Johor Bahru 3 Days Weekend Getaway (10-12 May 2019)

My remembrance of JB, not fond ones especially with frequent trips back to visit my mom's family back at Kukup Pontian when we were younger. Me and sis will puke all the way it was hell lots of torture. Filthy toilets, dirty surrounding super long and tortoise queue at the immigration backs me off. These was among the things that i literally hated at the idea of going to "Malaysia".

A recent trip changed my mind conceptionally where new mega shopping malls sprung like rainbow after rain. Food was cheap and damn good. Of course the toilets improved significantly, though not to full perfection but at least there is improvement. New concept eateries, cafes alike came up almost like everywhere! I am loving it so much. After being neighbour with Malaysia for so long, its the first time i come to appreciate this Country. Little by little.

Before, among the few things that puts me off  was the transport. It used to be so inaccessible to travel from town to town. We have to rely on relatives who own cars to fetch us around. Things had made an eventful change. with introduction to "grab" Travelling had become so easy! yes cost is super cheap like @SGD5 per trip. Now we can practically go everywhere we want at a click of an app SO EASY!

Love the roadside stall selling Ramli Burger, Satay on charcoal, Flip Prata etc... Cheap, yummy local food and the friendly people they are Magical! It just made me feel so at home.

After some hustle bustle at the immigration. Finally we arrive at CS (City Square Mall). It was a friday night already. Went straight to the shop make my pair of Specs, upon recommendation (much cheaper than Spore) but can only collect it @ 2 weeks later. complicated specs with UV Thin lens Transitional lens anti-scratch etc .... After which we went straight for our late dinner.

My friend suggested that we have a roadside stall feast. Earlier on we bought some dumplings at CS, there's a small kitchen at the apartment we can probably cook this. We thought that this is Hari Raya period some stalls might not be opened.

This is the original Ramli Burger stall. Their burger was cheap and good. Deli! I love it to the brim.

Go Holiday still need to cook ah. The dumplings are quite nice though.

This is how our apartment looks. Like sort of Air bnb owned by a Taiwanese lady i think. Our friend got it at a very cheap rate. Good enough for a short stay. Aircon super duper cold. My camera always gets condensation on both mornings. I have to sun it outside the balcony before we could go out.

Our view outside Balcony quite nice le. Scenic. But a little remote i find.

Went to Eco World Spring Lab to racky. Had Breafast there at 早尚好. It's just like a mini swiss village very relaxing to visit. There are so many eateries around yet to explore. Next time we will come again.

Can see most of their patrons are local. Business is good. Their service also quite good and fast.

Malaysia version of 台中棺材板. yummy!

MID VALLEY

Recently built mega mall Mid Valley is the in thing in JB Malaysia. Modern shopping mall with numerous eating outlets lots of retail shops. There is no lack of entertainment. Its so huge one can actually get lost in it.

LUNCH AT BUTERFLY PEA

Arrays of plants creatively lined up. nice to see.

I love colourful stuff! They are so photo credible. I just cannot resist taking pics of them. 

This Norwegian Salmon looks so nice! not bad to eat also. This set cost @SGD14 that is cheap i thought. big slab of Salmon worth it la.

Fish & chip. Filling 2 chunks of huge fish fried to perfection. Cost : less than SGD10

Can't remember what this dish is called. I vaguely remember this cost @SGD10. Huge load of stuff on the plate. It's a nice piece of art here.

Along the stretch at Butterfly Pea, there are others eateries apparently we came to know as we walked pass. Seems quite nice. I wan to try them if we have the chance.

This is like the backyard of someone's home.So nicely done up. It's actually a restaurant. Nice ya.

Mount Austin and vicinity

A little iconic place to pose for a pic. Marrying couple likes to take pic here very symbolic with big heart at the rear. 

This is walking distance to infamous Mt Austin, Stone's throw away.

iconic street view of Mt Austin. We only been here briefly for a look. haven't really racky around.

Next time will spend half a day here.

Jalan Permas

A Tea bar quite modern look. One of the numerous shops runs along rows of shop houses  till the end of the building. Opposite there similar shops layout facing each other. Both share a a closed road selling Satay, some local eateries like night bazaar. We chose a Vietnamese eatery for our dinner. I like the food, service was good also.

Surprisingly this supposedly maggie mee turns our quite delicious.

This is converted from containers i suppose. Quite a big place with a small see through animal sanctuary at the end. I think the owner rearing something like squirrel and few other exquisite animals for patron's viewing pleasure while sipping the kopi or drinks.

Last night in JB ends after dinner. Take grab back and get some sleep. 

Sadly, tomorrow going home leow. 

The Final Day at JB

Woke up to a bright morning. Had shower, packed our bags, checked out. 

We left for our morning breakfast. had a welcoming breakfast. Ambience was great, service was good. Staff speaks relatively fluent english.

This was originally meant for wedding couples to take wedding photos with wedding meal menu. Just right beside full glass view of wedding dresses are clearly visible. Apparently i think owner found out food more profitable and had converted fully into eatery. Business good le bustling with patrons. Its quite near to the customs so quite accessible to whiz here have breakfast and go back Singapore.

Last stop, after bf we proceed to City Square Mall before heading back home. Spent considerable time window shopping. I am not into shopping but cannot resist some cute stuffs, relatively cheap, stops for some food, not forgetting some iconic goodies to bring back home. You know, like going for CNY shopping spree. Big bags small bags ..

Around 3pm we start to move. We thought pte car hire would be more convenient though much more expensive. A WRONG MOVE! It's Hari Raya season. We engage a seven seater car but they shoved in 9 persons! Like hoarding carful of pigs to earn extra money. Assuring us one will drop after custom but guess what, long distance we are the 1st to drop. No proper seating and my back hurts!

A gentle reminder Ladies and Gentleman. Never give in to touting to these pte car operators. They will assure you anything but close to nothing. Unless you can find reliable ones then go for it. Or, go for yellow cab at higher rate if they can send you right to your doorstep. You can probably take it cos they not allowed to collect more than 4 persons and it's probably safe.

This was a fruitful trip. I yearned to go again if chanced upon. Don't mind staying for 3-4 days slowly relax eat and enjoy! it's a stress reliever. ↠😀