Time out with a day trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia!

Life is fun when it is littered with bits of impromptus. Last monday, I  went on a day trip to Johor with Estella! It was like really last minute, and I only applied leave on the evening of the Friday before. Talk about randomness! Ok. Partly it was because I still had 14 days of annual leave to clear for the rest of the year and it’s constantly bugging me at the back of my head because the year is soon coming to an end and I foresee having an issue to clear out all of them. (p.s. if you are wondering if I can carry them forward, the 14 days is after setting aside 10 to be carried forward… I KNOW RIGHT!)

So, the husband and I woke up early as usual and sent the kids to school and my mum’s. The husband had to work, so Estella & I hopped on for a free ride to our neighbouring country (yes, my husband commutes there everyday). In all our excitement and randomness, I only had a goal for the day – eat bak kut teh. Estella had a few like loading up on her contact lens supply and a few others, mainly shopping related.

We were all excited on the way there where the husband happily announced that its MONDAY – are you girls sure that the bak kut teh shop is opened? The jam that morning at the causeway and the sickening thought that the shop is closed made me nauseous. 🙁

Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh Restoran (顺顺兴肉骨茶)
43, Jalan Serigala, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru

The husband dropped us at Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh Stall (opposite KSL Mall) and it was OPEN! Life is GOOD! I was so excited and screaming away like a little kid in the car the moment I spotted its open doors. #truestory

We happily settled down for our lunch. I’m not a big fan of peppery bak kut teh and actually don’t quite like the pork ribs in the soup so I really liked this version. Filled with loads of yummy ingredients that you can choose to add your own. We had loads of tao key (fried bean curd skin), small intestines, meat balls, mushrooms, razor clams (!!), kidneys, fatty pork belly (loves!!), liver and I cannot remember what else. Major love. We slurped all that down with a bowl of ai yu ping (iced jelly) and I think I landed in the heavens.

Disconnected from the work (no beeping phone from emails), no facebook/social media interruptions (no data access) and simply just enjoying the company and the food.

I could have eaten more, but we didn’t have much time so we headed on to our next task – Shopping! Estella went in search of her usual optician shop while I was just tagging along and randomly popping into shops and checking out random stuff. I don’t know about you, but I always can’t quite find stuff to buy in JB. Either they are overly expensive, or that I didn’t think they were good buys or nice enough for me to part with my money. I normally only load up on the groceries or daily necessities in the super markets. I didn’t manage to find anything fancy at all, but I did buy some pjs for the kiddos from the factory outlet store.

Maybe it’s me, since my mum is a Malaysian and I visit the country many many times in a year since I learnt how to walk and its of no novelty to me at all. The only lure is food. #gluttoncherieladie

Anyhow, while Estella was buying her lenses.. I got my eyes checked. I have been struggling a little with my vision since I got preggers with Jerome and has had gotten my eyes checked a few times. I was then told that I was pregnant/breastfeeding, and the hormones could be causing the vision loss and I should get it checked again some months later. So, since I stopped breastfeeding last month, I thought it is a good chance for me to get my eyes checked! I mean, I could see but I constantly find myself struggling with fine prints which I need to read regularly in my course of work.

Turns out, I’m long-sighted! Slightly. The degrees are less than 100 on either of my eyes and I am undecided if I really need to wear glasses long term. I hate the inconvenience, and I don’t quite the idea of wearing reading glasses (like lao hua like that!) so, I didn’t make any. Of cos, I wanted to seek a second opinion as well. I did, however, tried some glasses for the fun of it.

If you don’t have nice words to say, don’t say it! Hahaha. I know they are probably not suitable for me, but I somewhat like the geeky look! Quirky eh! Not pretty never mind. I’m married anyway.

Estella tries on the same geeky pair that I did. Who wears it better? Ok. Nevermind. I don’t want to know the answer. Got the feeling it will hurt. #ignoranceisbliss Hahaha.

I very much love this pair of Ray-ban! Nice? I need to go drop a big fat hint to the husband. Heh. I like the idea of receiving presents… Very much. Hahaha.

We spent the rest of the day roaming in KSL mall and City Square mall before walking towards the immigration and taking a bus back home in the evening.

We were in a big rush thereafter because the traffic was bad and Estella had to pick her daughter up. Thank god we made it back in time and all’s good.

Sorry for the extremely giggly and happy post, but I had fond memories of that particular day and I just want to go on another impromptu trip like that. Who is up for it?

I feel liberated for feeling like me again, without the hats of being a mum for that few hours and it is like, getting reacquainted with myself as a person. #metime really rocks, and I wish all mums get their share of me times when they can. It’s so simple and yet, so therapeutic. 🙂

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Just a reminder that the Skyline Luge Sentosa Giveaway is still on-going and ending in about 2 days’ time. I am giving away 3 x Family 4 Deals. Do support and take part because it is really a lot of fun! Till I blog again, wishing you all a happy week!