Cycle Malaysia Day 34 - Singapore - Johor Bahru

After 2 nights in the Lion City it was time to move on with my tour and today was the beginning of Stage VII with a plan to stay at Johor Bahru for 2 nights. Good morning and good bye Little India.

One final browse around the area.

Taking more pictures before I pedal on.

My breakfast at Shing Boon Hwa Food Centre in Dickson Road.

I relied very much on my Oregon for direction and at times it could not give me the best route but somehow it will navigate me out of the place. Passing by Bukit Merah Road as I slowly got out of the city centre.

I knew I have gone the wrong way using the Bukit Timah Expressway (also known as BKE) it has comfortable road shoulder for bicycle but dangerous where ever there are roads coming out to join the expressway, vehicles are moving fast at the turnings and crossing at these turnings is pretty risky.

After all the adventures on this expressway I managed to get closer to Woodlands safely.

Oh gosh... look at the motorcycle lanes, the queue was really long and it was moving very slow indeed. I started to observe the motorists and wasn't sure whether I could pass through the check points with my Brompton. I noticed that many of the motorists carrying auto card devices on their bikes and I have none.

Yeah... I got through the check points and was asked to use the extreme booth for bike without passes (I guess) and was on the causeway on my way to back to Malaysia.

A lady on a roller scooter crossing the Causeway.

After clearing the checkpoint everyone seems to be inpatient to cross the causeway especially the motorists probably it was after the long wait.

My plan to look for an accommodation around Jalan Wong Ah Fook area, I found an old hotel, Meldrum Hotel and the only room at the Mezzanine level because of the bicycle. I like the location of Meldrum Hotel and the staff is friendly and helpful.

I started exploring the surrounding of the old Johor Bahru city and this Indian temple was busy with many visiting devotees. It is called Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanamm and is one of the oldest temples in Johor.

This part of the city is truly lively I was glad that I have another day to explore the city and so many food to savour. No wonder it is a haven to the Singaporeans.

At last I found my old friend Sundar we were from the same class in the primary school in Kulim and I reckoned I have not seen him since we left Sultan Badlishah School in 1975 and that was a long time indeed.

We had dinner together and talked a lot of our pasts and his story how he ended up living in Johor Bahru. It was such a great moment meeting up with him and hopefully we will meet again in future.

I like staying at this Meldrum area it's full of people and activities. The food street at the back lanes is truly unique and hopefully the local authority could enhance the surrounding for a cleaner and comfortable atmosphere.

Day 34 - It's back to Malaysia to complete the journey on the western coast.

Cycle Malaysia Day 33 - Singapore

I spent the night in a 4 beds room with two other people from two countries, one from China and the other from Thailand whom both of them came alone to visit Singapore. I had wanted to service by brakes but the time arranged was too late for me as the technician could only be available in the afternoon. Anyway thank you to Brenda for arrangement. And off I went to Amoy Street as recommended by Brenda for a morning ride.

CHIJMES was originally known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), a premier girls' school established in 1854 by an order of French Catholic nuns. The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall is a perfect venue for weddings. The Chapel was gazette as a national monument on 26 October 1990.

The Central Fire Station (中央消防局) is the oldest existing fire station in Singapore, and is located at Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area. The building currently houses the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, the official museum of the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

The Sri Mariamman Temple (ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில்) is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. It is an agamic temple, built in the Dravidianstyle. Located at 244 South Bridge Road, in the downtown Chinatown district.

Amoy Street is one of the old streets developed during the 1830s defining Chinatown under Stamford Raffles' 1822 Plan. It was believed that the name was referring to the many migrants coming from Amoy, China. The roads are narrow and the old building were well preserved and occupied by many F&B outlets.

There are many migrant sculptures seen in the corners of Amoy Street such as this cluster.

As for lunch I met up with my nephew Johnny in Chinatown.

I was game for a meal of Singapore plain Bak Kut Teh and he took me here at Chinatown Point to try it out.

I always enjoy this pepperish plain soup Bak Kut Teh, the soup was tasty and I added a couple times.

Side dishes for a complete satisfaction.

The damage.

After the lunch I went to Decathlon (City Square Mall) in Farrer Park to buy a few pieces of tee shirts.

Then it was back to Station G4 for a rest. At about 5 o'clock I took the MRT to meet up with Sheng Look & Eu Jin and together we went to NUS for our dinner appointment. We had a few beers while waiting for Siew Hwa. Back in 2012 we stood at the same spot for a photo taken and after 5 years we were back again to update ourselves . Thank you Siew Hwa for a sumptuous dinner and it was to met up with your son too. And thank you Eu Jin for accompanying me back to Little India. I hope to see you all again maybe back in Malaysia. Cheers.

The previous meeting dated July 2012.

Cycle Malaysia Day 32 - Sg. Rengit - Tanjung Pengelih to Singapore

Good morning Sg. Rengit it's time to head for Singapore and into Stage VI of the tour. The journey from here to Singapore is something not commonly used by many, in fact many do not know that there is such route to the Lion City.

Whenever you come to Sg. Rengit and having a problem finding a place to stay you can always try this place which is off the main road but you can not miss it. Just ask the local for help and you will surely be there.

One last time riding through this busy town. There used to have a road linking to Pengerang but it has been closed for development and one had to take a longer route to Pengerang now.

My curry chicken noodle from a coffee shop at Jalan Besar of Sg. Rengit.

The first 4 km of ride to Tanjung Pengelih was not comfortable at all, I had cycled through a narrow road which was under construction.

I missed a turning to Pengerang and was heading towards Kota Tinggi. I only realised it when I reached the front of Sebana Cove Golf Resort and it costed me an additional of 4 over kilometres to ride back to the turning.

A save to this tortoise crossing the road. She could easily being quashed by heavy lorries on the road.

The wet road leading to Pengerang and Tanjung Pengelih.

Approaching the junction of Pengerang town.

Yeah I am getting closer to the jetty and hopefully I can get a boat service to Singapore.

The jetty was quiet but I enjoyed the scenery and its surrounding.

This is a World War II relic at Tanjung Pengelih. War bunkers built by the British Army and reputed to have an underground hospital, barracks, tunnels, communications post, naval guns and anti-aircraft installation.

The public jetty and marina of Tanjung Pengelih.

I was told that an earlier boat has already left for Singapore and was asked to wait but exactly what time the operator did not mention. He said I have to wait until he has sufficient passengers. The time was then around 10.00am.

I told the operator that I am going out to the warong near the war bunker for a makan.

About 12.00 noon a family of 5 people came to the jetty and the boat operator alerted me that the boat was then ready to go. So that was the end of Stage V of my tour.

The fare was 25 Singapore dollars. I enjoyed the boat ride going from the eastern tip of Johor, seeing the continuous land reclamation by the Singapore authority and coming into the coast of Changi.

Finally, I have landed on the shore of the Lion City after going through the immigration and customs. It was an easy entry without much of a hassle with my bicycle fully set up.

Here I was outside Changi Point Ferry Terminal at Changi Village.

After getting my Oregon orientated with a marking to reach Little India.

I slowly inched my way into the city

Along my way to Little India I had the chance to see some old buildings like this temple at Tampines.

Part of my ride was using the PCN (Park Connector Network).

On Geylang Road with so many eatery shops that was so enticing.

Here was I in Little India, I will be staying here for 2 nights at G4 Station which I have booked through Agoda.

 In the evening I had friends to meet and have dinner together. It was nice to see my old schoolmates again they were Eu Jin & Sheng Look. And also this young friend Japheth from KL.

Thanks Japheth for the beer & photos.

The ride from Sg. Rengit town to Tanjung Pengelih Jetty.

The boat ride from Tanjung Pengelih to Changi, Singapore.

On the island of Singapore from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Little India.