July 26, 2013 Playing Our Part in LEGOLAND Malaysia
From Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal, Homer and I got a ticket towards our next destination Johor Bahru via Maju Express. There are a lot of buses to choose from but we queued on the one with the next available trip. Melaka to Johor Bahru tickets costs RM20.80/pax. Soon the bus came at the boarding platform and off we went inside the bus and settled to our designated seats. The bus left Melaka at 1030AM. We arrived at Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru, three hours later with one bus stop over. At Larkin Bus Terminal, we could not find the bus going to Legoland so we just decided to take the cab costing us RM35. The amount was split into two anyway but still I think it's too much. What mattered was that we get to Legoland and spend as much time before we head to Singapore after.
The cab dropped us on the unloading area at the Walk of Medini Mall. A short talk to the information area pointed us to our destination. It took us a two minute walk towards the open north end of the mall lead us to Legoland.
Lego bricks had been a part of my childhood with my cousins building castles, train, planes and whatever we can think of to our imagination. Now as an adult, I wanted to be part of that experience of reliving my childhood in a theme park built out of the bricks that I used to play with.
Lego bricks had been a part of my childhood with my cousins building castles, train, planes and whatever we can think of to our imagination. Now as an adult, I wanted to be part of that experience of reliving my childhood in a theme park built out of the bricks that I used to play with.
Timer Starts Now
Standing in front of the colorful entrance of Legoland Malaysia, our timer started to run. Time check: 2PM. We could not contain our excitements of the fun that awaits. We then bought tickets at the counter amounting to RM140 each. The ticket can be paid in SG$ too considering of the proximity of Johor Bahru and Singapore.
We rented a locker for RM20 good for 3hours to safe keep our backpacks. Unlike in Universal Studios Singapore, lockers are free to use. Anyway, that kept us from carrying our heavy bags around the theme. I got to bring with me only my camera bag. Then we started with the rides.
Legoland Malaysia is the first in Asia as of this writing. The theme park opened September 15, 2012 making it relatively new. The park consists of 40 rides, shows and attractions mostly of interactive experience. During our visit, the Legoland Hotel and the Legoland Water Park is still on construction.
Legoland Malaysia is the first in Asia as of this writing. The theme park opened September 15, 2012 making it relatively new. The park consists of 40 rides, shows and attractions mostly of interactive experience. During our visit, the Legoland Hotel and the Legoland Water Park is still on construction.
Playing Our Part
Checking our park map and guide, we first went to the left of the park. At Legoland, we got to try all the roller coaster there. Some of the rides involve water elements and since I was carrying my non-water proof camera with me, I opted not to take those rides.
Some time in the afternoon, it rained shutting down some of the rides. There were not much of sheds so we found ourselves queuing for the 4D movie, The Legend of Chima. The story was great but I just found the special effects quite seconds delayed. You could hear the fans blowing for the wind effect which was not cool. I do liked though the foam shower for the waterfall mist effect.
We had a late lunch at the park. We had to eat at the nearby Italian restaurant. Though the menu may be foreign, everything that is served is Halal approved. I ordered for a pasta combo: carbonara with turkey meat (meat of your choice), mushroom soup, and a glass of soda (Fanta), all for a hearth breaking RM25. There was no choice rather than going around again and search for other restaurants inside the park.
The MiniLand
Legoland has recreated some of Asia's best known landmarks including the Angkor Wat and Petronas Twin Towers of which we had been the past few days. Also included in the miniature is Singapore's Riverside Point and marina area showcasing the Merlion and the Singapore Flyer. A fishing village in the Philippines was also recreated. For Star Wars fanatics, a replica of the Death Star stood high on one area of the Legoland Miniland. Some of the models come in animation too. All these as the centerpiece of the park.
I bought a shirt for my nephew and ref magnet for souvenirs. T-shirts range from RM59-79 for kid and adult sizes.
Legoland was a disappointed for my part as an adult since I was not able to experience the thrill as what Universal Studios had to offer. It was more of a family oriented park targeting mainly the kids. Apart from the roller coaster rides and the miniland, nothing more was enjoyable.
Legoland was a disappointed for my part as an adult since I was not able to experience the thrill as what Universal Studios had to offer. It was more of a family oriented park targeting mainly the kids. Apart from the roller coaster rides and the miniland, nothing more was enjoyable.
Johor Bahru to Singapore
It was already 6PM so it was time to leave. We went first to Guest Services Center to ask for information on how to get to Singapore from Legoland. This was my first time of crossing the country by bus unlike last time that I took the plane from KL to Singapore. So from the main entrance, we had to dash our way to the bus parking area for the bus heading Larkin Sentral will depart soon. We managed to catch the Bus LG1 though and paid RM6 for two persons. Now that was really cheap compared to ripoff cab ride earlier. Soon the rain started pouring down again. Twenty minutes later we arrived at Larkin Bus Terminal where we boarded a Causeway Link Bus (CLB) going to Singapore. We paid each RM1.20 from Johor Bahru to Kranji, Singapore and from there we will take the train going to Little India where we will spend the night.
First stop over was the Johor Bahru Customs Immigration Quarantine (JB CIQ) where we had to queue and had our passports stamped. Processing was fast since we did not sign any disembarkation card as we leave Malaysia. Soon we were dashing through the long halls following some familiar individuals from the bus earlier down to the boarding platform. We rode the same bus showing our tickets as verifications. Time check:730PM. We were caught in the rush hour traffic on the causeway. Less than an hour passed, we were finally striding the halls of Woodlands Immigration in Singapore. It took us time here since we had to fill up disembarkation cards. Mind you, a lot of people queue here because of work related activities from both sides. We hopped on another CLB bus from the immigration and got out at Kranji. At Kranji, we bought an E-Z Link card for our train and bus rides. We were so exhausted and hungry upon checking in at G4 Station in Little India by 930PM.
Having done so in a day with some bloopers, we could have been eliminated should our trip was a real race (Cue: Amazing Race). But it was fun though getting through all that. What mattered was we were now in Singapore, the last country in our itinerary.
First stop over was the Johor Bahru Customs Immigration Quarantine (JB CIQ) where we had to queue and had our passports stamped. Processing was fast since we did not sign any disembarkation card as we leave Malaysia. Soon we were dashing through the long halls following some familiar individuals from the bus earlier down to the boarding platform. We rode the same bus showing our tickets as verifications. Time check:730PM. We were caught in the rush hour traffic on the causeway. Less than an hour passed, we were finally striding the halls of Woodlands Immigration in Singapore. It took us time here since we had to fill up disembarkation cards. Mind you, a lot of people queue here because of work related activities from both sides. We hopped on another CLB bus from the immigration and got out at Kranji. At Kranji, we bought an E-Z Link card for our train and bus rides. We were so exhausted and hungry upon checking in at G4 Station in Little India by 930PM.
Having done so in a day with some bloopers, we could have been eliminated should our trip was a real race (Cue: Amazing Race). But it was fun though getting through all that. What mattered was we were now in Singapore, the last country in our itinerary.
Don't listen to what they say. Go see. - unknown