Date: 06 Sept 2008 Saturday
We were supposed to meet YS² for lunch at 11:30 AM at Bugis that morning and proceed to Harbourfront Ferry Terminal to meet FY & Sharon at 12:45 PM.
Yusin called us at 10+ AM and informed us that the ferry for Kusu Island is at 12 PM from Marina South Pier instead of 1 PM from Habourfront Ferry Terminal. We had looked at the old website for the ferry details to Kusu Island!
Change of plans – we would meet at 11:45 AM, Marina South Pier.
Marina South Pier
Time: 11:45 AM
We were early. FY called us and told us that he just picked Sharon from Bukit Batok and is rushing down to meet us. Yusin went to rent a wide angle lens and was supposed to pick Yee Sze up from Redhill MRT. Would they make it in time?
Our small little car – So clean
The arrival of the King
YS² were unexpected to be early. Yusin had picked Yee Sze from Marina Bay MRT instead of Redhill – no wonder they can made it in time.
It’s almost 12 and FY & Sharon are not here yet.
Trying out the wide angle lens
FY & Sharon reached Marina South Pier at exactly 12 noon sharp. The ferry was waiting for the 6 of us. Yee Sze proceed to purchase our tickets while FY was parking his car.
Strolling our way to the ferry
Me busy taking photos (YS)
The Southern Island Ferry
This is really nice (YS)
Introducing to you the usual suspects
Junrong (JR)
Fung Yong (FY)
Sharon
Yusin (YS)
Yee Sze (YS) – the no. 1 photographer
ME
The tickets
The time schedule for the ferry
Once again, goodbye Singapore Island…
FY and his actions – he was sharing with us his knowledge on photography
St. John’s Island
We didn’t alight the ferry for St. John’s Island since the ferry will leave in about 10 minutes.
Kusu Island
Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore. The name Kusu means “Tortoise” or “Turtle” in chinese. The island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay.
Welcome to Kusu Island!
Da Bo Gong Temple
Located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese Temple – Da Bo Gong (The Merchant God or God of Prosperity). The temple was built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman. This temple houses two main deities – the Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy). The Da Bo Gong is highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger. Guan Yin is known as the “giver of sons”.
Wishing Well
The Wishing Well – After your wish, drop the coin(s) into the well. Your wish would then be granted by the guardian or dweller, based upon how the coin would land at the bottom of the well. If the coin were to land ‘heads-up”, the wish would be granted. If the coin landed “heads-down”, the wish would not be granted.
JR making a wish
JR: Look! I can hit the bell so easily
Next – Pray, pray & pray…
Our lunch – fried rice
Everything tastes delicious when you are hungry
Tortoise Pond
The Holy Shrines of Malay Saints
At the top of a hill on Kusu Island stands 3 kramats (holy shrines of Malay saints) to commemorate a pious man, his mother and sister who lived in the 19th century. Many devotees will climb the 152 steps leading to the kramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines are popular with childless couples who would pray for children.
YS
Around Kusu Island
Wishing Pond full with tortoises
Look at that Giant Tortoise!
Sharon making a wish before leaving
Explanation of Kusu
Touching the tortoise means good luck!
Group Photo
(YS)
Taking a last photo on Kusu Island before leaving (YS)
(YS)
(YS)
Our ferry passed by the Imperial Cheng Ho Cruise.
JR is so happy
Back to Singapore Island
Part 2 – And followed by by an Evening Tour