Emerald Springs Revisited

This roadside stop and roadhouse / highway inn about halfway between Darwin and Katherine has been around for 40 plus years. There has always been competition between the 'Tank and Tummy Station" aka Hayes Creek roadside inn, and Emerald Spings roadhouse. This competition has waxed and waned between the two, depending on the current state of the facilities. Afterall, they are about 20km apart!!

Over the past few years, both have seemed to progressively decline in appeal, with Emerald Springs moving further and faster, while Hayes Creek did improve a little, more recently. Then.... new owners arrived at Emerald Springs, with plans and a few $$$.

Emerald Springs has had a makeover.........big time! And is now significantly better than the somewhat run down facilities at Hayes Creek Roadside Inn. And it has more room to expand, whereas Hayes Creek Inn is somewhat constrained being on a hilltop.

It is clean, staff are pleasant, the bar is air conditioned, and there is a big breezy cool verandah with a view, as well as a pleasant grassed outdoor area.

To top it off........meals are top notch, and the range available is excellent. Not necessarily super cheap, but a first rate scotch fillet steak and salad for around $20+ is excellent value. And the steak is GOOD.

Their prime market is the transport sector, and there is ample parking for road trains, and with a lot of road trains hauling both long distance freight as well as minerals for processing, they would seem to have found a clientele that does want a bit more than a crappy "burger and a beer". Plenty of drivers there having a meal on my recent visits.

Coffee is also a bit better than nescafe and hot water too, with a good expresso machine and a decent range of coffees - long black to latte and capuccino are the go. And the barista does a good job!

There is also an air-conditioned meeting room for maybe about 10 - 12 people. Not sure about any fancy technology, but hey.......a meeting halfway between Darwin and Katherine might be a very convenient spot for people from both locations and / or local Douglas or Pine Creek areas, especially in both the resources and primary industry sectors, and that need can be very common here in the Top End.

Accommodation is also available in modest but new, very clean self contained a/c rooms at a respectable price. Ask them!

No doubt time will tell if the quality continues, but at least for now........it is a good place to take a break while driving between Darwin and Katherine.

Highly recommended.

But a note of warning.........freeloaders are not especially welcome. To use the facilities, including toilets [ which are very clean] the owners would like to think you might spend some money there - coffee, drinks, ice creams.....something.

That is probably fair and reasonable. You would not be disappointed stopping here for a short break in the journey.

Age

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
~ Mark Twain

From First Class to All Class …

…A journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Malaysian Railways – part 3

At Kluang there was a large group of elderly Japanese golfers waiting when we pulled into the station. They came aboard, with much noise, confusion and enthusiasm; assisted by several guides. One of the guides insisted that we were sitting in their seats. We consulted our tickets, which showed we were in the correct seats; and as all travelers know, possession is nine tenths, so we stayed where we were. Much confusion ensued, but finally everyone appeared to have a seat. Then the picnics were delivered to the golfers. Rather typically Japanese; very neatly and organized presentation, many choices of fruit, sushi and drinks.

Did I mention drinks? There was just about every choice they could possibly want. The gentleman across from us very swiftly polished off two cans of Japanese beer, water, but dispensed with the can of oolong tea and offered us a can top jar of saki. Pull the lid off and you have a full glass to drink. It is a long time since I have drunk any of it, but the taste memory returned with a bang and I remembered why I had previously named it rocket fuel!

Ah .......the last time 'canned" liquor was consumed by me on a train was on the Trans Siberian Railway, many years ago, through a swap deal with Russian [ sorry USSR] troops, who were keen to taste better quality scotch whiskey. In this case the cans were about the same size as a condensed milk can - two quick holes in the top of the can - hey presto - vodka, army issue! and you drank it neat, too. At least the sake was branded and obviously Japanese.

It wasn’t too much longer and we were approaching Johor Bahru. Since our last trip by train, the new Immigration and Customs hall at JB had opened, so we were interested to find out if the transition from Malaysia to Singapore would be any less painful. We had previously done a reconnoitre from Singapore to JB by bus to check out the transition but had not been able to see how the train transition worked.

We didn’t use the new station on this trip as it was not yet operational. The officials came on the train and we were cleared out of Malaysia with little time taken.

Then it was on, across the causeway to the Woodlands Immigration facility for clearance into Singapore. Everyone disembarks with their luggage and proceeds through immigration and customs and when everyone is cleared, the doors are opened, you can re board the train and proceed to Singapore. Or, you can clear immigration and customs and exit the station there, and catch a taxi, train or bus direct to your destination in Singapore. This was the course we chose. It was the first time we had tried this tactic. This decision was taken, mainly because the supposedly short trip to Singapore railway station had taken such a long time last trip. There can also be a long wait for taxis at the somewhat isolated station when you arrive. If you haven’t seen the station, it is worth the visit, as it has recently had a clean up and is quite a historic building (with traditional malay food available, particularly late at night), but that is another story …

Would there be a taxi readily available or would we be left standing at Woodlands while the train chugged on to Singapore without us? So we made the decision not to reboard and once we were out the sliding doors we were committed and could not change our minds.

Through the doors, up the escalator and directed out to the taxi rank, we found three taxis waiting, and within 20 minutes we were settled into our hotel room and having a fresh cup of coffee. Successful comfortable transfer from Kl to Singapore; and that is the way we will do it next time too!

From First Class to All Class …

…A journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Malaysian Railways – part 2

A while into the trip I realized that the carriage seems rather quiet, no-one wandering up and down to the restaurant car. Later on, during further discussion with the English couple, I find out that there is no restaurant car this trip. OK, so the donuts are now going to look a lot more appealing further down the line! Industrial dispute or technical issue? That may have something to do with why there was no First Class Lounge open at KL Sentral too.

The train is travelling along quite quickly. On the previous trip there had been many stops and the general speed of the train was a lot slower. At that time, there had been a lot of work on the line for much of the distance. It would appear that it has been completed.






















We have one little stop on a side line while a couple of other trains travel past in the opposite direction. It is single line for a lot of the journey, so this is to be expected.

I find train travel quite civilized. It always seems a lot less hassled than a bus trip and even less so than most short hop air travel these days. What with the trip from a major city to the airport being long, the need to be at check-in so long before the departure time and then the wait for actual departure, some journeys can be accomplished in not a lot longer and with a lot less hassle.


















There are several short stops at tiny stations along the way. The train line, and the main highway also, for that matter, run the length of peninsular Malaysia, so there are lots of roads running from the costal areas in to the rail line. There is an old carriage on the side of the line at Gemas.

























Glad they have upgraded to the one we are in! This station is the start of the “Jungle Line” trip to Khota Bahru. I am told the daytime 3rd class slow train from Gemas to Khota Bahru (Wakaf Bahru) is worth the trip, as the scenery is superb. We have “thought” about it several times, but as yet the trip hasn’t eventuated.

After Gemas we decided to have lunch. This consisted of two donuts each and a drink of water (which we always carry with us). More sustenance than nutritious, but it filled a gap.

to be continued ...

From First Class to All Class …

…A journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Malaysian Railways – part 1

Mention at checkout from the Le Meridien KL that you are leaving the city by train and you are immediately offered (well, it is insisted on actually) assistance to the railway station. This is not a long distance but you can feel a bit like someone out of an old movie being followed across the road to the station by a bellboy with a typically large hotel “trolley” with just your bags on it. The feeling of importance is quickly dashed when it is discovered that the First Class Lounge is not open prior to this trip. Hmmm, is this a warning of things to come, as it has been open for the morning departure on our previous trips. We find a seat in the departure area and assure the bellboy that we will be OK. Nothing else in the station is yet open in the way of food establishments. I had planned to perhaps forage and gather some sustenance for the journey. Ah, wait a minute; Maccas is open. Why did that not surprise me? An orange juice and a McMuffin will do while we wait and we will get lunch on the train.

An attempt to buy two donuts, for a bit more junk food on the train, accelerates into a major negotiating business deal. They don’t have their cash register working yet, the shop assistant who does that has not arrived and no-one else can set it up. Can I just leave the money with them and take the donuts? No, they are not sure how to calculate the ++ and the amount may not be correct. Hmmm. Ah, but there is a nett price on the menu for six donuts and can I just pay that? Consultation takes place between the staff, and at that stage I almost totally loose the inclination to eat a donut. However, it is decided that I can do that if I choose six donuts. OK, six donuts are selected, placed in a box, I hand over the correct money, and then there is a long search for an appropriately sized plastic bag to carry them in. I escape with just the box of donuts, wondering what himself is going to say when I turn up with six donuts! It is all said; I won’t spell it out!

Soon there is an announcement that we can board and there is a rush for the entry. Eventually we settle into our seats and find that the carriage is only about one third full. We find that a bit unusual, as we thought, when we booked that we had got the last two seats. A brief chat with an English couple who are settling in a few seats from us, and the train pulls out of KL Sentral on its way towards Singapore.

to be continued ...

The Ice Cream Seller by the Singapore River

To most people, Singapore is hot … all the time, day and night. When the sun sets it is not quite as hot but still definitely tropical.

Down by the River, often on the walkway between the Cavenagh Bridge and the Asian Civilisations Museum you will find the Ice Cream Seller.

I am not sure why, but ice cream bought in any of the many shopping malls just doesn’t taste as good as the ice cream from the street Ice Cream Seller. Shopping mall ice cream is also much more expensive, but I guess that the rents there also add to the price.

The street Ice Cream Seller has a mobile “stand” like a motor bike with a side car that is a mobile freezer. He will set up where there will be a passing parade of hot tourists and locals alike and a queue forms fairly quickly. Up goes his umbrella to protect him from the sun and the shop is open. His ice cream is stored in cartons (in the old fashioned way) and he will cut off a generous slice of your chosen flavour and present it between two wafers, wrapped in a tissue, all for the very reasonable price of $1! There are many flavours to suit all tastes, even the local variety – durian – a very interesting taste.

So, if you see the bright umbrella of the Ice Cream Seller, don’t hesitate, try it, you’ll like it.




The Cavenagh Bridge was named after Colonel Cavenagh, the last Indian appointed Governor of Singapore. Construction began in 1868 and it was originally planned to be a drawbridge, but on completion it was found only to be suitable as a fixed structure. It continues to wear its original splendour and is now open only to pedestrians.


The Cavenagh Bridge links the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Fullerton Hotel. Both, places of wealth, one in culture and the other probably more correctly in dollars.


The Asian Civilisations Museum, formerly the Empress Place Building, named after Queen Victoria, was completed in 1867 and has served at different times as a Court House (not of royalty!) immigration department and government offices.

The Fullerton Hotel was constructed in 1928 as the Fullerton Building, has seen duty as The Singapore Club, the Chamber of Commerce, General Post Office and Internal Revenue Authority. Today it remains a masterpiece of neo classical grandeur and splendour. Walk through and take in the ambience, perhaps even stop for a cool drink in the airconditioned café or bar.

Seeing the Sites in Singapore……….by Bus – VERY DOABLE

No, it is NOT a spelling mistake.

As a tourist you need to get around the place and the tourist sites easily, cheaply and quickly. Often that may be on foot, especially in a city area.

In Singapore the MRT and the associated light rail in some suburban areas provides a great way to travel around. But for comfort, avoid morning and evening peak hours……….they get very crowded. Quite a normal experience really. The various MRT stops and interlinked lines are mostly convenient around the main city tourist spots. BUT……..you are underground and really see little.

Although, like many underground systems around the world [Mexico City and Moscow come to mind immediately] they do have quite a bit of art work on the walls and tile art on the floor, especially at Dhoby Ghaut in the interchange walk areas. Singaporeans usually rush past……….take some time and have a look.

But buses around the city are also worth discovering. First principle………assume you can get very close to where you need to go, even if there is a bus change part way. Buy and use one of the current and easily obtained bus and train annual guide books put out by the authorities. You can easily work out the how to get there from where ever quite easily. You can also obtain verification of the routes and bus stops at the actual bus stop itself. It is very common to see locals also checking out this while they are waiting.

Buses are usually reasonably quick for journeys around the main downtown city core areas and within a few kilometres from the central areas. Often they allow you to board at a very close by stop, avoiding the walk to the MRT Station. For some areas eg Parkway Parade / Mercure Roxy Hotel and East Coast area buses are it……….there is no MRT [well not yet anyway].

There are some special tourist buses that offer “get on / get off” passes for a day. Compared to the local buses they are VERY expensive, so do not dismiss the local buses in Singapore. Mostly air-conditioned too.

It is generally possible to get to and from most tourist sites by public transport, with buses offering a reasonable option. Whether it be Changi Point or Changi Chapel or Woodlands Interchange or Woodlands Checkpoint [crossing to Johore Bahru] you can get there by bus.

Try it …………you might like it. Remember that the “touch and go” multi journey stored value MRT / Bus ticket means you do not need to know the fare, just use it on the bus. Makes it very easy.

There are some late night routes that offer a slightly different route to daytime, often combining a few bus routes into one. Not always as convenient, but usually cheaper than a taxi.

Singapore is NOT a late night city for urban public transport, with the MRT having last trains around 1130 pm, and buses around midnight for normal routes. But these night bus routes do offer some extra travel a little later into the early morning.