The Must-Trys at JB

Hi readers!

To follow up with the blog post done about 2 years ago, I was thinking that it would be a great idea to share with you some of the most recommended places that I have dined at Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia. Carry on reading if you are interested in exploring different affordable dining options, which are easily accessible from Singapore.

Kimdo/ Dimdo Seafood Restaurant (金都海鲜馆)
This seafood restaurant is located in Taman Sentosa and is very well known for its Salted Egg Crabs.

A-must-to-order.

Prices of the crabs are not exactly cheap (about S$50/kg), considering that it is expected to cost about half the price of crabs ordered in Singapore. 

Address:

23 & 25, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor.

Tel: 07-3332209, 3323789

Operating hours: 4.30pm - 3.45am

If you still have some stomach space for more food, do try the BBQ-ed snacks served in satay sticks, priced at RM1-1.50 per stick. These are sold at a small stall which is situated right outside the restaurant. How convenient!

Some of the BBQ snacks available include: beancurd, cuttlefish, fishball, mushroom, chicken, hotdog.

Luk Luk at Taman Sentosa


Often confused with the above BBQ food, Luk Luk is sold from a van, where you choose the food which are skewed through a satay stick and the seller will either boil, grill or deep fry them on the spot for you.

If you look closer, you would notice that the satay sticks are actually colour coded, making it easier for the seller to calculate the total charges. 

Personally, this is my favourite thing to have for supper when I am at JB, since it is cheap and easy to order. If you have not tried it before, I would strongly recommend you to!

Taman Tebrau Market

Comprising mainly Chinese stalls and a few Malay stores, the Taman Tebrau Market is usually filled up with locals and Singaporeans at night. 

On average, prices are about half of Singapore's, which is the main reason why Singaporeans love to come back for seafood and have a big feast, perfect with a glass of sugar cane drink. 

What we ordered that night: Clams cooked with Sambal Chilli, Sambal Stingray, Chinese Gai Lan and Sotong (Octopus) 

Happy us after a hearty supper session.

If you are thinking of driving to JB at night from Singapore's Woodlands Causeway, do be prepared for heavy traffic especially on Friday nights and weekends. 

There are many food places that I have yet to visit but if I have the chance, I would like to visit these stalls or restaurants that I have chanced upon on the various food blogs and review websites:

1) Restoran Todak (Orange Asli)

2) Restoran Chuan Xin: specialty dish - Abalone noodles

3) Storia Cafe at Jalan Storey - great for breakfast and Roti Canai

4) Sub Hui Bin Restaurant at Permas Jaya Sports Complex

5) Restoran How Inn at Jalan Debap, Taman Johor Jaya

6) Restoran Feng Hai at Taman Pelangi Indah

7) Solid Caferia Kwap Chup at Jalan Bakawali, Taman Johor Jaya

8) Kedai Makan Tao Yuan at Jalan Sawah, Pekan Nanas

9) Restoran Hoa Bi at Jalan Meldrum - famous for their herbal duck

10) Ban Heong Seng Beggar Chicken Restaurant at Jalan Skudai

Feel free to comment and recommend other food places located in JB which you have heard of.

Have a good day!

Signing off,

Michelle 

A one-day trip to Pulau Ubin

If you are dropping by Singapore and looking for a place to be away from the urbanized city, it is possible! Singapore is actually surrounded by many small islands and one of them is Pulau Ubin, situated at north east of Singapore.

The island Pulau Ubin, a Malay term which means Granite Island, is named due to the huge amount of abandoned granite quarries that could be found. Currently, the place remains rural with plenty of fauna and flora on site, attracting many nature lovers on a daily basis.

Travellers can get to the island from Singapore main island, via bum boats and the fee is affordable at $2.50 per person.

Be sure to take a photo at this sign when you arrive, just like what I did with my friends.

Do not be surprised if you see such stilt houses as they are a common sight at the island. Many villagers still remain living in Pulau Ubin, just like how it was in the 1960s. These residents lead simple lives as they make an earning through their small shops. Singaporeans like me often visit the place for cycling as prices are cheaper compared to those on the main island; similarly, for affordable dinners as you will be guaranteed fresh seafood.

Prices of bicycle rental ranges from $2 to $20 for the entire day. I must say it is quite a good deal!

In my opinion, cycling is the best way to explore the island as you will get to admire the natural surroundings. There is no fixed route so you can choose where ever you would want to cycle to.

For a start, just follow these main pavements and carry a map with you. For the adventure seekers, you can opt for the mountain biking trail set up by Ketam Mountain Bike Park, approximately 8km long.

I have also tried trekking among the woods and it was an interesting experience. Oh and remember to stay calm when you get to meet wild boars and monitor lizards along the way. It can get pretty tiring especially with the hot weather so do keep yourself hydrated as well.

If you work hard enough to get to the hill tops, you could also get to enjoy breathtaking views of the quarry. I have personally experienced this and all I can say is, it was a mesmerizing moment. It is hard to imagine that such scenery still exist in Singapore.

To learn more about nature, there are actually guided walk tours around Pulau Ubin so do check them out. One of the most popular places to visit on the island is Chek Jawa, a previous coral reel left behind many years ago. The atmosphere there was good, so much that my friends and I had to stop for a group photo.

There are actually many other activities that I have yet to explore such as setting up tents at the camping sites, fishing and going down to the mangroves.

If you have no intention of staying overnight at the island, do keep track of the time as the bum boats stop operating near sun set.

Trips to Pulau Ubin have always helped me to see Singapore in a different light and from time to time, I get to meet and interact with tourists who are equally attracted to this small island as well.

So, if you are interested in Mother Nature or simply just wish for a simple get away from the urbanized environment, why not consider Pulau Ubin as the next destination since it is just a 10-minute ride away from Singapore main island?

Have a great day!

Signing off,

Michelle

Explore Thailand’s Serenity at Aleenta Resort & Spa

Thailand has always been known as the Land of Smiles, where you will be most welcomed
and greeted by smiles of the local people. This summer, do consider Thailand as your
destination to enjoy the sun, sand and sea. There are countless of luxurious resorts located
by the beautiful and unpolluted beaches to choose from, including Aleenta Resort & Spa at
Phuket.

Just a 20-minute drive from the Phuket International Airport, Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket
offers amazing sea views, right from its pool villas, ocean view lofts and beachfront villas.

Source: Aleenta’s website

The resort houses award winning dining establishments, where you can opt for private dining
to have a more intimate culinary experience with your loved ones, while witnessing the
magnificent sunset view by the sea.

Source: Aleenta’s website

Besides just aiming to provide comfortable accommodation services to its guests, Aleenta
Resort & Spa Phuket continuously engages in environmental friendly practices, such as
conserving water and energy whenever possible. It even has its own well where water is
sourced and then recycled through a filter system.

The Aleenta Resort & Spa brand name has 2 more resorts at different locations, namely
the one at Hua Hin and Koh Samui. All of the Aleenta Resorts uphold the same green
policies and deserved to be applauded for its efforts in creating a more sustainable living
environment.

Cheers,

Sarah Alexandra Mayer