Johor Bahru Bliss [26/12 - 27/12]

We were initially planning for a trip to Port Dickson over the post-Christmas holidays. As there were no available dates on our available date departure, we made a last minute decision on the 23rd December (Friday) for a short getaway in Johor Bahru.

After a quick search online on hotel availability, we decided on Bliss Boutique Hotel due to its unique designer elements. Coincidentally, my brother also mentioned about this hotel as it looks very colourful from the outside.

We rendezvous at Kranji MRT at 10.30am. We happen to board the same train again, as was a week ago when we were going to the Botanic Gardens. Thereafter it was a bus ride and two customs entry into Johor Bahru (JB).

From there we took a cab to KSL City. The meter fare normally cost around RM$5. If you were to go for the non-meter one, it will be RM$8. This is considered to be one of the newer shopping malls in the area.




Thereafter we proceeded to the regular Bak Kut Teh shop for lunch, which is just next to KSL City, directly opposite the KFC at KSL.




This time round we know how to place our orders. We ordered Pork Ribs, straw mushrooms, mushrooms, meat balls and beancurd skin. We have the shop assistant busy preparing the dishes below.




We also ordered 2 sides, the salted vegetables which is good. In all, lunch comes up to be RM$38 for 2 of us. (around S$16 for a great meal)




The plan for the day was movie - Mission Impossible 3 at 2.30pm. But before that, we decide to check-in first. Bliss Boutique Hotel is a 15mins walk from KSL City.

As you can see from the map below are the 4 main sights in the area. We have KSL City, the Bliss Boutique hotel and the Market where we will be having seafood dinner. The red line is where the Pasar Malam is held every Monday evening (from 5pm).




Here is how the hotel looks like during the day.




And we have the hotel at night.




Here is the uniquely designed lobby.




And walking into the passageway to where the elevator is.




Let's take a look at the Designer Deluxe Room. It cost S$71. But through Agoda, I managed to get some discounts and only paid S$38 for a night. The Deluxe Room is park-facing. So when we pull the curtain, we are greeted by greenery.




It is quite beautifully designed. This is the first boutique hotel we have stayed in so far.




While walking around our floor, we saw coloured balloons.




And here is our breakfast area. Free breakfast are provided.




After the movie, we decide to check out the Pasar Malam which starts at the back of KSL City.




We ordered Chee Cheong Fun below which is only RM$3.50. It has prawns, char siew in it.




AJ said the salt baked chicken below is also famous and we also ordered it.




The Pasar Malam stretches all the way until Grand Paragon Hotel. Check out the crowd below.




Something unique about the Pasar Malam as compared to Singapore's is that it has a fair mix of market fresh seafood, market cooked food and non-food accessories. We have a fish stall below.




And many brightly coloured cakes.




Thereafter we proceeded to Taman Sri Tebrau Hawkers Centre (大马花园小贩中心). Heard this is a popular place for Singaporeans and locals to have seafood.




We ordered Cheese Prawns (RM$20), Salted Egg Bittergourd (RM$10),...




and Butter Crayfish (RM$35). And of course fruit juices.




On the second day morning, we took a couple photo. Before we bid farewell to Bliss Boutique Hotel and proceed back to City Square, before returning back to Singapore.

Manila City Tour [20/11]

It is a Sunday in Manila and it is our rest day for the business trip week here. As we heard it maybe unsafe to travel around via public transport in Manila, we signed up with a tour package of Manila with our hotel (New World Makati)

The tour package is around 4 hours long and cost 1,500 Pesos per person. We rendezvous with the tour guide at 9am at the hotel lobby. And off we go on his UV (Utility Vehicle).

First drive-thru for the day is the Makati Business District. The guide is very knowledgeable and gave an indepth explanation of the history of Makati. Previously this area is a swampland with many mosquitoes. After you get bitten by a mosquito, there will be an itch and this is called 'Makati' in Tagalog. Majority of the businesses and buildings in Makati are owned by the Filipino Chinese. Many decades ago, the main road was actually a runway. But rapid development in this area took place since the 80s to the present day bustling business district. It is a Sunday, so there is not much traffic in this area. Come during the weekdays and you will be surrounded by cars.




Thereafter we drive-thru the posh district of McKinley Road where the rich lives. There are tight security at different sections of this area with high-up walls. The guide told us this is the Beverly Hills of Manila. They have their own supermarket, own church and the Manila Polo Club for the residents of the area. The residence below is stayed by an ex-President of Philippines.




At the end of the road, we arrived at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. The workers here are much fortunate as this area is US State Land and the locals are paid via the US payroll. It is a large area with lots of greenery.




The landscape are beautifully decorated with 17k tombstones around.




The first stop for the day is at the memorial. And here we begin our walk through the halls.




There are many maps explaining about the liberation of Philippines during WWII. The execution plans and supply routes are highlighted in great detail.




We walked through the many columns with the names of the Missing In Action (MIA) being engraved upon the pillars. The emblem of the different States of America are depicted at the passage floor. Some serviceman were discovered later and a star was placed next to their name.




The 17,206 tombstones that are all imported and symmetrically positioned.




Thereafter we have a drive thru the old US base and pass through the 3rd largest mall in Asia - The Mall of Asia. This mall is also owned by a rich Filipino Chinese.




And we have a quick stop at Rizal Park where his memorial is. There is perpetually 2 guards standing in front of the memorial. Rizal is regarded to be a national hero in Philippines.




It is at this park where Rizal is said to be executed by the Spanish.




After a brief stopover, we proceeded on to Intramuros. Intramuros is an old Spanish fortress. Only the Spanish are allowed in there and it is strongly fortified.




Here we are crossing over the bridge.




The guide mentioned this is a very beautifully designed gate and is a must take photo.




We visited the museum dedicated to Rizal. Rizal is a doctor of medicine, linguists and he wrote books exposing the abuse by the Spanish. The Spanish discovered and imprisoned him. He was finally executed after 2 months of imprisonment. The Filipinos has a disdained towards the Spanish as the centuries of occupy in Philippines, they have taught the locals nothing. But towards the Americans, they have a very cordial and close relationship. They learnt many from the Americans and twice they liberated them from the Spanish and the Japanese.




From the Fort, we can see the Pasig River and directly opposite we have the Chinatown (notice the Pagoda).




No cars are allowed in the fort as they want the area to be child-friendly. Below are the different ammunition used in the fort - stone to cannons.




Next, we move on to Manila Cathedral.




They have just finished their morning mass.




And also San Augustus Church.




Coincidentally, there seems to be some mass wedding procession going on.




And we are back at the hotel at 1.15pm. Our guide is Frank P. Arnone and he is actually half-Italian, half-Filipino. He's a fabulous tour guide. If you would be interested to contact him, do drop me a mail and I can pass his contact over.

Manila City Living [16/11 - 23/11]

Our flight arrived at Manila International Airport at 6pm. Philippines time is the same as Singapore time. I will be staying at New World Makati for the next 7 nights. From the airport, it should be a short 20mins drive away to New World Makati. As it is the peak hour, the journey took 45mins instead.

Here is how the hotel lobby looks like. It's beautifully decorated.




Security is tight in both the hotel and the shopping malls in this area. Visitors have to pass through a metal detector gate and have their bags searched.




And here is how my hotel room looks like.




And the view of Manila Makati city center from the hotel. Makati is the business district of Manila.




I am quite impressed by the lighting control board they have next to my bed. I can just flip off the lights and control the air-condition in the room by just pressing the buttons in there.




Directly opposite New World Makati is the Greenbelt shopping malls. There are actually 5 buildings in Greenbelt and it has a great variety of restaurants and shopping facilities. We basically have all our meals here.




On the first night, we have Capricciosa for dinner. Heard from my fellow Japanese colleagues that this is a famous Japanese-Italian restaurant in Japan. The cost per person is around 500 pesos for a main + shared pizza, a bottomless drink and tax.




On the second night, we have Nambantei Yakitori. This is my favourite. So much so that I requested to have it again on the Saturday evening. The cost per person is around 700 pesos for a set meal + bottomless drink + taxes.




I saw my colleagues visiting this Filipino restaurant back in June. The name reminds me of a global association.




Since it is Kondo-san last night in Philippines, we ordered quite a bit. And took up the challenge of sampling their local fruit-mix soup.




Here is our group photo.




The hotel provides an international buffet and we have quite a good spread.




The hotel has good swimming facilities too.




My friend recommended me to try Jollibee. It is something like their local fast food - KFC.




And I tried their fried chicken set meal which comes up to around 100 pesos.




On Monday night, we had Thai food for dinner. There is a representation of the Buddha in there surrounded by Christmas decors.




And the final night, we are back to Filipino cuisine. My friend recommended Masas. So here we have giving a go for Masas.




Finally, we bid farewell to Philippines. The first sight we saw when we came to Philippines are the jeepneys below.



Before coming to the Philippines, we were actually quite afraid of the crime situation there. But this precaution was actually over-exaggerated. The locals are nice and friendly. My local colleague told us they are actually welcoming of foreigners and are happy to see them. The precautions to be taken is actually similar as how we should in other countries.