Cycling @ Pulau Ubin (010513)

Labour day cycling trip @ Pulau Ubin! 

A long-ago decided trip, but only managed to fulfil our obligations on 1st May. Yanjun and I first met at Changi Village for our breakfast @ approximately 0915H. Following which, we went to the Changi Point Ferry Terminal to board the bumboats to Ubin. Little did we know that the queue was overflowing and there were about 80 to 100s of people queuing in front of us! Luckily we had only two people, and we took the"shortcut way". Each ride took about 15mins and cost S$2.50 per person. 

We rented our bike @ S$10 for the entire day from one of the shops a distance away from the jetty. 

Following the directional signs, we cycled to the bike park as our first destination. Throughout the journey, there are steep slopes, mountain trails, and bridges to cross. Fret not! Stalls selling drinks are available at certain points so that we are remain hydrated along the way. 

A typical stall selling cold drinks and coconut

 Sceneries along the way

Map of "Ketam Mountain Bike Park"

Next stop - Chek Jawa Wetlands! 

Chek Jawa Wetlands is another part of the island where many cyclist would throng. It would be a disappointment if Chek Jawa Wetlands is missed out during a cycling trip. There's a stretch of boardwalk available for the tourists/cyclists to enjoy the scenery, inhale the fresh air, while admiring the coastline of Pulau Ubin. 

Seems like she's looking at an airplane for the first time in her life

Walking back to retrieve our bicycles which need to be parked before the boardwalk, we saw something which is kinda uncommon in Singapore. There were a drove of wild boars sashaying just before us! The male and female parent took their drift of seven piglets out for an afternoon walk I guess. They were perpetually undisturbed by us! Many cyclists stopped in their tracks suddenly and took out their handphones to snap a quick one before they scoot off quickly into the woods. Me of course, wouldn't miss out this opportunity. 

Our entire cycling trip took us about 3.5 hours to complete while enjoying the scenery at the same time. Definitely enjoyed ourselves and a place to return for loads of cycling trips again! (:

Tanjung Pinang (Elly's Kelong) (270313 - 290313)

Next up, short overseas trip number 2!

This post has been nearly a month's late. The previous post on this place was on December 2012. Similarly, same place, but different company.

This trip was kinda rushed as we had only one day of rest, returning from Genting Highlands, before embarking on this place.

Lets kickstart this post from the first day, one day after Genting Highlands. The ferry tickets were bought on the departure date itself. Departure @ Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT).

View from TMFT departure gate

Falcon-II ferry to Tg. Pinang. Tickets @ S$50 each

Arrival @ Tg. Pinang jetty

From the jetty, an approximate 50 minutes car ride is required to reach the kelong. On the journey, you can request the driver to stop at the supermarket to purchase some groceries to last you for the trip. 

Arriving at the kelong, after settling some administrative matters with the in-charge, you can proceed to fish, or have your lunch/dinner (depending on ferry timings). 

Views of the kelong. Much has been renovated since a couple of years ago. Fishing rates has dropped, but its definitely a good place to relax, and get away from the bustling Singapore. 

A typical room with A/C. 

For their food, which is cooked by Elly's wife, I highly recommend the Fried Noodles aka Mee Goreng. Oily but delicious. (:
Fresh fruit juices are also recommended, and the more popular ones are apple & orange juices.

Mee goreng, stir-fried tofu & vegetables

Seafood soup, eggs & deep-fried frogs

Chilli crabs

Fresh orange juice

Just out of the long walkway of the kelong, there's a minimart opposite. The chendol sold over there is heavenly, and this, you have to trust me. 

Their chendol in glasses. Sweet and refreshing especially under the hot weather.

Nothing much to be said about fishing there now. The few of the patrons there didnt caught much as well. Kinda disappointing, but might as well take the time to rest & relax! Caught a small stingray on the second night, first in a very long time. 

Ferry was at 5PM on the last day, and we could still squeeze in a little time for shopping before departure to SG. Went to their local shopping centre, claiming which it was the largest on the island. "Ramanaya" which was only two levels high. Snacked at their local "KFC" and got prepared to depart off to Singapore! 

More pictures can be found on my facebook! (:

Genting Highlands (240313 - 260313)

As promised! Short overseas trip number 1!

This trip was booked last minute, less than a week ago, and we were lucky to still have seats available. However, the price was at S$138, a huge increase from the previous S$88, about two years ago. However, one of its plus point would be we're travelling there via their Super VIP coach. Checked-in at Golden Mile @ 0700H, and off we go for our short getaway to Genting Highlands! 

Exchange Rate was at SGD$1 = RM$2.463

Anyway, we did not expect the bus ride to be so long. We set off from Golden Mile at about 0700H, and we reached Genting at close to 1500H. It was a more-than-seven-hours-long ride with only two stops in-between, excluding the Tuas Checkpoint of course! The bus journey on the way there previously was only a mere 6 hours. 

Our bus - the Super VIP coach

The bus will stop at a small restaurant at YongPeng to allow you to have some light refreshments and a short toilet break before entering Kuala Lumpur. 

DAY 1:

Checked-in upon reaching, and luckily there wasn't a long queue at the counters. The entire process took less than 15mins and we were given a room at level 7, Tower 2. 

The views from our room 

Had a quick shower and proceeded to the strawberry farm, for fear they might close early on a Sunday. Took the cable car down, before switching to a taxi to the farm. 

Take-off and the view seems to be clear

Upon reaching a certain point, the haze seems to worsen the view in front of your car 

In view of the destination

While proceeding to the bus/taxi stand, wild monkeys could be seen loitering around, enjoying the breeze and stares. 

As mentioned, we took a cab to the Strawberry Farm, which took less than 10mins. From the cab driver, the farm is situated at Gohtong Jaya (pardon my spelling). 

Rows and rows of strawberries could be seen, many of them surrounded by fences, inaccessible to the public. However, there is an area where you could try pick your own strawberries for a price! At RM$8/100gm, you can pick your own strawberries for your enjoyment. On the other hand, these strawberries that you've picked, can only be kept up to two days to maintain its freshness! 

A portion of the picked strawberries! 

The strawberry farm also includes an area where local flowers such as lavender, roses are being grown.

Teabreak includes a locally-made ice-cream cake at RM$7.50. Apart from the strawberry farm, the place also sells different kinds of local foods, souvenirs, etc. 

Approaching dinnertime, we had our dinner at the local seafood restaurant, just a stone's throw away from the farm. There were many Singaporeans having their dinner over there as well. For transport back to the hotel, fret not, just inform the owner of the restaurant that you need a cab, and he will get one almost immediately. From the restaurant to the hotel, takes about 15mins cab ride, costing RM$20. 

We finished the day off by visiting the casino. 

DAY 2:

Breakfast was at Mcdonald's, tapping their restaurant's wifi. We found that we were glued to our screens for close to 15mins or so, and declared ourselves social media addicts. 

That not-enough-sleep face

Went on to the outdoor theme park after breakfast, and it's probably the school holidays over there, which makes every ride a wait about 30 to 45 mins. Especially the "Grand Prix" ride, which makes Yanjun so excited about, a good long wait of close to an hour. The theme park was due to close at 10PM on that day. 

Evening on the pirate ship

Lunch was at the Food Market, similar to the one at Resorts World Sentosa, and the prices there are  exorbitant! A simple meal consisting of chicken rice & Bak Kut Teh, costs about S$30! 

After lunch, we were too lazy to queue up for the rides again. Henceforth, went walking around at the mall and tried out the archery booth located near the bowling alley. Prices were RM$16 for 2pax with several arrows each. 

Old Town Cafe for dinner and that basically sums up day 2! 

DAY 3: 

Breakfast at Kopitiam (located just beside the bowling alley), and we proceeded to set off back to Singapore at 1100H. Similarly, the ride back was close to 8 hours! Never ever gonna take Grassland again, GRAH!