As I closed the door behind me, the small voice in my head willed me that there was something I had forgotten. Ignoring that voice, I reasoned I was only going away for one night, whatever it is, I can go one night without.
Half an hour later, I had met up with a girlfriend and our adventure across the border to visit some friends in Johor Bahru Malaysia had begun. 2 MRT changes later, we were half way up the island when my girlfriend turned to me and asked, tongue in cheek, do you have your passport. Turns out, the ONE thing required for a border crossing was the ONE thing I could not go without for the weekend and was the ONE thing I had forgotten.
Luckily, taxis are one of the very few inexpensive things in Singapore and $30 later, we had returned to my condo, retrieved said passport and hit the border towards Malaysia.
Crossing the border into Malaysia was so simple and hassle free that it is obvious why so many Singaporeans are happy to make the trip for a couple of hours shopping. Once you cross the border, you enter into a 7 level shopping centre. Add to the fact that prices in Malaysia are roughly one third that of Singapore and a very happy shopping trip can be had.
However, we weren’t travelling for shopping, we were crossing the border to catch up with some sailbird friends who were moored in Danga Bay.
Upon meeting up with one healthy sailbird (the other was still holed up after a big night with the other pirates!) we investigated the local area, walking out of the shopping centre, and as it was lunch time, straight to the local Indian restaurant which our friends had previously discovered. This place had the most incredible Indian food I had ever tasted! I have NO idea what we were eating, as this extremely classy establishment was sans menus. Sans anyone who could speak English also. Add to the fact that the waiters, whenever we asked any questions, would shake their head Indian style and smile at us meant the only way of ordering was to point to the various delicacies in the bay maries and hope for the best. And for some cutlery.
On both counts the meal was A*mazing! And the rest of the diners were treated to lunch with a show as three white girls hoed into their Indian feast using silverware!
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| The view of Singapore from Johor Bahru |
Our bellies over satisfied, we wandered the streets. We crossed through Chinatown, the Indian quarter and discovered a mosque which was undergoing repairs and waved across the strait at Singapore. The most interesting thing though was exploring all the quirky little shops. One girl who had just opened her boutique would not let us go without posing for a polaroid to adorn her shop.
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| Quirky Malysian boutiques |
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| Definitely not in Singapore now |
As usually happens as close to the equator as we were, the rains came down and spoiled our fun. Not to matter, we grabbed a cab and set off for the boat and spent the rest of the afternoon eating starfruit and drinking red wine – a love of one of the sailbirds.
That evening, a friend of the sailbirds picked us up and off we went for an information session with a guru about Feng Shui in the home. This was quite interesting as he focussed on the placement of rooms in the home. And considering this was a discussion on Feng Shui, I was surprised at how rigid he was in his placement of rooms in the house. For example, if your kitchen is not in the SE quadrant of your house (in relation to the sun), you are DOOMED. DO NOT even CONSIDER purchasing or renting a house if this is not where the kitchen is. There is NO remedy to cure a kitchen in the wrong position. And so on regarding toilets, bedrooms etc. My sailbird friend enquired as to what she should do considering she lives on a boat. Basically, she is scr*ed. No luck for you!
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| How one's house should, nay, MUST be set out |
Also, in case you were after more information on how your home is ruining your life, your gate should be the same height as your fence, you should have an even number of windows, but NOT a number that ends in 0, you should keep a jar of salt in your kitchen and add more salt every Friday. And if you have steps in your house, outside your house etc, they must be an odd number.
Also, to start your day in the most auspicious way possible, follow these guidelines:
1. Ether: Upon waking, play soothing music. No rock songs. No love songs. No squeaking.
2. Air: Keep indoor plants and burn incense upon rising. Start at your front door and move from room to room with said incense and allow the smoke to hit the roof of each room before moving to the next.
3. Fire: Watch the sunrise daily
4. Water: Drink lots. And fix any leaking taps – this is linked directly to your wealth.
5. Earth: Walk around barefoot on the grass each morning
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| The Guru |
Later in the discussion, the guru gave tips to invite good luck and wealth into your life. These included:
· Releasing birds on your birthday (after telling them your wish) equivalent to the date of your birthday. Therefore, My birthdate is the 12th of July, so each year on my birthday I would release 12 birds.
· Each morning, lighting a candle and making a wish, then blow the candle out.
· Write your wish on a piece of red paper and keep it under a hollow copper pyramid for 48 days and do not disturb.
· Meditate with the hollow copper pyramid on your head
· Keep a money note in your wallet folded in a triangle to invite wealth in.
** At the end of the discussion, the most questions were directed towards the use of the copper pyramid and its powers to make one’s wildest dreams come true. They sold like absolute hotcakes! At the beginning of the discussion, the guru pointed out that true gurus don’t request money, they are free to access and should never charge for attendance at their speeches. Clearly, they make their money through the selling of the wares they flog post discussion.
After the discussion, we wandered through the night market and went home.
We rose lazily the next morning and played scrabble (yep – all my words with friends peeps – I owned!) then wandered back to the city for some lunch. After some discussion, it was back to the old faithful Indian restaurant. Then we decided to beat the rush and head home before all the Singaporeans loaded with their purchases cram the customs queues.
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| Anima - Home away from Home |
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| Scrabble, dragonfruit, coffee, muesli, friends = perfect lazy morning |
Johor Bahru is definitely worth the day trip over to check out. Even if you don’t get the opportunity to see a true guru in action, wandering the shops and the streets close by are worth one’s time. As is the Indian feast.
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| Round 2 |
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| Street Urchins |
