[MY; 2024] 🧑🦽➡️series | Johor Bahru 24 hours foodie trip
Johor Bahru in general is not a wheelchair friendly city... but we decided to give it a try!
I did some research beforehand and found that you cannot cross the border by wheelchair on public buses, but you can take the train. But the issue was, there was no detailed instructions on how to do so by train. So here we're to experiment the accessibility!
Woodlands > Johor Bahru CIQ
I managed to book the train tickets a few days in advance... a weekday trip did help.
Note: Wheelchair users get to skip the queue to enter the immigration area, there were lifts in woodlands train checkpoint to get around the area.
Once you're done with both immigration, there was a train staff who will bring over a small platform for the wheelchair to bridge the train gap. The internal train doors were quite narrow, so wheelchair can only be parked like this:
At CIQ it was a little challenging - you will need to find the train staff at the platform then they would come with the platform to bridge the gap. There were lifts to bring you up, but all quite a distance away, so a bit more walking.
I usually cross over the bridge to City Square mall to get Grab, there was no lift that stops at the overhead bridge level. You can only take the lift (boxed in red), to the ground floor and get Grab there. That means it is quite impossible for wheelchair to travel from CIQ <> City Square mall - unless you jaywalk or take a Grab across the road (please let me know if you're aware of any other alternatives!).
I usually cross over the bridge to City Square mall to get Grab, there was no lift that stops at the overhead bridge level. You can only take the lift (boxed in red), to the ground floor and get Grab there. That means it is quite impossible for wheelchair to travel from CIQ <> City Square mall - unless you jaywalk or take a Grab across the road (please let me know if you're aware of any other alternatives!).
The lift boxed in red will bring you to this Grab point near CIQ: JB Sentral Pick-Up / Drop-Off (Opposite JB City Square)
Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall
We stayed slightly away from the CIQ:
The hotel staff were very friendly and when they noted there was a wheelchair user, they searched for the accessibility room. And even rest assured me that if we need any help, the hotel staff was just a phone call away for us.
I didn't take photo of the accessibility room, but this was how the twin room looks like:
I didn't take photo of the accessibility room, but this was how the twin room looks like:
Things to do @ Paradigm Mall
Awa Mee Bar 阿瓦
I do think that the food was good - I actually visited this place twice!
Just the service was a little meh both times, they don't really put in effort to make you feel welcomed.
Beutea 茶仙子
One of the popular local bubble brand
It tasted quite average - not like wow but okay. But can be rather pricey.
Arashi Shabu-Shabu
Wanted something warm - and hot pot it is! The portion was quite generous for the amount, service was quite alright, probably a place I would return back in the future!
Ended the first day just within Paradigm Mall which was super wheelchair friendly - and really liked the number of lifts available and they were all very spacious. Sunset from the hotel room!
Ended the first day just within Paradigm Mall which was super wheelchair friendly - and really liked the number of lifts available and they were all very spacious. Sunset from the hotel room!
Oh yes - massage at the mall too:
Bangkok Thai Massage - Paradigm Mall Massage Johor Bahru (JB)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8MJmPhgmQLnMepEA6
Next day - Checking out:
The hotel location was very convenient to order food from Grab:
It came superb fast and we were able to have breakfast before checking out.
Sutera area
Areas outside of shopping malls may be a little tricky for wheelchair users as JB normally has those steps in-front of the shops. Is it feasible but probably need at least 2 others to help to carry the wheelchair up.
su·ichi·ko すいちこ
They are temporary closed as I'm writing this - please check out their socials for their new location.
When we were at their old location, they had a few cats, it was pretty cute to see them roaming around the cafe. The food and drinks were very cafe standard. Nothing much to pick on.
Recommend - if you are looking for some yummy Japanese food.
Nijyumaru Japanese Restaurant
Heard this is quite a long standing restaurant!
There was a small mall nearby: Sutera Mall; wheelchair friendly! If you're looking to head back Singapore, they have the Causeway Link CW4S: Sutera Mall - Jurong East route which you can take. But the timings are rather restricted, check before you head there!
Wheelchair can not take buses, so back to the train station and headed back Singapore. As we had some experience from entering, going out was a breeze.
It wasn't as difficult as I thought - so go ahead and bring your wheelchair family members or friends out to JB! If we can do it, so can you :D
Comments
Post a Comment