Brunei: Taking Princess Bus into Town?

Hello fellow cruisers.

We are gong to Asia on the Sapphire Princess in December 2015. It will make a stop in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Many of the excursions seem rather expensive and do not spend enough time in any interesting areas.

QUESTIONS:

1. Has anyone taken the Princess bus from the port into downtown Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei?

2. If so, what is there to see nearby (Mosques, Palaces, River Tours)?

3. Did you hear comments from other travelers on this Do-It-Yourself approach to visiting Brunei?

I will certainly appreciate all the information you can provide

Javier

Options to go to town from Brunei Port are:

1) Ship transfer, very expensive, I believe is about U$ 50.00 per person

2) Taxi per car is about U$30.00 one way. however, taxi driver prefer to do tour. asking price is B$150.00 = U$110.00 for a day. May be you can negotiate down to B$ 100.00 -120.00. available at dock side.

3) By local bus from the port town (very small, 2 block of shops with car park at the center), about 10-15 min. walk from cruise terminal (container port). the fare is B$1.00 (with stop) or B$ 2.00 direct non stop.

However. please aware of the following.

a) irregular schedule, 15-30 min interval.

b) can be mini bus or regular bus. with or without air-con

c) have to fight with other cruisers to get on, no queue.

(coming back from town is ok)

d) cannot tell which bus is non stop or with stop. only known after boarding.

e) the journey is 45-60 Min.

f) bus terminal in Bandar town is very convenient. easy walking to the main Mosque, jetty to water village, local market and other attractions.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will take them al into account.