An International Day Trip To A World Class Theme Park on a shoestring…

OK, here’s the predicament, you live in South East Asia (I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and promised your child an experience at Universal Studios for his/her birthday….time is a problem as you are all out of annual leave so you can’t take more than a couple of days off, budget is tight…. It was also a challenge for me to do this with the least effort and spend only for the essential…so what do you do???

Easy…do what we did!!!

THE BIG PLAN:

Scene 1:

Drive to the airport yourself. Park at the cheapest day parking rate you can find.

I drove my trusty old Proton Juara..yes the one that looks like a washing machine on its side and dropped my wife and daughter at the departure lounge, noticed that parking fees for a full day it would be quite a bomb so I followed the cars in front of me. They looked like airport staff with their uniforms and all…Ahaa!!! They all parked past the public parking area right across the POS building at the far edge of the airport by the roadside. Its very early in the morning and there were plenty of space and as I parked the car next among them, I asked about the security…they said ‘So Far So Good’….

Result: Just fuel to and from the airport…I saved on the full-day parking fee (read : Cheapskate)

Scene 2:

The Flight

We checked through the internet for the cheapest flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore return for 2 adults and a child…..It HAD to be on a Friday because we knew its gonna be very tiring for all of us, so Saturday and Sunday we can rest at home. We also chose Friday because on weekends, Universal Studios will surely be packed to the brim with  people and from our experiences in all the Disneylands we’ve been to, Universal Studios and even SeaWorld…the Q’s during weekends would take up most of the day!! And in the Singapore heat….suicide!!

We got the Air Asia first flight out at 0745hrs and arrived Changi at 0840hrs….and the return was the same day that evening departing Singapore at 2120hrs arriving at Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Terminal at 2230hrs. So we had to be at Changi by 1930hrs in order not to miss our return flight…Since the flight takes about 45 minutes…no meals were bought in advance..

Result: We paid less than RM400 for all 3 of us..basically all that was for tax here and tax that and tax this….the flight cost was only about RM12 each return..it can be frustrating with these LCC’s I know but like they say…If at first you don't succeed, try a shorter bungee..or whatever…

Scene 3:

Local transport in Singapore

The best way to move around Singapore is definitely the ever efficient and super clean MRT….We had just a small backpack so travelling was super light for my wife and daughter..(guess who had to carry the bag!!).

Infact looking out of the window I realised it’s a Friday and its rush-hour in Singapore…I’ve always wondered why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?..Go figure…

For full infor on the MRT system follow this link:

http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/network_map.asp

On the Green Line from Changi Airport we had to change at Outram Park for the Purple Line to our destination Harbour Front.

Fares from Changi Airport to HarbourFront    

 

The fare (in Singapore Dollars) for your chosen trip is:      

Type of Fare		Fare
Standard Ticket	:	$2.30
Adult	:	$1.92
Child	:	$0.58
Senior citizen concession	:	$0.91

   

At Harbour Front there is this superb mall called Vivo City…to get to Universal Studios which is actually on Sentosa Island just a hop away, u can either get the bus or a monorail, we opted for the bus…

Bus Number               RWS 8

Board/Alight   Outside VivoCity and HarbourFront Station bus stops                          

Availability                 Daily

Fare                            S$2.00(round trip)

Departing RWS         6am to 11:30pm 

Scene 4:

Get your tickets to Universal Studios through the Internet….its slightly cheaper and believe me, if you are unlucky, the tickets may be sold out for the day!! Just to be safe and secure, do what I say…

Here’s the link for it:

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/Tickets

Spent the whole day there…A special note for Muslim visitors, full Solat facilities are provided at the front entrance of the park, and Halal food is served in the designated Halal Restaurants and Cafe's ....you can find the legend for Halal outlets on the maps provided.

A 'must' photo op

Scene 5:

On the way back, have your meal at the Food Republic at Vivo, from Sentosa Island get on the Monorail….

From here just hop on the MRT from Harbour Front to Changi Airport

Spend some time at one of the best Airport Shopping destination of the world…

As you reach Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Airport, jump into your car and drive home …..Boy was I tired. On the way home, I felt something touching my heels. It was my arse! …tired but satisfied…

Advantages of this type of trip:

You SAVE on hotel accomodation…Singapore has one of the highest hotel rates in the world…

Cost of flight is slightly more expensive if I were to drive from Kuala Lumpur

Not at all as tiring as I thought it would be….the travel is better than driving or by express bus, whole day at the theme park would be as stressful as any but I have 2 days (Sat & Sun) to recuperate and at least I would come home to my own comfy bed ...

Other transportation options from KL: Express Bus or Premium Luxury Bus (Overnight 5-6 hours)…that’s 2 nights on the bus!! Or the train service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore….which takes longer!!!

 

So since I can do it…..Let’s Jom !!!

Travel South East Asia : What Medicines to Bring When Traveling?

Medicine Travel Kit: 10 things you should not leave home without.

For those who know me, knows that I travel extensively throughout the region of South East Asia. For some westerners this may sound exotic, daunting and challenging….well..it is! And fun too!! Some may think that this part of the world is sooo behind in the healthcare standards that they would need all the vaccinations available in the modern world. If it really bothers you, then go and get yourself pumped up and punctured like Amy Winehouse…but with vaccines….I don’t blame her, apparently she had a fractured skull when she was a late teenager..(read ‘Crack-Head’..)..get the Malaria jabs if you must...

The truth is, if you’re going to visit the main cities of this region, the chances of you getting a Super-Bug is the same as going to your neighbourhood Safeways and Tesco. The world today is such that millions of people move all over the main cities of the world that if there was a super disease mutation break-out like Ebola-X (I made that up..), it can spread to every corner of the world less than 24 hours!! Partly thanks to our superb development in aviation industry. 

 

So here is my advice for travellers to any part of South East Asia. The list of do’s and don’t can go on and on and on depending how fanatical you are about bacteria and viruses. But if in your own home you apply the 5 second rule for food you dropped on to the floor or you tend not to change to fresh underwear daily , then don’t be a pain in the arse about sanitation in Asia, you dirty fool. But in case you are very strict on hygiene….just remember that in Asia the population is close to 3 billion people….we don’t get to be this many if  we are as you may think ‘filthy and infested with germs and all sorts of yuck’….. 

So, this is what I have in my medicine bag:

1. Prescribed Medicine

If you are already taking whatever prescribed medicine for e.g. High BP, Cholesterol, Diabetes…Make sure you bring extra just in case you have to extend your stay due to unforseen circumstances such as an 8.9 Richter scale earthquake, 20m Tsunami, you are in hiding because u  made a pass at the Village Head’s “The Biggest Loser’ daughter and forced to marry…If I have to remind you about your own prescribed medicine than my advice to you is to make an appointment  as soon as possible with your local funeral directors….nuff said…

2. Medicine for Common Health problems (temporary)

Pharmaceutical analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) A strong Paracetamol type medicine. In South East Asia the most popular brand is Panadol. 

3. Tummy Ache

This region is famous for its culinary diversity. Unfortunately there are many ingredients only found here, the level of heat may not be tolerable and some food items may be very common for us Asians but poisonous for westerners such as the Tapioca or Cassava leaves which contains Cynide !

My choice of anti-tummy ache are:

Activated Carbon tablets used to treat poisonings and overdoses following oral ingestion. It is thought to bind to poison and prevent its absorption by the gastrointestinal tract.

Chronic Diarrhea medicine like Dhamotil or Lomotil…some people say the purging is to get rid of the bad bug in your tummy….Really? I’ve always thought that the purging is caused by the bug trying to reproduce its baby bugs to survive and spread, like a survival instinct for the bad bug?? Hmmm I always think from a different angle…

I’m sure you can relate to this…. they say love is the best feeling, but I think finding a toilet when you have diarrhea is better!!!! Those who say laughter is the best medicine obviously never heard a great joke while suffering with diarrhea Hahahaa

Ok enough of this shit…

4. Sunblock

To my friends that is sniggering, I don’t use sunblock to keep my complexion fair, I know I am as fair as a Mars Bar to start with…. Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn. Do you know that the only animal that sunburns are pigs?? I was born in the Chinese year of the pig…and being human, I don’t burn…I roast!!…I’ve seen cases when a tourist was drinking in the sun, passing out, waking up with a face like a burst sausage!

Make sure u know your SPF from your VCD, DVD and MIC, KEY, M.O.U.S.E..

The SPF number on a sunscreen label is typically between 2 and 50. In a laboratory setting, SPF 30 sunscreen absorbs roughly 97% of UVB rays; SPF 15 absorbs about 93%. Yet several real-world factors (perspiration and activity level, your location on the planet, your proximity to light-reflecting water or sand, the time of day) may alter that percentage.

In general, SPF 30 is regarded as a good, all-purpose sunscreen for active people who spend extended time outdoors. Dermatologists commonly recommend a SPF of no less than 15, though 30 is widely accepted as a smart choice for active people who routinely stay outdoors for long periods. (I’m sure you know I just cut and paste that info!!)

5. Hand Sanitizer/ Wet wipes

Antibacterial wet wipes are something I always bring - the advantage of wipes over gel is that you can also clean off your camera, the local pay phone, or whatever else if need be. But if you're going to be on a plane and make sure you don't get everyone else's cold, bring something to wipe your hands with….OK I got this from the internet, most probably written by a paranoid American who thinks Kalamazoo is an attraction in India where animals roam free….the truth is, it really helps when u need to wipe something that’s sticky…who uses pay phones these days??? Duuhhh…..

6. Eucalyptus Oil

This is for Asians….apparently it helps when your nose is blocked or if you have a headache….the most famous brand in Malaysia is called Minyak Chacapaque…

7. Eyedrops

I always have them but hardly use it….the medicated ones that gets rid of the redness of the eyeballs are best during really boring meetings…seriously!!

8. Allergy Medicine

This is a must for me….my favourite brand is Claritin.. Claritin (loratadine) is an antihistamine that reduces the effect of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Claritin is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose and itching of the nose and throat. Claritin is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

Nothing spoils your holiday than suffering from runny nose and sneezing, its not the best way to blend into the Asian people even though everybody sounds Asian when they sneeze…Ah Choo!...Even worse if you are much older… cause you have to cross your legs to sneeze! Adult diapers are expensive you know…

9. Serious allergies to medications like penicillin should be worn on a med-alert necklace or bracelet or be included on your health insurance card along with blood type..

10. Motion sickness

From Wikipedia: About 33% of people are susceptible to motion sickness even in mild circumstances such as being on a boat in calm water, although nearly 66% of people are susceptible in more severe conditions. Individuals and animals without a functional vestibular system are immune to motion sickness.

Call me naïve but they seem to have the answer to eliminate motion sickness here…get rid of that Vestibular System!! I don’t care if you are from the Dark Side or u need to make a pact with the Klingons….

The most common anti-motion sickness pills are …u can Google it your self….I don’t actually need it unless I get on a boat which I usually avoid….so if I really have to…I’ll go to a pharmacy….yes they do have pharmacies in South East Asia!!!

Last but not least, please get everything in those small travel plastic bottles….airlines, airport security are very strict these days…apparently anyone can be a terrorist according to the CIA, but funny enough they only do 100% security check towards, bearded Asian or Middle Eastern looking men, especially with some sort of head gear or turban with baggy clothes. I thought all the hijackers wore either Jeans or Khaki pants with western shirts??? Is that what the Americans call ‘Military Intelligence’ …go figure

Now if you’re ready with your medi-pack….Let’s Jom !!!!

Australian Humour

 I was just doing some light reading when I stumbled onto this...I believe most of these questions are from the so called 'The most powerful nation on earth"....obviosly power do not equate to intelligence.....

Joke of the Day - Tourism Australia Responds to Stupid Questions

I can't say for sure that these are real responses to tourist questions, but they are amusing.

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow?
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street?
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks?
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, but take lots of water...

Q: Are there any ATMs in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay?
A: No. What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia?
A: Africa is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Australia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is north in Australia?
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule?
A: Austria is that quaint little country bordering Germany, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in Australia?
A: No, we don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia?
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia?
A: You are a British politician, right?

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population?
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia?
A: Only at Christmas.

Q: Are there killer bees in Australia?
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round?
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum.
A: Rattlesnakes live in America which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees.
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help?
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go?
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first. 

Got this from: http://www.pomsinoz.com

Why do I travel..."A long time ago in a galaxy far far away..."

I was born in quaint little picturesque town called ChisleStone (Batu Pahat), a town famous for its savoury rice dish (Nasi Beryani laa).

I believe I was meant to travel because ever since I was born, whenever I was a wee bit naughty, my family (including my extended family) would tell the same story that I was born ‘on the move’ more precisely in a trishaw on the way to the hospital in early hours of the morning and was accidentally switched with their real baby….  

Obviously people back then knew didly squat about child psychology…its either that very endearing story or I was found by the trash-bin at the local wet market, they took pity on me, brought me home...and THIS is how I repay them??!!!...naughty boy!!

 Didn't have this then 

 You know, when we found you..you were all dirty and..

 That's not me then...that's me NOW!!

….so, if you find my writing have elements of rubbish, then just take it that it’s the influence from that period of my childhood. Of course its all untrue, my mischievous and somewhat evil behaviour are actually the product of their own genes and DNA. Most people have this, its when there is a refusal or unwillingness to accept something or to accept reality, commonly known as In Denial.

 I bet my elder sister had the same thought too!! hahahaa

That subconscious notion made me want to run away from home to look for my long lost trishaw peddler 'dad' who I imagined must have over the years developed his trishaw business into a huge conglomerate called TATA (You gotta give me credit for my imagination laa), but whenever I do, I would find myself crawling back for my mum’s home cooked meals. These short ‘runaway’ experiences that usually lasts around 6 hours have developed into what we call the ‘Inclination to Travel Phenomenon’.

Could it be? naaaahhhhh

Ok back on track....next post....the travels