-- From Johor Bahru to Singapore
The road tracklog
From Johor Bahru to Singapore
the 05/04/2008
The day of April 2 was a great moment for my first visit in Singapore . At Larkin I took a bus 170 at 7:50 to arrive at 8:00 at the immigration of Malaysia. Then I went up in a bus to cross the Causeway up to the immigration of Singapore. The two procedures lasted a few minutes there was a few people. I took the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) from Kranji station to Orchard station. I looked for Amex which I found in a kiosk at the western angle of Tangs Tower. After money exchange I went on foot to AAS (Automobile Association of Singapore) where I arrived around 10:50. I went out about 13:30. The LTA (Land Authority Transport) did not accept that I drove my truck into Singapore: it is the “LTA Policy”. Consequently there were three possibilities, 1-- towing my truck, S$800, 2-- escort my truck, S$400+insurance S$510+ Autopass and ERP, 3-- Harbor Handler Pte Ltd gave a proposal with a driver and registered plates for S$50. I thus went to HH. I left from it around 15:30 having concluded the business and having paid the invoice of S$523,50 for the whole service of the forwarding agent. I had an appointment with Mr. Ang the 05/04/2008 at 10 O’clock at a halfway of Causeway before the border of Singapore. Finally I went to Barwil Agencies Pte Ltd to pay the transport of my truck of S$9885,90. I learned that the Toba vessel was delayed on April 08 and arrived in Zeebrugge on May 31. The entry in Singapore was organized, it was 17:30. I lunched then in Killiney road. Then I looked for a cybercafé which I found behind the Meridien hotel. I took the MRT at Somerset around 18:30 to arrive at 19:30 at Kranji station where I took again a bus 170 to cross Causeway and to pass the checkpoints of Singapore and Malaysia. To go more quickly due to the congestion I crossed Causeway on foot. I arrived at Larkin Terminal around 20:45 where I had a collation before going to my truck. It was a half-tone long day.
The 05/04
Mr. Ang Lian Seng arrived around 10:00on foot by the Causeway. The queue of trucks was long. At the
immigration the two passports and the CPD were given to the employee who
stamped mine and transmitted the whole by tube to the customs. The customs
officer visited the truck by curiosity. My passport and the CPD were returned
duly filled. I went directly to the port where I arrived at low speed about
12:30. Actually I drove the truck. Mr. Ang was my coach and was used as
guarantee for the way from the border to the port of loading where I crossed
again the control of the customs with the CPD. I left the truck on the carpark of
Barwil who took care of its loading on Toba the 08/04. I will see it again
only about May 31 in Zeebrugge. The trip on the Island of Singapore took an
Expressway from Woodlands to Pasir Panjang. The landscape is green and looks
like as Switzerland except for temperature and humidity. All is clean and well
organized.
After having given my truck keys the chief of station of Barwil, Mr. Ang of
Harbour Handlers led me to the VIP Hotel where I had booked a four-day room by
Internet. I arrived there around 15:30. My stay in Singapore started having
rest at the end of afternoon and working on Internet with WiFi.
Causeway
towards Singapore
the 05/04/2008
Barwil parking
Singapore
the 05/04/2008
Sightseeing
The first two days of visit in Singapore were carried out by Walking Tours proposed by Lonely Planet. The town planning of Singapore was entirely reconsidered by the dynastic plutocracy of Lee.
Sunday morning 06/04 I went in Colonial District and The Quay. The day was exceptionally very sunny. These districts are composed of buildings of great height occupied by commercial companies and banks. Architecture is very successful. The old administrative buildings of the British time fit harmoniously in this unit. Asian Civilizations Museum exhibits gorgeous collections of the South-East Asia objects in a remarkable scenography. In the late morning I walked The sculpture Trail with seven works of the greatest world sculptors. The Homage to Newton by Salvador Dali is one of the most astonishing. Colonial Loop is undoubtedly the most representative and media image of Singapore.
Cricket Club of Singapore
Singapore
le 06/04/2008
Victoria Theatre
Singapore
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Guanyin, Avalokitesvara
Singapore
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The afternoon was devoted to discover Chinatown. Ethnic Chinese group composes nearly 80% of population in Singapore. There remain nothing of the traditional dwellings. Taoists and Buddhists temples are confined among buildings of great height. In parks inhabitants devoted themselves to the traditional games. Some streets gather shops and food gravers. In Asia one eats at any hour of the day.
Chinatown
Singapore
le 06/04/2008
Chinatown
Singapore
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Aircon
Singapore
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Chinatown
Singapore
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On Monday morning I visited Little India which pointed out my stay in India. Here is another world with the odour of India. Some streets preserved the original houses, but restored political of cleanliness oblige. Here and there a temple with a gopuram very coloured from Nadu Tamil. Ethnic Indian group accounts for approximately 8% of the population. During this morning I discovered a street bearing a Marshal of France name, some other streets bear French name.
Little India
Singapore
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Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Singapore
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Maréchal de France
Singapore
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In the afternoon I walked Arab Quarter with its many mosques dating back 19th century syncretism of Islamic and British art. Ethnic Malay group is 14% of the population.
Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
Singapore
le 07/04/2008
Malabar Mosque
Singapore
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Arab Quarter
Singapore
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Sultan Mosque
Singapore
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The last day in Singapore was gloomy and rainy, tropical rain. I had alas planned to visit attractions in Sentosa Island. Despite everything I took a cable car dominating the landscape and I was accommodated by a Merloin. A main attraction is Underwater World with an acrylic tunnel making it possible to see the various watery species. Then I moved towards Fort Siloso which tells the adventurous epopee of Japanese during the WWII. I finish in the early afternoon by the ballet of the pink dolphins. Sentosa Island is a Disneyland World for inhabitants of Singapore.
Sight from the cable car
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
Merlion
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
Underwater World
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
Fort Siloso
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
Fort Siloso
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
Pink Dolphin
Singapore
the 08/04/2008
After the aseptic atmosphere in Singapore by plutocracy rulers, I will find graffiti on RER and animal manure on pavements of the French soft democracy.
The 09/04 I embarked on flight 0639 of Qatar Airways at 03:20 bound for Paris via Doha.
