The last I have visited Johor Bahru whom I have attended my uncle's wedding back in the year of 2005 (it has been 8 years ago). Have not visited around which was a vivid memory for me. I never imagined that I would visit Johor Bahru again. Well, my man, our couple friend and I have been planning to visit JB and we visited the place over last weekend. What a good short trip!
It was last Friday, a quite rush time after my working hours I have not showered, sob sob. My man and his friend have picked me and the friend's wife up from our work places. We stopped by a petrol station to fill up the car petrol and bought some food/ drink for the journey a while. And there was a very long jam at NKVE headed to the south at 8.30pm. I was so tired after work, so I took a short nap during the journey. Moreover, it was a heavy rainy throughout along the highway and we drove slowly. And I was awake and asked to open my phone GPS to turn it on and directed to our friend's place at Tampoi. I found that we were still at You Peng, as I thought we have entered Johor but the GPS showed us that we got 1 more hour 15 mins to go! I was surprised why that. Then I took a minute to think and understood that Johor is big!
It took us 4 hours. Thanked to God and my GPS phone which helped us to reach our friend's place safely. We had our late open raya house dinner at midnight sighs! Then we were helpless to look for hotel to stay. Erm.. Luckily found one hotel which was still available, we have finally booked! Thanks for everything in a big relieved I had all the way down to JB.
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An Introduction of Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru, abbreviated as JB is the captial city of Johor in southern Malaysia, just across the causeway from Singapore. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland. Pasir Pelangi, the royal village is located within Johor Bahru.
Johor Bahru is also known as Iskandar Malaysia. It is encompassing Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru Tengah, Kulaijaya, Pasir Gudang and Nusajaya, a major development zone in Johor. It was named after the late Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj. At 2215 km, it is two-and-a half times bigger than Singapore and 48 times the size of Putrajaya. It is intended to draw investment and business to Johor and will be among the biggest development projects in Malaysia. The state administrative capital moves to Nusajaya. Residential areas includes Bukit Indah and Horizon Hills townships.
For Your Info :-
Johor Bahru's metropolitan area can be easily divided into four parts - North, East, West and South.
North - Its main centre is Taman Johor Jaya, and it can be accessed via the trunk road, Jalan Tebrau. There can be a relatively frequent peak hour jam along this road. Recently, the Austin area has been a hive for constructions activities with the latest Jusco Tebrau City locating in its vicinity.
East - The main hubs here are Pasir Gudang which is both a port city as well as a manufacturing hub and Masai.
West - Probably one of the largest areas of the four, its hub is Skudai and important housing estates such as Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Skudai Baru, Taman Bukit Indah, Taman Perling and Taman Nusa Bestari are located here.
South - The main city centre is located on the southern part of the city which has a link to Singapore via the causeway. It is an area with housing estates which have been around for more than three decades. Important estates include Taman Pelangi, Taman Century and Taman Sentosa.
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The next morning day was still cloudy, thanked to the beautiful weather. We all can go out in chilly and enjoy the day we planned.
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| It is Hotel Suan Bee, a 3 star accommodation |
We all gang went to jalan - jalan around JB, took us a far places to go. JB is indeed a big state! Eventually, we were down at a place makan Malay food. Then we all were going to the JB Deaf Association office to stay there a while and followed my friend to this place, Sultan Ibrahim Building where there was an arty festival 2013.
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| 10th ARTS FESTIVALS 2013 all over Johor Bahru |
Built in 1940, this grey-bricked building is located on top of Bukit Timbalan. It used to house the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister office (Menteri Besar), State Assembly Hall and the offices of the state government. The building is an architectural blend of British colonial, Malay and Saracenic elements. It has distinctive, 64m - high Mughal style tower.
Visiting hours : Mon - Thu (8am - 12.45pm) & (2pm - 5pm)
Fri (9am - 12.15pm) & (2.45pm - 5pm)
Closed on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays.
When we were at the Arty Festival, I was waiting for my friend to come over where he stays at Ulu Tiram which is quite far from JB. There he came over and it was a very joyful to see him after a long time he had the last farewell in Penang. And thanked to him for guiding us all to the good dinner at this Roost Juice Bar, a retro cafe back to the 60s-70s (Happy Hour) with the very creative and unique decorations! It is indeed of vintage ambiance. Recalls me back to the time of Saloma.
Roost Juice Bar
9 Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
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| My friend, Hai whom I have known in Penang time before he has moved back to his own hometown, Johor. |
The next day, our last at JB. Time flies but tiring! We had our breakfast at this small shop. It is Siew Nyonya Tradtional Food.
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| my Herbal Tea |
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| JB Curry Mee |
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| JB Red Wine Mee Suah |
The state secretariat building has moved to this place, Sultan Ismail in Johor Bahru. A big and beautiful place.
After that, we visited the Sultan Ismail Building we took a round visit JB jalan-jalan
We then makan at Pizza Hut @ Sultan Ibrahim Building near the Larkin Bus Station. We all had fun, by making new friends. What a good thing to know each other.
We were going back to the Arty Festival again for an another small meeting up with friends. After that, took dinner and light supper with my man's friend at a mamak before we all were made up to our plan going back to the KL city by 10pm! I will make it an another round trip to JB and Spore again.
See you in JB soon!
