A good trip always broadens one’s vision, so I was delighted when Tourism Malaysia invited me to Johor Bahru. After a smooth connecting flight from Kuala Lumpur, I landed in the regional transport and manufacturing hub, the country’s second largest city proper and second largest metropolitan area.
For better or for worse, bustling Johor Bahru — JB to locals — has earned a reputation as a half-price bazaar for groceries, gas and golf to scores of Singaporeans. Linking JB across the Straits of Johor to the town of Woodlands in the wealthy city-state, an impressive causeway, Tambak Johor in Malay, ferries 60,000 vehicles on a typical day. Most of the outsiders who cross this boundary have been drawn by Johor Bahru’s family-friendly attractions.
TARGET GUEST POPULATION
I am in the middle of a teeming crowd of vacationing Çub Scouts in Legoland Malaysia. The air is humid, my senses assailed by the decent footfall. I grew up playing with the beloved Danish building blocks and being in this playground, despite the challenging heat, was a childhood dream come colorfully true. I’m glad I came armed with sunscreen, an umbrella and a giant bottle of Vittel.
Comprising a theme park, water park and hotel in one themed location, the resort can be enjoyed separately or as a combination of sections. The crown jewel, it seems, is Miniland, an interactive world of well-known monuments fashioned out of more than 30 million Lego bricks on a scale of 1:20. There, too, are hands-on rides, slides and shows along with experiment centers, a wave pool with a slew of lifeguards, and shops selling toys and ice cream.
After a day of steering, squirting and splashing, those who opted to check in at the reasonably new Legoland Hotel should be very pleased with their decision, as the convenience can’t be beat. The location makes it very easy for kids, the target guest population, to take their naps after lunchtime then head back to the park, reinvigorated and hopefully tantrum-free, late in the afternoon.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
The little ones are bound for a truly immersive experience, from the galleon surrounded by a sea of Lego pieces at the lobby to the disco-themed elevators that play the old hits while traversing the floors. But it’s the rooms that are sure to bring out the child in everyone. All 249 of them are contrived to give visitors the choice of playing pirate, commanding a kingdom or embarking on an adventure. In my view, it is worth the extra to go in for the Premium theme rooms just for the atmosphere.
Ten minutes away from Legoland Malaysia, and a few more from the Senai International Airport, is Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park. The four-level building is home to the first Sanrio Hello Kitty Town outside Japan. It also has The Little Big Club where characters such as Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Barney, Pingu and Thomas & Friends come alive in the form of rides and interactive games.
VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR
Malaysia’s southern gateway boasts Johor Premium Outlets, a 175,000-square-foot outdoor shopping enclave. The company also operates the ones in Camarillo in Los Angeles and Woodbury Common in New York, among the many in its portfolio. Bargain hunters, both seasoned and novice, can look forward to labels such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace offering impressive savings.
I stumbled on Burberry and spotted classic trenches and leather jackets with the charming twists that have been making the posh Prorsum line so winning of late, all substantially marked down. The window displays at AT-20 likewise piqued my interest. I soon discovered that Hong Kong-based retailer G2000 owned the wallet-friendly menswear brand, aimed at twenty-somethings with a taste for skinny tailoring.
This is Visit Malaysia Year, the nation’s biggest and grandest tourism celebration. Recent events involving flag carrier Malaysia Airlines may have muted some of the excitement, but there is no denying that now is still the best time to see, feel and experience the endless possibilities of the country.
* * *
Special thanks to Bianca Tamayo of Tourism Malaysia.
* * *
ginobambino.tumblr.com