UK Expat Living the Good Life in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Down By The Pool

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:00:00 +0000

So had good work out and surprised to see two other foreigners in their, so I did my usual routine which is to start on the bike, move onto the cross trainer then onto the weights, then its shower and into the pool.

So special today because the sun was out but shaded, just how I like it.

took some pictures while down their for you to see.

Yeah! It's Friday

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Why is it that so many people are happy when it gets to the Friday.
Of course its the weekend and for many that mean party, having fun with loved ones.

Others it means relaxing time, recharge the batteries so to speak, for me I fall into the later, I love to relax and just unwind, usually with go for swim early in the morning then into the Gym or may reverse depending if lots of kids in the pool, ill go gym first.

but the main point is two days to unwind and let ones self go. but all to soon, Monday will be knocking at the door to start another week.

I hope whatever you are doing this weekend you have a wonderful time and enjoy, you only have one life so its up to you to make the most of it.

I am 54 and go gym and swim most days because I want to remain fit into my older years.

So many give up as they get older then have problem of getting around.

Start now folk's, remember keeping fit start with just one little step. then another etc; it's never to late to start.

Temple. Done Up So Nice.

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:39:00 +0000

The temple behind my condo was renovated and today while at the pool I spotted it. The sun shinning onto it was so nice. Especially as a big black cloud was looming over head.

Malaysia Drive In's and Drive up to Post Boxes?

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Tue, 29 May 2012 04:07:00 +0000

You got to just love Johor Bahru in Malaysia, with its Drive in restaurants, drive in Banks, drive in ATM Stations, but for the best was in Johor Bahru, the Main post office are kind enough to put a post box at drivers window level, so you don't even need to get out of the car to post mail.

This may not sound like anything special but let me tell you it is. Why? well because 90% of mail boxes are placed near a junction and is usually hard to park so when I saw this I thought that wow this is so much easier.

Keep up the good work PosLaju. I for one appreciate the thoughtful placement of them post boxes in JB.

Any one spotted one of these near them?

Great News! For Causeway Users…..JB to SG

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Yes today was the start of school holidays in Singapore so the normal mad rush and jams over the Causeway was not their today it was so quiet around 7am.

The last four days from SG into JB has been totally slow or not moving at all and lots of people sounding horns as they get frustrated.

The Good News is with no school buses plying back and forth the roads are not congested, of course the later in the day then it may build up due to demand but early mornings should be better for your trip over to SG.

But if you do hit the Jams try not to get annoyed just put some music and accept that you are on one of the busiest Customs Boarder in the world.

My Girls Playing Together

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:52:00 +0000

I just love watching my two girls Mia and Suki playing together, and nothing gives them a better time than cardboard boxes and today was no different except the play things were from inside the boxes.

Don't Forget?

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:38:00 +0000

Just quick reminder folk's.

The Furniture Show starts today over at the Persada Centre in Johor Bahru city center. Ends 27th

Organiser:

Johor Bahru Furniture Association

My Daily Bread

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:39:00 +0000

Woke up this morning with a desire for some herb breads, It's easy to make your own bread, I don't even measure out now the ingredients.

Dump all into basin mix, prove shape let it rise and bake. all in all it takes about 1,1/2 hours from start to finish but the results are great.

What i like about making my own bread is the kneading process being able to use ones hands in a creation of the breads is so relaxing and tension release you get is fantastic.

So much so I now do it each morning around 5. 30am and here i am now with a nice coffee and toasted bread with peanut butter and marmalade.

such a good healthy start to the day.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things after a Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:54:00 +0000

I find it quite funny really that after a relaxing holiday, I need another one to get over it.

I mean, it feels so hard to get back into the swing of things after a holiday in which you relaxed and unwind, one would think I should be now full of beans but it does not work that way with me.

Once my body unwinds I find it hard to kickstart it back into routine, maybe its just me but be interesting to see or hear from others that feel the same.

What's On May/June 2012 - In Johor Bahru

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:10:00 +0000

ENJOY HIGH TEA AND DEMONSTRATION.
22nd May - 24th May 2012.
Ikebana International Johor Bahru Chapter 235 Presents
"TROPICAL IKEBANA”
An Exhibition, Demonstration & High Tea Event
From Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th May 2012
at 10am - 10pm
Official opening: Wednesday, 23rd May 2012 at 5:30pm
Venue: Ground Floor Atrium
Guest Demonstrator: Mr. Andy Djati Utomo from Indonesia
-----------------------------------

JOHOR FURNITURE FAIR 2012.
25th May - 27th May
-----------------------
BIO JOHOR 201208 June 2012 - 10 June 2012
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MISTI JOHOR 201215 June 2012 - 17 June 2012
------------------------

2nd PC EXPO 2012
29 June 2012 - 01 July 2012
-----------------------------------

TEEN IDOL COMES TO JOHOR BAHRU.
Spotlite Teen Idol 2012 - Preliminary Johor Selection
Date: 16/06/2012
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: KSL City Lower Ground Floor Atrium

-----------------------------------

JOHOR WEDDING EXPO

DANGA CITY MALL

22nd June - 24th June 2012.

---------------------------------------

UP TO 70% OFF.

METROJAYA SALE

Danga City Mall

30th May - 3rd June 2012

------------------------------------

WEDDING FAIR KSL CITY 3rd - 6th June 2012.

---------------------------------

FOOD FESTIVAL KSL CITY

14th - 24th June 2012

Lower Ground Floor

----------------------------

Back from holiday and wow was it good.

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:52:00 +0000

Ok I am back and will return to blogging from tomorrow , so tired right now from my traveling.

On holiday

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:08:00 +0000

Back to blogging on Sat.

Do Not Miss It - May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Special Day

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sun, 13 May 2012 12:53:00 +0000

Danga Bay at Night - May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Wed night I was at Danga Bay - and had nice evening meal at Lazio Restaurant and Cafe.

Then a nice leisurely stroll along the Marina and bay.

Such a nice way to relax after a tiring day Shopping with my relatives who were over from the UK.

The bar area of Lazio Restaurant and Cafe was a nice place to retreat to after a superb meal, as their was a man/ woman Duo singing, and I have to say they were really good and the man had such a lovely tone to his voice I could have stayed all night -- ha ha I nearly did.

God's Wings - Nice Story

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:17:00 +0000

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park , forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.

Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast....because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

Look at the Fantastic Feather artwork.

No matter what your job, you should always try and make it interesting .....

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Ha ha This could take off, here in Malaysia they love bowling….

Deer and Cat Make Friends - We can learn a lot from Animals

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:57:00 +0000

Enjoy! This picture it was taken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 'It's just too awesome not to share. Deer visits cat in yard every morning! The owner finally took pics.

Those we love don't have to be exactly like us. Life is too short for drama and petty things so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, forgive quickly and pray often! "Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, it's about those who came and never left your side."

Too cute to not share!!! Have a great day!!!

Causeway So Clear Today

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Shock!! Normally when I look towards the causeway all I can see is the tail lights of cars, vans,and buses etc queuing up, but today so clear, they must be taking the day in-lieu for the bank holiday over the weekend.

Just as well as the weather today is bad - strong winds and rain. hope it clears up as I have relatives coming to stay from the UK.

True Or False - You Decide!

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:31:00 +0000

Z = Zoo in Johor Bahru.Final Entry of the A 2 Z Challenge 2012

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:51:00 +0000

Johor Bahru has it's own Zoo, and while it's local and cheap to enter - From my visit I feel the place needs a hugh upgrade as the animal containment areas were like the ones from the 70's all concrete with spiky bars on top.

However from what i saw, the animals are being looked after and for most seamed happy with the surroundings.

They should spend lots of money to bring it up to 2012 standards, even if it means increasing the cost of entry. to support the rebuild, I feel people don't mind paying more because the people going to the zoo do so at their choice therefore would like to see the animals living in good conditions.

No reason why it could not be a good night attraction if done right, the setting would be quite spooky and add to the excitement.(charge More for this of course)

The Sultan wanted it accessible to his people and the cost remains so low, so to keep it low they need to come up with other events to offset that cost.

The Johor Bahru zoo is one of the oldest in the country. It was built in 1928 by Sultan Sir Ibrahim and was handed over to the state government to manage in the 1960s and open to the public in 1962.

There are 100 species of animals in the 5ha compound. The entrance charge is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. The zoo opens daily from 8am to 6pm and is visited most during public holidays and school holidays.

Y = Yacht's in Johor Bahru's Danga Bay Marina in 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:05:00 +0000

Danga Bay Yacht Marina, 30th April 2012.

Every time I visit this marina it gets bigger and better, and is only a taxi ride into town or to the big shopping malls that are close by in the city and at Bukit Indah.

So Just got back 11.15am after a visit to take some updated photos for you to see the changes from my other Danga Bay blog entries.

So much of the sea is being reclaimed to build upon, to make the city of the future.

Location.

I hope they don't forget the sea. and do thing to preserve it like coastal clean ups, already around the marinas edges you can see how slimy it looks and I don't care how much facilities you put in if you do not keep them clean and just keep adding it will not work.

I have to say that their was no bad smells of any kind on my visit so the flow of the sea is working. ( I believe they made two hugh tunnels under the cause way to allow the sea to flow both ways, this is a good thing as it will stop any still water pools from forming causing stagnant smells.

come back soon for more updates as thing change in Johor Bahru - The small city with a big heart and getting bigger.

Seafood Restaurant in Johor Bahru - Todak (Orang Asli)

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:42:00 +0000

This weekend we paid a visit to the Famous Seafood Restaurant in Johor Bahru and had a wonderful meal.

I went around 5pm and the place was so busy already, but found a table and was attended to straight away. as only two of us we ordered:-

Seabass at rm5 per 100 gr we had rm35 and it was so big, Crab was rm3.80 per gr we had 22.80 worth and it was served cooked in salted spices we also had some scallop served in garlic in the shell and was really so smooth and tasty, vegitable was small portion but enough for two and pot of tea only rm1.00 and was so nice.

Owners Story.

Alley Tan started the restaurant early 1999 with an aboriginal concept (Orang Asli). It faces the straits of Johor with welcoming breeze and beautiful sea view, giving you that unique and romantic dining experience. At Todak variety of fresh seafood is available such as fishes, prawns, crabs, oysters, lobsters and many choices.

I would recommend this one.

For More information Please visit website below

http://www.rest-todak.com.my/contacts.html

Woman Sneezes in Restaurant - Funny Story for Monday

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:01:00 +0000

A man was dining alone in a fancy restaurant and there was a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table..He had been checking her out since he sat down, but lacked the nerve to talk with her.

********************
Suddenly she sneezed, and her glass eye came flying out of its socket towards the man. He reflexively reached out, grabbed it out of the air, and handed it back.

'Oh my, I am so sorry,' the woman said, as she popped her eye back in place. 'Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you.

**********************
They enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, and afterwards they went to the theatre followed by drinks... They talked, they laughed, she shared her deepest dreams and he shared his. She listened to him with interest.
*************************

After paying for everything, she asked him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap and stay for breakfast. They had a wonderful, wonderful time.
************************

The next morning, she cooked a gourmet meal with all the trimmings. The guy was amazed. Everything had been so incredible!
*************************

'You know,' he said, 'you are the perfect woman.. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?'

'No,' she replies. . ..

Wait for it ... ….

It's coming ..... ….

The suspense is killing you, isn't it?

V
She said ... ...:
V
'You just happened to catch my eye.'

ha ha hope you have a great week…...

X = X citing new Resort Opens in Johor Bahru

noreply@blogger.com (john foster) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:02:00 +0000

Yes at last an X citing (OK I know I'm Cheating with the spelling for the A - Z Blogging Challenge but nothing else is worthy) New Resort has Opened it's doors.

Welcome to KSL Hotel And Resort in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

KSL Hotel and Resort is the newest and largest integrated resort in Johor Bahru that offers a complete shopping experience with entertainments and accommodations.

The hotel is located in the heart of Johor Bahru City. It is about 10 minutes away from the Causeway and Johor Bahru Business District.The Resort style hotel provides 868 rooms and suites and extensive meeting and event facilities.

For meetings and events, KSL Resort offers the perfect combination of first class facilities, outstanding services and a range of flexible packages. We also offers a range of wedding packages for your special day.

With its convenience and comfort, you are able to enjoy numerous well-known Food & Beverage outlets, Fashion boutiques, Cineplex and Hypermarts (Tesco) all under one roof.

Without compromising the location, you still can enjoy the water theme park facilities, Golf simulator experience, pool, billiard and children's amusement arcade.

Also Happy hour every night from 5pm - how cool is that.

Afternoon tea only rm35 great after lots of shopping in the mall just below the hotel.

KSL RESORT, 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad,

Johor Bahru 80250, Malaysia

Tel: +607-2882999

Fax: +607-2882988

Email: info@kslresorts.com.my

GPS Coordinates: 1.486196 , 103.76279