Danga Bay for VEP

We got our new Tesla in June this year. Bcos we didn't have the VEP, we couldn't drive into JB for last minute day or overnight trips, like how we used to. After procrastinating for months, we finally got down to applying the VEP. While the car and TnG account are under Daddy Lim, the VEP account is mine. It is this way since the old car time. 

Applying for a VEP isn't complicated. We just needed to ensure that all the documents are available, which is Daddy Lim’s responsibility. Then, we encountered a problem - the system indicated the TnG account wasn't linked to the VEP application. After searching online, we discovered that we needed to tell TnG to link the account to Daddy Lim’s passport, and not his NRIC, bcos the VEP recognise only his passport. Why the extra step? Clearly, whoever designed the VEP didn’t talk to his friend who did up the TnG. 

Bcos AI and Chatbot rule the world, trying to connect to a human to do what is needed become the next hurdle. We eventually managed to log a ticket for the TnG and finally an email came, asking for documents for verification and the problem was finally resolved. Phew. 

We got the VEP tag application done. Daddy Lim decided that we would go to JB to do the collection and I earned an impromptu day trip to JB. Nice, I have quite some stuff to buy. We had initially thought of a night's stay, only for Daddy Lim to remember that he has a Company BBQ to attend on Saturday evening. It is ok. With the VEP done, we can have many day/overnight trips in the future. 

Our last drive to JB was a while ago and we forgot what time we usually set off. We decided on 6am but only got out of the house at 6.20am, which also meant that we would be late for our massage appointment at 7am. 

It was very hazy and the traffic had already built up. Actually, the wait for the Singapore custom wasn’t too bad. The jam was actually on the bridge to JB. I supposed that meant that the held up was at the Malaysia custom? Then again, things were moving pretty decently when we were approaching the Malaysia custom. I duno anymore but was just happy to cross the custom on both sides. 

We managed to postpone our massage appointment to 8am and even had time for bfast. We found a mini kopitiam nearby, which is a life saver bcos Daddy Lim was hungry. It is no joke traveling with a hungry man. 

We went to the usual 24 hours massage place for 1.5 hours of foot massage. The massages were not exactly great but it is the only place that I had found that operates 24 hours and is near to the immigration and good bfast places. We usually go to a timsum place nearby after our massage. Daddy Lim didn’t quite care; all he needed was a place for some eye shut after having to wake up at 5ish to drive into JB. Some eye shut he did he get. 

Since our bfast quest was accomplished and it is not advisable to have 2 bfasts, we proceeded to do a car wash. 

All clean and nice. 

The timing was perfect and we drove to Danga Bay, which was 15 mins according to Google map. Driving in Malaysia, even with Google map required a lot of guess work. Do we go up the flyover or are we supposed to stay down? How come Google map is asking us to do an Uturn in front when this right turn seems to bring us to where we need? Do we follow Google map? 

Thankfully, we found the VEP collection center. Then, we were directed to the nearby 7-11 to have the appointment confirmation and payment receipt printed. Why this administration? I duno ah, just do. 

Then it was waiting, which fortunately was short. All in all; it took about 30 mins to get everything done. 

Can you see the tag?

The kitty who was “guarding” the center. So pretty.

The final stop was the Southkey shopping mall for some shopping and lunch. 

We forgot to take picture until we were all done. Can you guess what we had for lunch? Haha. It was yummy. 

We were very efficient and completed lunch and shopping within 3ish  hours. We left the mall at about 2pm to head home. The checkpoint app said that it would take about an hour. 

Strangely, there was almost no q at the Malaysia custom. Again, the jam was on the bridge and the traffic was inching forward, especially that lane that we chose to Q. #murphy’slaw

Then again, once we finally arrived at the counter, the immigration clearance barely took mins. Again, we were puzzled at the long Q. As the app suggested, it did take us about an hour to clear both immigration. 

We made it back to Singapore in time and Daddy Lim even took a nap before heading to his BBQ. Do you know why it rained this afternoon? Yes, bcos we washed car. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim