Trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I had been crossing the border of Singapore and Malaysia for a number of times already. I was always in Johor Bahru mostly hunting for food and other delicacies if not watching movie at the mall. This time, one of my colleagues brought me to Kuala Lumpur to spend new year. She wanted us to take the plane to lessen our travel time but I suggested her to try the bus from Johor Bahru to KL. I reasoned out that travel would almost be the same by plane since we need to be at the airport 2 hours before our scheduled flight and at least an hour travel going to the airport. It would be an experience especially to her who does not always take long trips.

Malaysia

From Woodlands, we took the bus going to Larkin in Johor where the terminal of the coach/buses going to KL is located. We bought our ticket cost around 35 RM at the ticketing office. It is cheaper to buy ticket in Larkin than in Singapore. If you take the coach from Singapore to Malaysia, you will pay 30 SGD which is a bit expensive than in RM.

The trip run for about 4 to 5 hours from Johor. My colleague was asleep all the way while I was awake for the duration of the trip. I enjoyed looking outside my window and might be because I am used to long trips.

Couch Station in Malaysia

We alighted at the terminal and took the train going to the city. We had difficulty locating the right station going to where we booked our hotel. Mostly first timers got confused on the signs at the train stations.

Waiting for the train going to KL

Inside the train

We were able to find our hotel which was a few kilometers away from the main city and rested for the following day activities.

Went around the city the next day.

Jalan Petaling/Kasturi Walk

Looked around until we saw these signs.

At Petaling Street

We shopped some items for cheaper prices. This is like Divisoria/Quiapo/Baclaran  in the Philippines.

We also tried some street foods while on our way to the big mall.    

                    I                                            

     Inside Petronas Tower

Petronas Tower at night

Petronas Tower during the day                                        

From Singapore to Batam, Indonesia

My Batam Trip

Departure Area

Been to Batam for a few times already. I enjoyed going there with different friends when we have longer holidays off from work. It helped us relax for awhile and this gave us refreshing auras once we returned to Singapore.




As for my experience, my trips there were hassle free. If you've never been to Batam and planning for a trip, you can book your ticket online via Prima Ferries or Pacific Ferry or any other online booking for Batam. Otherwise if you have the time, you can go to Harbour Front Centre which is connected to Vivo City where Batam Ferry Terminal is located and buy your ferry tickets.. Two way fare was around 50 SGD.

Another way also is to check hotels which offer accommodation and pick up transportation. The price depends on the hotel and the place where you go.  

Public taxis are very common near the port areas. You can also hire motor cycle if you want to be be dropped off to the place where you want to go. Just try to haggle about the fare as drivers tend to ask for higher prices. 

 It is better to go with someone who can speak Malay language to communicate well with the locals. Or try to learn some quick Malay words which will be useful during your travel.

Foods are every where in Batam. It is very affordable and accessible especially if you are in Nagoya. 

Try going around also and you will find other food stalls nearby. I did this irregardless of the tedious warning from friends. Just be careful though.  

                                                                                              

There are things things that can be done in this place. Resorts are available in this place where in you can go swimming. If you're not into it, you can also try spa and massage. Head to Nagoya shopping mall to shop for cheaper goodies but beware not to buy and take with you to Singapore fake items especially CD's and VCD's if you don't want to be fined for a hefty amount. Singapore banned items like this.                                                            

Trek to Anawangin Cove via Mt. Pundaquit

Few months ago, there was a group of hikers who coordinated with us about a 2 days outdoor outing with our children. At least 25 children from 9 to 15 years old were able to join plus adults to look for them. Orientation was given beforehand by these hikers, inculcating to the children these phrases "Kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints", before we packed our things and headed on to our meeting place.


Anawangin cove is in the province of Zambales particularly in San Antonio.

At around 1 in the morning of May 14, we left Manila boarding our own service van and a rented jeep to accommodate us all. It took us almost 5 or 6 hours travel to the municipality of San Antonio where we met our other companions. We had our “breakfast” (egg sandwich and water), distributed the children’s shoes for hiking and extra water before we walked to the mountains.

We started around 8 in the morning but it was very hot already.

We rested for a while to fill our dried throats then proceeded climbing the mountain. An additional phrase rose as we went on "Burn nothing but calories". :)

After almost 4 hours of trekking under the sun, we reached the peak of Mt. Pundaquit. The overlooking beauty of Anawangin eased our tiredness.

The view was really magnificent but when we realized it was still far from where we stood, we looked down, thought for another hours of walking and just let out a big heavy sigh. :)

Finally, we arrived at the camping site. There were already some who went by boat since there were a lot of things to bring to the site like tents, utensils, foods etc. The tents were already set up so we just  had a short nap while the children went for a dip. They were just so excited that they even forgot to rest for a while.

just resting on a hammock

The sun hid already when we walked around, took pictures and had some activities on the sand. Evening was fast approaching so we had to go back to the camp. Some of us roamed around the other tents, obviously curious about the bonfire which our neighbors were setting up.
The following day, we all enjoyed swimming until 12 noon before we left the island via boat. Everyone did not want to return walking through the mountains.

Anyway, if you want to get away from your busy and stressful city life, try considering this place. It may not be a secret hideaway anymore but you will still enjoy the place as you enjoy the nature.

Trekking the mountains would not be easy even for some mountain climbers because of the hot weather. There were no trees to shade the way from the heat of the sun which made it a hard row to hoe.

Once you reached the cove, you will have to go back to basic life-no electricity, cellphone signals and no other modern facilities. You need to bring your own tents and field in under the pine trees for your overnight stay since there are no hotels around. A hammock can also be tied on the trunks of the trees. 

Foods, lots of drinking water and flashlights are the most important needs in the campsite. You can also bring your acoustic guitar which you can strum while singing around the bonfire during the night.

You can also go boating and hopping the nearby islands.

Or climbing beach cliffs...it seems the rocks are a bit tricky here.

ENJOY!!