holiday Archives - Page 13 of 91

Taking the Train to JB

Train to JB, why not 🙂
In this post, we share why Train might be the alternate (or best) option to travel to Johor.

We can order our train tickets online at https://online.ktmb.com.my . Infact, online order is preferred in case tickets are sold out over the counter (especially on weekends).

Do take note KTM system only allow for booking of one-direction ticket, no return ( ie, need to buy to and fro tickets separately). Yes, we are bewildered too.

KTM train ticket cost only Rm16 and Rm5, to and fro respectively. Train to JB is so cheap 🙂

Free seating. After booking your tickets, print out your tickets receipt. Return trip will need the QR code.

Head towards Woodlands Train Checkpoint, many folks would be taking a bus from Woodlands Interchange.

A) At the information counter (level 1), you will need to show your passport and printed ticket receipt to exchange for real tickets. Sometimes, the counter staff will just stamp (acknowledge) your hardcopy receipts email (no tickets).

B) Queue for your train. Do arrive early (maybe 30minutes, expect bigger crowd over weekends). We need to queue for tickets collection, baggage scan etc

B1) At Singapore side, you will pass through both Singapore and Malaysia customs. All baggages will be scanned.

Immigration checkin is relatively fast and efficient, minimum hassle.

C) Your Train to JB is only 10 minutes, one stop. (Cars might take up to 1 or 2 hours )

Arrive at JB sentral, and you can walk across bridge to City Square.
(no more custom checks, since we have scanned our details at Singapore side already)

The FUN Starts now! SGD and RM exchange rate is still 1:3 🙂

This is where you GRAB to your next stop. We should mention that Grab taxis are everywhere, and fares start from only Rm5 (for 10 minutes ride!)

Both City Square and KSL Mall are very popular with Singaporeans.

In case you need more assistance, Google will share nearest Restaurant, Cafe, Massage spots. Do read these posts :

– Johor Good Food (and GPS)
– Google Map Hacks
– KSL Pasar Malam (if you are new to JB Pasar Malam, only on Mon)

Example, Google highlighted Massage joints (link ) are concentrated near KSL and Taman Sentosa areas.

Please read the reviews for the “real” massage joints. Some are sleazy, while others hard-sell to top up your package.

Massage was our first activity 🙂

We decided on either Sabye Sabye or Let’s Relax Spa (Different from the Bangkok franchise). Both are side by side, popular and located at Plaza Sentosa. There are more tips from Vanessa’s blog or get SengkangBabies blog recommendations on our blog (2019).

We opted for Let’s Relax Spa (GPS 1.492031, 103.769116). Rm55 for 90 minutes, shoulder and leg and head. We recommend massage should be minimum 60 minutes, 30 minutes are only for warm up :p

We heard Thai massage are popular too. Our masseurs are from Thailand.

Soothing. Shoik. Rejuvenated.

.. and HUNGRY. We walk 5 min to some delicious paper wrapped chicken (Teck Sing).

Rm28 for a delicious tandalising chicken 🙂
Soft and tender, with a tinge of herbal goodness

Do order the bittergourd egg too.

More shopping for the Mrs, I was the porter. We also package some goodies for the hungry kids.

While she shops, I detour to buy famous banana cake. Hiap Joo is 7 min walk from City Square.

Mission achieved, if Darling happy, I am happy. 满载而归 🙂

On the return trip, head back to JB Sentral for your return train. Again, do arrive early, as you do not want to miss you train.

In worse case, you may still purchase tickets over the counter. Photo below-right, use the “printed QR Code” to enter the transit area.

Your luggage (and souvenirs) will undergo one more round of security scans.

So why do we recommend Train to JB for you?

-Convenient, avoid the jams, and it is a cheap mode of transport.
-Some folks might hesitate to drive into Johor for security reasons.

Additional tips.

*No photo taking in immigration areas
-Toilet facilities are available in immigration sections
-If you are driving around Taman Sentosa (at night), do be careful as this area is notorious hot spot for car smash and theft (read some tips on car protection)

Take the train to avoid the jams 🙂

ps.. Follow our Instagram tag #SengkangBabiesJohor for more JB adventures

Johor Massage recommendations -> https://sengkangbabies.com/holiday/johor-massage-recommendations

*Can we bring our foldies to Kluang to cycle the hills?
(NST article from 2016)

ps.. updated 2019Oct – We can only use Malaysia Banks to book train tickets now. KTM will announce once Singapore Banks can be used

Bangkok Day Trip-Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa Floating Market

Maeklong Railway Market is not new to many tourists. Everyone knows the special market which a train goes through (without crushing any vegetable or fruits!)

But Maeklong Railway Market is 80km away from central Bangkok, public transport and drive will be 2.5 and 1 hour respectively.

It makes sense to bundle your trip with nearby attractions. We love Amphawa Floating Market (there are at least 3 floating markets in the area). (We do not know which one more suitable or has more street food.)

So we book a day trip through Klook (this package), price from $270+ . COMFORTABLE 10-seater van zip us to our destination. If I was driving, I might need to navigate or sit out huge jams 🙂

If you are rushing for time, checkout our YouTube Video first

#01 Ride into Maeklong Railway Market (GPS for Lat Yai, 13.436389, 100.049167)

Ok, everyone know the famous Train market, why not ride the last kilometres into the market!

A novelty for us, old-school train was an attraction itself, fellow passenger enthusiasm, and the receiving crowd at the market haha.

Last station before Maeklong Railway Market

The track itself seems like a good spot for photos and wefies too. Do listen out for the Train horns.

We took the 2pm train, journey is only 10 to 15 minutes. \

It is not easy to climb up the train, we need to pull the kids and elderly up. We were told train tickets are not necessary haha, just hitch hike.

Packed like sardines, but no one is complaining. This is one of those unique travel memories for keepsake. If sweat and crowd is not your thing, go to the market direct :p

GPS above is for Lat Yai (last station before Maeklong Railway Market, known as ตลาดร่มหุบ in Thai). Your train will end inside the market at (GPS 13.407422, 99.998507).

Super crowded. Locals call Maeklong Railway Market Crazy Market haha.

We had a quick lunch down the road, many folks will take the opportunity to walk along the track for selfie.

Do hold on to the kids, and do not stand at the edge. You never know who might accidentally push or shove you, it can be extremely dangerous when a train is less than a metre away!

Look at the video above to get an idea of the crowd and adrenaline!

#02 Wat Bang Kung temple
(GPS 13.445556, 99.941111)

Part two of our Bangkok Day Trip brought us to a special temple. Our guide told us the name is similar to lobster (?).

The temple is also known as Banyan Tree temple.

The most famous thing is the mini temple enclosed within the tree. The roots has gone around the temple.

You can see Buddha’s golden Leg through the roots opening. Photo (below right), temple is in the “tree”.

Quite an amazing spectacle. The temple and the Golden Buddha.

Do walk behind the compound, you will see statues of Muay Thai fighters and horses. Feeds are available for purchase, be warned horse tongue is super sticky and yucky haha.

#03 Amphawa Floating Market
(GPS 13.425804, 99.955385)

There are many floating markets in the vicinity, all are packed with snacks and souvenirs. We only went to Amphawa (ตลาดน้ำอัมพวา), and it was authentic enough for us.

So many boats cruising up and down Mae Klong river. Some are park alongside the river, becoming a floating kitchen.

We were not too adventurous to try the boat’s menu, so we grab only side street snacks. Plenty of options and prices are very reasonable.

It was not as touristy as some other market.

Photo below-right is the signature fish from this area. Their mascot 🙂

It is more spacious after you cross the bridge.

This stall is very popular with Thais, long queue but we were worried our stomach might not be used to the mixed-rice dishes 🙂

The best food for me at Amphawa Floating Market is this stall selling grilled fish. I went back for round two after everyone gave thumbs up.

Taste a bit like grilled cuttlefish.

The last activity for us was a long boat to watch fireflies along some Maekong river tributaries.

Maybe we left too early, sky was not dark enough, we could only spot minimum fireflies.

The mini cruise was a lovely opportunity for me to catch a power nap.

Additional Tips:

-Do take note our Bangkok Day Trip is a whole day package, and meals are not inclusive. The attractions pavements are not wheelchair or stroller friendly.

-Our Amphawa Floating Market was authentic and cool. We heard some floating markets would actually fleece tourists when you try to buy souvenirs

-The journey started at around 7:30am and we reached Bangkok city around 9:30pm.

-We will highly recommend this package if you like to explore another side of Bangkok. the Train, the Floating Market and the Banyan Tree temple are pretty unique.