Johor Bahru (Malaysia) & Singapore

 

Sunday 31^st August 2025     Day 23269

 

SCOOT the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines is what I took on 23^rd Aug late night 2320 hrs from Coimbatore to Singapore. This is a round-trip flight that originates in Singapore at 2020 hours, comes to Coimbatore by 2220 and returns back at 2320. Plane is clad in the bright yellow colours of the Scoot brand.

A full flight, quite comfortable even though it is a no-frills flight. DigiYatra does not support international flights (as yet) so even though one does web check-in, the boarding pass is issued manually at Coimbatore. Scrutiny of Singapore e-visa and baggage weight and off you go.

The cab service in Singapore Changi airport is extremely professional. You land up in a queue, you are guided to the waiting taxi cabs in separate bays, you get in to a metered taxi cab with clear display of the amount. Reached Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel, did my morning kriya, had a shower and changed for the transit to Johor Bahru. Had Tea and Kaya Toast at Toast Box (@ ION Orchard). Atul and I took a taxi cab to Queen Street Bus Terminal Ban San Street. Met Sophia and Irish there and the four of us took a taxi cab from there to Johor Bahru, at 1130. Reached Woodlands Checkpoint at 1203 hrs, took 30 minutes to clear immigration and cross the border into Malaysia. Left the Checkpoint at 1230 and reached Larkin Sentral at 1250. Shanthini from Bunge picked us up at 1311, went to her home at Lorong Rubi, met her parents and her son. Had lunch at Ashoka Curry House between 1339 and 1442, dropped off excess food back at Shanthini’s place, headed off to The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. Reached at 1613 hrs and checked in. Rested till 1820, headed off to Els Club Desaru Coast, Ocean Course, to check on the event hall setup. Then headed t the Lotus Seafood Restaurant with the Bunge Mentors and had a pleasant dinner. The team made special efforts to arrange for vegetarian items for Atul and me. Rested the night back at Westin Desaru Coast resort.

Had a great Day 01 on 25^th Aug Monday with the Bunge team. Had 05 Mentor Clinic sessions from 1440 till 1700. Barbecue dinner and drinks that evening with Mentors and Mentees and Paul Ayrton and photo shoots too. Started Day 02 0n Tuesday 26^th morning with 06 Mentor Clinic sessions at Westin Desaru Coast itself from 0800 till 1100. Headed to Valley Course resort and had one Mentor Clinic Session there (Wendy) at 1130. Had lunch there and headed back to Westin Desaru Coast. Showered and checked out at 1406. Innova cab from there to Singapore Changi. Reached Woodlands Checkpoint at 1547, cleared immigration at 1630. Reached Changi Airport at 1655. Travelled through Jewel, shopped there for Victoria Secret perfumes and Chocolates and boarded plane at 2011. Landed at 2230 IST and reached home at 2257.

27^th Ganesh Chathurthi at home. Modaks and Kozhakattais. Went to Inhouse Medicare with VS in the evening. Very upset with poor hygiene levels there. Complained to Abrar and other staff members.

28^th serviced Grand Vitara at 5820 kms. Activated Spotify account.

29^th LuLu shopping in the afternoon. Night Sleep music.

30^th VS’s 31^st birthday . Visited PSG GRD Museum with IITM Kovai Chapter folks. Great place indeed.

31^st Tried Erode Idli Kadai. Simple couple. Made a living with just steamed Idlis for 18 years! Fresh soft idlis for ₹ 5 each! Simple lunch at home. Set up the Balupunkt speakers and connected Spotify on Thathi’s phone 8940022133. Dinner at home with sevai, rice, idlis etc. Listened to Cliff Richards, Simon & Garfunkel and Vivaldi as we did some income tax work.

Another blissful week went by!

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