Across the causeway

I just came back from Singapore, to get some BBT (big boy's toys). Why am I writing a trip to Singapore in my blog? What's the big deal right? Well, I just want to tell you of an alternative way to go there...by bus. Now hold on, before you get turned off, here me out. I used to think that way too. But then...this trip changed my mind.

The bus that I took was aeroline, a 2 storey VIP coach. The lounge is at the bottom and also the toilet. The seating area is upstairs. Comfortable reclining leather seats...it even has a power point. There's a stewardess on board, who gladly did all the serving and pampering. On my way to Singapore (morning), they serve us Subway sandwich and on the way back (night), they served us meals from The Chicken Rice Shop. Hot beverages were free flow. One way trip takes only 5 hours.

I didn't do much sight seeing at all. It was purely business (yeah right) looking for useful equipments (again...yeah right). On the last night, my friend Amin took me to eat the famous Murtabak. We even managed to perform our prayers at Masjid Sultan, one of the oldest mosque in Singapore.

One thing for sure, the cost for accommodation is very expensive over there. For the amount I paid for the budget hotel, which is SGD145 (roughly about RM340), I would be very comfortable in a 4/5 star hotel here in Malaysia. Believe me folks, that was the cheapest hotel around (the Hotel 81 chain).

In the end, what did I get?

• Yaesu VX-6R


• Icom V8000


• Garmin 60CSX GPS

I learned quite a bit about Singapore this time...about its people, its culture...most importantly, its public transport. Yes, there are things that we can learn from our neighbour...especially in town planning and civic. I was surprised how easy it is to cross the street there as compared to here. No motorcyclist try to squeeze thru the red light and no cars tries to beat the red light. Maybe Singaporeans will outlive us Malaysians on the road. But then again, have you seen Singaporean drivers once they cross the causeway into Malaysia? Hooligans. Didn't mean to generalize, but I had a few close brushes with some of them. Yes they do have nice big cars. Guess they use Malaysia as their vehicle testing area. Goes to show our level of enforcement here.