Missed our temple visit and Datuk Nenek climb? Catch up with Part 3 below!
Kusu Island Part 3 — From Temple Prayers to Datuk Nenek's Steps!
One Careful Step at a Time
Prayers offered and wishes made, it was time to work my way down. My legs aren’t always steady, so the descent needed extra care.
Aunty: Slowly, legs. We’ll take this one step at a time.
Legs: No rushing us, please!
Camera: Understood. Feet first, photos later.
With the yellow handrail for support, I took my time, making sure of my footing before moving to the next step. There was no prize for reaching the bottom first—getting down safely was what mattered.
Have Faith, Will Travel Far
Aunty: No fear, no fear… slowly, we’ll get there.
Legs: We’re coming. Just give us time.
Handrail: Hold on, Aunty. I’m here to help!
Aunty: Faith in my heart, hand on the railing—steady lah!
The yellow stairs continued beneath a magnificent old tree, its spreading branches surrounded by layers of green. Even on the careful journey down, there was beauty to appreciate.
Having faith didn’t mean I had to hurry. It gave me courage to keep going at my own pace, one sure step at a time. 🙏
Eh, How Did We Reach the Beach?
Aunty: Walk, walk, walk… eh, why are we at the beach already?
Legs: You told us to keep going mah!
Aunty: Just now so reluctant to climb, now cannot stop?
Camera: Since we’re here… kachak first!
Tummy: Excuse me, was lunch somewhere along the way?
After carefully making my way down, I somehow kept walking until the greenery opened onto this little beach. Pale green water curved around the sandy shore, with rocks in the shallows and pieces of driftwood scattered along the edge.
From worrying about the stairs to wandering down to the seaside—Aunty’s legs had certainly surprised me today!
Under the Sea… Emergency Evacuation!
The calm water and little waves at the shore put Aunty in a musical mood. I could almost imagine the reaction beneath the surface…
Aunty: Under the Sea… Under the Sea… 🎶
Fish: Attention, everyone! Aunty has started singing!
Crab: Emergency evacuation! Take your families and GO!
Aunty: Oi! I came all the way down here to entertain you!
Fish: We appreciate the effort, Aunty. Please save your voice for the next island!
Such a peaceful seaside scene—and all Aunty wanted was to add a little background music. Apparently, the underwater audience preferred the sound of the waves! 🌊🎶
Aunty hasn’t finished the first line and the underwater residents are already packing! 🐟🦀 Even the crab is walking straight for once—too urgent to go sideways!
The Audience That Stayed
Aunty: At least you rocks stayed to listen. Such loyal fans!
Rocks: Aunty… we don’t have legs.
Aunty: Oh. So nobody requested an encore?
Waves: Shhh… let us handle the background music.
Little waves curled around the rocks, leaving delicate lines of white foam on the sand. Through the shallow water, I could see more rocks resting beneath the ripples.
Perhaps it was time to give my imaginary audience a break and enjoy the sea’s own performance—a gentle wash of water along the shore. No microphone needed.
Horizon, Where Are You?
Aunty: Hello, horizon? Where have you gone?
Horizon: Behind the haze, Aunty. You’ll have to look harder!
Aunty: First the fish evacuated, now you disappear too?
Horizon: Please don’t sing to call me back!
The haze softened the distant view until the pale sea and grey sky seemed to melt together. I could make out the stone breakwater and a faint stretch of trees to the right, but the horizon itself was playing hide-and-seek.
Aunty came for a sea view and got a little eyesight test thrown in!
Even the Seawater Disappeared!
Aunty: Ay… where did the seawater go? Suddenly so dry here!
Ah Girl: Yah, all went under the sea!
Aunty: Oi! Even the water hiding from my singing?
Ah Girl: You asked everyone to go under the sea mah. They listened!
Aunty: Wah, finally somebody follows my instructions!
I looked down at the exposed sand, scattered rocks and little bits of driftwood. After all that gazing out across the water, this dry patch gave Ah Girl the perfect chance to continue teasing me.
First the fish, then the horizon, now the seawater… Aunty’s seaside concert was becoming a very exclusive event!
Finally… Makan!
There it was, beneath the red-and-white canopy: FOOD CENTRE. Two beautiful words to welcome Aunty after all that climbing and walking!
Tummy: Finally! We’ve been very patient hor!
Aunty: Let me inspect first. Must see what’s available mah!
Eyes: Reporting for duty! We’ll check every stall!
Legs: Please remember that inspecting also involves walking.
Tummy: This walking we approve. GO!
Earlier, I had hoped to browse the food stalls while Ah Girl and the gang went uphill. That plan was rejected, but now Aunty could finally begin her inspection—with everyone’s appetite firmly on her side.
Come, let’s see what’s good to eat! 😄🍽️
Under the Red-and-White Canopy
Beneath the large striped canopy, rows of red chairs and round tables welcomed visitors ready for a meal. Some people were already eating, while others gathered near the stalls to see what was cooking.
Aunty: Come, let’s look around before deciding!
Tummy: Looking is fine. Just remember we came here to eat hor!
There were plenty of empty seats during our visit. With fewer visitors coming, business has become harder for the stallholders, who depend so much on this month to earn their income.
Behind every stall are people working to make a living. After our prayers and island walk, sitting down for a meal here felt like a welcome way to rest our legs, fill our tummies and give them a little support. 🍽️💛
A Feast Worth the Climb!
Our table soon filled with laksa, fishball noodles, fried items, chicken wings, char kway teow and oyster omelette. Basically, we ordered a bit of whatever the stalls were selling—a proper spread for the gang to tuck into!
Tummy: Now THIS is what we climbed those stairs for!
Legs: Excuse me, we did the climbing. Save us some credit!
Camera: Everybody wait! Let me take the food photos first!
Tummy: Make it quick. We’ve been roaring since before the climb!
Aunty: Okay, okay… kachak done. Everybody, makan!
And seriously, the food was good lah! The laksa, noodles and generous plates of our favourite hawker dishes kept us happily occupied. All those promises of char kway teow, oyster omelette and chicken wings had finally become lunch!
It was a win-win: we filled our roaring tummies while giving the stallholders some business. Good food, good company and a little support for the people working here.
Yummy yum, yummy yum! 😋🍗🍜
P.S. This spread was for the whole gang hor, otherwise readers think Aunty climbed 152 steps and ate 152 portions! 🤣
Tummies Full, Camera Still Hungry!
After makan, we had about 45 minutes before the next ferry arrived. Plenty of time for Aunty to visit the tortoise shelter and kacau its residents—with my camera only, hor! 🐢📸
Some were gathered along the pond’s edge, others were in the water, and one little fellow was tucked beneath the shelter sign. Aunty had found a whole new group to chat with.
Aunty: Hello, everybody! Got time for a little photo session?
Tortoise: We were enjoying our afternoon break…
Camera: Perfect! Just carry on looking natural!
Top Tortoise: Wait, can you see me from up here?
Bottom Tortoise: Of course she can. You’re standing on me!
Aunty: Aiyoh, everybody will get their turn. No need to climb for attention!
With lunch taken care of and the ferry still some time away, I happily watched their little pondside gathering. Kachak, kachak… Aunty’s camera was still being well fed!
Mama, Piggyback!
Kid Tortoise: Mama, piggyback!
Mama Tortoise: Don’t be lazy. You must learn to swim!
Kid Tortoise: I’m practising floating, Mama.
Mama Tortoise: On MY back?!
Kid Tortoise: Yes! Very stable. Five-star service!
Mama Tortoise: Swimming lesson starts now. Taxi service closed!
Every family seems to have one who enjoys a free ride—and one doing all the carrying! 😄🐢📸
Eat Here, Dabao Also!
Aunty: Eh, you finished eating and still dabao ah?
Tortoise: Of course! Must prepare for when I’m hungry later.
Aunty: Where’s your takeaway container?
Tortoise: On my back lah. Built-in!
Aunty: Confirmed—you belong to my gang!
Tortoise: Membership comes with snacks or not?
With little green stems resting across its shell, this fellow looked ready to carry lunch straight into the next meal. Eat first, pack some, then slowly walk away…
Aunty recognised a fellow food enthusiast immediately. Gang membership approved! 😂🐢🥬
Makan done! Now let's head to the jetty and see who we meet while waiting for our ferry!
Continue to Part 5 below!
Kusu Island Part 5 — Waiting for the Ferry, Meeting Island Security!
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