Tours Destination

Archive for September, 2009

Merlion Statue is the symbols of Singapore and illustrates a lion head and fish tail. The idea of Merlion came from the history of the discovery of this land which later named Singapura or The Lion City. Heard that the name of Merlion is came from the combination of the word Mermaid and Lion.

There are five statues all round the country. Two Merlion statues at Merlion Park, one at Mount Faber, one in Tanglin and the tallest one at Sentosa. Melion Statue faces the east and believes as an auspicious Feng Shui position. Merlion Park is located at the opposite of Fullerton Hotel at Marina Bay.

To get there, you can take a cab to Marina bay right in front of the Merlion Park or you can take MRT. If you are prefer to take MRT, alight at City Hall Station and walk through the Esplanade Bridge.

Redang Island is the perfect place for all nature and water sport activities lovers. You can have your activities all under one roof, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle trekking and canoeing. This island is not only famous with its soft white sandy beach and crystal clear water but also the nature beneath it, which form a Garden Under the Sea. It is a home to thousands species of fishes and coral. This area is under protection and activities such as collecting and taking corals and fishing are prohibited.

Coral reefs are can be found in both shallow and deep water, but I only managed to saw the reef-building corals at the shallow water areas. They are yellowish or brownish colour makes the shallow water looks like the autumn fall brings the charming to this under water garden. I heard that coral reef was formed from transformation of tiny soft-body animals, which accumulate progressively.

During the briefing on our arrival, the people from the resort did mention to us about the existence of the young shark. Mentioning about shark, everyone were taking a deep breath. But when they mention that the sharks here are “vegetarian”, it seem relaxed all the visitors, including me.

The island abounds with lots of marine life and corals, and with its clear water, this island makes an ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving experience. Thousand species of fishes were swimming in groups, making the colorful contras underneath the water. But honestly, I have no idea what type of fish are they.

We took a boat provided, around 30 minutes away from the resort for our first snorkeling activity. After the boat parked, we were went down to the water and have a short swim to the shallow area the other side of the boat. Here we saw many of corals and colourful fishes. The resort did provide us with the under water photograph services. You need to take-off your life jacket and go down under the water for few minutes photograph session. But for those whom did not swim, you no need to take-off your life jacket. There are people who will help you to get down under the water and have a quick under water photo session.

On the second day, we went to the marine park. Another 30 minutes boat trip to the marine park. It’s a shallow area on the beach. There are also many fishes swimming but we unable to find any coral around here. Maybe we should go to a deeper sea to see corals. The fishes there seems get used to have visitors. They even seem happy to see many people get down to the water and waiting to be feed. But too bad, we did not prepare any bread to feed them. But one of my friends managed to get a little piece of bread from someone. The fishes swam all around him and he end up bitten by the fishes. I believe the fishes thought his body is also bread. He managed to take a picture of him surround by the fishes.

Snorkeling is a very enjoyable experience. Even tough we were full of fear as that was our first snorkeling ever, but the wonderful islands brought all the fears away. We were enjoyed spending our holiday here. It was my very first trip here and I am looking forward for the next.

Seafood restaurants at Perling are one of the eating destinations for the locals and visitors. The exact location is at Kg. Sg. Temon Baru, Skudai, which is around 30 minutes driving from Johor Bahru immigration checkpoint. The view from the restaurant is large sea and Singapore at the opposite across the sea. The restaurants are at the small fishing village with fresh environment and scenic view. There are four restaurants in a line. All of them are facing the sea.

We went there last weekend with our local friends. They drove and brought us to Restaurant Asli for seafood dinner. We had chosen this restaurant as per our friend recommendation. They have been tried the few restaurants here and they think the second restaurant which is Restaurant Asli still the best.

Photos by Lily Kuek, our friend.

We reached there around 6.30 pm, quite some of the tables were occupied. The time we reached there was just perfect for the sunset view. We ordered vegetable, salted egg crabs, Gong Gong (It looks like a crown conch, i’m not sure if it is), and fried squid for our dinner.

We finished our dinner at 8.30 pm and the restaurant was fully occupied. Surprisingly, when this restaurant was fully occupied, the rest of three neighbour restaurants have many empty tables. Nice view and delicious seafood filled our great night there with a reasonable price.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), translated, as Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park. It is a recreational park with Indonesian culture theme and located in east of Jakarta.

TMII was built to be the showcase of the overall of Indonesia. It summarizes the Indonesia’s entire 26 province into individual’s pavilions with the collection of traditional house, clothing and daily life feature of the locals.

Besides, there is a lake with miniature of the archipelago in the middle of it, museum, cable cars, theater, swimming pool, swan boat, amusement park, Indonesia Children castle, and other recreational facilities.

Indonesia Children Castle or Istana Anak-anak Indonesia is a castle full with fairy tales painting from locals and all over the world.

Theater imax Keong Mas is a sophisticated IMAX technology theater. The theater built in the shape of snails and golden colour. The word “Keong Mas” are popular among the local children.  When we were young, we used to call it “Keong Mas” which means Golden Snail. As what I remembered, the snail were in golden colour, but the last time I went there which was few months ago in June, the snail is in yellow colour.

“Theater of My Homeland” or Teater Tanah Airku in Indonesian language, is the first theater in Indonesia which equipped with high technology to an international standard. The aspect of this theater is a combination of the locals and international.

Sky Lift Indonesia (Kereta Gantung) is a cable car for a quick tour of the park. Along the cable car ride, we can see the scale model of the islands of Indonesian archipelago set in the middle of the lake.

More More Tea Inn, which also known as “more more cha” in Cantonese. It was a movie shot by Hong Kong movie star, Sammi Cheng and Richie Ren called “Summer Holiday”. This movie filming taken at Redang Island and brings Redang to International prominence.

The original More More Tea Inn demolished in 2001 and re-built in 2003 as a gift shop. It is located in the compound of Laguna Redang Resort.  Laguna Redang Resort was really proud of this movie and become part of the places of interest here. They did mention that they are proud of this “More More Tea Inn House” during the briefing when we arrived there.  For those who never watch “Summer Holiday” Movie, Laguna Redang Resort played these 24 hours at one of their TV channel.

It is a perfect and romantic place facing to the sea with a colorful house and flower arch LOVE shape placed at the staircase of the house. Many couples take turns to take photo there and we were also one of them.

Singapore Night Safari is an interesting place to fill your night in Singapore. It is a wonderful place set up in forested area with a huge number of animals. Those who plan to bring along family with children and senior citizen, do not worry. A tram provided to makes your way more comfortable. Tram will be stop and there will be a live introduction on the animals at every station.

I went there around 6.30pm and spend our time watching the tribal performances while waiting for the animal show. Creatures of the Night Show started at 7.30pm and here was no additional charge for the show. So do remember to spare your time to see the show.

There are three Walking trails for those who enjoy walking in the nature and breathe the fresh air, Fishing Cat Trail, Forest Giant Trail and The Leopard Trail. Through the trails, you can have a closer view of some of the wildlife at closed station.  Because of the time limit after finished the Creature of the Night Show, we only managed to go for The Leopard Trail. But you should be prepared to strain your eyes. It was hard to trace them in the dark and sometime they are hanging insensibly on the tree. I was quite disappointed at some stops because I cannot see anything other than trees.

Through out the end of our night at Night Safari, we passed through bats’ house. I did not feel to go in, but there were no other way unless to go back the same way where we were coming. So I was forced myself to just go in, walk faster and left the house. Unpleasant smells and sudden movement during our pass in the house shocked me.

We left night safari at 11pm and enjoyed our time there.