Jeremy meets friends old and new in Brunei

Dr Jeremy Jolley with Izma (coming to Hull next year),
elephant (not coming to Hull next year),
Rosni and Peng (alumni).

Jeremy Jolley in Brunei

I arrived at the University of Brunei Darussalam - unexpectedly, apparently but this has not dampened their enthusiasm to work together.

I arrived at the airport yesterday after 36 hours travelling to find that all the cash machines were out of action – so I had no money for a taxi! Fortunately, I had £25 with me but I had to go back into the airport as if I was flying out somewhere to find a money-changer. The £25 was enough to get me to the hotel, but I didn’t have any money for taxis today; I had enough to get to the university but not enough to bring me back to the hotel. There are few cash machines in Brunei – although I knew of one opposite the town (built on sticks) and thought I was going to have to get there somehow and then get back to the university for 10:30.  All this complicated by the fact that everyone has a car in Brunei, so there is little public transport and few taxis.  Of course, I assumed that that cash machine was working – otherwise I would be stuck in the town, and all this with jet lag  The desire to stay in bed was strong. I should have known, always take cash with you, preferably US dollars, sometimes they are the only thing that works!  However, after a long discussion with a member of hotel staff, they agreed - reluctantly -  to use my debit card to give me some money. 

Jeremy's new friend

Anyway, job done for today; made new contacts, the will is there and that’s what we want. Nice university, science faculty built in the shape of an atom; something you can do when you have money.

The view from my window is nice – feels like 35 degrees centigrade; nice actually, but too hot to walk more than half a mile.

My room was flooded but this has receded. Love the way the water comes through the walls when it rains, why can’t we have that in Hull?

Jeremy's accommodation