Grassroots with passion 07
Spotted! From top left (clockwise): A native islander, beautiful coastline and clear lagoon, soft coral and happy kids.
islands in the exact location where the two sisters had drowned. These two quiet islands, called Subar Laut and Subar Darat, became today’s Sisters Island. The Sisters Big Sister Island (Subar Laut) faces the open sea while Little Sister Island (Subar Darat) faces the mainland. The two islands are separated by a narrow but deep channel. Currents through this channel is dangerous and it is not possible to swim from one island to the other. Getting there To get there, it’s a half-hour bumboat ride from Marina South Jetty. The boat has a capacity of 12 persons and offers a quiet bumpy ride due to its small size. Nonetheless, it was an exciting and anticipating ride as it was our first visit to the island. Upon arrival, a bright orange sign greeted us once the boat came alongside the jetty. A sense of tranquility from being one with nature promptly engulfed us as we left the hectic city life behind. More amusing, a furry bunch of local natives welcomed us warmly. We soon encountered about 20 of these long-tailed macaques who roamed the island freely. These monkeys can
be aggressive and it is important not to leave any food unattended and to dispose all rubbish properly into the monkey-proof bins provided. Scenic scenery We took in the scenic delight of the idyllic coastline of coconut trees swaying in the sea breeze. If not for the lack of 5-star luxury amenities, it has the like of a world-class beach resort. When the tide is in, it is perfect for snorkelling and swimming; and when the tide out, take a stroll down the lagoon to admire the biological diversity it homes. Good fun with good people For me, I spent the day snorkelling, hunting down the vast variety of underwater lifeform around the island. When tired, I caught up with my friends, lazing under the warm sun, soaking in the environment of cool sea breeze and fresh air. What better time for a hearty get-together and building of relationships, and what better way than when we are all “marooned” on an island. The children had their fill of fun on the sandy beach and clear water. Between them, the children collected a huge amount of seaweeds – so much that, there was enough for a seaweed fight. They began by grabbing a handful of the seaweeds,
pressing them into a ball and throwing them at one another. Talk about creative play! The day on the island ended just before sunset. We arrived back on the mainland just before dark. In retrospect, the day was truly fun and enjoyable for both the adults and the children. It is a rare occasion for us city folks to be able to embrace the warmth of Mother Nature and to smell the roses, as they say. But such trips do much to refresh the body and the mind, more than any designer latte can do… and even better, without the calories that we can accumulate if we overdo on the lattes. This trip to Sisters Island is my first but will not be the last. I am sure we will be back again soon. What could be better than to immerse in some pristine island beauty. Sisters, we will be back soon!
Sea anemone beauty
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