Yesterday was the launch of 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Many Doraemon fans from different parts of Malaysia and even Singapore traveled to City Square, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia to catch the robot cat from the future!
My aunt and I decided to cross border to the causeway just to visit to the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo. I was excited to visit to the expo although I had visited Doreamon expo in year 2013 which was held at Malaysia Capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Although we left home quite early to travel to Johor Bahru but the Immigration checkpoint in Singapore are quite packed and the bus lanes queues caused confusion as the crowds crawling to bound to Malaysia Immigration checkpoint.
It took us about 40 minutes in queuing just to wait for bus to bring us to Malaysia Immigration checkpoint. Once we reached the Malaysia Immigration checkpoint, we had our passport scanned and we proceeded to City Square (about 17 minutes walk).
Soon, we reached City Square and we head over to ground floor and enter to the expo. Somehow I felt that Johor Bahru Stop kinda squeezing perhaps due to constrain of space as it held at the shopping mall compared to Kuala Lumpur which was held at the exhibition hall.
Doraemon display is the same just that the layout in the Johor Bahru Stop are slightly differences compared with the Kuala Lumpur Stop. At Johor Bahru, they added the grass patch which makes it to be more lively due to the lighting and the space as it held at the shopping mall.
Johor Bahru will be the last stop to be held in Malaysia. Head over to the souvenir stall and get the exclusive products which only can be sold here!
You can visit to the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo Johor Bahru from 30 August 2014 to 4 January 2015 from 1000 hours to 2200 hours.
Ticket selling at Adult RM25, Child RM15. Senior Citizen get to visit for free! (Senior Citizen need to show Identification card in order to enjoy free entry. Applies to foreigner too)
You may wish to click here to read the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo which was held at Kuala Lumpur in 2013.
Tomorrow will be the opening of 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo in City Square, Johor Bahru, Malaysia! As a avid fan of Doraemon, I am looking forward to the opening and visit to the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo! Although I had visited to the expo when it held last year 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.
Furthermore, the organiser decided to held it again in Johor Bahru which is closer to Singapore! It can benefit the fans from Malaysia and Singapore. If you have been following Doraemon Malaysia Facebook Page for their latest update, you should be aware that you can get the ticket in advance with 10% discount before the opening.
My aunt and I decided to visit to City Square, Johor Bahru in the evening to get the advance ticket and at the same time, I also took photographs of their layout so that I could share it with all of you.
In this article, You will be able to know where you can find the ticket booth and the entrance to the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo or any important details which you need to take note before heading down to Johor Bahru or coming back to Singapore via Johor- Singapore Causeway.
Passport
Please make sure that your passport valid for at least SIX (6) Months before expiry.
Currency
Please remember to change your Singapore Dollars to Ringgit Malaysia (RM) before entering to Malaysia. It is advised for you to change in Singapore to get a better rate. The current rate as of now (29th August 2014) SGD$1.00 = RM2.53.
Transportation
To travel to City Square which is located at Johor Bahru CIQ, you only can travel by bus or car. There are plans for both countries to build a Rapid Transit System (RTS) and a High Speed Rail (HSR)in the near future.
But in the meanwhile, you can only board the Cross-Border bus services from the following places stated below.
1) Queen Street Bus Terminal (Nearest MRT: EW12/DT14 Bugis).
A) SBS170 (EZLINK: SGD$1.88, CASH: SGD$2.40 First Bus: 0520 hours Last Bus: 0010 hours),
B) CW2 (CASH: SGD$2.50 First Bus: 0600 hours Last Bus: 2345 hours),
C) SJE (CASH: SGD$2.40 First Bus: 0630 hours Last Bus: 2330 hours).
2) Newton Circus Bus stop outside Newton Food Centre (Nearest MRT: NS21/DT11 Newton).
A) CW5 (CASH: SGD$2.50 First Bus: 0600 hours Last Bus: 2330 hours).
3) Yishun Bus Interchange (Nearest MRT: NS13 Yishun).
A) AC7 (EZLINK/CASH: SGD$2.00 First Bus: (Mon-Sat) 0545 hours (Sun & PH) 0600 hours Last Bus: 2330 hours).
4) Jurong East Bus Interchange (Nearest MRT: NS1/EW24 Jurong East).
A) SBS160 (EZLINK: SGD$1.65 CASH: SGD$2.20 First Bus: 0530 hours Last Bus: 0000 hours).
5) Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange (Nearest MRT: NS9 Woodlands).
A) SMRT950 (EZLINK: SGD$1.08 CASH: SGD$1.50 First Bus: 0530 hours Last Bus: 2330 hours).
6) Kranji MRT Bus Stop (Nearest MRT: NS7 Kranji).
A) SBS160 (EZLINK: SGD$0.77 CASH: SGD$1.30 First Bus: 0530 hours Last Bus: 0000 hours),
B) SBS170X (EZLINK: SGD$0.77 CASH: SGD$1.30 First Bus: (Weekdays) 0536 hours (Sat/Sun & PH) 0540 hours Last Bus: (Sun-Fri) 2330 hours (Sat) 0000 hours),
C) CW1 (CASH: SGD$1.30 First Bus: 0440 hours Last Bus: 2300 hours).
Controlled and Prohibited Goods
This is very important! Please be mindful that you need to follow the laws from each countries. You are not allowed to bring in goods which are prohibited under Malaysia and Singapore laws. Please click the links below on their controlled and prohibited goods.
Royal Malaysian Customs Department- Traveler's Guide. Click here.
Singapore Customs- Controlled and Prohibited Goods. Click here.
Peak Period
If you intend to visit to Johor Bahru, please try to avoid going in during Friday Evening and Saturday as it will be congested with human jam.
I am sure you do not want to waste your time in queuing and waiting for buses to enter to Johor Bahru via Woodlands immigration checkpoint!
If you intend to come back/visit to Singapore, try to avoid going in on Sunday Evening.
City Square
My aunt and I walked towards to City Square from CIQ (Estimate 15-20 Minutes walk). When we are about to reach City Square, we saw the staff labelling the Doraemon direction stickers on the pathway so that the visitors can able to find their way to 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets exhibition.
We also saw the staff busied displayed the Doraemon products which will be on sales tomorrow and also had a final check and making sure that everything goes smoothly for the opening of 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets exhibition.
If you would like to visit to 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo, you are required to get a ticket from the ticketing booth which is located beside McDonald's, Ground Floor.
The Adult ticket selling at RM25 while Children aged 12 and below selling at RM15. Free entry for Children below 90cm. For Senior Citizen, you just need to present your MYKAD (applies to Tourists too!) and you will be entitled to enter for Free!
The ticketing booth are located beside McDonald's, Ground Floor. At the back of the Ticketing booth, you can see a map of countries which hosted 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo since 2012.
The entrance of 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets exhibition located opposite H&M, Ground Floor! Please prepare your ticket before entering to the exhibition!
Are you excited to visit to 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets exhibition located City Square, Johor Bahru, Malaysia??
It will held from 30th August 2014 to 4 January 2015. Operate daily from 1000 hours to 2200 hours. Last admission at 2100 hours!
Fans of Doreamon, this is a good news to you! Animation International (M) Sdn Bhd Official decided to relaunch 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo in City Square, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia!
Previously, 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo was held last year, 2013 at Viva Home Expo Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was a great success and everyone flock to Viva Home Expo to catch the glory of Doraemon which included me! My friends and I travelled to Kuala Lumpur by plane just to visit the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo!
Due to popular demand, many fans who could not travel to Kuala Lumpur requested Animation International to held in Southern Part of Malaysia or even Singapore.
The organiser decided to choose City Square, Johor Bahru as the venue to relaunch 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo because not only they can benefit the Malaysian fans whom reside in the southern part of Malaysia, the expo can also reach out to Singaporeans or those who work in Singapore which is just across the country border via bridge.
The ticket will be selling at RM25 for Adult and RM15 for Child. Free entry for Senior Citizen 60 years and above while children below 90cm. It will be held daily from 30 August 2014 to 4 January 2015. The operating hours will be from 1000 hours to 2200 hours.
I will be going to 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo in City Square, Johor Bahru to catch the glory of Doraemon again! I will be blogging the differences or similarity that I visited in Kuala Lumpur last year.
Do visit my Blog for the latest update on 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo Johor Bahru!
Please click here to read in English version for 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo which was held last year, 2013 at Viva Home Expo Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Annual Singapore Night Festival is back again! It attracted many visitors from around the world and the local here since it first launched in year 2008.
This year Singapore Night Festival 2014, the organiser promise to bring us more Bold and Beautiful theme that you would not like to be missed!
It will be held at Bras Basah. Bugis Precinct on two Friday and Saturday, 22- 23 and 29- 30 August from 1900 hours to 0200 hours. Admission is free. Nearest MRT: CC2 Bras Basah Station, EW12/DT14 Bugis Station and NS24/NE6/CC1 Dhoby Ghaut Station.
In this year edition, you will get to enjoy Five key zones that will occupied your night with a great performances line up just for you! It will blow your night/ mind off!
The Five Key Zones are stated below:
1) Pretty Arty- National Museum of Singapore
2) Young Hearts- Singapore Management University (SMU) & School of the ARTS (SOTA)
3) Block Party- Armenian Street
4) Festival Village- Cathay Green
5) Roundabout Midnight- Singapore Art Museum (SAM) & Queen Street
On the first night of the Singapore Night Festival 2014 (22 August 2014), I visited the Pretty Arty at the National Museum of Singapore and wanted to catch the first performance here.
Zingo, Festival Drum Group was the first to be performed on stage at 1930 hours. Many audiences are so amazed and attentive watched Zingo performed on stage. Especially, when they saw three ladies and small boy performed and they are full of energetic in beating the drum!
Who would ever imagine that lady could able to play this huge and heavy drum instrument. As they required strength to carry the drum and beat the drum to get music rhythm. At the same time, they also need to coordinate well in order to perform a good show to the audiences. So never ever look down on woman!
Do you know that Zingo is our very own local based Festival Drum Group? Their group motto is Dream Big Drum Loud. I think that this motto really suited them quite well. As long you have the dream, no matter who you are, you are free to achieve your dream and goal! If you dare to dream big dream and play it out loud.
At 2000 hours, William Close (You might find him familiar. He was the contestant and finalist in season 7 of America got Talent. he won himself in third position) performed earth harp. Many audiences are excited to catch him LIVE performance in Singapore! As we can only watched William Close performance via YouTube or National TV show like America Got Talent.
It was an eye opener for everyone to see Mr Close performance in National Museum of Singapore. William Close invented the first Earth Harp in year 1999. It is also the longest stringed instrument in the world which can extend up to 1000 feet in length!
William Close uses National Museum of Singapore and landscape as part of the instrument to perform the Earth Harp. So basically, the architecture becomes the instrument.
At around 2015 hours, William Close and Zingo joint hand together and performed the last beautiful music piece to the audiences.
After that, I walked toward to Festival Village which located opposite The GRAND Cathay and School of the Arts (SOTA). This is the only place where you can find many yummy and delicious International food where you can dine, drink beers and chill out with your friends and loves one with the LIVE Band.
At Festival Village, you can find Cyanea by Cumulus (France). From far, you thought that it looked like a illuminated Jellyfish which was so beautiful. It also looked like a curtain of lit tentacles too. You can admire Cyanea from a distance or walk in and out to enjoy this night display.
At Roundabout Midnight, which is located at Singapore Art Museum (SAM), you can catch the multimedia extravaganza display at the facade of SAM. The theme for multimedia extravaganza known as Spirits of Nature.
It transformed the building into a canvas and showcased the beauty of our Mother Nature. I think they also want to convey the message to everyone that everyone have the part to save our Mother Nature. We should protect it from being harm so that our next generation can able the beauty of our Mother Nature. Everyone have the part to protect our Mother Earth.
After you watched the multimedia extravaganza, you can walk in to the SAM and visit some of the exhibitions which especially created for you and the Admission is free!
At the Ground Level, you can experienced the 3D effect of the maze. In this exhibition, you need to wear the specially-made 3D goggles and a remote to guide you along while walking to the maze.
At first, you thought that it kinda easy to walk from the start to the ending point. But after you wore the 3D goggles, you can felt the challenge to complete the maze. First, you need to get used to it to the surrounding and secondly, you need to avoid by bump into people or walls.
I had tried this and it took me quite awhile to reach the ending point. When I reached the end point, I felt relieved. After you completed this maze, you can rest in the bean bag or relax yourself first.
Still at Ground Level, you can find jelly stick displayed found at the centre of the staircase foyer. You are free to take and enjoy the delicious jelly stick and while seeing the jelly stick going down as the light lit up.
Near to the jelly stick, you can find one exhibition display. At this exhibition, you can write what are your feeling right now and what is your emotional? You can write it down and express yourself. After that you can display to the wall and showcase to everyone.
At First Level, you can visit to the matrix laser exhibition. If you bring your kids, they would definitely love it! You can pretend that you need to solve mission impossible case and you need to avoid the laser to solve the case!
You also can catch a short film which is located at First Level. This short film known as Chicken Rice. It is about Vietnamese who realised that he has Chinese blood in his family. He also cooked the Chicken Rice and mentioned the differences of the Chicken Rice in South East Asia.
You can view the video below for the highlights of the Singapore Night Festival 2014!
If you missed this week Singapore Night Festival, you can visit it on 29 and 30 August 2014! You will definitely enjoy it!! See you there!
My aunt and I had a great opportunity to attend East Meets West Mini High Tea Workshop with Chef Allan Teoh and Chef Forest Leong, which was held at Pek Kio Community Club (CC) and it cost SGD$115.
For Passion Card member, they only need to pay SGD$98! I am glad that both of us are Passion Card member!
For the first time, People's Association collaboration with famous Chef Allan and Chef Forest to conduct this exclusive workshop and held at the brand new air- conditional cooking studio (Pek Kio CC used to located at Cambridge Road for 50th Years before shifted to current location at Gloucester Road in year 2013).
Many participants are excited and all dressed well to attend East Meets West Mini High Tea Workshop. Chef Allan was standing outside to welcome us, while the friendly staff, Jennifer issued us a folders which included 6 recipes that both Chef will be demonstrated to us.
These 6 recipes that we going to learn are:
1) Almond Cocktail Jelly
2) Nutty Banana Brownie
3) Green Curry Prawn Quiche
4) Warmed Yam Dumpling with Gingko Nut in Coconut Soup
5) Thai Wrap with Herbs, Palm Sugar Dressing
6) Sweet Glutinous Rice with 2 Toppings
(Sweet Dried Shrimp & Salted Coconut Prawns)
Let me give you a short introduction for Chef Allan Teoh and Chef Forest Leong in case you cannot remembered who are they.
Chef Allan Teoh is famous for his cheesecakes and for those who have been to AllanBakes, a popular Pastry Shop that was once located at Apollo Centre. He is the one who is behind the kitchen to bake a delicious and yummy pastry!
Chef Allan Teoh also a author of AllanBakes- Really Good Cakes, AllanBakes- Really Good Treats and AllanBakes- Really Good Cheesecakes.
Chef Forest Leong is famous for her Thailand food cuisine. She is also a wife of local celebrity Chef Sam Leong. Chef Forest Leong started her traditional Thai culinary when she was 5 years old and grew up in Thailand with her dad who is a chef.
Chef Forest Leong also a author of Home Cooking with Sam & Forest, Cooking Classics Thailand A Step by Step Cookbook and The Best of Thai Home Cooking.
The workshop commenced at 1345 hours with a short introduction by Jennifer. Everyone gave her a round of applause.
Firstly, Chef Allan Teoh will conducted his demo first followed by Chef Forest Leong. We also got the chance to ask questions if we have any doubt or how to improve on making a good pastry.
As some of the cooking demo/workshop are unable to ask any questions and some chef do not have such patient to entertain the participants.
For this East Meets West Mini High Tea Workshop, Chef Allan and Chef Forest had so much patient to answer the participants questions.
They even let the participants to smell and to see the dishes that they had created. They also spent some time to decorate the dining area which really makes us feel like we are having High Tea.
It was a great experience and exposes with the famous chefs. In this workshop, I learnt to know how to make delicious western pantry with bit of Asian taste and even Asian Kueh (snack/dessert) can also displayed for High Tea.
Many people thought that attend such cooking/bakery class at community clubs are for aunties, uncles or elderly, but you are wrong. It is open to all ages.
Bakery and cooking is fun if you have this passionate to learn. Any age groups and genders can learn and master it well if you are willing to learn.
For all youngsters and Man out there, do not be shy to attend this kind of workshop at community club! No one will mock at you to join this workshop.
Follow your heart and passion to learn and get some tips from the chef. You will definitely make some friends and you will not be regret it. You also get to learn some tips from adults as they also have such experiences in cooking and bakery.
What's more, if you are Passion Card member, you will get to enjoy discount and privilege or exclusive deals! If you are not a member yet, you can visit to any of your nearest community club to get the application form.
To know more on People's Association events or workshop, you can logon to PA website by clicking here, or you may visit to any of your nearest community club to get the latest information.
Thank you Chef Allan and Chef Forest for sharing with us in this East Meets West Mini High Tea Workshop.
If you would like to find out on Chef Allan Baking class or you would like to invite him to your private function, you may wish to click here for more information.
If you would like to find out on Chef Forest cooking classes or you would like to invite her to your private function, you may wish to click here for more information.
