Longhouses for Bodily Waste (Not for Rest) @ Saint John's Island [Singapore]

While gearing towards the direction of the washroom at Saint John's Island, i could not help but bear the biological tension (to urinate in case you don't get what i mean) when i marched past the below sight. 

What the hell; we have longhouses (modern style) in Singapore?! Weird though since the 'rooms' appeared to be too narrow and claustrophobic for a person to live in! 

I took a closer look after releasing the pressure in my bladder and it dawned on me that the two blocks were in reality washrooms aka latrines aka lavatories aka toilets!

In the decent, modest age that we lived in nowadays, i was appalled to see that the urinals were unobstructed and in full view of anyone who happened to walk past! Tsk tsk tsk.

Unsurprisingly, they were not utilised for its intended purpose; smokers seemed to enjoy using it as an ash tray for their ciggies though. 

In total, there were thirty toilets in one building and the key question in my mind then was "who were they built for"? Preliminary guesswork would put it at a time when ladies were not allowed in the vicinity. 

Just got my answer on Singapore Infopedia: "the island was used to house detained political prisoners and ringleaders of secret societies". 

I was frankly quite impressed with the state of the buildings then since the island was open up as a holiday campsite from 1975, which technically means no one has used the washrooms for forty years! 

No idea why there were three stairways along the sewage pipe connecting the two longhouses; for the innocent us, we played hopscotch. Maybe that was one of the pastimes for the prisoners then. 

You know what i am really curious? Notice that metal gate in the centre of the building towards the ground. What lies inside? Given there was already a sewage pipe, it can't be the "holding area" for night soil. Right? 

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Location Map

As above.

How to get to Saint John's Island? 

Take the ferry from Marina South Pier. Each ticket cost S$18 for an adult and S$12 for those below 13 years old.

Ferry Schedule 

Click here. 

German Girl Shrine [Nadu Kuniang aka Berlin Heligtum Shrine] - In the Midst of Rebuilding @ Pulau Ubin [Ketam Mountain Bike Park]

Not many friends share my interest in the paranormal realm and this partly explained why i had never been to the German Girl Shrine in Pulau Ubin despite making quite a number of trips since young. 

However, i was lucky a few days ago - i brought along a foreign friend who knew nothing about the shrine and as expected, it didn't take much effort for me to persuade him we could check out the mountain bike park at the same time! 

Rebuilding was in progress until 14 October 2015; the expected date of completion. Guess i have to seek another willing sacrifice. Haha. 

Anyway, there was a temporary shrine next to it and knowing me; i had better make full use of the time i was there to check it out and then blog about it. 

For those who are unaware, the temple honours an ang moh girl who apparently tripped and fell to her death when her family (being German) was pursued by the British during World War I. Villagers started praying to her remains and some won the lottery; hence adding to its popularity.

Her grave was actually located nearer to the cliff (which i presume to be the current Ketam Quarry) and exhumed in the 1970s when the government needed the area for granite excavation. The shrine was hence constructed at the location where it is now in the midst of being rebuilt. 

I have heard and finally saw it with my own eyes; as with any Chinese temple, you would have a statue of the resident deity but the one here in German Girl Shrine was a doll; likely a barbie! 

And it can be easily replaced too; just go to Toys"R"Us. I noticed from this video that the doll on the main altar had a different expression and style. Scroll to minute 3.50 and you would see the barbie above (yes, the same one) in a box. 

Worship a child god and you would have to offer him sweets and toys. In this case, you would have to prepare cosmetics, clothes; items befitting a girl who passed away at the tender age of 18! 

This kind of perfume is too outdated lah! Wish to have some luck in lottery? Show your sincerity by buying a bottle of authentic Coco Chanel! There was supposed to be an urn containing the ashes of the German girl after she was exhumed but it was unfortunately stolen (god knows for what), together with a silver crucifix. 

Found this stone that had offerings too. It's only now that i realised there appeared to be some metal pieces jutting out from the stone! Previously, i thought it could be similar to the mysterious 4D stone at Loyang! 

Want to contribute to its building funds?

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Location

Ketam Mountain Bike Park

[Look out for the sign post]

Route

As above in blue. 

The So-Called Best Beach in Singapore @ Lazarus & Seringat Islands [Singapore]

I am never that optimistic when people said there are good beaches in Singapore. C'mon, wait till you get to Maldives and you would then understand the true definition of a beach; clear, turquoise water, white sand that radiates and massive abundance of marine creatures! 

Nevertheless, i guess it would be worth a try to check out the rumoured best beach in Singapore! And this would bring all of us to Lazarus & Seringat Islands! p.s. just walk along the unofficial path / follow the crowd. 

This is it; frankly, not very impressive although this would likely be ranked top if you consider the inaccessibility of the other islands surrounding Singapore. 

Things might improve though; the southern islands have been targeted as a holiday destination and the undeveloped beach would likely see more amenities (having washroom / shower facilities would be good) and well, better maintenance. 

The crescent shaped beach was reclaimed land, i think, since it encroaches both Lazarus & Seringat Islands and to me, that's really nothing scream about. Anything man made should be perfect or more of less there. 

Okay, there might be some bias since i am not really a beach person. I like water activities like snorkeling but you would seldom catch me relaxing on a beach. I would prefer to unwind in the comfort of an air-conditioned room. 

Not everyone has the same thinking as me; these groups of visitors were totally enjoying themselves! Those chartering private yachts could also dock the boat in the middle of the lagoon and venture to shore.

We strolled towards the direction of the breakwater on your right and it's not hard to notice the black speckles on the beach; thinking they were the result of pollution, i was lamenting in my head that this could never be of world-class standard.

Speckles would be the wrong word to describe the black stuff; they had a conical shape! 

Seashells and there were thousands of them! I wonder if they are edible and would taste nice in a bowl of hot kimchi soup! Mustn't waste mah! 

Snorkeling was one activity we were prepared for even though we eventually gave up the idea as the water wasn't exceptionally clear and after Maldives, the water was simply not inviting enough.

Atop the breakwater - this structure is essential for the survival of the coastline; with heavy sea traffic comes sand erosion! 

Caution sign for the yachts! Oh, i could think of another reason why we were not keen in snorkeling; the tide was pretty high! Guess i would have to check out the tide schedule before we arrange for another visit. 

View of Seringat Island which faced the coastal skyline of Singapore. For those who are unaware, the three islands of Saint John, Lazarus and Seringat are now connected and i am speculating a new name in the near future.

My navigation skill wasn't bad and i can already identify the island towards the other end of the breakwater; Kusu Island! Interested to know more about the turtle island? Click here. 

Journey to be continued! 

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How to get to Lazarus Island?

Take the ferry from Marina South Pier to Saint John Island. Each ticket cost S$18 for an adult and S$12 for those below 13 years old. From Saint John Island jetty, walk 10-15 minutes to the beach. You may refer to the route as above in blue. 

Ferry Schedule

Click here. 

Standalone Abandoned House @ Saint John's Island [Singapore]

I mentioned previously of a pretty well hidden hilltop building on Saint John's Island and this time round, strong legs are not required as this seemingly quaint little house was super near the jetty! 

With just two blocks of wood (made into an X sign) blocking the main entry to the house, i think it would be safe for me to explore further. Put it this way, if this place is really dangerous, the authorities would have blocked out everything.

Personally, you would never see me living in such a bungalow; imagine how your mind would play tricks on you when you hear scrambling / scratching under the floor!

Rotten wooden beam - don't think this house is livable even if you manage to tidy and clean it up! The condition was dismal and i bet it would only be a matter of time before the structure sinks to one side. 

Likely the kitchen / storeroom with a lavatory. One of the doors wasn't secured tightly and i managed to catch sights of fishing nets stored within. So, it wasn't entirely abandoned afterall! 

Would you dare to peer into the window? 

I did, after mustering enough courage since the other two buggers didn't want to join me and prefer to stay at a far distance. Okay lah, nothing inside; as empty as a lake with no water. 

Does this hand print remind you of anything? I remember there was a story of a devil's print in an army camp that could not be wiped off / painted over. The room with the print has since been sealed off though. Pity, if you ask me.

One side was blocked while the other entrance has no such barricade. Bearing in mind that the wood could be rotten and might give way given i was no longer as feather light as before, i was in a dilemma; to enter or not to. 

Compromising is sometimes a good option; i went up the steps but didn't venture further. Two rooms, separated by a short, narrow corridor; nothing exciting.

I was more excited to find honeycombs! My honey from Taiwan is running out and it's always worth the effort if i could get some for free in Singapore! 

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Location Map

As above.