Dirty, rubbish strewn, people spitting, blocked drains and nasty smells. After Singapore you cannot even begin to describe what you see and smell here in Johor Bharu, Malaysia.
 
I'm of course being completely unfair, but it is a real shock after the clean, ambient environment just back over the Causeway.
 
Singaporeans head here to shop, but I'm pretty sure those that do are in the minority as the malls are definitely nothing special and the prices can't possibly justify a visit solely to fulfill a shopaholics cravings.
 
Perhaps the recently opened legoland will entice more visitors, it's certainly easy enough to get here on a public bus.
 
Anyone who is heading on to somewhere else from Singapore or Malaysia, would be better off flying from Johor Bahru (JB) than Singapore as there is a substantial difference in price. That's part of the reason I'm here overnight, but also because throughout Asia an onward ticket is required, and they are less likely to check if I arrive from JB into the Malaysian part of Borneo - my next destination.