come out - August 14th - so we will be with you in the real world rather than cyber space very soon. And then we'll just have to get on with it - something I think we do rather well!!!! Looking forward to seeing you all - I'm sure we'll meet some on you in the flesh!!!!  |
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