It’s virtually the tip of 2020 and worldwide leisure journey remains to be not allowed for many nations. So we’re all just about caught in Singapore. With 5.6 million folks crowded into an island metropolis state of roughly 50 km large by 30 km tall, there’s solely so many locations you may go to rediscover your native neighbourhoods. So how about going off the principle island?
Most individuals consider Singapore as only one island, however truly there are 64 different islands that make up the territory of Singapore. The closest and most accessible is Sentosa in fact, the place most vacationers find yourself. The opposite off shore islands require you to take a ship, or they’re are off limits to most of the people resulting from safety causes. For this weblog put up, it’s all about a number of of the southern islands of St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu that are simply accessible by scheduled ferries.
The ferries now go away from Marina South Pier which can also be straightforward to get to by taking the MRT to the station of the identical title. As soon as out of the station, make your option to the counters which promote the ferry tickets. There are mainly solely 2 firms who function the ferries, Marina South Ferries and Singapore Island Cruises. So simply purchase your tickets from both counters. Ticket costs are S$15 for an grownup spherical journey ticket, and S$12 for kids, however typically reductions are given. The ferry schedules are fairly fastened for a lot of the yr, apart from a sure interval the place devotees make their option to Kusu Island and a particular ferry service is about up simply them.
Regardless of being a weekday, there was a big crowd on the pier ready to board the ferries. Covid or not, everybody was dying to go someplace.The southern islands of St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu are literally fairly close to to mainland Singapore, mendacity at simply lower than 6km away. It’s a brief 15-20 minutes ferry journey to achieve the jetty at St John’s Island.You will discover solar, sand and sea right here. And in my very own opinion, the seashores on St John’s are cleaner and a lot better than those on mainland Singapore. To not point out that there are smaller crowds right here.St John’s Island is actually small (40 hectares) and the one completely occupied constructing is the Nationwide Marine Laboratory. There are a few lodges and chalets the place guests can keep in a single day, however they appear to be closed now resulting from Covid.The island was beforehand used as quarantine heart for immigrants within the nineteenth century until 1930, then later transformed right into a penal settlement and drug rehabilitation heart (1950). You may nonetheless see the excessive barbed wire fences and the guard towers which have been left behind as a reminder of the island’s previous.Alongside the shore and subsequent to the principle jetty is that this previous jetty which has fallen into disrepair. I believe that is an attention-grabbing shot with a drone, as you may see the seaweeds that are rising alongside the shore.And right here is the previous jetty as seen from the shore. The wood planks actually appear like they might break when you walked on it, and a bit within the center is lacking some planks.A drone shot of the jetty at St John’s Island and with town skyline of Singapore behind, reminds us that we haven’t left the nation.The island is effectively maintained with manicured lawns and correct footpaths. Fascinating wanting timber with their buttress roots develop on the island. There’s a household of monkeys dwelling on the island and so they do turn into fairly aggressive, particularly once they noticed us opening our luggage to eat lunch. We needed to beat a hasty retreat when the entire troop began climbing everywhere in the pavilion the place we had deliberate to have lunch.There are many park benches and tables scattered everywhere in the island the place you may sit down and have a picnic. In any other case, it’s additionally not a nasty thought to convey your picnic mat and lay it out for a picnic.St John’s and Lazarus islands was once separated by a slender channel with a robust present passing by. However now there’s a causeway connecting these 2 islands and making it simpler to discover Lazarus Island.
There are a number of channels going by the causeway to permit sea currents to cross by. There many anglers fishing right here ready to make a giant catch.
Whereas Lazarus Island is bigger than St John’s, it’s not as effectively developed with public conveniences like public bathrooms and shelters. However you will discover the very best white sand seaside and lagoon in Singapore right here.You’d think about that this seaside may have been in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. However it’s proper right here in Singapore and with out the maddening crowds of East Coast Seaside or Sentosa.One other drone view of the lagoon at Lazarus Island. And you may see Kusu Island within the high left.
A lot for St John’s and Lazarus Islands. Now onward to Kusu Island. Among the ferries make a cease at Kusu Island after stopping at St John’s Island earlier than they return to Marina South Pier.
Ready for the right ferry which stops at Kusu Island. There’s one other ferry which works instantly again to Marina South Pier for individuals who wish to skip Kusu Island. It’s a brief 10 minutes ferry journey from St John’s to Kusu Island.
Legend has it {that a} magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save lots of 2 shipwrecked sailors, one who was a Chinese language and the opposite a Malay. Which is why you could have the Malay shrines and a Chinese language temple on the island.
So Kusu actually interprets to Turtle or Tortoise Island from Chinese language, and you will discover a turtle sanctuary right here.I presume loads of pet turtles and tortoises obtained a brand new life right here.There’s a Chinese language temple right here with a walkway over a synthetic lagoon. Within the pavilion there may be additionally a wishing effectively.The temple is devoted to the Goddess Guan Yin and Tua Pek Gong. For round 2 weeks in November in the course of the ninth lunar month, the island will get actually busy with devotees coming to wish in the course of the annual Kusu Pilgrimage.In addition to the Chinese language temple, there are 3 Malay shrines on the high of a small hill. It may be reached by climbing 152 steps. Many {couples} additionally worship at these shrines to be blessed with youngsters.The garishly yellow painted rocks with scribblings of devotees throughout was probably not what I used to be anticipating after I reached the highest.Kusu Island is actually tiny. You can stroll round it in lower than half an hour. Regardless of it’s small dimension, there are nonetheless some good sights like this lone tree alongside the shore.Kusu Island appears to lie beside a extremely busy sea lane. I may see giant ships passing dangerously near the island like this large tanker that dwarfs the folks standing on the breakwater.Kusu Island can also be nearer to mainland Singapore and we obtained a greater view of town together with a thunderstorm coming in from the north.A drone view of the temple on Kusu Island and the factitious lagoon. The primary jetty may be seen on the highest proper.Due to the temple and hilltop shrine which attracts devotees, the services on Kusu Island are fairly effectively developed. Although you received’t discover any outlets, eating places or merchandising machines right here. And guests are additionally not allowed to remain in a single day on the island.
The islands of St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu make for good day journey. The ferry schedule is such that you simply go away Marina South Pier at 10.00am and the final ferry from St John’s and Kusu leaves between 5.00-6.00pm. Do take observe that there aren’t any outlets or eating places of any type on these islands. Even in case you have a lot of cash, you received’t have the ability to purchase something. You’ll have to convey your individual meals and drinks alongside for the journey, and please throw all of your trash within the correct trash bins on the islands.
Right here’s a map of St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu Islands. Not that you simply want it for the reason that islands are so small you received’t get misplaced on them.
