Railway Trip, Free & Easy to Seremban town, 01 Oct 2010

Dear Members

Departure date 1st October, Saturday;  Depart at 7.30am by South Johore
Bus or Causeway Bus from terminal at Ban San St/Queen St junction to Johor
Bahru;   leave by train 9.05/10am on four-and-a-half hours
journey.   arrive Seremban 1.35/40pm

2nd October, Sunday to depart Seremban by 3.30pm train and arrive Woodlands
8.25/30pm

OPTIONAL – for those who wish to embark at JBahru

  • Maximum participants SIXTEEN, minimum TEN with both numbers including two
    EOs
  • Each traveller please confirmed your participation by crediting Abel Tan’s
    POSBank a/c-510-03720-0    with twenty dollars to buy the train
    ticket in Ringgit.   Any excess will be refunded in Ringgit
    too.
  • Other expenses to pay upon request.

Closing date:   21st September,  Wednesday

EO to contact:   Lorraine Chia  at  chia_lorraine@hotmail.com 

Seremban town is an old quite sleepy town probably a decade or two older
than KLumpur.   It was created by the dozens of Chinese who followed
several of the Minangkabau chiefs from North Sumatera, whom later unite
their individual provinces into Negri Sembilan and electing one of the chiefs
to be Yam Tuan Besar, the fifth of whom was destined to become Yang
Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya at Independence in 1957.

The name Seremban was originally SERENDAM or literally "to soak" as baptism
of water is a cultural ritual of the Minangkabaus on any auspicious
occasion..   A laid back place is sutiable for Singaporeans to
de-stress on short periods.

Abel Tan

45 thoughts on “Railway Trip, Free & Easy to Seremban town, 01 Oct 2010”

  1. We shall visit Ostrich Farm and Lake Garden (separate place) both half hour outside town.

    Registration List:
    1. Abel Tan (EO)
    2. Lorraine Chia (EO)
    3. Maria Tan

  2. Hi Abel & Lorraine

    May I know if return train tickets will be bought in advance and is the 3:30pm Seremban-S’pore train the last? I am just concerned about returning home in time on Sunday for work on Monday. Thanks.

    Daisy

  3. Hi-Lorraine and Abel
    My wife and I are interested. Just for information can you
    indicate a rough iterintary of what we intend to do/visit at
    Seremban and also an estimated cost including accomodation for Sat night.

    regds
    Peter Lim

  4. Hi Abel,
    You have been organising interesting short trips to visit our neighbours. This trip to Seremban sounds interesting esp when you mentioned its a quite sleepy town.

    I think that the Happy SHCians will find a way to wake the town up with all their jokes and laughters. Ok to be sleepy if it can sell many many “siew pows” everyday to many many people + us the SHCians when we get there. But first…, let’s find where the shop is located. Hahaha quiz time.

    Abel,please register me for now. I will confirm after 20/9/11.Busy at work around that time.

    Seremban Here We Come!

    Thank you.

    Geok Suan.

  5. Hi Peter #6
    Rough itinerary: 1st day after lunch visit Ostrich farm and Lake garden or divide visits, either one the next day after breakfast. In between roam and explore Seremban town.

    A budget of S$150(M$360) should be sufficient.

    I will include your wife and you in the list.

    Hi Daisy #4
    Have you decided?

    Regards,
    Lorraine

  6. Oh Lorraine, missed the last part of #8 hence did not respond to you. Sorry.

    As much as I would like to, think I’ll have to give this a miss.

    Will let you know if situation changes for me. Have fun and remember to get Abel to sing if there’s an opportunity.

    Hope to meet with you sometime.

    Cheers
    Daisy

  7. Updated Registration List:
    1. Abel Tan (EO)
    2. Lorraine Chia (EO)
    3. Maria Tan
    4. Lim Geok Suan
    5. Peter Lim & Wife
    6. Lee Seok Cheng
    7. Christina Chan

    Min to travel 8 inclusive of 2 EOs and must have 2 males inclusive of Abel(husband and wife OK).

    When number to travel OK, please credit $20 to Abel’s bank account.

    Hi Daisy #9, message noted, have a nice weekend.

  8. Hi Friends

    Welcome aboard for the Seremban trip

    Geok Suan, perhaps you can be the livewire of this tour.

    Daisy, you can make it, but your partner can’t??. Well,
    next year then, we’ll do another rail journey to Pasir Mas(Kelantan) and detour to Golok town, Thailand.

    Fellow travellers, please do credit my POSB a/c with $20 before the closing date 21st as the next day 22nd I shall go to JBahru to book the two-way train-tickets.

    Regards, and do have a pleasant week ahead

    Abel Tan

  9. Hi Abel and Lorraine,

    I have lost the livewire part of me many years ago. I am now resigned to a quiet lifestyle.

    I joined SHC as a member hoping to find that fun part of my Lost life.

    Before we can embark on this Seremban trip, we are already looking fwd to Kelantan/Golok. Good planning as this allows us to keep leave for it .

    I have been to Kota Bahru when I was a teen but not Golok. Plenty of cottage industries then, wonder if Kelantan has changed much and has done away with their Batik and Silverware cottage industries.

    Thanks again for organising the short trips.

    Geok Suan.

  10. Hi Abel,

    Cpould not miss your comment about going to Kelantan and Golok.

    I would be interested also but can I make a suggestion? How about including Betong and excluding Golok?

    Heard a few things about Betong, never been there, was supposed to go there but I think now trip ‘koyak’.

    Do you think the risk is worth it for Golok? Or just a day trip from Kota Bahru?

    But whatever it is, what does the group think?

    Wishing your group a wonderful trip this Oct to Seremban.

  11. Hi Abel, Lorraine and Charles,

    Historically,Betong used to be the comm insurgents’ stronghold. What it is today can be any of our guesses since we have not been there, unless Abel has been, he may know better. But there are the Stupa, hot spring and the tunnels for visitors to Betong.

    Golok does not seem to have much on the net except that it had been bombed not too many years ago.

    Check the reviews for more info. It will kind of help you decide Golok or Betong in addition to Kota Bahru.

    Good nite.
    Geok Suan.

  12. Updated Registration List:
    1. Abel Tan (EO)
    2. Lorraine Chia (EO)
    3. Maria Tan
    4. Lim Geok Suan
    5. Peter Lim & Wife

    Lee Seok Cheng & Christina Chan have withdrawn due to last minute work commitments.

  13. Hi Geok Suan & Peter,

    Please credit $20 each to Abel’s POSB A/C as he will be going to JB on the 23th Sept (Fri) to buy the 2-way train tickets.

    Thank you.
    Lorraine

  14. Hi-Lorraine
    I was waiting for a confirmation to go-ahead since there are only 6 of us and min specified is 10.
    Since you have given the green light I will credit by today

    regds
    Peter

  15. Lorraine and Abel,

    I confirm that I shall be in your travel Group to Seremban by train on 1/10/11. Have a little problem with crediting money into Abel’s A/C cos I am busy at work, medical check-up tomorrow pm and no IB too.

    Would Abel pay for me 1st and I shall return the $20/- to him on travel day when I collect the ticket from him.
    If I have the opportunity to get to the POSB on Wednesday before Abel leaves for JB, I will definitely credit the Money into his A?C.

    Please let me know if this arrangement is possible with Abel. I can be contacted by e-mail: geoksuanlim@yahoo.com

    Thanks.

    +Good night.

    Geok Suan.

  16. Hi Abel and Lorraine

    Hope its not too late to add another 2 Pauline Chew and Lena Ho.

    Please advise so I can deposit $40 into Abel’s POSB account.

    Tks……..Pauline

  17. Hi Abel,

    1.Hope that you plan to purchase our return tickets Seremban to Woodlands S’pore.

    2.In the event that return tickets fr Seremban-Sing are sold out,I won’t mind if you’ll buy me a 1st Class ticket Seremban-S’pore.
    Or, Pay for a KL-Sing 1st Class return ticket for me cos I need to be at work on Monday 3/10/11.

    Thank you very much. My e-mail; geoksuanlim@yahoo.com

    Geok Suan

  18. Hi-Abel
    Geok Suan has a valid point
    It will be good to return to Woodlands Station bypassing the
    normal immigration/custom checkpoints saving us a lot of
    walking. We leave to your arrangement, and I leave to your discretion on the cost involved.

    regds
    Peter

  19. Hi Abel,

    This is the update of confirmed participants:
    1 Abel Tan (EO)
    2. Lorraine Chia (EO)
    3. Lim Geok Suan
    4. Peter Lim & Wife
    5. Pauline Chew
    6. Lena Ho
    7. Koh Cheow See
    8. Joyce Kwok

  20. Hi Fellow Travellers

    After my usual bi-monthly lunch with an ex-colleague of the 1990s, a Johorean who retired mid-last year after thirty-four years of earning Sing dollars, Nine two-way railway tickets were bought @ Fifty-eight ringgit each. The exchange today was $100=242 ringgit, thus the twenty dollars deposit to my account is equivalent to Forty-eight ringgit and forty sen, hence a shortfall of Nine ringgit and sixty sen due to me per ticket.

    From 1st October, the train departs JBaru at 8.50/55am and not at 9.05/10am. Therefore, we shall gather at the express bus terminal behind the St Lourdes Catholic Church at 7.10am instead of 7.30am.

    Seremban is a passing-through town for Sporeans, unless he/she is interested in the Malay-Minangkabau heritage/culture as probably the numbers of more Caucasians than Sporeans overstaying in Seremban during the weekend October 1st & 2nd.

    My suggestion is to stay at the Seri Malaysia hotel(Bumiputera owned) which from the railway station is like the distance from Orchard Hotel to Concorde Hotel and walking distance to the State Museum. The old Carlton Star hotel if upgraded can be considered as its located near the town centre. The less than ten-years old Royal Adelphi is pricey, though nearer to the Lake gardens.

    Two shopping centres are worth visiting if need be, the Seremban Parade which is within sight of the railway station entrance and Terminal One, near the interstate bus station and walking ditance to hotel Seri Malaysia, like Hilton hotel Orchard Rd to Goodwood Park, Scotts Rd.

    We shall arrive Seremban before 2pm and after check-in and lunch, we shall visit the ostrich farm which is about forty minutes outside town. The next day, after breakfast we can drop by(not a MUST) at the State museum and afterwards stroll in the Lake gardens.

    Please note the train leave Seremabn at 3.30pm.

    Regards

    Abel Tan

  21. Sorry Guys

    Overlook to mention that the Return-ticket bought is dis-embarking at terminal station Woodlands by 8.30pm.

    When the train stops at JBaru say by 8.05/10pm, any traveller has the option to drop off for supper/shopping in JB town and later go home by yourself.

    Thanks

    Abel

  22. Hi-Abel
    where and what time do we meet in JB. Is it at City Square Railway station.?
    I stay near Woodlands Town Centre so it is easier for my wife and I to meet you all at JB
    Thanks for the arrangement.

    regds
    Peter

  23. Hi Peter,
    I am meeting at JB also and was told to wait at new immigration complex at shops/money changing level and diagonally in front of ticket counter towards direction of city square.

    Regards,
    Lorraine

  24. Hi Abel Tan,

    Seremban is famous for its dry beef noodles and don’t miss it. It is a different version from the Spore style. The noodles are like ” long low shee fun” very ” song hou” and the gravy is thick with crushed ground nut sprinkles. At the counter they also see spiced chilly beef pak kua.

    Very yummy. :)

    Eating is believing! In fact, I found it than the one in Petaling street, KL.

  25. Hi All,

    Here’s more in addition to SC’s recommendation: Kon Lu mien. The noodles are aldente or springy and nice. Yes beef noodles introduced by the Hainanese, and if looking for Indian curry, it’s the Top Curry Hse.
    Oh, don’t forget the Siew Pows.Seremban is the place of origin I hope. Singapore also has her share of siew pows.

    With our tickets bought, we are ready to take on Seremban on the 1/10/11, of course from a makan point of view. Hahaha.

    See you at Ban San/Queen St Bus terminus at 7.10am.

    Geok Suan.

  26. Hello Abel and Lorraine,

    May I have one of your Hand phone nos for contact purpose in case I am unable to go on this trip.

    I suddenly have weak knee and which seems to suddenly give way. Almost had a few falls today at work. See what the doc can do for me asap. No pain but “Swan”- nerves go funny. Oh.. the feeling is like dentist drilling into one’s tooth.

    If I can hobble with a walking stick, I’ll be on trip.

    I shall make the balance of ticket payment somehow if I am unable to travel with you.Posb A/C?

    Thanks.

    Geok Suan.

  27. Hello Friends,

    A reminder to all to meet on Sat Oct 1 at 7.10am sharp at the express bus terminal behind St Lourdes Catholic Church. The bus ticket to JB is $2.40. Please do not forget to bring your passport.

    Hi Peter,
    We shall meet at the new immigration complex @ 8.00am.

    Hi Geok Suan,
    Take care and hope you will be fine on Sat. I will email my contact to you.

    Hi All,
    May I have your contact number just in case. Please email it to chia_lorraine@hotmail.com.

    Thank you.
    Lorraine

  28. Hi All,

    FYI, Abel will be wearing red colored T-shirt with ‘MALAYSIA’ wording, 1.73m tall, 75kg, half balding with quite long back hair.

    Lorraine

  29. The following nine Silverhairs travelling were:
    Abel Tan (EO)
    Lorraine Chia (EO)
    Lena Ho
    Pauline Chew
    Koh Cheow See
    Joyce Kwok
    Peter Lim
    Jennifer Lim

    We left JB at 9.10am on the train making 5 stops at Kulai, Kluang, Segamat, Gemas and Tampin before arriving at Segamat at 2pm.

    It was raining on arrival, so we had to cancel the Ostrich farm visit. After the rain stopped at about 3pm, we had a late lunch before proceeding to roam part of Seremban town. We had seafood dinner and chit-chat over “Ko Po” tea till 9.15pm before returning to Hotel Seri Malaysia, a two- storey hotel located on a high ground amidst a natural environment less than 1km away from the train station.

    The next day after breakfast, we cancelled again the intended Ostrich farm visit due to the threatening weather which turned out to be only a short slight drizzle. Instead we spent our time pursuing individual interests in different parts of Seremban town.

    Peter Lim found a stall supposedly to be the best beef noodle stall in Seremban. It is located on the upper level of Seremban Pasar Besar (Central Wet Market). It is at stall 748, and there was a long queue waiting. He had to wait 30 minutes for the food. Priced at RM5 or RM6, the hor fun is very unique and soft. The beef slices which are very soft are immersed in thick delicious gravy of good consistency, enhanced by a sprinkling of crushed groundnuts.

    Nevertheless, all of us were punctual in gathering back together at the station by 3.05pm, heading back for home at 3.40pm.

    Summarized by Abel

  30. My wife and I will like to express our thanks to Abel and Lorraine for leading us in this trip. We treasure the fellowship that we had with the rest of the group and we look forward to the next trip

    regds
    Peter and Jennifer

  31. Hi Charles & Geok Suan

    I have been to Golok probably ten times since during the Malaysia Cup soccer days whenever the National team played Kelantan in Kota Bahru, the next day after breakfast, not more than ten of us each time out of the fifty-plus travelling, will make our own way to Rantau Panjang(border town) after dropping off at Pasir Mas, about 40mins by taxi.

    Its a “Man’s town” like Batam during the ’90s. Two-thirds are Thai Muslims and they speak similar dialect as the Kelantanese – “Pi manoh”=pergi mana. It was the Anglo-Siam Treaty of early 1800s that absorbed part of north Kelantan into Thai territory and in return a smaller parcel of land which is Perlis state to British Malaya.

    The last decade has resulted in almost annually, bombing incidents in the town or vincinity, though in my opinion the Hotel Merlin(opened a few weeks before we were guests in 1992)area is okay. Well,…………..

    Betong is under my rating 8 upon 10. But the hassle of going there limited my visits to only twice. My recollection, probably most visitors too, is the quaint post-box located at a round-about near the town centre.

    Thirty mins out of town is the communists tunnels which on my first visit was aborted due to quite a heavy downpour. This trip will take four days which honestly is “tight” for yours truly.

    My first trip(three of us) was via Golok and a smaller town which the name cannot be recollected and took about four-and-half hours due to the hilly terrain. The second trip was done solo, via Sungei Petani, Kedah(train from KLumpur) and taxi to Grik and taxi again to border town Pengkalen Hulu, a total of more than three hours, and a border crossing by taxi again of an hour, traversing a uphill-downhill winding road, re: Genting Highlands.

    Please allow me to “pool” my days-off and kita boleh jalan.

    Regards

    Abel Tan

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