Johor Bahru - Unexpected Excitements

To ensue we could arrive Legoland on time, my friend and me planned to stay at Johor Bahru the night before the visit. My friend booked a Legoland package through a Singapore travel agent. Unexpectedly, this brought us a trip of excitements.

A hotel staff told us there was no such booking when we arrived the hotel in Johor Bahru. Lucky I had a printed hotel voucher so the staff finally granted us a room. The accommodation was fixed. Then, how about our Legoland admission tickets? The hotel staff said there was no ticket kept at front desk and suggested us to check with Business Centre the next morning.

Well, we go another no from the Business Centre at first in the morning. I said I worried we couldn't go to Legoland as scheduled. The staff searched again and found the tickets. Hurray.

The package included return transportation, so we waited for the coach. Yet, no car pop up for almost half an hour. My friend checked with the Business Centre again. And the car finally appeared to save us. "Legoland, we are coming......"

The view from our hotel room. 




The taste of the Fujian noddle was better than the Japanese style meal. 


There are many Fujian and Chiuchau people immigrated to Southeast Asia. So, it's better to order the food of these styles if you have no idea what to choose.

"City Impression @ Tsim Sha Tsui" @ City Gallery, Central

"City Impression @ Tsim Sha Tsui" is an exhibition to showcase the current and the old Tsim Sha Tsui in Lego bricks.

Impression of Tsim Sha Tsui in 2011, which is not very different from that in 2013. From left to right: Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, Harbour City, the Clock Tower, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Space Museum. The tall grey building at the back is the new block of Peninsular Hong Kong. The big rubber duck will visit HK during May-Jun 2013. Only one 2011 photo here as you can still explore the scene in real now.














The followings are photos of the impressions of Tsim Sha Tsui in 1970. There were quite many junks in Hong Kong. Now, you can charter a similar one for party. Pls note the big rubber duck was not yet born at the time.














Ｔhe current clock tower was a part of Tsim Sha Tsiu Railway Station.














View of the old Tsim Shai Tsui Railway Station from another angle. Note the type of buses are replaced by modern and more eco-friendly models.














The 2 boats in the water reminded us Hong Kong was once a fishing village. The rickshaws on the left are disappeared. You may rent some through Hong Kong Tourism Board. The 5-flag pole on the right was once a popular meeting point. Now, nobody would bother to wait somebody there because of heavy traffic.

Easy Hiking on Lamma Island

How to spend weekend? Play a visit to an outlying island is a choice. It takes around 30mins from Central to Sok Kwu Wan, a point of Lamma Island by ferry.

Fishermen around So Kwu Wan. Not sure what they are doing.

















The island is famous of seafood and you can check out from any restaurants there.

















I hope HK can have more fish farms for I have stronger confidence on the local food quality.

















Overlooking the little fish port.

















Abandoned cement factory reflects part of the past.

















Kiting in Hung Shing Yeh Beach, near Yung Shue Wan, where another ferry pier of the island located.

Hong Kong Snap Shots @ 2012

 X'mas Lighting (Dec 2012)














 













Detour - An annual art and design event (Dec 2012)

Hong Kong Clock Tower and Hong Kong Cultural Centre @ Night (Nov 2012)

Tsing Ma Bridge @ Night (Oct 2012)

Chun Yueng Street (春秧街) @ North Point - There's a market where you can purchase fresh meat, vegetables, fruits and groceries. Mind the trams and vehicles around. (Oct 2012)






















Fire Dragon Dance @ Tai Hang - The Dragon Has Gone (Oct 2012)

Hong Kong Gold Coast in Twilight (Oct 2012)














Panda-a-Panda x Garfield @ The One (Sep 2012)














View of Wan Chai from Tsim Sha Tsui East (Sep 2012) - Brightness vs Darkness

View from Tsim Sha Tsui East (Sep 2012) - Spiral in the Sky

View of Causeway Bay (Aug 2012) - The Scene Behind a Shopping Paradise

















View from Kennedy Town (Aug 2012) - A Wonderful Day

















Evening in Shek Tong Tsui (July 2012) - Electric Wire Web under the Sky

Night View of Central on Star Ferry (July 2012) - Neon Lights are the Best Decorations

















Night View of Western Kwoloon on Star Ferry (July 2012) - ICC and IFC are Twins.

 

View of Central (July 2012)- Non-stop Development

Sunset View from Harbour City, TST (2012 June) - Beautiful Sunset

1881 Heritage

The former Marine Police Headquarters Compound was built in 1884 which was renovated as hotel and shops in 1999. 














This restaurant was a stable.














The signal tower was responsible for providing time signals to ships.






















This signal mast served to offer typhoon information to ships.






















Gas lamp from 1865 is still at work.






















A huge art piece in 2011.





















I prefer the Tai O Heritage Hotel which is more humanistic for it involved the community so much. On the contrast, the 1881 Heritage just has become a home for luxury brands. And it's hard to find anything related to its history being Marine Police Headquarter.