I Need an Invention, Intention, to stop Temptation to Scream...: JB Tour!!!

I'm sure you folks are sorta tired of Australia postings already??? Seeing that the blogger bug has hit me again, yours truly shall give you guys a crash tour to Johor Bahru along with lovely travel companions Kang, Ginny and Vivian.

School has barely started for a week and we're partying already! =) No wonder I never hate going to school. Hard to detest school when you're meeting such great friends everytime! Throw in a good schedule and school totally rocks. Ok. This trip was hatched during the boring working days at Hyundai when Kang suggested that we go for a trip into JB. Kang being the JB pro was our honourary tour guide and planner for the trip. Kang Vivian and I changed ringgit at extremely good rate! Better than that of any bank or money changer. We traded with Ginny who has Malaysian parents. Rate is a secret la. Wait you people kidnap her to squeeze ringgits out of her how??? Hehehe.

Kang sent us an idiot-proof guide 2 nights before... Start the trip by taking 170 from Kranji Mrt Station.

Call me a sua ku but its the first time in all my 23 (yes we are 23! Believe it!) years I'm exploring JB city despite its proximity to Singapore. Always bypassed it for other places like KL, Genting, Lanjut or Melacca.

Across the familiar ol causeway.

Collect your purple passport souvenir chop and you're off!!! 16rm for a taxi ride to Jusco. Our first destination of the day.

Jusco strikes us as being similar to Vivo city. Famous brands like Dorothy Perkins, Topman, Mango, Guess, Yamaha, Toys R us etc. Gotta be the most modern looking shopping mall in JB perhaps. The best thing is, the mall is totally empty!!!

Well almost...

A nice change from the malls in Singapore where someone bumps into you literally every few mins or so. We had the pleasure of walking at our own pace and stopping wherever we want to.

My first victim of the day: A cup of corn.

Not just any other cup corn you eat at a pasar malam in Singapore. This cup corn consist of steamed corn, butter, salt (all the usual) and then a dash of Mayonnaise and just a little bit of condensed milk! And serve piping hot it just taste amazing! At 2.50rm, its a super steal. Sorry I didn't catch a picture of the cup nor the stall. My mouth was faster than my camera.

After buying some souvenirs we are all set for lunch! Jusco has just too many places to dine in. Jap restaurants, malay restaurants, fast food, food courts, and even a 'Flintstones' themed restaurant. But we chose...

Not fish and co! But its direct competitor Manhatten Fish Market.

Minestrone soup of the day...

The gals are smiling so sweetly cos the food's real good and cheap...

Kang's very healthy grilled herb Dory and baked rice.

Whitebait!!! These deepfried mealy tiny fishes taste crunchily good with the sauce! 8.90rm nia!

Being the groups's official glutton I got a reputation to uphold... So I ordered a deep fried dory with a choice of seafood side with both fries and rice. All for 29.90rm, hard to say no to a deal like that. All's good except the rice. What a disappointment. No where near Fish and Co standard.

Before we left Jusco we each got a box of donuts!

Good ol Dunkin Donuts... Why did you leave Singapore??? WHY WHY WHY??? At 11rm for a box of 6, no wonder everyone wants them...

Destination 2, Pelangi Plaza, a 18rm ride away.

The cab driver though lame was really well versed in keeping up the latest movies. While he speaks good conversant english, he highlights some classice scenarios of bad english among other malaysians.

Case 1:

Friend of Cabbie: "Have you watch the movie, Helicopter?"

Cabbie: "Got movie called helicopter???"

Friend of Cabbie: " Yah what! That skinny guy with spectacles flying on some broom ma!"

Cabbie: "Harry Potter la!"

Case 2:

Cabbie: "Can I have a ticket to the show 失败的(failure) man???"

Movie ticket dude: "Huh?"

Cabbie: "Aiyah 失败的man is Spiderman lor!"

We dunno whether to laugh or cry. One thing we did cry about was why our cinema don't offer 6rm tickets on movie days... =( The cabbie kept us entertained till we reached Pelangi.

Nothing much from this mall but this is the place to get some less legal stuffs if you know what I mean... =) And at super cheap prices too!

Despite the light drizzle outside, weather was still perfect!

From Pelangi Plaza we walked to this Giant supermarket. Its interesting that along the way there will be flashes of sms as the phone gets a hint of Singapore reception at certain locations. Most shops are ran by chinese so its pretty much easy to get the things you want. There was even a car repair workshop blaring 933 music. I was pleasantly surprised I must say, considering that 933 reception's one of the worse among other stations in Singapore.

A short ride away (rm6) from the supermarket will bring one to City Square! The most happening place of the day.

We rested tired legs while indulging in...

CHEESECAKES!!!

From top: Yoghurt cheesecake, blackcurrent cheesecake, raspberry cheesecake, and apple crumble cheesecake.

No trip to JB is complete without a shot of secret recipe's famous cheesecakes! All were equally lovely and sinful not to mention. 6.30rm a slice! Would have carted off a whole cheesecake if my wallet said yes.

Our only group photo turned out fuzzy. Darn.

This gotta be the coolest part of City Square. Inner City!!! Almost a perfect replica of Heeren. This part of the mall is dedicated to the teens with tons I say TONS of the latest shoes, bags, clothes and accessories. Comes complete with your pop-out-from-nowhere food stalls in the middle of all the fashion shops!

Hard to believe its JB... I'm really some mountain turtle.

Endless gachapon machines...

This Takashimaya sized mall packs a punch.

Exemption clause: The author of this entry shall not be responsible for any overexpenditure resulting in bankruptcy or a violent protest of unwillingness to leave this mall upon visit.

You laugh. Kang told me a friend of his brought his girlfriend here and she simply refuses to leave! Would have taken more pictures if my battery was properly charged. Arrgh. Anyway, BOYFRIENDS beware! Do not bring your girlfriends here!!! The wide selections coupled with deadly unbeatable prices equals any NIGHTMARE!!!

Vivian got her handphone stolen... Kidding! ButI love this old school phone booth...

Talent spotted something at the minimart at the basement of City Square. Milo sweets!!! Amazing! Too bad they're too ex. 19.90rm a pack. If I had more I'd try it though. Kopiko in milo version man how cool is that...

This is where we had dinner. Thank God for the late sunset! Its 645pm and its still bright!

Kang the trip Commanding Officer bravely leads the way into the back alleys of JB, just across City Square.

Though City Square boast lots of lovely eateries as well, we felt that we just can't miss their road side stalls! Kang even brought those magical po chai pills in case of any signs of food poisoning.

In clockwise direction: Chee Cheong Fan stuffed with Char Siew, Popiah, Fried Kuay Teow and Fried oyster egg. All these for about 16rm???

The very happy and satisfied group... Thanks for all your effort in planning this trip Kang!

The better late than never Hokkien Mee... All those yummy street goodies remind me of Jonker Walk in Malacca! The good ol memories...

Ginny buying the snack not recommended for the literal faint hearted...

Deep Fried chicken skin!!! How yummy can that be! A bag of heaven for 1rm. It was meant to be for her folks back at home but I stole a piece anyway. Nice! Sorry Gin!

Just a 3 minute walk away from City Square is the custom immigration already. So its a short dash through the customs and we're back! About 10 minutes trip from a country to another?

The trip ended way too soon but not before we all bought (smuggled actually) Ramly burgers (2rm ea) home. Cost of today's fun? 150rm for me! Hahaha. Sounds like a hell lot but its only 65-70 Sgd. I'm so going to go back again.