Let’s start the series for my Singapore trip, since today is Singapore National Day.

You see, when we touched down KL after Jakarta trip on last year, we felt like we’re in a better place cause traffic jam in KL is nothing if compare to Jakarta and the highway is slightly cleaner and less dust. So, KL wins!

Then after Singapore trip, KL becomes.. well, an ugly duckling to me. Singapore is like a swan. Hehe. But, shouldn’t even compare them cause KL is a city while Singapore is a country -tiny, yes but has so much to offer.

Here’s what I, as a tourist, love from Singapore:

• Cleanliness

Need I say more? No chewing gum, no smoke/awful cigarette smell at tourist place, the trees are in green color not dusty green, a heaven for a clean-freak like me. Even the infrastructure is so clean, neat and organize. Being tiny is great, you get to plan and organize everything accordingly. The same goes to tiny house (apt) #offtopic

• Efficient & effective public transportation

Always heard how fast and on-time the bus and MRT in Singapore are, proven to be true. The MRT is faster than KTM/LRT in KL, escalators at the MRT station are very fast as well, no wasting time. The passengers also walk faster. I’m all about moving fast, so this is super great.

Best of all, the whole island as a country is connected by public transport (bus and MRT). No car? No problemo at all, as long as that you can walk. Many of the train stations are connecting to another train line, so effective. Going to the tourist places is not a problem at all.

• Taxi by meter

Yes, no haggling with the taxi driver, how awesome eh? Save my breath and mood a lot. In KL, 7 out of 10 times you’ll need to bargain with the taxi driver and their fave lame excuse for asking ridiculous high price -> traffic jam!

• Clean lovely Chinatown

Although the souvenirs are nothing to shout for, but the place is clean and nice. Compare it to KL’s Chinatown, quite dirty and the highlight is on the imitation branded bags/watches where people bargains like no tomorrow. Sellers are like gangsters. -__-”

• Tourist Tax Refund

Lost control during Singapore Great Sale? Bought lots of *cough* fishnet tops, shoes, shirts, etc? No worry, tourists get to claim the refund of their shopping sprees for the 7% GST. Awesome eh? Of course there is some terms and conditions, but still awesome.

All the good words about Singapore; cleanliness, safety, great public transport, etc are proven to be true. One thing I haven’t experienced is the fast internet connection. Scratch that, hubby just reminded me in a funny yet awkward way that I did experience the Singapore’s internet line way back in 2007, long story bout that

Anyway, it’s a dream place to live, when I’m young of course (doesn’t see it as a great place to retire), if not because of the high living cost.

Went to Bukit Tinggi (Pahang) on last Sunday, together with my Mum and lil bro. Relying on GPS, we managed to reach destination safely in around one hour plus time.

Highway (the above picture) was OK, but when road going uphill.. it was like a snake. Dizzy to the max.

Entrance fee is RM 12/adult. First we went to Colmar Tropicale, a French themed resort. Then continued driving to the Japanese Village. They have rabbit farm, jungle tracking, etc, but we didn’t go cause it was raining when we were at Japanese Village.

I’ve been seeing pictures of Colmar Tropicale online and I thought the place is quite large, have things to explore, but no. -__-” Just one road to walk that’s all, then resort, super duper expensive restaurants, spa, souvenir shop, small swimming pool, etc. 10 minutes walk, you’ll explore all. More than 10 minutes if you keep on taking pictures on every single spot.

No wonder it isn’t that popular, so small. The same thing with A’famosa. Went once, enough. Weather isn’t cool as well except when raining, Brastagi Highland back home has a better weather. But again, I’m biased.

We drove to Japanese Village, parked our car and have to walk an uphill to reach the destination. Yea, uphill. Once my Mum saw the steep road, she was like,”No, you’re kidding me? You guys go ahead, I’ll just stay here.” LOL. Of course no, we gave her support and walked along slowly.

We had lunch at the Japanese restaurant, overlooking the green scenery. It reminds me of Simalem Resort back in my hometown (can’t help not to compare ), which has a better view to the marvelous Lake Toba.

Though Bukit Tinggi ain’t that Wow like what I had in my mind, it’s a great way to spend my birthday.

I noticed for the past few days I can’t sleep well or sit still, my mind is kind of messy, keep on worrying about the upcoming trip + work although everything is in place, etc. No words can describe this feeling. This is just.. I don’t know, certainly not the pre-holiday mood that I usually have. Not relax at all.

Weird cause hey, this isn’t the first time I’m taking leave from work (on holiday with no access to laptop & work). Besides I’m going to be away for freaking 4 days ONLY, to the neighborhood country which is just one hour flight. Certainly not Europe, not Alaska, not USA.

It keeps me from wondering why and I think I’ve found the answer.

First, it’s my first time delegating my work to other people (in this case, to my husband). Not on design work part, but on dealing with clients, what needs to be done, what’s not, basically the project management. I always scare other person might not able to meet my expectation/certain standard, yeah even to my husband working partner (we do separate personal and working line ) cause we have different style of working & , hence this is a huge leap for me. #TrustProblem

Secondly, it’s my first time going to other country that I’m not familiar with without my husband therefore I’m so worry that things might go wrong although I have done many research on the place. If I mess up and he is around, I know I have someone to rely on. #DependantProblem

Anyway, at the end of the day, it is just a family trip, not exam and there is no mark if I arrange the day in a messy order or take a wrong transport. Just relax and enjoy, Kat! Of course before that, finish your to-do-list first.

Oh Wow, see how fast time flies? We’re in the first day of April now. Am getting panic while checking what I have done and achieve for the past 3 months of 2011. Many things still remain as a plan and not yet being realized. Sigh. Definitely not good. Some people might already get fit with the best creatine supplements and here I am with no achievement.

Anyway, speaking of dream comes true, I had a dream that a good friend of mine is looking for me and need my help. But before I can answer her, I woke up already. -__-” Aiyo, why la wake up, let me finish my dream first, can?

Then in the afternoon, she contacted me for chatting. This time, in real life. Wah… I can’t help not to connect it with my dream. So coincident, like a dream comes true.

It’s been a while since we last chat, so we shared quite a lot. And, I mentioned that if only there is an extremely cheap air ticket from Airasia, then I’ll be able to fly back hometown for weekend or so.

Guess what, in the evening Airasia announced that their Flyday promo (on every Friday) is buy 1 get 1 free, for Nov’11 to Feb’12 flight! Another dream (or rather prayer) comes true.

I waited no more and managed to grab return ticket from KL to my hometown for 2 person at RM130 only, for early November, 5 days. Woohoo! We didn’t purchase luggage/seat/insurance/meal. Travel lightly, as in budget. Cheaper than taking bus to Penang or other state here.

Hah, exciting now, although I know it’s still a long way to go til November. But whatever, I can imagine the foods, friends and family.

Ah, we are back to the life of just the two of us and work. Parent-in-law and sister-in-law were back to their home already, taking today early morning flight.

Yesterday we took a day off, replacing it with Sunday, by taking my in-law for a road trip to the historical town Melaka and the nearest beach Port Dickson. How time flies, it’s like yesterday only when parent took us for road trip and it’s the other way round now. I’m all grown up eh? *pat shoulder*

We departed at 10.30 am, took 2 hours to reach Melaka. Highlight of the trip is to have the famous chicken rice ball, shop at Jonker Street for antique table lamp though it’s less happening unlike weekend, no crowded stalls like on weekend), and visit the historical buildings esp. the red Stadthuys.

We spent 2 hours only in Melaka and off we went to Port Dickson. All of us never been to Port Dickson, we just relied on the GPS for direction. I only heard that the beach is dirty, brownish water unlike Perhentian Island. It took us about 90 minutes to reach there.

I’m loving the scenery on the way to PD. As for the beach, it’s not as dirty as what I have in my mind. It’s 100% better than Pantai Cermin the beach that we have back in my hometown Medan, in terms of cleanliness, water’s color, resorts, etc.

We were just there for sightseeing. Reached home around 6pm something or 7pm. Went to 2 places in 1 day by car, what an achievement for us.