cWitch's Multiply Site

Waited, waited and waited. Was on the waiting list for Reefwalk organised by Blue Water Volunteers since CNY. Stumbled upon their website and thought it looks interesting to explore the reef coral around our little island. Well, concrete jungle is not all that we have!
Finally, we were on the list! Looking forward to Apr 21, 2007.

Woke up super early at 0415 to get ready for this day! Went 'camping' at Twinkle's home since her home has the shortest distance to Marina South Pier. Gotta reach there by 6. We left around 0515. A smooth ride to the pier as it was early and road was almost empty. Reached the pier at 0545. The volunteers were early.

Took a peep at the sky.. it was clear and filled with stars. If only it could be less light polluted, the sky would be mesmerising! What a pity! The crowd started coming in shortly after us. Thought that it would be a small group but it turn out to about 100 people. Wow.. didnt expect that the response is so good.. no wonder I had to wait and wait just to see the reef. We were broke up into groups and met up with our guide. We were in the last and smallest group. Lucky! Left the pier around 0610. The journey to Kusu island took about 25min. My first time to Kusu!

Had a few mins of free time upon reaching so we explored the island alittle. Had a short intro and briefing before we started. Our destinated area is the south lagoon. was told that the lowest tide will be at 0739. Gotta start exploring quick before we ran out of time. The lagoon was dried as it was low tide. Our guide, Voon, started hunting around for marine life. He explained as we walked along. Spotted a pair of starfish matting! Cool! Went exploring outside the lagoon waterbreaker as the marine life there would be rich.

Not easy to walk among the stones and hard coral. Gotta walk with care. We saw a pair of anemone shrimps. He introduced the different type of corals and seaweed. Very interesting but beginning the feel the heat about 8+. Was perspiring but that didnt stop us to hunt for squid. He mentioned that usually the squids would be around this region. We didnt managed to see any but Blinky spotted an octopus! For the entire trip, we seen goby, small eel, hairy crab, octopus and flatworm along the reef. Ended our exploration at 9 and moved on the north lagoon to see more starfish before we wash up and return to main island.

Indeed, starfish are easily spotted in the north lagoon.. almost every few steps there is one if your eyes are sharp. Starfish camouflage well in the sand. Their colours are closed to sand.. not colourful starfish. We went washing our feet and shoes at the 'Food Centre' basins meant for hawkers. So this provided 2 full stretch of 'washing bay'. No queuing needed! Wonderful! I was thinking, thank God, they didnt cut off the water supply since there isnt any 'hawker' around. I supposed that they wanted to develop this island like Sentosa.. Apparently, it is a failure.. the island is too small to call for any attraction.

Overall, it is a wonderful trip. Gained some knowledge about marine life.. Will go again when time permits.. perhaps gotta start queing for the next walk!