The last time I went to Singapore was ages ago. So when my husband suggested that we go there for the long weekend, everybody was excited. It was a first trip abroad to some members of the family. We planned to spend the nights in JB and daytime in S'pore. The journey to JB was uneventful. As we reached JB, I can't believe my eyes....how it had changed. Before reaching our hotel, my husband commented that the old railway station has changed. I used to ride the train here for six years during my school years.
After checking-in, we headed to the new CIQ. Oh, by the way, the new railway station is actually the new CIQ. Imagine my children excitement when passing by a traffic light there. Another way of showing your lane. After a breeze check up by the immigration and customs officers, we made our way towards the causeway. Well, the first impression of the CIQ was great. In place of a crooked bridge, we have a crooked road instead.But the nightmare began after we passed the old CIQ. For almost 2 hours, we were stucked in a traffic jam going into S'pore. After all the necessary security checks, from eight lanes converging to only two, we finally made it to S'pore.
S'pore hasn't changed much. Except for some road improvements, it's as though time has stood still. The last time I was in S'pore was 17 years ago. We managed to find our way around. Showed my daughter the hospital where she was born, the condominium we stayed and the office where my husband used to work.Over the span of three days, we went to the zoo, science centre and of course did a little bit of shopping.
The second day, on our way back from S'pore, we faced a massive traffic jam [by my own standard]. It was a working day and it was 5.30 in the evening. I saw thousands and thousands of motorcycles braved their way towards Woodlands checkpoint. As I saw it, everybody was waiting patiently, some even had the time to read newspaper. The way I saw it, it must be the norm everyday.The picture above says it all. I'm sorry I am still in the learning process that's why the pictures are all over the place. I'll try to do better next time.
After so much hue and cry in the local newspaper about how inefficient the new CIQis, this is what I have to say. If we can be patient when entering and leaving the Woodlands checkpoint, why can't we do the same on Malaysian side? After all the security of the country is utmost important here. When it involves thousands and thousands of people everyday, thats the least we can do to our country.. wait and wait again. Of course I had not experienced the frustrations of those using the public buses. Think positively. Walking an extra mile do a lot of good to you. How I envy all of you, for staying slim by all the walking you have to do. If there is any consolation, my husband is stuck in a traffic jam everyday too , here in Kuala Lumpur. It takes him around one hour to reach his place of work, without shedding a single gramme of fat because he is driving.
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