The great thing about living in Singapore is that it’s an international travel hub. Being located right smack in the middle of Southeast Asia makes travelling to countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam really easy, thanks to the affordable flight tickets and short travel times.
Sometimes though, it’s nice to just hop on a car and drive. We’re kind of limited to Malaysia in that sense, but that’s not really a bad thing. Our closest neighbours have everything from beautiful beaches to bustling shopping zones, with Johor Bahru (JB) the most convenient as a road-tripping destination.
Here, we list down the best places in JB for you to visit with a car (don’t worry, we’re not going to include City Square Mall or Komtar JBCC):
Senibong Cove – For a Gorgeous Sunset
If you’re planning to make the trip across the causeway, take some time off in the evening and take a leisurely drive down to Senibong Cove. The luxury property, which spans 208 acres across the picturesque Johor Strait, is a fantastic spot for catching the sunset, especially at the 50-berth marina that’s filled with yachts and waterside eateries.
Pasar Karat – For Second-hand Shopping
No trip to JB is complete without a visit to Pasar Karat, a second-hand flea market that sells all kinds of knick-knacks, from counterfeit clothing to even live animals (which we do not recommend buying unless you’re prepared to look after them). Driving here at night will be a problem though as roads will close around 7pm for the market to be set up. Park at City Square instead and take a 2-minute walk.
Desaru – For Ostriches and the Beach
A sleepy beach town on the east coast of Malaysia, Desaru is a popular spot amongst both locals and Singaporeans. If you’re thinking of taking a drive down, do yourself a favour and visit Ostrich Wonderland, a farm that educates the public on ostrich breeding. You can also either snorkel or even surf here but we recommend checking out the fireflies at the Sungei Lebam river. That’s one experience not to be missed!
Mersing – For the Kampong Life
Mersing is more popularly known as a stopover before reaching Tioman thanks to its busy jetty. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any gems here at all. For instance, seafood stalls open up every night near the bus station along the river, while the beaches at Air Papan or in the Penyabing area are nice and secluded. At the end of the day, it’s all about escaping the hustle and bustle of the city over here and enjoying the rustic, kampong life.
Cover image taken from Khalzuri Yazid
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