Some friends were asking where I disappeared to on 8th May, and mom was nagging me to put the post up (so that she could introduce this trip to her friends).. so here it is ..
As early as 6am thereabouts, I checked-in at Five Star travel agent at Golden Mile for a day tour to Malaysia.
Filled the Malaysian arrival card and enjoyed the sun rise.
Entering into Malaysia vai Tuas Checkpoint, guess what? The first person to greet me Happy Birthday was the observant Customs Officer in Malaysia! Pleasant surprise!
Before reaching Perling Toll, we stopped at a coffeeshop (instead of the nearby Jusco/Tesco) for breakfast.
Interestingly the Roti Prata was the most expensive at RM6 (Maybe it's because of the chicken which came with the curry). Chee Cheong Fun was RM3.30 and the drinks (TehTarik and Coffee) was RM2.30. The crispy MeeChiamKueh below was RM0.90.
I guess the guide probably earns some commission from this shop "Mr Sotong".Before we alighted for breakfast, he invited us to take a look in the shop.
True enough, there are rows and rows and rows of different variety of dried cuttlefish.
True enough, there are rows and rows and rows of different variety of dried cuttlefish.As for the prices, I shall have no comments. =P
Apart from dried cuttlefish, they have dried fruits too. 
What caught my attention was this dried kiwi which I had not tasted before. =)
After breakfast, we travelled to Sungei Rengit, a fishing town facing the South China Sea (and obviously, the South is where Singapore is!)
I learnt that there are 8 districts in Johor Bahru, and these alone are 23-25 times the size of Singapore.
Instead of turning left to the Ostrich Farm, we dropped off at this little town for some shopping and lunch first. (Makan again!)
I was told that there are only rocks in this place, so there is no resorts in this area. The nearest shore is at Desaru (sounds familiar?), and yes, that's where the resorts are. But the little beach here isn't too bad on the photo yea?
Sungei Renggit is supposedly famous for the Lobsters. I'll see how nice they are when I taste some during lunch!
Sights of good old Malaysia.
Dried food provisions, anyone?
Famous LaoPoBing (Wives' biscuits), look at the crowd created by the tour guide after his introduction. =P
The air-conditioned restaurant for our lunch. The focus seems to be on "air-conditioned" as it is probably a rarity in this area.
Bouncy fishball soup for a start!
No no, I don't have such a big serving. We were seated in a table of 10 (the guide will tell you which table number to sit) and we are to share the food. So in other words, 2 fishballs per person. =P
Vegetables, Eggs, Herbal Chicken and free flowing tea.
Black pepper crabs and the baby lobsters. To be frank, the lobsters looked more like crayfish to me. In any case, for a day trip that costs $72/pax including lunch and dinner, I would think that the meal's not too bad!
After a fulfilling lunch, we visited the Ostrich Farm which was about 20mins drive away!
A short walk into the Ostrich Farm.
Once you step into the Ostrich Farm, (apart from the smell), we are warmly greeted by baby Ostriches!
These are about less than 2months old, thus they are kept under the shelter. When they reach 2 months old, they will be left in an area which is partially sheltered. If they don't hide during bad weather (due to heavy rain or hot sun), then it means that they are mature. From then on, the matured ostriches will be left in the open area (for the rest of their lives!).
When the ostriches are about 6 months, their feathers will drop and then we'll be able to differentiate between the male and female. The female ostrich is like the photo above -- ugly. The male ostrich is the one which is black and white.
Compare the size of the rooster with the ostrich, the biggest bird on earth.
Apart from dried cuttlefish, they have dried fruits too. What caught my attention was this dried kiwi which I had not tasted before. =)
After breakfast, we travelled to Sungei Rengit, a fishing town facing the South China Sea (and obviously, the South is where Singapore is!)
I learnt that there are 8 districts in Johor Bahru, and these alone are 23-25 times the size of Singapore.
Instead of turning left to the Ostrich Farm, we dropped off at this little town for some shopping and lunch first. (Makan again!)
I was told that there are only rocks in this place, so there is no resorts in this area. The nearest shore is at Desaru (sounds familiar?), and yes, that's where the resorts are. But the little beach here isn't too bad on the photo yea?
Sungei Renggit is supposedly famous for the Lobsters. I'll see how nice they are when I taste some during lunch!
Sights of good old Malaysia.
Dried food provisions, anyone?
Famous LaoPoBing (Wives' biscuits), look at the crowd created by the tour guide after his introduction. =P
The air-conditioned restaurant for our lunch. The focus seems to be on "air-conditioned" as it is probably a rarity in this area.
Bouncy fishball soup for a start!
No no, I don't have such a big serving. We were seated in a table of 10 (the guide will tell you which table number to sit) and we are to share the food. So in other words, 2 fishballs per person. =P
Vegetables, Eggs, Herbal Chicken and free flowing tea.
Black pepper crabs and the baby lobsters. To be frank, the lobsters looked more like crayfish to me. In any case, for a day trip that costs $72/pax including lunch and dinner, I would think that the meal's not too bad!
After a fulfilling lunch, we visited the Ostrich Farm which was about 20mins drive away!
A short walk into the Ostrich Farm.
Once you step into the Ostrich Farm, (apart from the smell), we are warmly greeted by baby Ostriches!
These are about less than 2months old, thus they are kept under the shelter. When they reach 2 months old, they will be left in an area which is partially sheltered. If they don't hide during bad weather (due to heavy rain or hot sun), then it means that they are mature. From then on, the matured ostriches will be left in the open area (for the rest of their lives!).
When the ostriches are about 6 months, their feathers will drop and then we'll be able to differentiate between the male and female. The female ostrich is like the photo above -- ugly. The male ostrich is the one which is black and white.
Compare the size of the rooster with the ostrich, the biggest bird on earth.Compare the size of the full grown rooster with the ostrich egg!
The eggs, if uncracked, are hard and sturdy. Step and Stomp on them. They won't break!
When an ostrich egg is laid, it will be checked if it fertilized.
Now this black and white handsome ostrich is the mature male ostrich.
An ostrich can live up to 60 years.
Oops a Turkey!
Rare chicken breed.
Look at their "hairstyles" on their head!
The world's 3rd largest bird after the ostrich and emu.
This is the incubation room!
We can't enter the incubation room, but they displayed an hatching egg for us. Wait long enough and you'll see the chick moving and struggling to get out of the shell!
Once the chick gets its way out, the folks will check the chick for any disability on the first day.
The eggs, if uncracked, are hard and sturdy. Step and Stomp on them. They won't break!
When an ostrich egg is laid, it will be checked if it fertilized.If it is an unfertilized egg, it is called a white egg. The white egg will be used for eating, for shell decoration such as a lampstand (as above picture shows) or for demonstration purposes (for us to stomp on =P).
If a fertilized ostrich egg is incubated, 8-9 out of 10 eggs will hatch; otherwise on its own, only 2-3 of the unincubated fertilized eggs will hatch.
Now this black and white handsome ostrich is the mature male ostrich.An ostrich can live up to 60 years.
Oops a Turkey!
Rare chicken breed.
Look at their "hairstyles" on their head!
The world's 3rd largest bird after the ostrich and emu.
This is the incubation room!
We can't enter the incubation room, but they displayed an hatching egg for us. Wait long enough and you'll see the chick moving and struggling to get out of the shell!
Once the chick gets its way out, the folks will check the chick for any disability on the first day.On the second day, they will check if the chick has any problems with excretion.
Between the 3rd and 5th day, the chick will be able to stand. That's when they will release the chick to the very first sheltered area we saw when we entered the farm!
An Ostrich can only provide meat from the age of 18months onwards. The meat comes only from its legs. Even then, a full grown ostrich can at most provide 20kg of meat. I guess, that's the reason for the price.
It's either marketing (since you are on the farm) or it's real. Apparently the Ostrich provides more nutrition than any others. The Ostrich essence made from the bones is more powerful than chicken essence.
Every part of the Ostrich can be used. Shells and Feathers for decorations, Bones for essence, Skins to make bags and everything else, you eat them. FYI, if you are looking at buying ostrich skins, the authentic ones have holes in the skin. That's the feather markings.
Remember, you eat them for the nutritious value, not for the taste..
Well, I tried the Ostrich Bak Kut Teh.. and I didn't taste any difference!...
It's either marketing (since you are on the farm) or it's real. Apparently the Ostrich provides more nutrition than any others. The Ostrich essence made from the bones is more powerful than chicken essence.
Every part of the Ostrich can be used. Shells and Feathers for decorations, Bones for essence, Skins to make bags and everything else, you eat them. FYI, if you are looking at buying ostrich skins, the authentic ones have holes in the skin. That's the feather markings.
Remember, you eat them for the nutritious value, not for the taste..
Well, I tried the Ostrich Bak Kut Teh.. and I didn't taste any difference!... To be frank, I didn't feel any difference too. It's just.. er.. a healthier choice.. =P
After the lesson on Ostriches, we are going to learn more about fruits.
The first thing I saw in the fruit farm is a breadfruit. They call it Mian Bao Guo in Mandarin. No, you can't eat it raw. You'll have to cook it.
Little chilli padi growing in the midst ot the greens.
And baby mangosteens slowly ripening for the season.
Hey, I know this. I learnt this when I was in Thailand. These cactuses produces dragonfruits!
Mangoes ripening soon..
Passion Fruits hanging over our heads..
Remember the Noni fruit juice which got the world crazy over it at one point in time?
After the lesson on Ostriches, we are going to learn more about fruits.
The first thing I saw in the fruit farm is a breadfruit. They call it Mian Bao Guo in Mandarin. No, you can't eat it raw. You'll have to cook it.
Little chilli padi growing in the midst ot the greens.
And baby mangosteens slowly ripening for the season.
Hey, I know this. I learnt this when I was in Thailand. These cactuses produces dragonfruits!
Mangoes ripening soon..
Passion Fruits hanging over our heads..
Remember the Noni fruit juice which got the world crazy over it at one point in time? So this is what it looks like.. not very appetizing..
Oh, what's mangosteen, the Queen of fruits, without the King of fruits? Durians!
Bananas!
oooooooooo more bananas of different varieties!
Want to know more about herbs?
I recognise some which mom planted at home!
Pluck a leaf and smell the fragrance!
Information overload? Time for a little break..
Feed the Koi.
And have a fresh fruit juice as you continue the journey!
Gourds and Bittergourds, see the type of fruits and plants change as you look up!
Now, who stays in that little house?
Bees! The farm rear bees so that these little hardworking workers will help with the natural pollination process of the fruit trees and plants! 
More fruits? 
Water Apples! See how they grow as you walk down the Jambu Trail!
End of fruit farm? More things to see!
Little Bunnies are sooooo cute!
The little ones won't jump off the tray top, and the older rabbits are munching contently away in their little corner!
Who says duckling is ugly?
They are cute!
Mom will squirm at this.
At the end of the farm tour, there is a short little "marketing" talk again. Interestingly, the focus isn't so much on the fruits, but more on the honey that the bees make. The Queen Bee lives for 5 years or more and gives birth to 1-2 thousand eggs everyday. There is only 1 male bee in the colony and it will die after mating with the queen bee. The worker bees are all female, and these are the ones which goes outside to collect the pollen and makes the honey. The male and worker bees lives only 45 days. Reason being that they eat normal honey. The Queen Bee lives for so long because only she gets to eat the Royal Jelly Honey. Thus the potent Royal Jelly Honey. Honey don't spoil, but the darker it is, the older the honey is. Older honey might not be suitable for younger children as it might be too potent. 
I got to see the actual Tongkat Ali. It is just a plant.. a smoother root (compared to the ginseng). What the folks did was that if you want something really potent and good for health, have the Tongkat Ali + Royal Honey.. Game for a try? Show them the $$ =P
After the farm tour, I don't remember why, but we stopped at this little place for some shopping. There's wet market, supermarket, pasar malam stores etc.
Then we reached the elusive place where we'll catch the Fireflies tonight.
Oh, what's mangosteen, the Queen of fruits, without the King of fruits? Durians!
Bananas!
oooooooooo more bananas of different varieties!
Want to know more about herbs?
I recognise some which mom planted at home!
Pluck a leaf and smell the fragrance!
Information overload? Time for a little break..
Feed the Koi.
And have a fresh fruit juice as you continue the journey!
Gourds and Bittergourds, see the type of fruits and plants change as you look up!
Now, who stays in that little house?
Bees! The farm rear bees so that these little hardworking workers will help with the natural pollination process of the fruit trees and plants!Pondered about something "profound" here:
When you see flowers, it doesn't mean you'll get fruits.
But when you see fruits, it means that it has flowered before.
More fruits? 
Water Apples! See how they grow as you walk down the Jambu Trail!
End of fruit farm? More things to see!
Little Bunnies are sooooo cute!
The little ones won't jump off the tray top, and the older rabbits are munching contently away in their little corner!
Who says duckling is ugly?
They are cute!
Mom will squirm at this.
At the end of the farm tour, there is a short little "marketing" talk again. Interestingly, the focus isn't so much on the fruits, but more on the honey that the bees make. The Queen Bee lives for 5 years or more and gives birth to 1-2 thousand eggs everyday. There is only 1 male bee in the colony and it will die after mating with the queen bee. The worker bees are all female, and these are the ones which goes outside to collect the pollen and makes the honey. The male and worker bees lives only 45 days. Reason being that they eat normal honey. The Queen Bee lives for so long because only she gets to eat the Royal Jelly Honey. Thus the potent Royal Jelly Honey. Honey don't spoil, but the darker it is, the older the honey is. Older honey might not be suitable for younger children as it might be too potent. Additional Tips?
1) Don't allow metal to interact with honey. The reaction will cause honey to lose it's effectiveness.
2) If you taste honey that is all sweet, then that honey has been processed. Real honey is slightly sour due to its acidic nature.
Don't take all my words above, I'm just regurgitating what was mentioned during the 20 mins talk after the farm visit.
I got to see the actual Tongkat Ali. It is just a plant.. a smoother root (compared to the ginseng). What the folks did was that if you want something really potent and good for health, have the Tongkat Ali + Royal Honey.. Game for a try? Show them the $$ =P
After the farm tour, I don't remember why, but we stopped at this little place for some shopping. There's wet market, supermarket, pasar malam stores etc.
Then we reached the elusive place where we'll catch the Fireflies tonight.Elusive cos I tried to find this place previously and was all lost!
After a busy afternoon, dinner is very much welcomed!
Rice, beancurd, vegetables, soup, fried sotong, steamed prawns.
Steamed fish!
Roasted chicken!
It was about 7pm and we can hear the swarm of swallows flying around the areas.
After a busy afternoon, dinner is very much welcomed!
Rice, beancurd, vegetables, soup, fried sotong, steamed prawns.
Steamed fish!
Roasted chicken!
It was about 7pm and we can hear the swarm of swallows flying around the areas.Then my attention was brought to holes in the sides of the walls of buildings like those below.
The rich folks buy apartments here, not for themselves to stay. Instead, they make those little holes and attract the swallows to make their nests in the place. Guess what? Yes, that's where birds' nests come from!
At the harbour of the Firefly Trip in Kota Tinggi.
Kota Tinggi is actually much older than JB. Kota Tinggi was founded by someone (can't remember the name) when the Portugese took over Malacca. This person then started JB after Kota Tinggi but JB prospered after Stamford Raffles founded Singapore while Kota Tinggi remains as it is today.
Wearing safety jackets before entering the boat.
All ready to go!
Before we saw the fireflies, we saw birds' nests under the bridge! This belongs to the public/government. So if you are game for it, you can try harvesting the nests yourselves. Remember, it's under bridge, above the waters!
Sun set!
Dimming skylights. Will the fireflies appear? Talking about appearance, the first discovery of fireflies in Malaysia were in Selangor/Kuantan. This place was discovered much later.
The light from the firefly is caused by a chemical reaction in the abdomen of the firefly. The purpose is to scare, to mate and to communicate. The chemical reaction is one of nitrite oxide and phosphorus combining together. People has explored using the chemical reaction to generate light instead of wasting electrical energy which we all know dissipates 90% of the energy as heat and only 10% as light. However, they have found that it is not practical to do so. This is because, it is not easy to obtain continuous nitrite oxide to generate the continuous reaction of unending light.
I'm sorry I have no photos to show! Camera's not good enough in the bad lighting and swaying boat. But we did see them alright! Once you see the first one, you'll see the second one, and then you'll see them in a crowd, just like the testimonies of those before, like lights on a christmas trees. And the whole boat of people will go "there! there!" and "wow! wow!" =D
The rich folks buy apartments here, not for themselves to stay. Instead, they make those little holes and attract the swallows to make their nests in the place. Guess what? Yes, that's where birds' nests come from!
At the harbour of the Firefly Trip in Kota Tinggi.Kota Tinggi is actually much older than JB. Kota Tinggi was founded by someone (can't remember the name) when the Portugese took over Malacca. This person then started JB after Kota Tinggi but JB prospered after Stamford Raffles founded Singapore while Kota Tinggi remains as it is today.
Wearing safety jackets before entering the boat.
All ready to go!
Before we saw the fireflies, we saw birds' nests under the bridge! This belongs to the public/government. So if you are game for it, you can try harvesting the nests yourselves. Remember, it's under bridge, above the waters!
Sun set!
Dimming skylights. Will the fireflies appear? Talking about appearance, the first discovery of fireflies in Malaysia were in Selangor/Kuantan. This place was discovered much later.
The light from the firefly is caused by a chemical reaction in the abdomen of the firefly. The purpose is to scare, to mate and to communicate. The chemical reaction is one of nitrite oxide and phosphorus combining together. People has explored using the chemical reaction to generate light instead of wasting electrical energy which we all know dissipates 90% of the energy as heat and only 10% as light. However, they have found that it is not practical to do so. This is because, it is not easy to obtain continuous nitrite oxide to generate the continuous reaction of unending light.
I'm sorry I have no photos to show! Camera's not good enough in the bad lighting and swaying boat. But we did see them alright! Once you see the first one, you'll see the second one, and then you'll see them in a crowd, just like the testimonies of those before, like lights on a christmas trees. And the whole boat of people will go "there! there!" and "wow! wow!" =D
I'm glad I caught the fireflies! Something which I wanted to do for sometime now. If I can't fulfil a bigger dream, at least I could fulfil one dream at a time. =D
Reached home about 11pm. It's been a fruitful and fun day out! Thanking God for a great day out with the nice weather! (Heard it was raining heavy in Singapore!)
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