LONG festive breaks allow families and friends to spend quality time together.
Among the top places to visit in Johor without breaking the bank is Zoo Johor in Johor Baru.
Clerk Azri Azman, 30, said the Chinese New Year school holiday was the perfect opportunity for family time with his wife and three children.
“Holidays give us time to let our children enjoy something educational and fun,” he said, adding that they had wanted to visit Malaysia’s oldest zoo after its recent upgrade.
“The kids can see what the animals look, sound and even smell like.
“It’s not just entertainment; they can learn from it.”
He said the ticket prices were also reasonable, at RM10 per adult and RM5 per child.
“I think the affordable entry is one of the things that makes Zoo Johor a popular choice, especially for parents looking for budget-friendly activities,” said Azri.
Pre-school assistant teacher S. Gunawathy, 40, said she decided to visit the zoo with her family and relatives visiting from Kedah at her children’s request.
“We are exploring and enjoying the day together.
“The last time I visited was three months ago when most of the sections were closed for renovation, so it’s nice to see more areas open now.”
Gunawathy said her relatives liked the zoo because of the affordable tickets and variety of animals.
A material engineer from China who only wanted to be known as Chris said he decided to visit the zoo with his family as it was near their hotel.
“We thought it would be enjoyable to spend some time here.
“Tickets are more expensive for international tourists (at RM30 per person) compared with locals, but I still think it’s worth it because the zoo offers a good experience for families.”
The 43-year-old, who was with his wife and their two teenaged daughters, said he was excited to see the snakes.
“All the animals were nice, but I especially liked the snakes. It was fascinating to see them up close,” he said.
The holidays brought many visitors eager to sample the food and other offerings in Johor Baru.
Singaporean N. Nila, 36, said she and her husband decided to drop by to enjoy Malaysian food and relaxing massages.
“We came on the eve of Chinese New Year and over two days visited malls, some temples and even bought fresh flowers from Jalan Dhoby,” she said.
University student Abdul Azizul Dazmeen Azizul Hamid, 22, from Kuala Lumpur, said he was spending his holidays in Johor with five friends.
“I’m here to explore and enjoy the environment.
“We went shopping for some vintage shirts around town, and found the prices not as high as we expected.”
The group also visited Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, home of Johor Darul Ta’zim football club.
