Raffles Place, The Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore and Kacang Pool, Selera Senibong Seafood, Johor

Right after breakfast on the roof, we packed our bags and checked out from Lofi Inn Hostel. From this hotel, we continued walking to the next location, The Merlion Park. We took MRT from Little India and stopped at Raffles Place. From there, we asked few locals, how to go to Fullerton Hotel.

Enjoying the Singapore River along the way to the Fullerton Hotel was quite breathtaking. The finance and commercial buildings are separated on the South Bank, while the North Bank was reserved for the government use. The layouts somehow combined the urban and traditional scene, where we can see old-fashioned boat, cruising by the river, in between on those modern skyscrapers.

 

We further the walk, tried to get closer to the beautiful white Cavenagh Bridge, built by P&W Maclellan in 1868. The structure seemed solid still, but it is prohibited to any vehicle, including cattle and horses. We didn’t cross the bridge since we were getting to different direction, but we did set our foot on this bridge, to feel the history.

While waiting for Kak Ngah to feed Kilfie, we walked around the Fullerton Hotel and snapped few pictures. We found stack of red bricks, Foundation Stone of the Monument, a tribute to the early founders of Singapore that was laid by Inche Yusof Bin Ishak, the President of the Republic of Singapore on 1970. Anyhow, it is Joseph Conrad-Korzeniowski, a British Master but Pole by birth, who responsible to make Singapore and SEA better known to the world.

Next to this landmark, there were statues of a Scotsman mediating between Chinese trader, Malay chief, with Indian and Chinese coolies load sacks onto a bullock cart. Formerly known as Tanjung Tangkap, this was the exact place where they catch all merchants as their boats entered the river to trade. I wasn’t sure for what reason of these people being caught, but that was what happened then.

Knowing the history (Pak Ein used to live in Singapore for quite some time), at this moment, Pak Ein started to be funny in front of us, moreover, in front of the passerby! He asked hubby to take his picture, as if he was the British Master, talking to these people (yes, he spoke English) and tried to fight with the bull! Pfft! All of us, I mean, ALL OF US, had a “WHAT?” moment, so hubby quickly captured him on the act! Hahaha!

After got ourselves refreshed with bottles of drink, we walked further up, passing under one huge bridge, crossing one wide road, stepping down wooden stairs, where we finally reached the Merlion Park. Hubby and I had set to visit this place, for we had skipped it during our previous visit. We wanted to see the spouting Merlion! Hehehe. Plus, we wanted to see the world’s most expensive standalone casino, Marina Bay Sands. (Aduih, nama Marina, tapi casino plak! Berdosa nama mak!)

And we finally saw the mascot!

Aligned with this huge 8.6-metre Merlion, there was 2-metre Merlion cub behind the original statue. Both statues were as clean as white, and well-kept for tourist benefits.

“Do you know that Merlion exploded before?” Hubby pointed his DSLR and winked one of his eyes.

“Huh??” I didn’t know how to react. “How do you know?” I looked for any landmark stone nearby.

“It was struck by lightning on 2009.” And I was still searching for the history statement around the area.

“Read wiki lah.” Pfft!

From the same view, we moved the interest to the one and only, the most spectacular hotel, ehem, with my name on it. *Tepuk tangan* Well, my name always come ultimately luxurious. Hahaha!

Looking straight to this hotel, knowing the price of the room to stay there, I should have never thought of it, at all. Once, Lily told us how to “cheat” to go up there, but I had to pass the trick, for I have half dozen family members with me. Hahaha! Kantoi kang malu jer.

It was super hot and sunny day that we had to shelter ourselves under one small tree. Anak sedara aku dah macam orang dahaga air kat gurun Sahara dah! Hahaha! Then we remembered that we have had to have lunch. Ya Allah lapar gile ok! So hubby and I decided to eat somewhere nearby Mustafa Center, to ease our move after that. 

We took MRT and stopped at Mustafa Center, where we planned to leave our bags at the bag counter. Guess what? They asked us to bring in the bags! Gile hape? So we had no choice but to find a restaurant somewhere that area. I forgot the name of the restaurant but it is located just next to Mustafa Center, but I tell you, the food was delicious! It wasn’t that expensive coz they have few sets that you can choose.

Later, we tried our luck to check-in the bags, and this time, we managed to! We entered Mustafa Center and walked straight to the perfume section. Well, that was my intention, once I decided to re-visit this shopping center. It was worth it, for each of us bought 3 bottles each. We then took our bags, took two cabs, and headed to the bus terminal. From there, we had undergone the same process with immigration and bus changing, before we finally reached Larkin Terminal.

“Eh, kacang pool nak?” Hubby reminded all of us on the next plan.

While I asked around where the heaven was this place, Kak Ngah tried to google it. We finally found that this place is located at Bomba Larkin Food Court (macam kedai RnR), the one and only Kacang Pool Haji. Aside from this noted dish, they also sell roti bakar, rojak buah, tauhu bakar and nasi lemak. My verdict on kacang pool? SUMPAH SEDAP! Similar to Sup Tulang Merah, this food is served with bread, kira makan cicah. Uihhhh sedap sangat!

Once finished, we drove to the JSL Hotel at Taman Johor Jaya, and checked in. The story of this hotel can be read here. We called off the night, after we had quite a good dinner at Selera Senibong Seafood. And that ended my Singapore Family Trip!

Awwww please don’t cry…next time kita jalan lagi ok. Padang, Indonesia nak??? Cepat pakai kasut sebelah lagi.

Hotel JSL, Johor Bahru

We spent the final night at Johor Bahru, before we called off the trip. Since it was only for Kak Ngah and us, we booked (via Booking.com) two rooms at the cheapest but comfy hotel, that was Hotel JSL.

Hotel JSL

Address No. 93, Jalan Rosmerah 2/16, 

Taman Johor Jaya,

Johor Bahru, 81100

Malaysia

Phone +6073535511

Email booking@jslhotel.com

We opted for one executive double and one twin room with the same cost, RM90 per night (breakfast included). This room equipped with flat-screen TV (SDCard slot available), en-suite bathroom, free wifi and free public parking.

Why did I say it is public parking? This is due to the location of the hotel that is located at row of triple-story shops, and had undergone a major renovation, resulting to a nice classic hotel. Hotel cina maaaa. Hahaha! See, you’ll have a loooooooooong row of parking space. Hehehe!

Finding the hotel with the help of GPS wasn’t that difficult though we’ve missed one turn, that forced us to have a super far u-turn due to no near exit in the highway. We had to do “magic” where we used the opposite road, waiting the way to be cleared off, and quickly turn into the junction. And yes, we made it!

Earlier, we had “kacang phol” at Bomba Food Court, so we needed not to have dinner, yet. So we decided to check-in first. Having attached bedrooms with Kak Ngah, was a great experience coz my niece and nephews can freely walked through those two rooms. Meanwhile, Pak Ein and his wife stopped by at our hotel to get refreshed, before they spent a night at my stepsister’s house in Kota Masai. Beforehand, went to Senibong to catch a good seafood dinner.

Breakfast is served on the roof top cafe, where we were given two choices of heavy meal, either fried noodle or fried rice, with sunny side up egg each. The rest were the same, juices, breads, and jams. Okay, the food isn’t that delicious lah, but ok-ok jer. Personal experience? Cheap, cozy, classic. And easy to reach the PLUS highway.

Note : Do visit Booking.com to get best price and compare with other sites. 

First lodging can be read here. 

Second lodging can be read here. 

My Homestay Larkin, Johor Bahru

We had crashed three places during our Singapore Family Trip with Pak Ein and his wife, Kak Ngah and her family. All arrangements were done, as per normal booking via Booking.com, as well as phone calls. Let's ignore the whole 3-day-to-day story, this time, I'll divide them into places. Take it and go!

This was our first lodging.

My Homestay Larkin (http://www.myhomestaylarkinjohorbahru.com.my/)

No. 28 Jalan Raja Udang,

Larkin, Johor Bahru

Email: maimunahisa62@gmail.com
Phone: 0197703362
Mobile: 0197293362

Initially, we were planning for a big group of 10 adults, 4 kids, and 2 infants. Hence, getting ourselves a HUGE bungalow was indeed, a good idea, since everyone has agreed to pay, according to room sizes. However, plan was changed where my two stepsisters, obviously their husbands and kids, need to withdraw, due to one ridicule conflict.

Since the booking was made and deposit was banked-in (RM100) before the incident, we had to proceed with the original plan. Moreover, the location is close to perfect, less than 5 minute to Larkin Bus Terminal and lots of eating places. As I called Puan Maimunah accordingly, we managed to secure the booking date, for one night stay at this beautiful, clean, SPACIOUS, affordable price, of this one and a half story bungalow.

If the bungalow itself is pretty huge, you can expect the lawn. Perfect for those who want to have barbeque or even planning for family fun games. Nak guling keliling rumah pun boleh. Hahaha! Owh, owh, and the porch is also huge, it can occupy at least 6 cars at one time! Cool huh?

This bungalow is awesomely fully furnished, equipped with 4 huge rooms with separated and attached bathrooms, air-cond in 3 bedrooms, 2 huge halls with sofas, carpets, TV and astro, 2 dining halls with wet and dry kitchens, complete with cutleries, stove, fridge, microwave, cooking condiments, and what not! You just need to get the chicken jer. J

Getting inside the rooms was the best exploration of the day. We ran and inspected each room, and fought to get the best. The rooms can actually occupy 3 to 4 families but having the lavish of liberty, we divided two persons for each room. (Kak Ngah + Husband + Kilfie), (Pak Ein + His Wife), (Us), and Kak Ngah’s kid (Athirah + Adieb). But most of the time, we stayed at the hall, shouting and cursing the football players, while watching final game of Suzuki AFF Cup 2012.

Nephew suddenly shouted from some corner of the house, the minute he found the secret hall. That was the highlight of staying at this homestay, where the owner has completely renovated and modified the upper level antechamber, into a huge praying spot, complete with ablution room. This is the main reason why the owner has restricted, the tenant should be Muslim. From this level, we can actually view the lower ground, entirely. Well, of course, with parental supervision, for sure.

Overall, it is HUGELY and HIGHLY recommended to stay, with affordable prices VS the space offered. The key passing and dropping can be done in a minute, for the owner stayed right vertically aligned with the bungalow. Personal experience? Pleasant arrangement resulted to 3 happy feminine faces. And a monster kid!

Note : Do call Puan Maimunah (definitely not the kid in the above pix) for more great price. I got RM350 for one night, as per gazetted on Dec 2012.

(Second and third lodging will be in the next coming entries.)

Kites and Crocs - Johor Part 2

Last nite, we slept around 2.00am. Sembang tak benti-benti. The next morning bangun lewat…sebab cermin bilik dia bertinted! Ha, ingat masih pukul 7 pagi, rupanya dah 10 pagi! Hahaha! Sedap betul tido masa tengah letih dan ngantuk.

They served us with nasi lemak and to pay back their generosity, I tot nak belanja diorang lunch ke apa la. I ajak diorang bawak kitorang gi jalan-jalan. Too bad Kota Masai ni tak de ape sangat…even nak gi pantai pun jauh.

So they took us to Muzium Layang-layang. Ingatkan cam bodo-bodo la, rupanya memang best. Siap ada kincir angin lagi kat atas tu.

Angin kuat, ada tasik, ada tempat lepak. Cantik la. Rupanya tempat ni, every year, akan buat pertandingan laying-layang sedunia (SEDUNIA OK). The best part, laying-layang tu sumeeeeeeeee besarrrrrrrrrrrr gabak! Macam-macam bentuk ada. Daripada yang biasa sampai la yang tak berjenis. Macam tak sangka je bleh naik laying-layang tu. Paling mengarut, ada bentuk sampan, tut-tut (wtf! bleh naik ke?), daun, beca (huh???), peace sign, and orang kawin (astaga!). Tak caya? Pegi sana, tengok kat tv…dorang ada pasang kat dalam muzium tu.

Tempat ni tiga tingkat. Kat area bawah tu ada la sejarah sikit-skit pasal kincir angin tu. Patu ada gambar budak yang penah diterbangkan layang-layang. Hahaha! Lawak gile!

Dah bosan, diorang bawak kitorang gi Sarang Buaya pulak.

And believe me, tempat tu memang macam sarang buaya yang telah dikomersilkan. Haha! Agak jauh jugak dari situ, tapi bagi diorang selamba dekat je la. Siap kena masuk pelabuhan, macam tah apa-apa pegi buat kat situ. Tapi betul la, buaya kan suka duduk kat pertembungan air masin and air tawar.

Sampai je, macam biasa, takde orang. Macam tempat ape je. Masuk pun still half price, RM4. Ada banyak kolam, tapi yang ada buaya lepak, dalam 4-5 kolam je. Patu ada one side, untuk anak-anak buaya. Kira memang tempat untuk ternak buaya la.

Adik yang keje kat situ cakap, skang baru 150 ekor…diorang akan penuhkan sampai 3000 ekor, baru leh buat persembahan. Patu diorang akan jual buaya tu, sekaki RM300. Ha abah, nak beli? Beli la. Hahaha!

Boating and Wedding - Johor Part 1

“Hello, bah kat mana?” I called him at 7.00am, in the car, heading to Seremban, to fetch him la kan.

“Abah kat rumah la…” jawab dia selamba macam takde pe je yang berlaku. Siap nak pegi amik sate lah ape lah!

“HUH??? ABAHHHHHHH! KAN ARINI NAK GI JOHORRRRRR!” sumpah aku jerit cam gaduh ngan boyfriend lah!

“La…abah lupa sungguh laaaa…sorry sangat…” tak abih-abih dia mintak mahap…

“…sigh…takpe la…Ina cari hotel je la…” I majuk. Majuk bukan pasal kena tido hotel, majuk pasal tak dapat bawak dia gi jalan-jalan! Eiiii geram!

He thought that we’ll be going to JB next week (this week la). He supposed to stay 2 nights at my stepsis’s house in Seremban, and then we supposed to fetch him from there, and stay another 1 night at another stepsis’s house in Kota Masai.

Dengan hati yang frust sebab tak plan nak tido hotel, I bermasam muka sepanjang jalan. Knowing my dad, I know that he WILL call me back and do whatever he can to please me. And so he did. He kept on calling me and tell me that he’ll take a bus to JB and we shall meet him there.

And knowing hubby, I know that dia tak suka benda yang susah-susah ni. He said no need for my dad to do that, kita stay hotel je. Buttttttt knowing my dad and benda tu turun kat I pun, (perangai sama) mesti nak pegi jugak-jugak kannnnnn. And so he bought the tickets for two! Amik ko, 10 jam atas bas!

Kesian tu kesian, tapi marah tu mengatasi segalanya. Hahaha!

So hubby and I pun gerak la ke Johor. Bangun, tido, bangun, tido, at last, sampai kat Machap. We had our lunch kat situ. Siap bergosip pasal botox sebab ada this one stylish babe, sangat botox ok dagu dia…and guess what, laki/bf/scandal dia tu sungguh tua siap bertongkat. Hahahaha! Hubyy tak paham nape orang nak botox lagi sedangkan dah cantik before botox and botox tu membuatkan orang tu laaaaaaaagi tak cantik! Hahaha so true…

Then sambung lagi journey ke JB…tapi kitorang sampai awal. Tengok jam, baru pukul 2.00pm. Apa nak buat? Pusing town and tetiba nampak istana. Benti kat istana, amik gambar tapi kat luar je la sebab tutup. Agak-agak ada askar tu macam dah tengok-tengok je, kitorang blah. Istana Sultan Johor la tu! Kihkih!

Patu drive lagi, jumpa Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar yang cantik tu. Benti jap nak amik gambar, tapi dah terlepas. Lepak jam dalam keta…tetiba pusing kiri, ada gajah!!! Apahal ada gajah, kuda, ostrich ni??? Rupanya Zoo Johorrrrr! Hahaha! (Ada jugak zoo kat Johor ni…)

Patu kitorang terus lagi ke arah tepi laut…kotor…kaler teh susu…kahkahkah! Sebab aktiviti mengorek pasir tu. Then we off to Danga Bay, nak tengok apa yang best sangat kat situ. Masuk tv, cam hebat je.

Sekali tengok??? Nothing! Laaaaa…tak happening langsung. Kosong. Panas. Ada la keretapi, funfair yang tak bukak lagi, kedai makan, and few private boats. Ada la kakak tu dok panggil-panggil "bot dik, naik bot dik"...ha terus la, ape lagi! To kill time, kitorang pun naik la boat! Ingatkan naik speed boat yang hebat tu! Rupanya dia tunjuk ha boat kayu tu. Hahaha! Boat tu kena cukupkan 15 orang baru akan gerak. So kitorang gi jalan-jalan dulu naik keta. Elok tengah jalan, kakak boat tu call. Patah balikkkkk.

Naik boat. Diorang bawak gi kat Kelong, floated house yang penuh dengan tong-tong biru all around it. Tempat ni adalah tempat diorang bela ikan, kepah and so on. Siap ada toilet yang terumbang-ambing…tatau la camne diorang bleh duduk berak dalam tu. Hahaha!

Slow boat (ye, memang slow ye) tu buat satu pusingan. Best la jugak. Tapi masa balik, slownyer ya Allahhhhhh! Bleh tido dulu. And kitorang tertipu, kata gi Pantai Lido, rupanya Pantai Lido tu adalah tempat kitorang naik boat tu la. Ingatkan dia pegi pantai lain! Bosan…

Abah called. Dia dah kat Seremban. Ha, berjanggut lagi la nak sampai ye. I siap jelouskan dia lagi yang kitorang dah naik boat. Dia kata nanti dia sampai naik speed boat dia. Haha! Lepas naik boat, kitorang gi cari tempat majlis tu. Grand Oriental Chinese Restaurant. Alamak…restoren cina ke? Ye, memang restoren cina. Sebab mak Jasmine tu Chinese convert. Takpe la, takkan tak halal kot kan…mesti la halal, nama pun kenduri kawin.

Patu kitorang pusing town lagi sampai ke satu taman yang tatau apa namanya. Tapi baru buat. Cantik. Sebab ada monument sejarah, kolam, gua, bendera and so on. Siap ada 2 orang pakcik ni bawak pelampung, mandi dlm kolam tu! And kolam tu kaler dia macam teh susu! Eeeeiiiiiii! Kotor laaaa! Rupanya diorang sedap je menjala ikannnnnn…patut la.

Dah jalan ke atas, tetiba hujan lebat! Terpaksa la berteduh dulu…masa ni baru la nampak couple dok berpeluk sakan kat atas menara pandang nun. Kitorang ni selamba dok bergambar. Diorang sedap peluk memeluk. Sejuk la katakan, peluk la ape lagiiiiii! Hahaha!

Dah reda, sambung amik gambar. Then cari tempat, salin baju. Patu patah balik ke restoren tadi. Sampai-sampai, nasib baik ada orang pakai songkok, sampin, tudung sume. Kira betul la ni, makanan halal. Tapi mostly orang pakai kasual la sebab theme nyer kasual. Siap dress bagai. Chinese ramai. Melayu pun ramai…yang pakai seksi-seksi pun ada. Hehehe…kenduri alaf baru.

Masuk dalam, duduk kat meja family Zan. Memang ada satu meja khas untuk kitorang. Decoration sangat cantik, English style. Patu kat stage, ada band. Combination of Ilusi, Heavy Machine, and Kembara. Sume otaiiiiiiiii! Lama gile tak dengar Ayai nyanyi. Ada la dia nyanyi sekali Puisi Cinta. Yang lain sume pakcik-pakcik Jasmine nyanyi. Sedap la sebab suara orang tua kan.

Patu Zan and Min masuk diiringi oleh kompang dari luar. Then masuk dalam, gendang cina lak sambung. Then ada video screening. Tunjuk la gambar Zan and Jasmine masa diorang kecik sampai la diorang gi travel sana sini. Selamba gile siap tunjuk pakai bikini pun ada. Sempoi gile! Memang open minded gilelah family diorang.

Patu Zan and adik-adik dia perform. Hahaha! Lawak gile pengantin nyanyi lagu selamba katak je jamming. Dia main gitar, adik dia main base, adik yang kecik main drum. Complete la. Tapi sweet la sebab dia nyanyi untuk Jasmine. And Jasmine looked so fabulous malam tu. Nice dress, gal!

The food? Chinese style lah. Satu-satu dia bawak masuk. Dengan lagu ala-ala zaman ceaser tu. Memang tak penah dibuat orang la. I think, ni la reception yang paling open and pelik tapi best penah I attend. And I guess, belah Zan nanti, mesti lagi best sebab dia buat Mexican wedding…siap ada donkey and piñata sume. Haha!

Kawin jugak Zan gile…hahahaha!

Dah la aqad 4 kali! Samada dia gugup orrrrrrr knowing Zan, dia memang gile-gile and suka main-main! Hahaha!

Patu kitorang jumpa my dad and my stepsis’s family kat Petronas mana tah. Tapi kitorang kat Petronas lain, diorang kat Petronas lain, bleh? Hahaha! Patu baru jumpa. Terus follow diorang balik rumah kat Kota Masai, Pasir Gudang. Jauh gile nak masuk rumah diorang.

Lagi tak tahan, diorang offer tido master bedroom! HUH??? GILE BAIK! (Ye, I tak penah sangka la adik tiri I ni baik sebab dulu dia kuwang ajar skit…maybe sebab dah kawin, dah ada anak, dah sedar la kot…even salam pun skang dah cium tangan I…ok la tu…). Patu diorang bagus la, siap masak sume…haih…if tau susahkan diorang, I cari hotel je…tak sangka sungguh!

Sape bleh kasi guest tido master bedroom? I? Tak kot…but she did!