TEMASIK GATEAWAY

January 19, 2013

TEMASIK GATEAWAY - PART I

Assalamu'alaikum =)

So after the trip to Phnom Penh, I managed to get a quick weekend gateway to Singapore. On the last 2011 Singapore Trip, my budget was approximately RM2.6k for a 3D/2N trip which was i guess... pretty expensive for a cheapskate like me. The extra cost was because of i traveled by air from KL (AAsia) and stay at the Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore. So, the flight and the accommodation itself cost approxximately RM2k, only RM600 was spent on other things.

So for this trip I limited my budget to only RM1k. Nothing more than RM 1k.

Lesson learnt from previous trip:

BRING YOUR OWN SMALL UMBRELLA!!! It's pretty sunny there and not really windy =) *wink wink* quite helpful during rainy season too...

Transportation: Total Cost: RM163

KL (KL SENTRAL)- SINGAPORE (WOODLANDS Station)

I went there using Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) from KL Sentral to Woodlands since i never travel using train before. The seat was the first class which cost only RM68 and I bought it online. I wish to get a sleeper (2nd class sleeper would cost around RM32 and the executive sleeper will cost around RM98). For more info you can check the price ticket and even buy the ticket online here.

The whole journey took around 7 hours, departed at 2330hrs and arrived Woodland at 0700hrs.

There are a few stops along the way which might disturb your sleep. But overall it was smooth and easy =)

The journey was okay and they do sell food and drinks in the train throughout the journey. Passport check was at JB station and also at Woodlands Station.

I consider to use the train again as it's quite easy to get shuttle bus from Woodlands to the nearest MRT station, provided that you gotta ask the publics =). Singaporeans are friendly people =) and helpful too.... proven since my few last trips to Sing so far...

The view inside the KTM KL-SING first class coach doesn't look so much like a first class but it's worth the price =)

Another view of the KTM first class coach KL-SING

SINGAPORE (Harbourfron Centre)- KL (Sunway Pyramid)

For journey back to KL i had chosen to use a bus instead, which was Aeroline All information is at the link. The ticket price is SGD50/RM95, and it's a double decker bus.

And I give two thumb ups for the service as it is very convenient and comfortable. They provide refreshment (mineral water), food and drinks and they have a steward!!!! Steward guys in a bus!!!! How cool is that!!! No worries the food is all Halal and from Malaysia. If my mind serves me well i think it's the Chicken Rice Shop Nasi Ayam and Hot Milo/Tea/Something...

Apart from that there is also those TV thingy (onboard entertainment) at your seat and you can choose quite a selection of musics, and movies, and they have lounge area too at the first floor.

The journey took around 6 hours with one stop, departed at 1645hrs and arrived at 2200hrs.

And am sure next time I'll be using Aeroline again for my next trip.

The on-board entertainment (head set is also provided) and a meal provided for the trip. I was watching The Puss in Boots =)

The view of the coach, not so full and quite cozy

Another view =)

Accommodation: Total Cost:RM201 (3D/2N)

5footway In: Project Sultan/Project Bugis

For some people, when they might stay in JB to save on the accommodation, as the hotel rates are quite high in Sing. But for me, i'll choose the one that i can afford as i wanna enjoy the night life here and yeah... to get enough rest for the next day...

Soor this trip, I downgraded from 5-star Pan Pac Orchard to a no-star-at-all 5footway.inn Project Sultan.

Previous trip I used AirAsiaGo.com to book the flight tix and hotels. But for Project Sultan I booked via Hostels.com which is easy and follow-the-step thing =) also using my Maybank Debit Card (no credit card for the time being). They incurred a lil' service charge of RM2 ringgit huhu... ok la tuh...and 10% down payment was needed when you book your room.

So this 5footway Inn Project Sultan is kinda hostel-like accommodation where you can choose to have dorm with public toilet to private room with attached toilet of course with different rates.

Sometimes technical error might happen, so when you book through agents or websites like Hostel.com please reconfirm again your booking to the administrative personnel of the hostel/hotel itself, coz I had experience with those things too.

I booked for single bedroom with attached toilet, and due to some technical errors they decided to upgrade it to deluxe bedroom with en suite bathrooms (two bunk beds) without extra charge.

Of course it can't beat Pan Pac but, with the price I paid i think it's worth it coz the accommodation in Sing is pretty expensive and what i like most about this hostel is it is veryyyyy cleannnnnnn despite the lack of space, but i don't really mind coz it's just a place for me to sleep and change.

It also provides free breakfast like corn-flakes, and bread butter things... but it's self-service.

The staffs were quite friendly as well and very helpful. The wifi was acceptable, good enough for surfing the net, and you can get a discount for a few SGD when you buy the Universal Studio Ticket here =) =) =) *happy faces* =) =) =)

To get here you gotta walk from Bugis MRT Station to Masjid Sultan (it's at the Bugis Street), and from Bugis Street (one of the place i like in Spore) you gotta walk a lil bit more and look for Aliwal Street, which I loike coz it kinda a force-exercise for a non-physically-active person like me... (read: semput)

At Bugis Street vicinity, the name of the streets are very Malay-Arab-like such as Bugis Street, Aliwal Street, Damascus Street yeah... something like that. So should you get lost around the place, feel free to ask people around like what I (and my friend) did =). As I said Singaporean are pretty friendly and helpful people...

The Smoking Area at the hostel just nice with green scenery huhu can't expect so much in Singapore, but the effort that counts

The public toilet & shower room at the ground floor. There are all clean and well-maintained. Only thing is it's pretty small that you can't really move around when you're in the shower room

This is the non-smoking lounge, which is also the pantry where you can have your meal, refreshments, your laundry (gotta pay a lil for laundry) and relaxing after a tiring day....