1. Mayang Sari Express bus tickets (purchased by TBS eTicketing) from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kuala Lumpur to Pontian, Johor, RM28.00.
2. Exchanged currency RM300.00 to Rp3 1 047 000.00 at Akbar Money Changer Sdn Bhd, Jalan Melaka, Kuala Lumpur.
- Bus arrived at Pontian Public Transport Terminal .
- Went to a McDonald's outlet near the bus terminal to wash up and have breakfast. RM9.00.
0630H (6:30 am)
-Taken by Pak Nasir. Pray at Pontian Town mosque.
0700H (7:00 am)
-Departed from Pontian Town mosque towards Kukup.
0725H (7:25 am)
-Arrived at Kukup.
-Have breakfast again with Pak Nasir and his family. RM6.00.
0800H (8:00 am)
-I bought a Ocean Indoma ferry one-way ticket RM95.00 (including departure fees (taxes port) and processing fee).
-Malaysian immigration and customs departure procedures.
-Got into the ferry.
0835H (8:35 am)
-Ferry departed from Kukup International Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Balai Karimun .
0830G5 (8:30 am Western Indonesian Time (WIB), (after this WIB until been noticed)).
-Arrived at the International Passengers' Ferry Port of Tanjung Balai, Karimun.
-Indonesian immigration and customs procedures.
-Met with Azmi.
-Bought a of Telkomsel'S simPATISIM card, Rp15 000 (+-RM4.50) + prepaid top up Rp20 000 (+-RM6.00).
-Got around the town of Tanjung Balai, Karimun.
-Bought some souvenirs at Market Sri Karimun Jaya, Rp80 000 (+-RM24.00).
-Went to People Port of Sri Tanjung Glam.
1125G (11:25 am)
-Departed to Selat Beliah, Kundur by ferry MV Asia Permai. Fares paid by Azmi so are not included (but it believe about Rp18 000 (+-RM6.00) including insurance and port tax per person).
1145G (11:45 am)
-Arrived at Selat Beliah & headed to Azmi home in Prayun, Kundur.
1600G (4:00 pm)
-Got to around Kundur Island.
-Ate lendot and coconut with coconut (Melaka) sugar. Rp44 000 (+-RM13.20).
1815G (6:15 pm)
-Prayed in Masjid al 'Inayah, Prayun, Kundur.
-Return to Azmi's home.
2030G (8:30 pm)
-Went out for a walk around Prayun with Pak Nasir and Azmi family.
-Dinner at a restaurant in Prayun (Pak Nasir threat).
-Return to Azmi's home.
RM
Total daily cost: RM110.00.
The total cost: RM438.00.
Rp
In hand (at first): Rp1 047 000 (capital +-RM300.00, value +-RM349.00)6.
-Had breakfast at a cafe in town Prayun (spent by Azmi).
-Return back to home Azmi.
0830G (8:30 am)
-We went to our respective destinations. Gave Azmi's children (2) Rp50 000 each (total +-RM30.00).
-Azmi's brother & I went to Selat Beliah to the Tanjung Balai, Karimun.
-Bought MV Ocean Asiaferry tickets at Rp18 000 including insurance and port tax each (total of +-RM12.00).
0920G (9:20 am)
-Departed from Selat Beliah to Tanjung Balai, Karimun by MV Ocean Asia ferry.
0940G (9:40 am)
-Arrived at Tanjung Balai, Karimun.
-To Tanjung Balai International Passengers Port to buy Indo Falcon's 1100G (11:00 am) ticket to Singapore worth Rp200 000. Just paid Rp180 000 (+, RM60.00) because already filled up the Singapore immigration forms.
-Topped up Telkomsel's simPATI prepaid for Rp20 000 (+-RM6.00).
-Go to the area around the Sri Karimun Jaya Market to buy some souvenirs as prayer veil & batik. Rp180 000 (RM60.00).
-Eat Nasi Padang and Avocados juice plus buy drinking water for supply. Rp28 000 (RM9.40).
1025G (10:25 am)
-To Tanjung Balai International Passenger Port to depart to Singapore.
-Paid port tax. Rp60 000 (+-RM20.00).
-Indonesian immigration and customs procedures.
-Boarded MV Falcom 5 ferry.
1105G (11:05 am)
-Ferry MV Falcon 5 departured from the International Passenger Port of Tanjung Balai.
1340H (1:40 pm Singapore time (after this Singaporean & Malaysian time (the same time for both countries))).
-MV Falcon 5 arrived at HarbourFront ferry terminal in Singapore.
-Singaporean immigration and customs procedures.
-Bought a SingTel Hi! Prepaid SIM card, SG$914:00 (+, RM36.40).
-Purchased SingTel Hi! Prepaid reload for SG$20.00 (+-RM52.00).
-Went to HarbourFront MRT station to Kranji MRT station. Purchased regular tickets at SG$2.30 (+-RM6.00).
14:20 h (2:30 pm)
-MRT train moved toward to MRT station Kranji.
15:00 h (3:00 pm)
-MRT train arrived at Kranji MRT station,
-Buy bottled drinking water at a mart at Kranji MRT station (just to change some coins). SG$ 1.70 (+-RM4.50).
1515H (3:15 pm)
- Took a SBS Transit bus numbered 170 white to Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal, Johor Bahru. SG$1.90 (+-RM5.00).
1525H (3:25 pm)
-Arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint for Singapore immigration & customs procedures .
-Took any bus to cross the causeway to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
1615H (4:15 pm)
-Arrived at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar for Malaysia immigration & customs procedures.
-Took back the previous bus (SBS Transit - 170 white) to the Bus Terminal Larkin Sentral, Johor Bahru.
1640H (4:40 pm)
-Arrived at Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal.
-Purchased an "extras"1730 (5:30 pm) bus ticket at to Kuala Lumpur from a tout because bus ticket until 1930H (7:30 pm) finished. RM40.00.
1750H (5:50 pm)
-Bus departed from Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal.
1920H (7:20 pm)
-Bus stopped at Yong Peng. Prayer & Dinner. RM20.00.
1. The daily total cost is the total cost paid for that day only.
2. The total cost is the total cost of which was paid up to that day.
3. Rp is the currency symbol for the Indonesian Rupiah (code IDR).
4. H after a 24-hour time format (in case here is the 2300H (11:00 pm)) mean Malaysia and Singapore standard time (UTC +8).
5. G after a 24-hour time format (in which case here is 0830G (8:30 am)) mean Western Indonesian Time (WIB - Waktu Indonesia Barat) (UTC +7), an hour later than Malaysia.
6. Assumed RM1.00 = Rp3000.
7. Total cost of RM + (plus) cost of Rp (Rupiah) & SG$.
8. Total cost - (minus) the remaining balance of the foreign currency in hand.
9. SG $ is a symbol for the Singapore Dollar (code SGD).
I was very excited for new adventure so my sleep was not so smooth. Around 0445 or 0500 in dawn I woke up after heard Subuh prayer call. I felt it not like normal, normally at KL, the payer call only been heard around 0545. In my heart, I want to go to the mosque, but this is Indonesia, did not know how danger or not. So I have my prayer at Azmi's house. Azmi's employer, PT Timah which is Indonesian government company is very care for their staff. Beside provide quarters house for their staff, which quite big, equally C class in Malaysian civil service offered, water supply and electricity is free of charge!!! But the supply did not consistent. With the hot climate (because of island or sea climate), I always had shower can be said every pray time, because the water was free...
After solat, at 0600, Azmi asked Pak Nasir and I with his brother, to have breakfast at a stall at the main road. When I arrived at that stall, wow, there were a lot of kuihs! Most of the kuihs were same as be found in Malaysia or more precisely Johor. Epok-epok (or other states called karipap (curry puff), kuih ketayap, cucur badak, village pau and a lot more. Plus, with the main meal like lontong, soto, nasi lemak and many more. Felt like to stay forever here. I ordered lontong, just to want to taste the flavour of Kundur's lontong. Superb...
We ate together with Prayun old statlers, who just back from the mosque. All of them are member of tabligh group and already went to perform hajj. Azmi just said to them that I also a haji. Our conversation became more robusted., from current condition of Makkah and Madinah, Malaysia condition, Sri Petaling, KL's mosque which has became tabligh centre and many more. We talked until we do not aware that time running fast. Azmi asked to back to his home, as to prepare for 5 province journey (for himself and Pak Nasir) and 3 nation "journey" (plus 5 states, huhuhu) for myself.
As we went back to Azmi's home, I just remembered that on the day before, I forgot to take picture of a big poster about general election of Indonesia. So I took a picture of it which was not very far from the stall, but I managed to take some part of it, because I took it while I sat on a moving motorcycle.
As we arrived at Azmi's home, Yanti and her children have already ready. Luckly, my stuffs also have ready. Just waited for Pak Nasir and Azmi to pack some of their stuffs. The most important were two bicycles of Azmi's which will be used for their journey at Sumatera after that. After all stuffs have been ready, Azmi and his brother immediately sent Yanti and her children to the junction. At the junction, they will wait for an angkot to bring them to Tanjung Batu town. While waiting Azmi back to his house, Pak Nasir and I tried Azmi's bicycles. It was increased my excitement to follow them, but how could I do, the next day (03rd March 2014), MARA Tower will be officially opened by Prime Minister of Malaysia, and I was selected to be officer in duty, so I needed to came back to KL.
Not long after that, Azmi and his brother arrived and Azmi need to store in one of his motorcycle, if not, it will be taken by Orang Laut. Before we leave, three of us was be taken in a picture as below, thanks to Azmi's brother for this picture.
There was our turn to go the junction. Azmi's brother and I rode the motorcycle, Azmi and Pak Nasir rode the bicycles. I took their picture while we on those vehicles.
When we arrived at the junction, consequently it was an angkot want to pass by, but Azmi immediately waved to the angkot. The bicycles were been put on the roof of the angkot. Before we went to our own destination, we asked Azmi's brother to take our picture as our memorabilia. After that, we said to each other have a great journey. Azmi's family and Pak Nasir went to Tanjung Batu, Azmi's brother and I went to Selat Beliah for Tanjung Balai Karimun.
Azmi's brother and I arrived at Selat Beliah jetty at 0845 am. The next ferry was at 0920 am. We thought we can catched that ferry but counter's clerk said the ticket has already finished, and next ferry will be at 1150 am. So we have to wait. It was OK. I gave money for ticket fare but Azmi's brother was refused to take it. But he like knew, he gave me ferry ticket to me. Alhamdulillah, I can took it as souvenir. This time we took MV Ocean Asia ferry. The ferry fare for Selat Beliah to Tanjung Balai Karimunwas Rp18 thousands (about RM5.40). The insurance was Rp800 (+-24 Malaysian sen) and port tax was Rp1500 (+- 45 Malaysian sen). So, total ticket price for a person was Rp15700 only (+-RM4.72). Then I thought we should waited in the terminal building about a couple of hours, maybe.
At 0900 am, the ferry arrived. Azmi;s brother was very shy man. I suggested to him that we just went out to jetty gate and waited there. My goal was, if there still have empty seat, we can take that ferry. If can, I do not want to wait at the terminal building for long time. In addition, there were some people waited there also. My assumption was true, alhamdulillah we can went into the ferry. I chose to sit at back of the ferry, an open air seats with roof on it, for me felt the original seabreeze. I sat beside a motorcycle, yes a motorcycle, which been taken to Tanjung Balai. It was about 20 minutes, I have very interested journey.
After arrived at Seri Tanjung Gelam People Jetty,we walked to Tanjung Balai International Jetty to buy a ticket to Singapore. Alhamdulillah, I managed to get a Indo Falcon ferry ticket which priced of Rp200 thousands (+-RM60.00). I get a discount off Rp20 thousands (+-RM6.00) because I had already filled up Singapore immigration form, which I keep it a lot in my car at home. This was not included port tax Rp60 thousands (+-RM18.00) which will be paid just before entering departure hall at jetty.
After got the tickets, we went to in front of the jetty to take picture at Proclamation Monument as a sign I has arrived at Pulau Karimun. After that, we went to shops beside People Jetty to buy some souvenir for my family at home. The price was cheap, as example, hijab for prayer sold at RM25 only (can use Malaysian Ringgit).
I had to say thanks to Azmi's brother because accompanied me until that moment. We separated there, perhaps we will meet again.
My stomach suddenly became hungry, eventhough I had already eaten a plate of lontang early morning. Actually it was just a reason, because I passed by in front of a row of nasi padang restaurants, I became addicted. So i hopped into a restaurants. Maybe because I was alone, the waiter said that I can self service myself. So I took cow's young stomach and young jackfruit with a plate of rice that was been given to me. For drink, i ordered iced water and avocado juice with a little of chocolate. Nice...
Alhamdulillah, my stomach had already fulled enough. It should be filled up because maybe I believe I will not eat until midnight as to catch transportation to arrive at my house in KL. With pice of Rp20 000 (+-RM6.00), for me it was very worth and cheap. I gave Rp30 000 and aslo bought a big and a small bottle of bottled drinking water, and was be given change Rp2000, which is one of Rupiah note that I have not yet.
Nota Rp 2000 = +- 60 sen Malaysia
After that, I looked at my watch, oh o, there was already 1025 am... Ferry will depart at 1100 am!!! I get rushed to jetty for payment of passenger service charge or easy to call port tax about Rp60 000 (+-RM18.00) and must be paid in Rupiah, so as reminder, PLEASE do not finish your Rupiah, allocate that or you will not depart!!! This tax only be paid on departure only. It was a case just before my turn to pay (at this time, my bag had been scanned for security measure), a Indian Malaysian had already finished his Rupiah and he asked to pay by Malaysian Ringgit. The clerk hesitated (because the rule, port tax only can be paid by Rupiah only, it is stated on a board at that area) and then she said can (to ease the rule, because there was a long que after me, suddenly!) but need to pay RM50! He became angry, but he just paid it. Actually I want to help, but he gave fastly the RM50. The clerk got extra RM32 or about Rp106 000 for her wage that day. After this charge has been paid, a sticker will stick on boarding pass.
After that, immigration formality. Alhamdulillah, included line in time, within 5 minutes, it done. Still in time. at 1050 am, passengers been called to enter inside MV Falcon 5 ferry. When arrive at ferry door, the boarding pass which have port tax sticker must give it to ferry staff. Quite sad, because I have not take that sticker image. Then I entered into ferry and sat at behind row (tips: this because to ease if you want to go to the toilet and also to go to upstair of the ferry, to see view, some while after the ferry departed, not at time of ferry depart because the rule stated that). 1105 am sharp, ferry departed.
The ferry journey at this time, crossing international shipping lanes. There were a lot of commercial ships cruising along the journey. Sometime, the ferry looked just very near to the ship, alhamdullilah nothing happen, maybe I too worry.
When the ferry want to arrive at HarbourFront jetty, it cruised just beside Sentosa Island shore. Actually HarbourFront is situated facing Sentosa, where Universal Studio and Resort World Sentosa is situated, At Teluk Blangah, where the HarbourFront is situated, there are a lot of futuristic buildings. Once upon a time a go, this place was Keppel Dock, among largest dry dock in the world. But nowadays it become real estate that developed by Keppel Land.
About a few meters from the jetty, I saw a very big cruise ship Superstar Virgo owned Star Cruise by , was berthing at HarbourFront's cruise ship jetty.
Exact 1340H (1:40 pm Singapore time, which is one hour earlier than Indonesia), MV Falcon 5 finally arrived at jetty number 1 HarbourFront. I went to immigration hall, not far from the jetty. Therefore many people when I was there, but after 10 minutes, all formality settled, because of they open many counters. At last, I got S stamp of Singapore Immigration. S is Singapore Immigration code for seaport checkpoints. Before this, I have already W stamps for Woodlands land crossing checkpoints and T stamps for Tuas land crossing checkpoints. What I still have not is A stamp for airport checkpoint.
I moved to outside the checkpoint after customs and securities counter, I arrived at concourse of Singapore Cruise Centre which attached together with HarbourFront shopping complex.
I got around the Singapore Cruise Centre and HarbourFront to take some picture, because this was my first time I been here. Then to familiarise because possibility to back here is high (actually next week of this time, I was back to here, it can be read at Batam with KTMB Train, Ferry & Aeroplane - Self Journey). For information, if want to buy feri tickets, can go to 2nd floor (for Batam Fast) and 3rd floor (for other ferry providers). For ferry departure can go to left hand side and go to right hand side if cruise ship departure.
Beside that, I went to a telecommunication shop to buy Hi! prepaid SIM card from Singapore Telecom (Singtel), which cost SG$10 (+-RM26.00) (actually it cost SG$8 (+-RM20.80) only, but other SG$2 (+-RM5.20) I assumed that for commission. As my iPhone5 uses nano SIM, then I was been charged another SG$4 (+-RM10.40) to cut my SIM card from mini (normal) SIM card to micro SIM to nano SIM. Huh!!!
The objective I bought the SIM card because to get cheaper communication and to use internet at cheaper cost. There are two more provider at Singapore, which are StarHub and M1, but I chose SIngTel, because it is the best provider.
Eventhough inside this SIM card prestored SG$10 (+-RM26.00), but it leaf only a little more than SG$1because I forgot to off mobile data mode. Actually there are cheaper SingTel data plan. So I had to go to Cheers (like 7-Eleven) to buy reload card (because the Cheers outlest just beside enterence gate of HarbourFront MRT Station. Cheers only sold SG$20 and higher reload card>. I had to buy it. After that, i took 1 Day Ultimate 2GB unlimited data plan for SG$6.00 (RM15.60).
Next, I went to HarbourFront MRT Station to Kranji MRT to transit to bus heading to Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal at Johor Bahru. MRT ticket price was SG$2.30 (+-RM6.00). The journey took about 1 hour.There are a lot MRT route can be taken. I took a route that required to transit 2 times, first at Outram Park from Northeast lane (purple) to East West lane (green) headed to Jurong East. Then from there to North South lane (red) to Kranji.
A long the journey, I observed that Singapore also experience drought season, it can be seen obviously dried grass from inside MRT train.
As I arrived at Kranji MRT station, I realised that I did not have small change to alight the bus. So I went to convenience store, coincidentally my drinking water had already finished, then I bought a bottle of drinking water priced SG$1.70 (+-RM4.42)!!! Huh, very expensive!!! I gave SG$5 and got change SG$3.30. I asked to change smaller change. After I received it, I realised that Singapore has change its coin design. I got new 20 cents and SG$1.00.
20 cent Singapura (baru versi 2013) = +- 52 sen Malaysia
SG$ 1.00 (baru versi 2013) = +- RM 2.60
After that, I immediately cross to across bus stop to wait SBS bus numbered 170 with background and red writing. Please do not take bus 170 with red background and blue writing because it only go to Kotaraya Terminal, in the middle of Johor Bahru downtown. There are another 2 more stage bus providers which is SMRT (same company with MRT service) and Causeway Link (Malaysian company). If you wait at MRT station bus stop, you will get buses headed to city centre.
At last at 1515 (3:15 pm), I got the bus and paid SG$1.90 (+-RM5.00) and 10 mintes later, I arrived at Woodlands Checkpoints. All passanger needed to alight to go to immigration and customs counters upstairs. Customs let me go easily. It was not many people eventhough it was an Sunday evening. After my pasport been stamped, I went downstairs to take back the bus. Here, we can take any bus to go to Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) (JB checkpoint) for immigration formality at Malaysia.
S stamp can be seen (at the edge of Singaporean Immigration arrival stamp, left side black in colour). For departure stamp, green with W coded, means departed at Woodlands Checkpoints.
This is my first time I used BSI by bus. Previously, I drove a car. There were many cars want to enter Malaysia, but more want to enter Singapore. Maybe they just finished shopping at JB. But, since long time ago, Singapore Checkpoint very slow in immigration checking.
Same as Woodloands, BSI need to go upstairs for imigration and custom formality. There were a lot of opened counters and so do autogate, but I chose manual counter. My intention was to get arrival stamp for nationality but the officer refuse to give it. If want to get Malaysian Immigration stamp in Malaysia passport, BSI is not the place. If any request, they will refused.
After the procedure, I went to downstair to take my bus back to Larkin Sentral Terminal. It was smooth traffic along the way to Larkin dan after 15 minutes, I arrived at Alrkin at 1640 (4:40 pm).
I searched for ticket to KL, but the 1700 (5:00 pm) ticket had finished. The nearest time left was 19:30 (7:30 pm). After search some more, I got am 1730 (5:30 pm) ticket, but when I want to pay, unfortunately, the tickets clerk just said it just been bought. At that counter, next trip to KL was 2030 (8:30 pm). I disappointed, normally at Larkin, I never expedience like this before.
Suddenly, a man (unauthorised tickets seller) said, he has ticket to KL at 1730 (5:30 pm). I agreed because do not want to be late (the action that never I did before). The price also a bit expensive, RM40.00 one way (normally RM30.00 only). I took the bas and snapped a picture of ticket, because what I been told, this ticket will be taken by bus staff.
The time already 1730 (5:30 pm), but the bus still had not moved yet, after 20 minutes later, then it moved. I was slept because of tiredness, but alhamdulillah my stomach was not hungry, effected from I ate a lot of Nasi Padang at Tanjung Balai Karimun.
After one and half hour later, the bus arrived at Yong Peng and went out from highway heading to a restaurant. There were a lot of buses stopped here. I just remembered that I have not performed yet Zohor and Asar prayer. Immediately I did it as jamak qasar and after finished I waited for a moment for Maghrib and Isyak. After 5 minutes, the prayer called been heard and I did my prayer. After solat, I ate some food in the restaurant and took back the bus. The bus moved back to KL at 1940 (7:40 pm).
Finally, at 2245 (10:45 pm), the bus arrived at TBS and 30 minute later, I arrived at home after rode my motorcycle. That was my journey.
