Friday, 20 October 2023

Singapore Again!

This trip we drove into Singapore by car for a family trip (15-17 October 2023). 

My youngest son is already 24 years old and he mentioned that he never been to Singapore.  At the age of 4 yrs old if I recall correctly, we did enter into Singapore as we were in JB to visit cousin's husband who was admitted to hospital for heart attack.  That time we entered Singapore just for a visit to Singapore Zoo and then we exit Singapore. He must have no memory on this as he was too young.

To enter Singapore by car, you need to apply Vehicle Entry Permit and purchase auto pass online (SGD10 - SGD5 for card, SGD4+ & tax) in advance, once you got the approval only you can drive in using the car you registered.  Prior to entering, submit online 3 days in advance including the day of arrival,the embarkation form together with health declaration.

We departed from home about 7.15am.  Reached Yong Peng, Johor for fish ball noodle breakfast at about 10.30am, Then proceed to collect auto pass and top up with SGD50,  went for a car wash, bought some goodies from Ming Ang. It took an hour to pass through Malaysia and Singapore custom.

We proceed to Garden by the bay, had lunch at Shake Shack, then entered Flower Dome. We left to check in hotel and came back at 6pm to visit Cloud Forest.  As night time, the place will be light up and it looks more beautiful.  You can visit the surrounding as is free.  But to enter certain attraction there, you need to pay.  Though we are only interested on Cloud Forest but you need buy combo ticket which include Flower Dome. And as usual Non Singaporean ticket will be more expensive.  My aunt and husband already there waiting for us to finish our visit.

After Garden by the bay, we went for street food with my aunt and his husband.  My aunt is unfortunately have problem walking these few days and need a walking stick. We then went back to hotel after drop both sons to their meeting place.  Their friends both Malaysian are working in Singapore.

I slept early that day, not as energetic as the young ones.

On the second day, we had breakfast at Killiney Kopitam at Killiney Road, visited Sentosa Island and Jewel Changi.  We had lunch at Jewel Changi foodcourt.  We then went back to hotel for a rest before we leave in the evening to Marina Bay Sand and finally Clarke Quay.  We had dinner at Iguana Cafe, Clarke Quay.  Youngest son left after dinner to meet his another friend who worked in F&B.  The rest of us went back to hotel and walked to back of hotel for dessert.

On the third day, I saw my eldest aunt just posted a good morning message to me and quickly gave her a call and inform her that I will visit her.  I tried calling her yesterday but she did not pick up.  After we checked out  around 10am, we left to Clementi West, had a short visit to her home and then went down to the another block near hers.  There are lots of food outlet.  We had our brunch there.  

We bid them goodbye and left for home.  There was no traffic at customs of both countries. By time we reached home was 5pm.

Though short 3 days 2 nights but it was sweet! Difficult to gather everyone since both sons are working but glad we made it.



 

JB to Singapore by KTM Train

I  have never try before just like the blind lead the blind.  The last I was in Singapore in 2019 unfortunately to attend my cousin brother funeral.  We flew in by flight and lucky to have my sister in law arranged the air ticket and drove us to the airport as at time of passing, we were in Melaka attending my husband's cousin brother in law wake.

We (6 person) travel from KL to JB stayed for a nite.  I have chosen R & F Princess Cove for our 2 nights stay. Next morning we took 7.30 am KTM train to cross the border at JB Sentral.  We bought return ticket online from JB Tebrau to Woodland Checkpoint. JB to Woodland cost RM5 but return ticket is RM17 due to exchange rate.

Upon reaching Woodland Checkpoint, after custom clearance, we took bus 911 locted at Berth 12 from Woodland Checkpoint till Woodland MRT located in Causeway Point Mall.  Follow station signage and went down to Level 1 to access the station to exit Wooldand MRT station. Take Exit 2

From Woodland MRT, we took MRT to Jurong East MRT. Then we board another MRT to Clementi.  From Clemneti MRT to Clementi Block 706, Clementi West Street 2, we took bus 285 and bus interchange is inside a building. 

Finally I met my both aunties and uncles (1st aunt 80 yrs old, 1st aunt's husband 88 yrs old whereas the younger aunt is 74 yrs old and her husband is 78 yrs old).  Wow! They look strong at their age at least do not need someone to look after or the need of wheelchair.

Glad that I have finally made a trip to Singapore even though is just a day trip.  This trip was with my uncle, his wife, his son, my aunt and my hubby. Basically my youngest aunt is the one that lead us!





 

Friday, 25 August 2023

Simple Recipe - Curry Chicken Recipe

Didn't realise I didn't write my recipe on curry chicken till I search for it here.

Ingredients

Chicken whole leg 4 cut into pieces= 16 pieces

Blended chilies paste (dried chilies, small onion, garlic) 18 tablespoon

Spices 6 types - coriander seed half small bowl, cumin 1/2 teaspoon, fennel 1/4 teaspoon, cinnamon stick 1, clove 3, star anise 3. To fry without oil in pan and then dry blend.

2 stalks of curry leaves

3 or 4 potatoes cut into desire size or shape

1 coconut = 1 medium bowl coconut milk

Salt to taste


Method

Heat up oil, pour in the blended chillies paste, follow by curry leaves, salt till fragrance or cook. Then add in blended spices. 

Stir in chicken for few minutes 

Add in coconut milk follow by potatoes and salt till cooked. 

There you go easy peasy and delicious





Thursday, 13 July 2023

Japan Alpine Route

It has been a while since we last traveled overseas due to Covid 19 Movement Control Order for the past two years.  My spouse has been asking me when I am going to arrange for vacation.  Chinese New year is over and I have yet to start planning.  But I need to settle all the income tax return filing before I can start looking.  

Since I do not have time to really search and look for own itinerary to travel on our own, I just looked through Golden Tourworld Travel and saw this Japan Alpine Route, a place that I find interesting instead of the normal Tokyo, Osaka and Kyota the normal cities that usually attracts tourists.

There were 2 itineraries via Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines.  We opted Malaysia Airlines since is 7 hours flight duration. We chosen Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ~ The Great Wisteria Festival ~ Lake Motosu Shibazakura 8 days 6 nights tour itinerary.

We flew into Osaka Airport and flew home from Narita Airport.

Day 1 - 15 April 2023

Check into KLIA 3 hours before flight depart.

KL/Osaka MH 52 2210/0540 +1

Day 2  - 16 April 2023 Osaka ~ Kyota ~Gifu

Osaka Castle, Busiest street of Shinsaibashi, Proceed to Kyota visited Kiyomizudera Temple (Unesco World Heritage Monument), continue journey overnight in Gifu, Ogaki Forum Hotel.

Day 3 - 17 April 2023 Gifu ~Takayama ~ Shirakawago ~Toyoma/Kanazawa

Takayama San-Machi Suji, Shirakawago Village, overnight Kanazawa Tmark city Hotel

Day 4 - 18 April 2023 Toyama/Kanazawa ~ Alpine Route ~Tateyama ~ Izawa

Whole day visited Tateyama  Kurobe Alpine Route via 6 different type of transportation.  However do note viewing snow corridor is subject to weather condition and opening period by local authority.  We were so lucky that it was opened during our visit. It was snowing!  

We Then proceed to Isawa Hot Spring where we spent a nite at Isawa Kasugai View Hotel.

Day 5 - 19 April 2023 - Isawa ~ Lake Motosu Shibasakura 

Mt Fuji - we viewed from Lake Kawaguchi before travel up to Mt Fuji Izu Hakone National park, Oshino Hakkai (small village at foot of Mt Fuji, Lake Motosu Shibasakura (flowers everywhere with Mt Fuji backdrop). Overnight Yamanakako Sun Plaza Hotel

Day 6 - 20 April 2023 Fuji Five Lakes ~ Tokyo

Shinjuku, Imperial Palace, Shibuya. Overnight Tokyo Dome Hotel

Day 7 - 21 April 2023 Tokyo Fuji Tree ~ Ashikaga Flower Park ~ Narita

Asakuka Kannon Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Ashikaga Flower Park, Odaiba Diver City for shopping. Overnight Narita Hotel Mystays Premier

Day 8 - 22 April 2023 - Home Sweet Home

Depart from Narita Airport to KL. MH 89 1020/1645 hrs


Hubby was not feeling well on night of Day 7, so his whole flight duration on Day 8 was torturing.  When we reached home, he did not have appetite at all and slept till next morning and tested positive for Covid 19.   Anyway,  we brought home sweet memories and new experiences from the trip.

Lake Motosu Shibasakura

Shirakawago


Mt Fuji

Alpine Route




Monday, 10 July 2023

KK & Kundasang again!

KK Again? Why? This is because my youngest son and girlfriend wanted to hike Mt KK. So here we go again to Kundasang and KK for 5th time.

But of course this time we visited some places we have never been to.  Son's girlfriend parents were travelling together with us. The last they visited KK was more than 10 years ago!