The Southern Isles

After the recent encounter with my health problems, I finally went on leave for a week. Planned for about a couple of days, I couldn't decide whether to book a chalet for three days in Sentosa or to just spend a couple of days in Changi Village. Stuck in a dilemma, I did neither and in the end chose to check out a couple of places which I have always wanted to.

Having settle some stuff in town, I drove down to Marina South Pier and bought tickets that would take me to the Southern Isles of Singapore - Kusu Island and St. John Island. Before boarding the fast boat, I ate my lunch and then wondered if I would feel seasick. It was about twenty years ago since I last visited Kusu Island. I used to visit the island with Ah Mah, Mummy, Uncle Patrick and Mum's siblings. Mum and Ah Mah would then make us wear a yellow strip of cloth around our wrists for a month. While waiting to board the boat, I read at the viewing gallery of the pier. It was a comfortable spot to just chill there and read. Had the weather been cooler, it would be perfect!

The Da Bo Gong temple has undergone a series of renovations, and I have forgotten that we would need to climb a flight of stairs - 154 to be exact - the reach. Upon reaching the shore, I suddenly felt nostalgic. But the feeling was all so different. Back in those days, we would wake at sunrise, and by noon we would be home. This is the first time, I am travelling there in the afternoon and will be there alone. My annual trip in my younger days was were hundreds of worshippers.

Gone were the hordes of devotees who will visit the island in the ninth month of the lunar calendar. During this period, all was quiet on the island. There was a tortoise sanctury there where is houses several different kinds of tortoises there. I made a wish at the wishing well there. Not that I believed it will come true, though I secretly hoped it will. Its more for old times' sake that I tossed a coin into the well to make a wish. Had a stroll around the island. It was so peaceful. Then, while standing at the Turtle Lagoon, I heard a cough and spotted a huge turtle surfacing to change its breathe. I tried to take a picture of it, but by the time I was ready, it was nowhere to be seen. But the moment was magical. It has been so long since I last saw a live turtle. (Not mentioning the one who's name after a ninja turtle).

I stood there for some time, and saw another turtle at the shallow waters. This time, it was much smaller. More like the size of a big tortoise. This time, I managed to take a shot before it dive in into the deeper waters. After spending twenty minutes on the island, the boat sounded for us to board. Soon, I was on my way to St. John island. It was my first trip there. Just wondering what was on the island and why the island was named St. John island. The fifteen minute boat ride there flew past.

There was a family there, just about to pack up for their one-day trip at the island. A short walk around the island and I realised that the island is now solely being used to Marine development. There is a football field there, and "chalets". Apparently, camping there is allowed as long as we applied for permission. As the return trip will take us back to Kusu Island again, I once again took to standing at the Turtle Lagoon as I awaits the turtle to surface. I thought I could said goodbye to an old friend. In the end, "he" did not. Does that mean that it would be goodbye to turtle?