Thursday 15th November 2012
After breakfast, we loaded our packed bags and started our journey down south towards Johor Bahru. We were cruising along the E2 KL-Seremban Highway, had a few stopovers, had lunch at A&W Ayer Keroh Restaurant Jejantas and reached Johor Bahru within 5 hours. I planned this little trip a while back after buying a package deal for Legoland from New Asia Holidays at the Matta fair. It was a good deal for 3 days and 2 nights staying at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel and transport provided to Legoland and back. For 5 people, it costs RM1000 ++ including breakfast.
The hotel was fantastic. The kids were like "This is our hotel?" with wide eyes. I was pleasantly surprised. The room was comfortable and had good facilities.
Friday 16th November 2012
Well, life in this world is a test and to remind us of this, my eldest caught a viral infection and had high temperature on the day of our journey to Johor Bahru. I dosed her up with paracetamol and got her to rest. I was worried since the Friday, the next day is our long awaited Legoland trip but I have learned to simply put my Trust in Allah SWT, not to worry about things anymore so, it was a matter of medicine, rest, dua and Tawakkal. I told her to make dua and reminded her that sometimes when we are enjoying life we might forget that this life is temporary, a place of test. This is not Jannah and we forget our real destination which is not Legoland but the akhirah. So, when Allah SWT gives us test in our quest for fun and enjoyment, it is good for us in order not to forget our real purpose in life.
She stayed in the hotel to rest whilst I took the others for dinner. We went to KSL Mall. We went round and round the place looking for some food outlet but not much choice. There was a food court but it didn't seem halal and finally we went for KFC. Thought I would never go there again and wondered how things would be if Muslims were not in charge of this country. It would be so hard to find halal food restaurants. All these little things we take for granted.
The next day, her temperature was not completely settled. I had to ask her the difficult question. "Do you think you can go to Legoland?" but she was adamant so, I took one last initiative and gave her Ibuprofen 200mg stat! That seemed to do the trick Alhamdulillah and she was able to get up.
We reached Legoland early around 9.20am and the doors opened at 10am so we waited for a while. there was already a queue and as soon as the doors opened, everyone was excited to go into the theme park. We went to Lego City first and the kids went on the driving school and boat riding. We then looked at the Miniland where there were miniature lego models of famous places in Asia e.g. the forbidden city and Taj Mahal. We went to Lego Kingdoms. the older two went on the Big Dragon ride which is the main attraction roller coaster ride. I wanted to go on it but unfortunately when I got there, there was a technical difficulty so, instead I dragged all of the kids to the Apprentice Dragon ride.
All of us were ready to go on it but at the last minute, my youngest had cold feet. He said, "I don't want to go on this ride. I'm scared." We had been waiting for 10 minutes and I had my feet inside the Dragon so I pulled him in and sat him down, put the seat belt on and before we knew it, the ride started...and we were screaming our heads off except for my little boy who had this confused look on his face. When the ride ended, he had a mixture look of fright and joy at the same time. He secretly enjoyed it! My little girl was going "Let's go on it again!!!" I wondered if I was being cruel and probably scared my little man for life but nah...he was fine.
Then, we went to the Lego Technic area where there was a water ride and we went on Project X. I sat in front with my little girl and my eldest at the back of the four wheel seater. Just as the ride started, my eldest said with a fright "What am I doing on this?" and we climbed up and up and finally as we reached the top, I thought "Oh God! What the hell am I doing on this?" and down we went very steeply and up again; and that was when I realized, I survived zero gravity and started to scream AHHHHHH!!!! and it was just screaming all the way but it was fun!
It was then around 2pm and the sun was scorching HOT...We had umbrellas, sun cream, drinks & mineral water but the weather was too hot for us; so we went to the souveneir shop and had a look around all the overpriced items. We left Legoland and into the adjacent mall for lunch. We reached the hotel around 4pm ready to rest and sleep because tomorrow is another adventure for us to enter Singapore.
Saturday 17th November 2012
Singapore is my hometown, the place I used to spend my Eid as a child.
We survived Legoland and today, we shall see if I will survive driving into Singapore without getting a fine. We left the hotel at around 10am and I looked at my car and thought "There is no way my car is entering Singapore looking like that!" so, I took the car for a wash. The drive from the hotel to Woodlands was less than 5 minutes but we had to wait an hour to get pass the check points due to the jam. First we went through the Malaysian Immigration and then the Singaporean Immigration and then I had to buy the Autopass card which is like a vehicle entrance and exit card. It can be topped up at any 7-11 or just before Singaporean Immigration at the exit. It can also be used for parking.
After the check point, it was a straight road from BKE to SLE and then TPE. I was so nervous I couldn't believe it cause I had never driven into Singapore by myself before. I had to remember not to go into CTE because it is a toll road. The first thing we noticed as we entered Singapore was how orderly everything looked. The roads, the trees, the sign boards...everything was precise and order which was nice but very scary at the same time. I felt I had to be on guard at all times.
After missing a few turns and getting extremely frustrated because I was afraid to take U-turns at traffic lights in case it was prohibited, I went round and round looking for my cousin's apartment and I took for granted about my mobile phone call plans and didn't opt for international calls so, I couldn't call anyone but Tawakkal Ala Allah, I finally found her flat. It was a nice little cosy 3 bedroom flat. There were high rise flats everywhere and they call it 'pigeon hole'. I was greeted by all of my family members and we had the best day ever. Alhamdulillah I have such wonderful uncles, aunts and cousins. We chatted and chatted. The kids enjoyed meeting their cousins too and they played as though they had been playing together everyday since birth.
We left Singapore at 8.30pm after praying Maghrib, dinner and more chats. I just found out that my uncle is a biker and he owns the biggest Harley Davidson in the whole of Singapore. Wow! Didn't realize I have such cool and interesting uncles. The journey back was uneventful, got passed the two checkpoints. Made a few rest stops along the way and reached KL at 2.30am. I was shattered but so grateful to Allah SWT for an amazing holiday.
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Tips to Legoland
- Due to hot weather, bring sun block cream, umbrellas, hats and lots of drinks. They have restaurants and drinks booth but it is expensive and sometimes full of people. The map of Legoland is given FOC. Try to go anti clockwise to avoid long queues.
- Legoland is very suitable for young children, the rides are mild and not super scary like some theme parks. It is very child friendly and enjoyable for kids from 3+ (this is my own opinion)
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Tips to Singapore
- Get your Singapore entry card before reaching Immigration and fill it in prior to entry.
- If your car is entering Singapore for first time, you have to buy an autopass which is in a booth just after the immigration. It costs (at the present time) S$10 and you can top up at any Singapore 7-11 or just prior to exiting. To exit Singapore, you put the card in the card slot at the Immigration exit booth and press car. S$1.20 will be deducted from the card.
- At the Malaysian Immigration when exiting Singapore, you have to pay RM2.30 by Touch N Go.
- There are parking at any flats, if you are visiting friends or family but you have to display parking coupons. You can get the coupons from 7-11 or your friends or family (if they have any)
- Singapore is notorious for traffic fines. People drive within the speed limit and do not disobey traffic rules and traffic lights.
