Singapore's Super Tree Grove @ Gardens by the Bay

We were on the JB's causeway yesterday as early as 730am for our bored weekend pass-by, and we decided to give the Singapore's Supertree Grove a visit just to feed on our curiosity on that iconic structure. It wasn't hard to notice the structure from ECP and the fact that it is situated just opposite the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) make it worth as a 2 + 1 object for visiting. Well, details are here:

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/content/gbb/en/home.html 

We hit the road at approximately 630am and arrived at the Woodlands CIQ at around 730am. Getting in was smooth but it was bumper-to-bumper on the opposite. I normally use a simple calculation of getting in and out of Singapore. Come in as early as possible, especially on weekends but avoid going out of the island at mid-day especially if you're driving your own car. Traffic could be horrendous even before the BKE viaduct and without any loo nearby, things could be rather or more disastrous. Pack some food with you for that reason and it best if the children are sleeping all the way through BSI on the other side of the causeway.

The master plan
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)

Look so wonderful @ night time. Damn next time I should come at night.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)

The traffic

It was smooth. I guess nobody was entering the CBD at this hour and after some rerouting (thanks to this Garmin stuff...) we were there at the entrance of the park. There are three entrance to three different car parks on the park, the Meadow etc entrance, the visitor facility entrance and the other one has one peculiar 'satay' name on it. We park at the visitor center, not many cars were parked yesterday, I guess it still too early.

Its all about the eco-system/sustainable. Those beneath the surface I guess.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.) 

There's an elevator and escalator near entrance A and both will bring visitor straight to the lobby. We  didn't managed to find the elevator and we end up walking through the ramp out of the basement parking lot. It's a park anyway, so we did expect some work out just to make things worth it (lol).

The park is humongous. The main attractions are of course the Supertree, there are domes full of plants, a skyway, Chinese, Malay and Indian themed gardens and so on. The good thing was that, the plants were so fresh amid the scorching Singapore's sun or maybe because it's still early in the morning.

The skyway. Well, 5 dollars should worth the experience.
(I'm taking this from the internet. So the right remain to its rightful owner.)  

We spent more than an hour loitering in the park and move just before the scorching sun unleashed its ray. It was a wonderful visit and I do plan to visit this attraction again. Mind you that most of the attractions here require some amount of fee, so if you wish not to spend any dollars here, loitering around should work just fine. There is MRT line nearby (Bayfront if I am not mistaken). The park is situated just opposite the MBS and Merlion etc (those must see + snap Singapore's icon), so working out itinerary in and around the area should work out very well. 

More information? Google-out and you'll definitely found those with loads of information compared to this one. Peace.

Jakarta - Bandung 2013 (ex-JHB)

This is so terrible and I wish to blame myself for not taking notes (while on the roads..) and put it here as posts.

A lot has happen in the past one year or so and I wish to continue from now on. So, anything to post? I guess I have this one tiny notes (at the back of my head - sigh!) that I so eagerly want to put it down and post it. Something on this study thing? No. I'm too enthusiastic but at the same time tired. So I guess this might be a good therapy of just to put things off for a while and to come back later, afresh of course.

So, what the big deal anyway, it is all about the latest CGK-BDO trip we made last month (May) out of this yearly craving for brownies and other delicacies we consider unique to this place (and my wife's shopping spree of course..).

We flew to CGK ex-JHB by QZ code airline at around 1650 local hours and, learning from numerous experience with this airline, we have prepared everything necessary for the kids. It's our duty to keep them well fed, entertained and most importantly, fuss-free. As parent, we simply don't mind with their high pitch scream every now and then, but our co-passenger seating just across the aisle might definitely not. These kids, they are just too friendly sometimes but just as with the bumpy flight, things might change instantaneously and this need to be controlled.

With all this in mind and just to give them extra space to let them do whatever they want, I part with 180 ringgits on top of the price for the regular flight ticket to Jakarta - just for the kids.

The flight was smooth with a little bumpy felt mid-way past Singapore airspace, but it stopped and we had a smooth journey until we reached Indonesian airspace. QZ stewardesses were unsurprisingly pleasant and I do like them more compared to AK. I do not wish to reiterate more, but our flight to Medan some few years back could well explain this. Perhaps we are flying low-cost so the treatment was so-so. But some choose to fly this flying-bus because of its connection. Previously there was JHB-Bangkok, great route but sadly fail to capture the loads. Just hope this JHB-CGK route will be there for sometimes, and knowing how great Jakarta is, and in return, how great JB now, I think this will become one of the popular route for AA.

We arrived at CGK terminal 3, gleaming new complex compared to terminal 2 which we landed last year and with a short bus ride, we were there in front of the immigration counter. Its a short walk to reach the check-point but they still provide the bus, I reckon, if we were in LCCT now, chances are, walking. If its raining, no problem because they provide red umbrella, sigh.

Passport checked and now chasing the kids whereabouts with luggage in hands.

A short walk through the terminal and we were there. Meet and greet. Looking for the driver we hired and off we go to BDO.

Traffic was surprisingly smooth - with the normal pile ups but nothing serious along the way. It was raining en-route to BDO and it was just dark and breezy.

Arrived at Asmila at around 2300hrs local time. Checked-in and doze-off.

The next day, it was a sunny but cold morning and after the limited spread of buffet, we were out fetched by the driver to some of our favorite places. RuMod as they fondly called it was our first destination for the day and while waiting its door to open, we treat the kids with their collection of fish. Something peculiar, they saw customers started building up and before you realize anything, the door was open some 10 or 15 minutes earlier than the usual business hour. That's good because we would then have an extra 15 minutes later for the day.

I think that should be enough for a start and I look forward to pen in more posts later.

Cheers.

          

Bali

Indonesia has always been on top of my list for quick and affordable gateway. The exchange rate is considered affordable to me, while the hospitality is always superb. The range of accommodation that they offer varies but i'm sure the hospitality remain in the core of their business and the thing that makes me coming back is the Indonesian charm that uninterrupted even with the amount of modernization that they experience. 

The last time we (as one whole family unit - 4 of us) stepped down in this soil was last April, which I considered now as a yearly mission to celebrate our achievement for the past immediate year. Sometime that I thought quite impossible, but doable. The key to Indonesia is thorough research and of course a chauffeur. Knowing the traffic would be bad sometimes, it's good to have somebody who know exactly the way to a place in the most quickest and shortest time as possible.

Last April, when we were about to arrive at the CGK, we saw a big banner promoting Bali as great destination. Well, without the banner everybody knows where Bali is and what it's good at. It spurs our interest but knowing the cost for flying there and eventually other cost associated with such a trip, we just put  the interest behind and pray that maybe one day, it gonna be our turn to visit the place. I believe God is very kind to us because one day my wife returned from her office and mentioned that the company is organizing a trip to Bali. We were so excited with the news cause at least, her portion of cost was already been catered by the company.

Sadly, the tour agent charged exorbitantly to accompanying spouse i.e. RM 2k for each adult and RM 1k each for kid. This can't be happening and I know what I do best when it comes to plan for a trip: buy my own ticket, hire a chauffeur and study the place carefully. I recently studied every single airlines that flies to DPS and through my comparison, on the selected date, Valuair flight seems the cheapest that I could possibly get. The problem was, the website was having trouble and it seems not accepting my payment. I tried so many times and with frustration I moved on to the 2nd best option, AA. 

Before selecting the route, I conducted few analysis just to make myself satisfy that the chosen route was the best in term of cost and flight duration. I've experienced delay with AA for 2 hours for flight that less than 45 minutes and in LCCT, there was nothing much that I could do rather than walking back and forth to the information display. I think due to the distance, flight to DPS from KUL cost a bit more compared to same route but from SIN. I choose not to opt for transit especially when using budget carrier since the prospect of delay is huge and there is no guarantee that I would be compensated for such a delay. 

After a thoughtful consideration, I choose to fly from SIN and this will be my maiden flight from that airport. I'm still considering whether to park my car at the airport or opt for the trans border bus. Parking, through my study will cost more or less in KLIA and considering that my returning flight will arrive late at night, driving might be the best option to cross the MY and SIN border. I'm still waiting for more updates especially on the accommodation part and hopefully news will come in very very soon.

Please get us here hehe (credit to owner)

and here (credit to owner)

here? I don't think so hehe (credit to Amustard.com)

Till then.  

The Jakarta - Bandung highway via Cipulareng (hope I got this correct!)

After having a short blast at Harris Kelapa Gading, it was time for us to say bye2 and proceed to our ultimate destination, Bandung. This would be our 3rd visit to this jampacked city and everything has already in my mind, you know it, the delicious brownies, pisang molen, rumah mode, levie etc. In order to get there  however, there is another 2 1/2 hour journey ahead of us.

The driver arrived earlier than I thought and after a quick searching him in and out, we finally meet each other at the lobby. A nice young man somewhere in his 30's, and very talkative. In fact, I just had to forgo my intention to sleep just to keep him going. Nice man indeed. The journey was smooth but bumpy at some locations and good to notice some starbucks outlet along the highways. I think it probably due to their big population size that made things extra large here. Example, 5 malls attached to one, that's gargantual.

If plus highways are still using manual system to distribute toll ticket, Jakarta has gone automated. People are only manning manual pay booth, but the toll tickets are distributed using machine. Well, that's new to me. It was a 2 1/2 journey but only covers 100 over km. For me that's a long time spent over a relatively short distance. Arrived at Bandung using the Pasteur exit and traffic has started to build up. It was Saturday and there were many cars with 'B' plate were entering. The driver told that they are all Jakartans who spent their weekend in Bandung. The snarl went on until we reached downtown Bandung.

What we did in Bandung

The moment we arrived, we staright away head on to Levie, my wife just fall in love with this place and even with 2 kids to man, she just closed her eyes and browsed to the items. Well, kids will just be kids and the tip is, continue your shopping but watched close eyes to them.

Next we move on to Rumah mode, packed with people and as usual, I did not found my size here. I'm looking for pant size 34 or 35 and it seems like everybody are having the same belly like mine. My wife seems to enjoy the crowd, she managed to come out with 4 blouses. Congratulation dear, you beat the odds hehe.

Shopping for kids wear is an option when you can't find yours (dissapointed!). The department was seems empty even with the great war the ladies and man section were having. It was really a war, people just snap whatever they thinks good. I managed to buy some shorts just to join the war and through experience, t-shirts bought in Bandung seems to look nice when they were there in Bandung. The moment it arrives back on our shores, it becomes ordinary. Just look around when you board AA back to KUL in your next trip to Bandung, everybody are wearing nice t-shirt possibly purchased somewhere in Bandung FO, and that's not taking into account the kilos they have in the plane belly haha. We shop less this time around but spent more on the brownies.

PVJ

Not a place to be missed, at least to us. We normally scour the entire building, omit Sogo (what's the point of going to FO when at the end you still go premium?) but make an extensive tour inside the Carrefour. If you think C4 is a bargain, then having it here is 2 times bargain. I hunt for clean and clear facial wash (had used this brand for almost 15 years!) and the moment I found it, I took half a dozen to be shipped to KUL. This product cost only 12k in IND and that's somewhere around MYR 4.5, just look at JJ near you and it will cost somewhere around MYR 10 per bottle, well, MYR 9 during sale period. From C4, we managed to get my 6 bottles of C&C and of course teh botol in pack of six which cost around 60cent per pack.

O, not to forget, my wife bought this delicious PIA just outside the C4. We got no idea the time we bought this kueh and trust me it tastes good. Those with infant, if you need to feed your kid with porridge, we found this Quali (a restaurant) which offers porridge in one of their menu. 

After PVJ, we went back again to Rumah Mode before checking in at Asmila, which is just infront of Rumah Mode. Big mission tomorrow morning, we aim to be the first person into Rumah Mode hehe.

Got no pics here, google around should you need to look at the places. Cheers!

Trip report: KUL - CGK on KLM WBC

Just returned from Jakarta and Bandung last Sunday for one quick, short noticed trip with our little ones and it was truly an exhausting trip. That was our first trip with both of our infant kids and we did less sightseeing but more feeding jobs and taking care of our little ones. The moment we touched down in KLIA, I poped up a question to my wife whether she anticipated such a trip again, and she replied 'we'll see..' big question mark, but I know it was not to her expectation. The flight itself, was at least beyond our expectation and we had a great comfort travelling in business.

The flight

I thought the ticket which said that we are going to ride in business was just a mere joke. It was until we checked in that we realized that we definitely will be on business class. Anyway, KLM return ticket for KUL CGK bound was really affordable and with little top up anybody can sit in their business class. It was a good experience though. Extra baggage allowance, service with smile, free flow of everything, good attention and to make it all sweet, on board freebies.

The moment we checked in, we were offered pass to the premium lounge and this lounge is located somewhere in the satellite. It an open lounge, anybody can have access with 88 ringgit and if I purposely like to pay to enter, I would probably not. Nothing much to expect other than some dishes and cakes. It has few PC and resting area. Perhaps it is good for those who really need rest but not for those savvy traveller. We spent like an hour before we proceed to the gate but satisfy because it was a complimentary.

The call for boarding was really early. We supposed to depart at 1620 but the crew has started the boarding process 40 minutes earlier. The business cabin was spacious, more than enough legroom even my kid can play around. Crew were very much attentive and even in less than two hours flight meals were given and they keep asking whether we need anything else. The cabin temperature is somehow high, and with KL unrest sunlight, we were almost toasted in the cabin. Being in the business class means early disembarkation but with our stroller in the plane belly, it did not speed up the process. We waited until the last person in economy disembark before our kid stroller eventually came in and that did not help. Immigration process in CGK was somehow slow with only 3 officers manning the booth for almost 300 passengers. I'm having kids with me and while we can be patience, our kids not. It was hot and the only thing we wanted then was to get out from the airport soonest as we can. We finally pass the immigration and our luggages were the last on the belt. They even put a signage before our bags that it was the last luggage. The que start again right after the luggage belt when only one entrance provided for exit and that did not help either. We almost reached the exit before a guy finally open up another exit. I heard a guy talking behind me that in here, everything are so relaxed or take your time. I won't see anything like this in KL where even with a good airport, everybody just want to get out as quickly as possible. It's not KL by the way, so just sit back, relax and enjoy the que.

It was already dark when we finally out. The outside did not help either. It was jampacked with people and choatic. We met our driver and he asked whether we would like to follow him to the car or waited there at the kerbside. We asked where he parked his car and he said it is near. Ok we said, we will wait here. It was a fatal mistake. The car was near but in order to exit, he has to make a circle down the terminal before he can reached us. We waited again for almost 40 minutes before he finally arrived with his car. We just lip crossed by the time he arrived and jump into the car. We were drenched in sweat and our kids seem can't hold it any longer. We were told that there would passibly traffic standstill somewhere near the city and the driver told us it might took another hour to reached the hotel. I miss KL the time he told us that.

The hotel - Harris Kelapa Gading

Found this hotel while browsing the net and so attracted with the orange scheme. Check in was smooth, seems like they have anticipated our arival, and the first thing the guy at the reception asked us was 'Sir, how was the traffic?', okey I should know this earlier but the traffic jam was beyond my contemplation. He added 'You have arrived in Jakarta on the wrong day...'. I did not know what to reply but if i can summarize the experience, it worst.

The hotel room was spacious, it's a new hotel and everything was gleaming brand new. There is a mall attached which make it easier for us to look for dinner and everything was ok. We scour the mall a while before it closed and we could only cover mall no 3. There are 5 malls attached and I think we probably need a whole day just to visit every mall. The next morning we woke up early and the breakfast was excellent. I got nothing to complain except if we could have more time sampling all the dishes. There even a lady offering a traditional drink and perhaps I should tried it some other day.

Overall, Harris is excellent. must come here again.

Next is our journey to Bandung using the tolled highway but I think i'll cover that up in other entry.

KUL - CGK - BDO - CGK - KUL

Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah swt.

I always feel so grateful to Allah swt cause due to his blessing, I'm able to do so many things that I could never imagine in life. I never imagine that I could study up to this level (still struggling though!), able to raise a family of 3, able to pay housing installment and been blessed with a beautiful and understanding wife. Life has been difficult for us thus far, but we believe, everything got it reason and there must be a good reward for those who preseverence.

I got an abstract accepted for conference in Brunei this coming July and I never felt this nervous before. Try to think some reasons why people get nervous, and similar to fear, it is due to something that we can't expect or think of. I think the best way to get rid those feeling are to prepare adequately, base on what I have on my plate and dig more just to add on it. The last thing that I should be worried is how to get funding for that conference, knowing Brunei dollar is of the same value of SGD lol.

I still struggle hard just to get the importance proposal ready and with conference paper to add on, I just need to work extra hard. I think I should made good use of time given to me and look for any slot that I can used to produce more results. Been thinking for some good vacation lately to reward myself on those hard times and yesterday was the pinnacle of it. Crossed on KLM website and I thought they are nothing more than a premium airline who sells seats at exorbitant price which similar to MAS. My last flight with MAS was BDO - KUL sector, and after the much controversial merge, the route belong to AAsia. Its funny how those corporate people capitalise on such a popular route, giving less chance for ordinary folks to go to BDO. If BDO was once a popular destination for ordinary people like me, the fact is now no longer holds. AA ticket for KUL-BDO sector was never put on sale and even if I book a year in advance, it still cost more and it not worth the wait. Competition is good for consumer, and the last time both airline compete on the route, ordinary folks like me benefited with chance to fly premium. This is not rationalizing exercise, but a mere capitalization of such a popular route. What a waste.

Why BDO come into scene anyway? BDO is a place close to my heart and liking. For some good reason, I went to BDO for the first time with my wife in 2009 for our honeymoon and trust me, I didn't pick BDO because of romantic factor or else, it just because that was the only ticket on sale back in 2009. At that time, I got less than 250 MYR for return ticket per person and the tripwas worth waiting. Now in 2012, the same flight scheduled in a week time, cost more than 800 MYR before luggage etc, and for return ticket it going to cost me almost MYR 3000 for 2 adults and my 2 kids. I'm not going to pay that much for 2 hours flight in a cramp cabin and Id better look for other alternatives.

I try to contact our previous driver in BDO and ask whether he can pick us up in CGK and return, he replied yes. Its going to cost me more than 300 MYR for that 2 days service and knowing how Jakarta could be, I bet it going to be worth it. I stumbled upon KLM website yesterday, and found great bargain from KUL to CGK return. Economy seats for all 4 of us will cost 1500 MYR and with additional 1000 MYR, I requested for an upgrade to Business. Yes, you heard me right, after long deprived moment, sinking in depressed and anxiety, we will finally fly again to BDO for the third time and to make it more memorable, we'll be flying business, all four of us. I'm not sure what to expect, but I hope it's going to be better than its eonomy. Try to check on MAS, the same route, same time in business will cost us more than 6000 MYR! why paying such for 2 hours flight, I can easily opt for other airlines with less cost. I know MAS air crew probably the best, but the cost is just not worth it for a short haul trip.

Hope BDO will receive us again with an open arms, but with less than a week to prepare, next week will definitely a busy week for us.

oh yes, i'm a frequent driver to Singapore

Sound cocky is it? Haha, no lah. Driving to Singapore is still a trill, especially when I passed by the immigration, well they seem very serious, chill though hehe.

I just renew my passport which I applied way back in 2008. Took a quick snap at one photo outlet (just to have a new picture) and drive all the way to Wisma Persekutuan to renew my expiring passport. My passport still actually got another 6 months before it actually expired. But, I read at the back page of the passport, it states passport must have at least 6 months validity. My wife said, it should be ok for trip to Singapore but I was too fear to violate this rule so I amicably renew for future use. Wisma Persekutuan immigration office is located at level 1. Not many people there since they have moved most of their operation to Setia Tropika. Wisma Persekutuan just received your application and there is no longer 2 hours delivery policy there. But it still fast, my passport will be ready within 24 hours. I rather come the day after for collection rather having to wait for hours just to submit the form plus another 2 hours or so just to collect the passport. I settled everything within 1/2 an hour and by 3 pm the day after, the passport is ready for collection. I was told that people thought that the immigration office at Wisma Persekutuan has since been closed when the Tampoi office is opened. It was untrue, believe me, should you wish to beat the que, head up to Wisma Persekutuan.

Well, with new passport, on Sunday the same week, guess what, yes, we head again to Singapore, [bla3 - same procedure, nothing interesting]. Among all trips I made to Singapore, nothing much intriguing compared to my last trip using my old passport. I decided not to use the highways, but alight to Singapore trunk road just to have that difference. Massive construction going on for their new MRT line. Roads are bewildering but still manageble. We eventually passed through Keppel port and Marina Bay before our Garmin suddenly when crazy and endlessly 'recalculating' our routes. To my suprise, the road is new, and our Garmin was the old version. We were blind all the way but eventually manage to land somewhere in Jln Sultan. We parked at the Landmark hotel basement and tour around arab st. Our Garmin went on crazy so again I was totally blind just to identify our route back home. I decided to follow BKE or Woodlands sign as I believe it will lead us home to Woodlands checkpoint. Enough scouring through, we finally get our Garmin back when we were so near to Woodlands. We followed 'Johor' sign from Woodlands rd. and to our suprise, we wrongly enter dedicated lane for commercial van. We were stopped by an officer and was told that we have entered a wrong lane. I just told them the reason and inquire whether we can passed through. The officer gave me that 'look' and was told to re enter the checkpoint through Woodlands. Security wise, its tough. Apart from the 'look', we were asked to pass through some highly secured gates and just to make thing more thrilling, they hold on to our passport. I suddenly remember an incident last year when a Singaporean lady looking for decent supper in JB, was mistakenly enter JB without her passport being validated. Tough consequence, which include squatting (naked) all the way in Pekan Nenas immigration depoh. The news went on for quite sometime before it went off. I read from news that the lady has sweared not to enter JB anymore, and even she enters again, nobody would know haha. Ok, lesson learned, do not make mistake at the checkpoint, study the procedure carefully or simply follow the car in front of you.

I know the currency exchange might fear people to enter Singapore, but it won't cost much just for a day trip. Pre packed your meal though, if you scare to spend your money there, there are plenty McD all the way to BSI where you can pack and eat those stuff when you get hungry in Singapore. My wife for example, treat every trip like an in-car party. She would normally bought plenty junk food from a gas station before we enter Singapore and that 's what she eats all the way. Try that though, enjoy your trip!

Jam, jam, jam haha