4.30 pm: The Istana Nurul Imam (The Sultan's palace)

The Sultan's palace is proudly described by Bruneians as the largest residential palace in the world.

With 1,900 rooms it must be some complex. We can see its golden domes and sweeping rooflines from the Brunei river.

There is no way anyone can see the palace, unless one is a visiting head of State.

Ikram agrees to drive us to gates. It is a massive structure, but the security level is very low. Two ceremonial guards are bemused at the sight of our group clicking pictures and shooting video.

We have to be satisfied with the sight of the huge gates and superbly maintained gardens.

8 pm: Dinner hosted by the Brunei press

Another swank restaurant, another great spread and we wind up our trip in style.

It is Diana's birthday and a couple of us pop into the mall next door and get her a surprise cake. She is quite overwhelmed by the gesture and can't hide her joy. She's been great company and she deserved it.

It's been a great trip and the hospitality was top rate.

As they say in Brunei Terima Kasih (Thank you).

Image: The Sultan's palace

Deputy Managing Editor Prithviraj Hegde was part of a 10-member Indian media delegation that visited Brunei and the Philippines as part of the India-ASEAN media exchange programme.