The Singapore-Malaysia land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) opened up last week on Monday, November 29. Currently, it’s only for fully vaccinated citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders of the country they are entering.
Frankly, with the new Omicron variant popping up, any hopes to visit Johor Bahru (JB) like how we used to will have to wait. In the meantime, I guess what’s left is for us to reminisce the good times while we patiently wait for it to become a reality again.
Food
Ah, the food. It’s not like Singapore doesn’t have its own food but of course, it’s different. There’s the famous Kam Long Ah Zai curry fish head, Ya Wang and Hiap Joo’s banana cake that many of us tend to gravitate to while we’re in JB. Even for buffets and bubble teas that we do have in Singapore, it’s just cheaper there so we’d also go for them.
Not forgetting all that cafe hopping we do while we’re in JB that if we did in Singapore, it’d burn a hole in our pockets. Some of us like to head into JB at night for the late night roadside loklok or Ramly Burger suppers.
Massages
Again, we do have massages in Singapore but the prices alone are enough to cause a different kind of pain. The Thai massage parlour that I used to frequent near KSL mall costs only SGD$30+ for a 2 hour full body massage and it’s really good too! At the end of the day, as much as we love value for money, there’s no point going for something cheap that doesn’t deliver on quality as well.
Entertainment
For many of us travelling into JB, it’s usually a day trip or a 2D1N kind of weekend getaway. We love heading in to shop, go for movies, karaoke, arcade, bowling, darts etc. Basically things that we could do in Singapore but at a fraction of the price – Singaporeans love good deals. It is a big difference considering if we wanted to do a staycay in Singapore, that could already set us back hundreds of dollars. Spending the night at a fancy hotel in JB would also cost us hundreds just that it is in Ringgit (RM).
Services
Many specifically head in to JB for their hair or nail appointments. Impressive service, great end results and cheap prices are what keeps us going back. Just kidding, it’s because we’re vainpots on a budget.
Petrol and Transport
It’s a common thing to say, “eh, later you going in pump petrol?” you know that means heading into JB and filling up the tank, probably get the car washed and cleaned up as well.
As for those who don’t have a car, taking Grab around JB is such an affordable luxury too. Doesn’t matter if it’s a short or long distance, you know you’re going to Grab.
