Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru

We have enjoyed KK even more this time. There have been quite a few changes in the city; not the least that it appears cleaner and there seems a real attitude to get up and go. The food has been lovely and the weather at this time of the year has been much more pleasant – during our last visit it was very hot and humid and not conducive to getting around to see a lot.

So after a final sunset and a feast for MR45, sadly, it is time to move on. So we return to the airport and catch a plane for Johor Bahru. The view from the plane is fantastic, hard to believe that there are so many islands scattered in this section of ocean and from the plane, most of them look like your idyllic island in the sun! I can’t resist taking lots of photos as we fly over them.

Not too long and we arrive at Senai Airport in Johor Bahru.

One thing that continues to amuse me is the arrival procedures at Senai. Passengers walk down the steps from the plane (no airbridges), walk across the tarmac, enter the building, climb a flight of stairs, walk a small distance to the back of the building, travel down an escalator back to the ground floor and enter the arrival hall; not more than 3 metres away from a door beside where you originally entered the building from the tarmac. The first time we did it, I thought there must have been a really good reason for doing that … but … several times later I am still trying to work it out. An attempt to keep us occupied while the luggage is unloaded perhaps or wreck a few more old fartz knees? Umm.

We collect our luggage and head out into the arrival concourse to decide if it is a bus into Johor Bahru or a taxi direct to our hotel. There are a few options depending on where you are travelling to next.

This time we take a taxi to the hotel as we have a bit of a time limit. The taxi takes us the scenic trip and along coastal road beside the strait between Johor Bahru and Singapore. This costs no more and is quite nice as we usually get the bus trip point to point from the airport to town through the industrial area. We notice an eatery on the water where we enjoyed a nice meal last time we were here and get quite good views of the Grand Palace museum before we reach our hotel.

Around Johor Bahru
Located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, Johor Bahru is the state capital of Johor Darul Takzim. JB, in short, was established in 1855 by the late Sultan Abu Bakar (the Father of Modern Johor) and now serves as the administrative and commercial centre of the state.

State Secretariat Building (Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim)
Built in 1940 and located on Bukit Timbalan (Deputy Hill), this building houses the state secretariat, as well as other departments of the state government. Despite the appearances of other high-rise buildings in recent years, JB's skyline is still dominated by it. The Sarascenic character and the mosaic detail, particularly of the Grand Hall, makes this one of the most interesting buildings in Johor.
Royal Abu Bakar Museum, Grand Palace
The Istana Besar (Grand Palace) was built by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. Sprawled over 53.8 hectares of fine, manicured lawns, the Palace itself depicts the neoclassical architecture of a past era. Today, it houses the many artifacts of the Johor Royal family, most of which were collected by the globe trotting Sultan Abu Bakar and his son, Sultan Ibrahim, on their many tours abroad. Its compound is beautifully landscaped with lush green lawns and gardens with flowers of every imaginable colour. Nearby is a landscaped Japanese garden and a replica of a Japanese teahouse that was presented by the Crown Prince of Japan to the Sultan of Johor in 1936.
Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque
Built in 1900 with a blend of the traditional Islamic and Italian style architecture is the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque. Sitting on top a hill and unveiling a breathtaking view of the Straits of Johor, this mosque is considered one of the finest in the country. Taking 8 years to complete at a staggering cost (at that time) of RM400 000, it can accommodate 2000 worshippers.
Dataran Bandaraya (City Square)
While many of JB's attractions have links to the state's early history, this is a new attraction that was built to commemorate the proclamation of JB as a city on 1st January 1994. It comprises of a clock tower that faces a series of fountains. Its raised structure and open lawns have proven to be a popular venue for outdoor performances and events.