Backpacker Story #1: Trip to Singapore and Malaysia (KL)

We (I, Wilis, and Laily) are planning a trip 3 months earlier, when we saw promo ticket of roundtrip Yogyakarta - Singapore which advetised on newspaper. We get ticket for Rp. 199.000 for a one way trip. Then, we made itinerary for Singapore backpacking for 4 days and 3 nights, and decided to add the destinations to Malaysia for a day.

All things prepared one day before departure, ex. bag, clothes, jacket, camera, power bank, charger, netbook, umbrella, and don’t forget: bottle for mineral water!

We went to Jogjakarta use a car escorted by Willis's husband. We let at 11.30 pm, then up to Yogyakarta at 04 am. In the travelling, we had experienced a problem on a car tire, but we can handle it quickly. We had breakfast with menu ‘gudheg’ in the area Benteng. We reached the airport at 06:15, then check in and take off at 07.45 using Air Asia airplane.

On the flight to Singapore, I met with a women who sat next to me. During flight, we discuss about a lot of things, especially cities in Singapore. She helped me to fix the itinerary that had us arrange for backpacking in Singapore.

Finally, we follow her suggestion of that mother. That, the advantage if we dare to ask a stranger. But, be careful selecting stranger discussion partners in your journey ...

We canceled to explore west and east side of Singapore, and concentrate our travelling in the middle of Singapore,

and in our limited time we focused in south side of Singapore... between Bugis - Sentosa Island - Orchard - Little India - Chinatown - Harbor Front - Merlion park - Esplanade - Marina Bay/Gardens Bay

Thanx for the women that I forgot the name... in flight of Air Asia


June, 4 , 2013

Changi Airport! Finally...



















We reached Changi Airport at 10:45 ( Singapore time in 1 hour longer than Indonesia ), then rest for some time at the airport, and enjoying the place that very clean. We can use the travellor to save our energy.

Such a plan, we fill the bottles with water from the tap in the sink at Changi Airport. Understandably, the tap water at the airport has been processed into drinking water.

We surprised by the fasilities on the airport, and also take photos at the airport and upload to our facebook by free internet facilities in the airport. So, its not surprising if many backpacker said this airport as nice airport with friendly high technology...



But, the Changi airport officer very discipline. So, dont arbitrarily in airport area, such us: smoking, put the garbage, etc. You will arrested and fined...

Because we do not hire luggage, automaticcaly we can drive out the airport faster . There is a rigorous problem in the Singapore immigration officer told us, especially when the officer asked about the purpose/location of our visit as long as we say on Singapore.

We had lunch at the airport in Singapore as according to our literature by the internet, there is a cheap restaurant in the airport is in the staff canteen. In our opinion, the food in the cafeteria staff is expensive too...

My experience, be careful buying avocado juice, the price can be more expensive than the food you buy ....

Do not be embarrassed to see the price list. Do not be embarrassed to see one by one of all the cafe there. It will save you money. You in the other country, bro

Our first destination is Gardens Bay the Bay, where Marina Bay Sand Hotel location. We use the monorail or MRT to go to the place. You have to learn the way to buy ticket cards of MRT and learn the route of MRT in Singapore. Don’t forget, you can get maps of Changi Airport Singapore at some outlets in the airport.

From the airport, MRT heading to Tanah Merah station. Next, look for the MRT heading to the Bay Gardens Bay, moved MRT lines twice , one of them is in the City Hall station, then finish at station Bay Front.










We got Gardens Bay the Bay, and took a lot of photos there. There are car deals around the Garden Bay, but we chose to walk.

The weather was very hot, but a lot of trees and resting places along the way, so don’t worry to feel hot...

A beautiful view made us forget the hot sun. Sun glass will help you...















Our watch tell us if the day will be afternoon. We must be prepared to Malaysia . From Bayfront station we headed Woodlands station, use the SBS Transit bus 170 Queen street in the terminal with the objective of Malaysia's Johor Bahru city .

The situation in the Woodlands is very crowded and complicated. Human queue at the immigration office of Singapore and Malaysian immigration office was very crowded, so probably the chances you miss the bus majors Johor Bahru.

But dont worry, as long as you have a bus ticket, you will be escorted by another bus to the Larkin terminal in Johor Bahru town .


We reached the terminal Larkin at 8 pm. After searching for a bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur at the terminal, we get the final bus leaving at 11.30 pm that is, so as like our plan, we can get in Bersepadu Selatan Terminal at 4 am.

We can wait the schedule of departure of the bus with many activity, because there is a market in the terminal. There is a mosque up in the market. There is massage chair, and many service in the market, beside things which low price, because its communal market...

and, there are restaurant! We have dinner on one of restaurant in Terminal Larkin: ... (sorry, I'm forget)





June, 5, 2013

We came to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan at 4 am, waw... its on time schedule. It turns out that the sun rose at 7 am, so we rest and sleep in Terminal Bersepadu Selatan until 6 pm.

Don’t worry, these terminals are clean and safe. You can sleep in a chair in the waiting room. It could also be in the mosque that is in the corner of the terminal, even praying room use air conditioner. The bathroom is also clean, so you can shower and get dressed there .


Before we left the terminal , we bought bus tickets for the trip to Singapore.

Many choices bus to Singapore. You can choose route to Johor Bahru, then went on a trip to Singapore with SBS Transit bus 170 (as our trip to Malaysia), or choose a direct route to Singapore.

The cost of the bus ticket is cheaper than Malaysia to Singapore, that was our reason why we chose direct route to Singapore.






Then, after take a pictures, in Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, we bought tickets for KTM (commuting) to KL Sentral. Arriving at KL Sentral , we breakfast " nasi lemak" (in Indonesian = rendang rice) in one of the cafes near locker rental.

We rented a locker. There are three option kinds of locker you can rent. I chose the biggest locker, the size about 50 x 100 metres, we must pay 20 RM. Timing is 24 hours, but ofcourse we just used it a half day because we'll cameback to terminal this noon.

After we put our bags (ransel) in the locker, we gived a key, which only used to open the lockers door twice, no more. Its mean, if you open the locker for twice, you must pay for rent again.




Then, with simple clothes and a few things we went to Gua Caves, using the LRT. Only small bag with pasport and wallet that we bring, except me who bring camera in my bag.

Batu Caves is the final stop LRT. The location is right in front of Batu Caves tourist attraction, so we walk towards the stone Caves. We took some photos in front of the statue and temple Anoman gold, also in front of a large statue of Dewa Shiva.

On the back of the statue, there is a cave tour , we had to climb hundreds of steps up to the cave.

In the cave, many Hindus perform rituals and pray .

The journey to the cave and back to the parking area makes us tired and thirsty. Fortunately , there is a lot of coconut seller in a parking, with 4 RM we wasnt feel thirsty again. We went on to use the LRT to the KL Sentral. Then we break in central KL for 2 hours. Cause I wasnt sleepy, when my friends slept in the mosque in station, I went to the National Muzeum and Planetarium located approximately 1 kilometer from KL Sentral .

After Dhuhr and Asr prayers in KL Sentral, we continued our journey to the Petronas Twin Towers . We took many pictures with the background of the twin towers.

We are on the area of Suria KLCC until maghrib, the praying in AsSyakirin mosque, the old mosque near KLCC.












We headed to Central Market to buy souvenirs and then back to KL Sentral . We also visited the Masjid Jamek, but because it was under reconstruction , the mosque was closed and we missed the destination.

Because it was night time, and our fear of missing the bus (to Singapore), after taking our bags out of the lockers in KL Sentral, we immediately headed south using the Commuter to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan.










We reached the terminal at 9 pm, waiting for the bus schedule to Singapore at 10.30. We left at 11 am from the South Bersepadu terminal, until at Woodlands at 3:30 pm .


June, 6, 2013

At the immigration office, we experienced something unpleasant . First, in our immigration office workers have to stand in line with the Malaysian who working in Singapore are huge numbers. Secondly, we left by bus!

Finally, we chose the following buses as transportation to the next destination. We are looking for a bus to Rochor Centre or Victoria Park.

We walk down to Bugis Junction, until we reach the Backpacker Cozy Corner Guest House, the chosen guest house.

The location of Backpacker Cozy Corner Guest House is beside Bugis Junction and Bugis Station, accessable, and low prices, because you can get a bed in dormitory room by 15 SGD (no AC) and SGD RM (with AC), or pay for a private room by SGD RM and 72 SGD (both of them with AC).

So I'm recommended the place for another backpackers.












We checked in at 9 am. After a break for 2 hours, we continue our backpacking to the island of Sentosa. We start by down all the way Bugis Market untill area of Little India.

Our trip interrupted by a few under reconstruction projects, but some of the sights of park dan buildings make us forget all about it.

We walked up to Little India Station and start the trip from there.














We ride the MRT to Harbour Front. There straight into the mall VIVO City. We walked out the building, then we saw the sea, with the island across of our place.

Sentosa (Chinese: 圣陶沙) is a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some five million people a year. Attractions include a 2 km (1.2 mi) long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses, two five-star hotels, and the Resorts World Sentosa, featuring the theme park Universal Studios Singapore (wikipedia.com).

The name Sentosa translates as "peace and tranquility" in Malay (derived from Santosha in Sanskrit). Sentosa was once known as Pulau Belakang Mati, which in Malay means the "Island (pulau) of Death (mati) from Behind (belakang)".

But now, this island is wonderfull destination, especially for pleasure... But its not for me. I'm too old to enjoying several attraction.



We walk along Sentosa boardwalk, about 1 kilometre. The ticket prices = 1 SGD.

We only have 2.5 hours to walk around of Sentosa Island, so we just walk in front of the attractions such as Universal Studios, Marine Life Park, SEA aquarium, cable car, and so on.

So, we just make some pictures in front of the places and the attraction. Beside, we carry a limited money... hehehe...







We returned to the station Outram Park and continue our trip to Marina bay Sand at the time of sunset. After that we went on a trip to Orchard Street, to buy souvenirs on Lucky Plaza. Many literature said the Lucky Plaza is the centre of souvenirs market with cheapest price. I have bought t-shirts and accessories in a store, as my friends - Wilis and laily - did. Moreover, I got a deposit from classmates to buy T-shirts and key chains. Of course my main goal is a miniature statue of the Merlion.

There are 2 ways towards Esplanade. First through Raffles City, a big mall and then when it came out the building we realized aware that the legend is a mall building itself ... The second way, through City Link Mall, the other side of the esplanade which then leads to a different direction way of Raffles City.

We select the first, because our destination is Merlion. We walk past the 'monument perjuangan' of Singapore and a theater, and then the bridge (Fullerton?) ....


After that we visited the other side of Esplanade and ending the day 's journey at the Merlion statue.

We passed the bridge where the Marina Bay Sand looks so majestic from across the river. So, we take many pictures from the bridge...













We reached the Merlion statue at 9 pm, its caused we have wrong way...

Merlion and the park... Its has been very evening, but there are still many people clustered around the statue, to take pictures or enjoy the view.

We enjoy the view till midnight... and we were surprised to see a watch, the time shows at 1 am!

We must back to the hotel by foot/walk because all of schedule of the MRT has been un-operated, they operate again at 6 am.











Alhamdulillah... 90% of our agenda in Singapore as we planned in itinerary was done ...

We could smile that night, then at 1.30 am we back to the hotel, and then sleep in their rooms until dawn ...


June, 7, 2013

Morning, Bugis...

This morning was very cold at Bugis ...

I headed to the hotel dining room, then make toast and a cup of noodles.

I'm not alone. I am talking to a beautiful tourist from France, she was a lecturer and instructor climbing wall. We have a long discussion with her, but I remember if we must prepare for the next trip....











At 7 am we had a shower and packing.

We immediately checked out and went to the Bugis station. Previously we stopped at Bugis Market to buy some souvenirs, especially both of my friends who still have 'over SGD'. We went to Changi Airport use MRT, start from Bugis Station. We was familiar to the procedures and the routes of MRT, we learn it for three days, hehehe. And at 8.15 am we was in airport...






That's the story about our trip as a backpacker to Singapore and Malaysia. There was one incident that shocked us at the airport, its make us change the route of trip and flight...

but I don't need to tell it here... :)

This is my picture in Gajayana Train when we go home to Purwokerto. Look at my smile, hehehe... Satisfaction!

Alhamdulillah, in the next morning (June, 8, 2013), we had arrived in Purwokerto. Home sweet home ....

Now... We have scheduled our next trip!

So, wait for the story of us as a backpacker to Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Bangkok (Thailand) next year... We had planned the trip at 1 till 4 April 2014, for these two destination ...







Thanx for my bestfriends: Wilis Dwi Pangesti and Laily Nurlina as my backpackers partners. See you for the next backpacking, ladies...