Trip To Kusu Island - 27 Oct 08

It was Deepavali and taking the opportunity of not working, we have decided (last min) to hop into one of Singapore's island aka Tortoise Island. Its been almost 18 years since I last visited and I am kinda thrilled at the thought of going :)
I called up the ferry co to check on the timing in the morning itself and we got lucky, there's still enough time for us to catch the noon timing.

To get to the island, we have to board the ferry at Marina South Pier which is at Marina Bay. And ticket per adult cost $16, quite ex but we think that part of it might go to conservation?





Here's something to learn about Kusu Island...

Legends of Kusu
Many legends surround the island, most referring to a magical giant turtle turning itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors - a Malay and a Chinese. It is said the grateful sailors returned to the island to give thanks and others continued the tradition.

Before Kusu was reclaimed, some people say it looked like a turtle. Made up of two ridges on a reef, one ridge the head, and the other (where the hilltop is now) the back of the turtle.

Kusu, however, has since been reclaimed into an 8.5ha holiday resort. There are now three Malay shrines or "keramats" and a Chinese temple on Kusu Island. Nearby, the Tortoise Sanctuary houses hundreds of tortoises.

History of Kusu
Kusu Island was called Pulau Tembakul in the past. It used to be a burial site of immigrants who died in quarantine on St. John's and Lazarus Islands.

What to see and do?
Kusu Island is well developed today, mainly to support the steady stream of worshippers to the shrines on the island. On the ninth month of lunar calendar, about 130,000 people still throng the island's Da Ba Gong Temple (or Temple of the Merchant God). The island with its two swimming lagoons is also a popular destination for day-trippers to enjoy the sun and sand

http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/kusu.htm
http://www.sla.gov.sg/doc/new/JointPressRelease(070402)_FINAL.doc
http://islandcruise.com.sg/site/index.php?Itemid=31&id=21&option=com_content&task=view

Kyrell's maiden ferry trip, luckily no sign of sea sick instead he seem in awe with what he saw :)


Here we are!






Immediately we reached, we (or rather, hubby) went to the temple to pray and then we found a spot to feed Kyrell his lunch. It was on a bench along the shore, we get to enjoy the breeze and unspoilt sea!





A contented Kyrell checking his surrounding after his meal, hubby and I then had our laksa.




Curious baby listening to what the couple is talking (loud) at the other table!


Amused himself while waiting for us to finish our meal :)


This is where we had our meal, very cosy and nature right!!










Waiting for me while I went to the toilet