Melaka Trip 2016: Melaka River

[Itinerary + Transportation]

22^nd April 2016 (Friday)

Hotel Hong is very near with Melaka River. After checked in to hotel, we went out for sightseeing.

The Melaka River which flows through the middle of Melaka City in the Malaysian state of Melaka, was a vital trade route during the heyday of Melaka Sultanate in the 15^th century.

Walk around 2 minutes from Hotel Hong, we spotted a red building with the words of “Melaka World Heritage City”.  Along Melaka River have few of bridges to go to another side.

We walked along Melaka River and took pictures of street art. The wall of shops and houses had painted with different murals. It is so beautiful.

The view from Melaka River is nice. Besides walking, you can rent bicycle to cycle along the river.

 After we walked for a while, we decided to cross the bridge to another side. At another side, when walked around, I spotted Bunga Raya popiah stall. Then I just knew that I was at Jalan Bunga Raya there. As the time we go there was still early so Longkang Siham stalls still did not open yet.

At the stall of popiah has a board stated that no photography around so I did not take picture of it. It is located just in front of Madam’s King Departmental Store. The different of Bunga raya popiah with normal popiah is it has pork lard.

Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

[Itinerary +Transportation]

23^rd – 26^th April 2016 (Saturday until Tuesday)

Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru is located at the heart of Johor Bahru’s Central Business District. This centrally located hotel is across the road from City Square Shopping Center, walking distance to the famous pedestrian street, Meldrum Walk and within easy reach of the CIQ (Customs Immigration Quarantine) Complex as well as Singapore bound and local taxi stands. It also near with Galleria@Kotaraya shopping complex (5 minutes walks) previously knowns as Plaza Kotaraya is strategically located by the intersection of Jalan Trus.

The reason we chose for this hotel because it is very strategic and near with JB Sentral. It is located at Jalan Wong Ah Fook. From hotel also can walk to Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. In front of hotel has Indian restaurant which I think open for 24 hours if not mistake. 

Upon check in to hotel, need to pay RM 50 of deposit which is refundable. We stayed in standard room which cost us RM 311 for 2 nights.

Near with receptionist counter has taxi and limousine services counter which offer transport services but the price is quite expensive. We tried asked for the taxi services to airport and the fee charge around RM 150++, I forgot the exact price because it is so expensive just for two of us. Therefore we use taxi services outside of hotel.  

At lobby has massage chairs which you can enjoy by put in some money. You can read newspaper at lobby there.

Entered into the room is by scanning the key card so keep the card properly.

The standard room has two single beds. This room is not so spacious but enough for two of us to stay in.

This room did not have cupboard but it provide a place for you to hang on your cloths, just did not have door. It also has security box for you to put valuable things.

It has full length mirror near with washroom.

In this room has 3 switch plugs. The TV channel which provide include TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7, Channel U, Channel 9, BBC World, ESPN, Star Movies and others so I can watch Singapore channel in this hotel.

When entered the room, I found out that the washroom door cannot close closely so we had complained to receptionist and they did help us to repair it.

Hotel did provide simple toiletry such as soap, shampoo and bathing gel.  When bathing, the power of water is good so I was very enjoying in bathing. Hehe.. It has hot and cold water for you to choose for.

Our WiFi passwords are only applicable to use for two devices. Although hotel did provide free WiFi, I did not use it because the WiFi is not stable.

The hotel staff is friendly and helpful because before I want go to Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, I asked for direction. Although the staff did not know, he still helped me check in google map. The reason I asked for direction because when the direction is wrong then you won’t reach the place that you want. Left or right is important to know before start journey. Hehe..

My suggestion is look for hotel near with JB Sentral because through the bus, you can go to JohorPremium Outlets, Hello Kitty & Legoland, Sutera Mall and KSL City. Stay in Citrus Hotel also is one of the choices.

Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru

16 Jalan Station

80000 Johor Bahru,

Malaysia

Tel: 607 222 2888

Fax: 607 221 2411

Email: enquiry@citrushoteljb.com

Website: Citrus Hotel JB

Singapore Trip 2016: Gardens by the Bay

[Itinerary + Transportation]

 24^th April 2016 (Sunday)

Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in central Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of 3 waterfront gardens such as Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. It is a part of a strategy by the Singapore government to transform Singapore from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden”. The stated aim is to raise the quality of life by enhancing greenery and flora in the city.

I reached Gardens by the Bay via using MRT (Bayfront MRT Station). From station take Exit B and follow the underground linkway. Then exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay. The other ways to reach Gardens by the Bay can refer here.

At the underground linkway, it has lots of flower wallpapers for you to take pictures with.

Inside of Gardens by the Bay is very big so you can choose shuttle bus (between Bayfront MRT and the Conservatories) to see around. The shuttle service start from 9am to 9pm daily and the last shuttle bus ticket sale at 8:30 pm. It cost SGD3 for unlimited rides all day.

From Gardens by the Bay, you can see Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

From the bridge, you are getting more near with Supertree Grove. Supertrees are tree-like structures that dominate the Gardens’ landscape with height that range between 25 meters and 50 meters.

You can enjoy the panoramic view of Supertrees by stand on OCBC Skyway. The ticket for going OCBC Skyway as below:-

Adults & Senior Citizen (>60 years old): SGD8

Children (3-12 years old): SGD5

The opening hour for OCBC Skyway is 9am until 9pm. My friend and I did not go to OCBC Skyway because we just plan to walk around.

If you go in night, the Supertrees will come with a spectacular light are more beautiful than in the morning.

The tall of a Supertree is like tall as a 16 stories buiding. Each Supertree consists of a trunk core made of reinforced concrete wrapped with a steel fame.

You can spotted 12 of Supertrees at the Supertree Grove and while remaining six are placed in clusters of threes at the Garden and Silver Gardens.

On the bridge can take some pictures with Supertrees and even Singapore Flyer.

The art sculptures in Gardens by the Bay are so amazing. Based on the website, it has more than 40 sculptures from around the world which featuring unique pieces, intriguing crafts and stone works.

Flora Clock is a gift from Audemars Piguet on the occasion of Singapore’s 50^th anniversary, this 7 meter wide Flora Clock draws inspiration from the signature characteristic of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak collection and fuses traditional and contemporary landscaping elements in its design. 

This bronze sculpture calls Planet which is 9m long and 3m tall. It portrays an oversized reproduction of the artist’s own son, Lucas as a bay. The sculpture’s weight is masterfully balances on the infant’s right hand and creating the illusion that the sculpture is floating in the air.

As we are rushing of time so we did not completely explore Gardens by the Bay.

When I back from travel, I saw a Facebook post posted by Singapore Prime Minister Mr. Lee that he went to Gardens by the Bay at the same day with me but I did not meet with him. If not I can request to take picture with him. Hehe..

Gardens by the Bay

18 Marina Gardens Drive

Singapore 018953

Website: Gardens by the Bay

Facebook: Gardens by the Bay

Instagram: Gardens by the Bay

Tel: +65 6420 6848

Email: feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sg

Wordless Wednesday: Chinese Quotes Postcards

'Wordless Wednesday: Postcard' is recording all the postcards that I had bought from time to time for exchange purpose.

My cousin knew that I like to collect postcards so she gave me the postcard which she gets from the book that bought by her. Thanks a lot for giving me such a nice postcard set which full of quotes.