Been pondering over the plan to visit my cousins in Johor Bahru for quite some time. And suddenly, decided to hitch-a-free-ride with my 2nd aunt and her family to Johor Bahru where they usually visit their son who is working there and permanently started a family there.
On Friday morning, I decided to call up my aunt and informed my cousin, Lily I'll be visiting despite that she is a little busy this weekend. I had a long weekend end of April but due to some personal reason, I would much prefer to hitch-a-free-ride this weekend instead of next weekend.
Here I am, in my cousin's house while waiting for my the other cousin; Charlie to pick me up to meet up with Lily who is having her driving-classes till 1pm. I woke up at 4.30am this morning as Uncle Yap wanna leave Klang at 6am. So, I left my house about 5.30am but the streets were so empty, it only took my dad 15 minutes to arrive my grandma's place. We arrived at Johor Bahru about 10.30am as the traffic down-south was smooth. We just stopped once at the Overhead-Bridge Air Keroh.
My 2nd aunt's son is staying at the same condominium as my 5th aunt & her family. So, it was pretty convenient to meet up Lily and do not had to trouble anyone about it. I'll be heading across to Singapore later after Lily's driving-class.
Yesterday about 2pm, Charlie & Lily brought me across the causeway and it's good that I learn how to take the bas so in future, I can do it more often. After the immigration, we took the bas to Kranji MRT station to head to Queenstown MRT station where my 1st aunt stays in Stirling Road to return her the luggage I borrowed from her the last trip I was there. This trip, I had purchase the Ez-Link card to ease my traveling on the bas & MRT in Singapore. On top of that, it's cheaper too to use the card.
We reached there close to 4pm and we sat enjoying some biscuits and quench our thirst after the little-hilly-climb to my aunt's place. After seeking advice from my uncle how to get to Vivo City, we took the bas to Harbour Front and we started walking. Since Lily & Charlie have not been to Vivo City, I'm the one giving them some direction since it's my second time to this place. Most buildings or shopping-malls in Singapore are inter-connected, we hardly know that we walked quite a distance from where we started. We stood outside Vivo City for a while overlooking the harbour's view and also where Sentosa Island is just opposite. Now, they have bullet-train or rather a capsule-train to Sentosa Island too; every 5-10mins. That's the latest transport across.
After admiring some Chinese-cruise and getting some sea-breeze, we decided to check out St James Power Station. As we near the place, we were told by a lady that ex-president; Lee Kuan Yew is having a function inside and that explained the police cars outside the building. We walked to the nearest bas station and was planning to visit Esplanade and Marina Square but we actually hopped into the wrong bas. On the wrong route, we managed to see up-close with the "Eye of Singapore" that is still on construction. As the bas is moving kinda fast, I was not in time to catch a picture of it.
Had our dinner at Marina Square. Charlie decided on Carl's Jr which is my first time. The burger is huge but I was so hungry. After dinner, we walked around and head to Esplanade and from there, we saw the Fullerton Hotel from a distance and the Merlion. The view was something I usually see on post-cards but last evening, I get to see it and experience it with my own eyes and soul. *chuckled* So, we decided to walked to the Merlion and sat right next to it while enjoying the night view of the various chinese-boats that are bringing the tourists for a short cruise along the quay. Instead of walking back to Esplanade, we cross over to Fullerton Hotel and standing right next to it really make me open-my-mouth to the beauty of the architecture. I was just busy snapping photos in the dark & even while I crossed the zebra-crossing too.
We took the bas to Bugis Street and on the way, I passed by Chijmes and it took my breath away on the beauty of the church structure and now, it's converted to a famous dining place & entertainment. I shall visit it there one fine day. After walking a distance from Bugis street, we arrived at a place where we took the express-bas to the Immigration to go back to Johor Bahru. We reached the condominium at around 11pm and after a quick shower, I watched tv for a while and decided to snuggle into bed at about midnight. Had small-chats with Lily and dozed off at around 2am.
Set my alarm for 7am so I could catch the Korean series while preparing for breakfast. Still in my pajamas, I went out with Lily & my 5th aunt to purchase some raw porks and they brought me out for breakfast; 'kuey teow' with some pig's internal organs. Tasted good but a little smelly but I guessed that's what attracted everyone in the first place. Hehehe... Dropped by the church so that I could meet my 1st aunt and her hubby to say my greetings since I'm all the way from Klang and after saying "hi-byes", I head back to the condominium so that I could jump into the pool for a swim.
5th aunt cooked "char-siew rice" for lunch. And I had it at about 11.30am thinking that 2nd aunt wanted to go back at 12pm. But due to some reason, we left Johor Bahru at about 2pm. Reached Klang at about 6.30pm and had my 1st round of dinner at my grandma who insisted that we had to eat there.
Since it's been over 10 years that I last visited Johor Bahru town, this trip was simply wonderful and it gave me lots of time to catch up with my aunts and cousins. The day-trip to Singapore also put a smile to my face since I did not get to enjoy it the last trip I was there.
Just a while ago, just got back from having 2nd round of dinner with Yow who said he was a little adventurous tonight with food but we ended up in a new shop that served vegetarian. And that will be the last time I step into that place due to the poor service and I can't survive having non-meat for dinner. Kekeke... Time to snooze...Zzz...
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