The Ranting Cynic: 1U to USS with Five Stars Tours [Living Social MY]

Despite having bought stuff and services vouchers from group buying sites since they popped up, but I've never bought a travel deal in this manner before, so I was a little nervous when I bought a deal from Living Social for an entrance ticket to Universal Studios Singapore with return coach ride (KL-Singapore) from Five Stars Tours. Went with the peak period ticket selling for RM188.

Redeeming it was a little nerve wracking as it took them awhile (it is in this day and age) to get back to me about the dates and times, and place of departure that I want. I had to call them a few times to get things sorted and to answer some niggles I had. At least once it happened, they emailed me confirmation on my bus schedule and called me soon after to tell me that I could come pick everything (bus + USS ticket) up from their office at 1U about a week before departure.

Fast forward to departure day and I'm sleep deprived (don't think I caught a wink of sleep as I was afraid I'd overslept and miss the bus). After checking in with the driver for seat assignment (solo seat, of course) and stashing the luggage unto the bus, I got on and found it really spacious - plenty of leg room and space to stash one's backpack, etc. There's also the personal entertainment console in every seat with movies and music options for passengers, but I personally would rather have on board Wi-Fi. That's just me. Anyhow, it was a full bus heading to Singapore, with the other passengers (I say) who are also in their 20s - 30s. I think the oldest person was the driver :P Because everyone was there ahead of schedule, we left around 8.20 a.m.

Unlike other buses that ply the PJ-Singapore route that usually stop at Pagoh R&R, we had the half-hour pit stop (both ways) at Lucky Garden in Yong Peng, Johor. I could've sworn that I must've been there as a child because I vaguely remember the place. Fish fountain outside is gaudy as heck, but it is a landmark. Food and drink also about as expensive as you can find in KL (wtf), with flies for added "flavour". If nothing else, at least the ladies toilets are clean, numerous (no lines) and in decent order.

Unlike my last jaunt down south, there wasn't a huge crowd on both sides of Second Link, so we were in and out pretty quickly. Also got to the destination (the Five Stars Tours counter on Sentosa, at the parking lot/bus depot) around 1 something in the afternoon.

The Sentosa counter

The bus back to KL was a double decker (whee), which is also pretty spacious. It wasn't a full bus coming back, so some people moved after the bus left the office in Boon Lay. I finally tried out the personal entertainment console and saw the first of the last two Twilight movies on the way back. The games and music part was not working for me.