Spent a night over the long weekend in our neighbouring city, tho the traffic (on the street) is horrendous and stressful, it sure is nice to have your $$ doubled in value.
Based on latest exchange rate of SGD 1 to RM 2.3…
Delicious chinese cze czar meal = SGD7.60 per pax
Ip Man in Cantonese = SGD3.90
Massage = SGD 27.40
Needless to say petro and car wash are included in the must do lsit.
Happiness!
It’s a beachy weekend at our annual church retreat in Desaru.
> Drove 2.5 hours from SG to Desaru.
> Amazed by how spacious the room is.
> “Formed” a new church — Seventy day Advetist Chinese Church.
> Ate a colourful paddle pop by the beach doing Bible Study.
> Enjoyed the breeze sitting on the beach while looking after towels and clothes for Gracie’s parents who went dipping in the sea.
> It actually gets a little chilling after rain in Desaru!
> Napped only 15mins throughout the entire retreat! Amazing.
> Overdosed on beef rendang — it’s available every meal! Except breakfast.
> Watched ping pong old girls played — mom vs Joyce’s mom.
> Had roti chanai with 19 other church mates at a puny town near Desaru. Cars for mobility is important.
> Drove another 2.5hours back to SG.
So I was away for the weekend at the colony of Singapore. No, not Bintan, the other one — Batam.
Most would frown at the thought of going Batam, cos other than casino and women, there seems to be nothing else to do. I thought the same and I was wrong. They have nice resorts, beach resorts. Not as well known as Bintan, thus less crowded, which works well for me cos it also means better deals.
Cheap deal we got for this 3D2N getaway for $70 per pax (inclusive 2-way ferry excluding tax) at a 3 stars resort with a private beachfront. The resort was peaceful and at times it felt as if we’ve booked the entire place. Shiok lah! But it does make us wonder how on earth do they survive?!
Anywho, as all resorts do, they lure you with cheap deals then they start slaughtering you with exorbitant prices for transport, food and activities.
We enquired about transport to a seafood restaurant located 15minutes away and the 2-way transport price came up to S$30! We almost fainted.
You felt as if you’ve never left Singapore with all everything priced in SGD, afterall it’s our colony.
Weather is good cos it didn’t rained. With hardly anyone around (there are probably more resort employees than guests), I’m free to strut my definitely-not-bikini-ready body and do my first suntan in 6 months.
With the scorching weather, we had hoped for a working aircon that cools. But unfortunately the centralised aircon system provides at best a fan-like breeze, which after a techncian was despatched to check on it, still does not function as it should be.
It was so warm I slept on the couch for some parts of the night cos it was directly under the aircon vent.
We made noise the next morning to be informed that all the rooms are the same and the best solution they could offer is a fan. A fan that made all the difference cos it cooled down the room tremendously. But still, what is this?!!
BUT!! The best part is not all of the above.
Out of the 3 days we were there, there was power shutdown for 2 days. POWER SHUTDOWN IN A RESORT LEH!! This is seriously a first time for me. Hot and dying, we escaped to the pool.
During our suntan session, we were entertained by the resident lizard walking around and SWIMMING in the pool! So glad we were safely on our deckchairs and not in the pool, else we might break the world record flying out of the pool. Gross!
Our entertainer of the trip. Eeek!!
I was last at Genting when I was a teenager. Couldn’t remember how the place was like except that I stayed most time in the room watching WWF with James and David. Yes we were big fans.
This time, the place overwhelmed me. I walked up from the bus terminal and for a moment I didn’t know where to head. Lights blinking, mob crowding, gamblers rushing, music blasting and rides going everywhere over your head and around you. I felt like I was a lost child in a huge amusement park. Abit scary.
Following the experienced looking aunties from the same coach didn’t help. Thinking they were heading to the check-in counter we followed, only to discover they were actually heading straight to the casino. -__-||
Experienced indeed they are, for we can’t check-in till 3pm and they know it too well to waste their time waiting when they can get going what they are here for.
We tried entering the casino and was rejected a total of 3 times. Reasons: my cap and twice cos we looked underage and didn’t have our IDs on us.
We went back the next day and with our IDs finally made our way in. It was crowded. Very crowded. A perpetual smog hangs over the head and around you. The most amusing part for me is hearing the collective shout of “PICTURE!!” now and then from the different tables.
Despite the crowd, the cooling weather was a nice change. Next destination some place less crowded perhaps.
Further to my earlier post on how Aussie angmohs suck at taking photos cos they always miss the main point in the background, followng is another photo took during the trip.
pix via Alice
Reasons why Asians are the BEST phototakers
1/ Everyone’s face is captured
2/ Main background is captured clearly
3. This is self-taken (by James)
‘Nuff said.
We made the mistake of asking Aussie angmohs to help snap photos of us during our trip. Here’s proof why they are so bad and that we should stick to seeking help from Asians — who can self-take and still capture perfectly themselves WITH the relevant background.
Where is Flinder’s Street station?! Maybe she’s trying to capture the tower.
Barely seeing the 12 Apostles.
Now totally cannot see.
You know, we didn’t just pick any uncle or auntie off the street, we actually spotted those using pro-looking cameras thinking they have the skills, but alas! James say they just have the money to buy expensive cameras. Period. *facepalm*
Finally one decent one, but ofcos there is no background. The angmohs are pretty focus on the people in the photo as you can see.
I’m back! A brief recount of what happened in the last 11 days.
Gelati ate: 3 cones
Peters ice-cream ate: 2 cones
Krispy Kreme ate: 2 and 1 bite
Big M drank: 1 600ml and 1 300ml
Italian meals: 3
Yum cha: 2
Roast duck rice: 1
Vietnamese meal: 1
Self-cooked meal: 3
Trips to city in morning peak hour: 1
Cars rented: 2
Flghts taken: 4
Screams at Dreamworld rides: Countless
Coffee drank: countless
Failed phototaking attempts by Aussie angmohs: 3
Rides on tram: 0
Rides on train: 0
Episode of Australian idol watched: 1.25
Girls staying in the same house as James: 4 + 1 mother
Pictures will be uploaded on FB soon.
It’s amazing how even tho I’ve spent 2 years in Melbourne, I did not manage to visit all the noted attractions. Can’t help it when I’m such a studious and poor student you know - but I reckon the real reason is that I’ve slept all my time away.
The only attraction that I’ve repeatedly visit is Great Ocean Road - a total of 4 times and this trip will make it the 5th. At the mention of GOR, Small Boobs gave me a “HAR” and “AGAIN?!!” look - but it’s the most scenic drive and the coastal formations change every year OKAY!
This time round I’ve decided to stop being so boring and go venture new places. GOR is still a must go, but hopefully we can manage to squeeze in time for Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Both were so near to where I used to stay and both great places for road trips.
I can almost smell the fresh air, see the clear blue sky and taste Strawberry Big M now. Hohoho!!
Despite being a first-timer to Brisbane/Gold Coast, I still think there are only 2 important things to be booked in advance — air ticket and accommodation. The rest can be settled and booked when we are there. Why kill the spontaneity, right?
But!
When I was trying to book the accommodation for Gold Coast 1.5 months (which is early no?) prior to my departure, I was caught off-guard by the multiple rejection emails I would receive from the hotels. THEY ARE FULLY BOOKED!!
This is bizarre I thought.
Until I was enlightened that an IndyCar Race Event is happening the same weekend.
Under such circumstances, we decided it would be wise tho kiasu to buy the theme park tickets and also book the rental car, in advance. Just incase.
So this is what I’ve booked for Brisbane/Gold Coast:-
Flying with Qantas: S$1,341 per pax
Bunking in Brisbane (10-bedder hostel) for 1 night: US$26 per bed (approx S$36.40)
Living it up in Gold Coast for 3 nights: S$297 per pax
Driving around for 3 days: AUD$138.37 (approx S$168)
Screaming our lungs out at Dreamworld: AUD$66 per pax (approx S$77)
Is this one of my most advance planned trip or what? Whatever happened to my “grab-a-map-at-ariport-and-GO!!!”?!
I’m definitely going to grab something (if there are any shops open at midnight) first thing I’m there.. it’s BIG M STRAWBERRY FLAVOUR PREEEESE!!
I’ve done squats for Melbourne cos I know everything’s going to be no problemo there!
