I like to start fire, but without interference from others. The strange thing about setting up fire is that almost everyone has their own method to start a BBQ fire, but I like my way. So far, it's been working well.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ling got company. They were happily strolling around.
In 20mins time, our glorious fire is ready to turn anything on the grill into mouthwatering temptation. Anna was brilliant in turning the Pandan leaves into brushes for the cook to apply margarine on the grill. I love those brushes, they are so environmentally friendly and gives out fragrant.
Since I was solely in charge of all logistic, I have no one to blame except myself. I didn't bring enough charcoal. For now we try to do with what we have. Later, we resort to illegal alternative fuel to sustain our fire
Batches after batches of delicious food where churned out from our outdoor kitchen. In order to supplement the fire, I set up the stove. The heat from the stove is a little too strong, so we have to alternative the cooking between the low and slow heat from the burning charcoal and the intense heat from the stove.
There is a sense of fulfillment when the food you prepared turns out to be popular. Thanks to my mom secret recipe, most of us love the chicken wings.HC was fired up to indulge in unlimited supply of Chicken Wing.
"It's world-famous!!!"
"It's better than KFC!!!"
I sure hope it's true.
Regarding potatoes, I've yet to successfully cook them well. Unless someone has tips to share, I think I will omit potatoes altogether next time. The corn are always great, especially when they are coated well with margarine.
Sparklers time!!!
I am tempted to use fireworks for easy understanding. However, how can I justify a small stick that gives out tiny sparks as fireworks. I shall stick to the word sparklers.
We have alot of them. Anna and Yuping both brought some. The fun part came when Frederick started taking photos of us. We realised we can create a lot of effect with the sparklers. And so we try creating shapes and pattern. Then we found out we can do more and starting writing words like "I Love U" "GOD" "LOVE". Someone really has an interesting way of interpreting some words. I'd take a lot of imagination to fit the character to what you see.
The night return it it's former silence when we ran out of sparklers.
The women are sitting down and chatting. Guess what the men are doing?
It is evident that they are haven't had enough of taking pictures and creating all the night effects. Substituting the sparkler, they used torch to create the effect they want. The women look at the brothers in amusement. How come they can so good and self entertaining?
Although it's only 9pm, some of us are feeling tired. I think it's the effect of the dark. Our human body response to light more than we realise it. In the city, everywhere we go and even at home, it is well lit. Now on the island, we have no street light. The only light are the distant container tankers and the little torch we hold in our hands (that's for those who brought theirs).
Washing up time.
Although there is a well-maintained and surprising clean toilet, there is no electricity nor light. I am not complaining. It's an interested experience to be showering with just our torch light at 930pm. After washing all the dirt and oil off my body, I felt like the happiest and cleanest person on the island. I stepped out of the toilet feeling so confident and so proud of myself. I know Frederick shares my sentiment.
V Nite
Usually we associate V for victory. But the new men says V stands for venerability. I know it's quite a mouthful, you'll get it after some practice.
It takes a strong men to tell another men his weakness. That is what the V-Nite is all about. Like iron sharpens like, this is a place to talk about things in our heart. We talk in detail on how we really feel about each other, all in a constructive, respectful and all in the hope that we can coming a better man.
We have only 1 tent for the men. Those who can't sleep in warm and confine space took up the shelter. Hancong and Victor are prone to catch a cold, so they share the tent.. I prefer hammock. Ever since I was introduce to it during my poly days, I bring them whenever I can. It's prefect for beach in Singapore.
I usually have hard time getting to sleep and tonight is no surprise. To help me filter out sounds from the tankers and other human sound, I plugged in my earpiece and select my playlist under "sleep". It helps a little.
For the next 7 hours, I woke up uncountable times. It goes like this-
zzz...I woke up, everyone seems asleep...I doze off...I woke up, Stanley sitting up but eyes seems closed....I doze off...I woke up...Stanley still in same position...I doze off...I woke up...Stanley lies back, seems to be sleeping...I doze off
zzz..I woke up, Jeffrey sitting on the beach, head lean on his hands....I doze off...I woke up...Jeffrey still in same position...I doze off...I woke up...Jeffrey lies back on bench, seems to be sleeping...I doze off
zzz...I woke up, Frederick sitting up and looking into my direction, I thought he was staring at me!!! but he's eyes are closed...I doze off...I woke up...Frederick still in same position, still thought he's staring at me but he's not...I doze off...I woke up...Frederick lies back, seems to be sleeping...I doze off
zzz...I woke up, Frederick is not here at the shelter...
From this part on, I'm not sure I'm dreaming or not.
zzz...I woke up, Frederick is back...
..............................................................................................................
I woke up and I saw this. I almost cried. It's so beautiful, what a beautiful painting. I have to get up.
Romancing the Lord
How do I response to such a beautiful painting from God? We sang songs to Him. He wooed us with his mighty creation, we response with words of praise.
I missed the heart-shaped cloud but I know the rest caught it.
We broke up into pairs to pray. I was praying with Frederick and his camera. His camera wants to hear our conversation with our Father.
Break Camp and Breakfast
This is a highly efficient group of campers, by 0830hrs most of the tents and bags are packed.
I wanted to start preparing breakfast but was aware of a possible monkey attack. Stanley was our defender IC. While we prepare breakfast, Stanley's job is just to defend us from possible attack. The other brothers also join the defense force.
Just like our previous day lunch, I have to compliment Ching Eu and Fang for their work for churning out scramble egg in super quick time. The egg goes fast, needless to say, we have to reserve some for the cook. I also like the Gardenia fruit and nut bread.
Farewell
I felt a need to say goodbye to Sisters' Island. She has been wonderful host to us. Together with Frederick, we went for a walk before our ferry comes at 1030hrs. I found a spot where I can "take it in". I spend 15mins sitting there, just enjoying the moment.
One last group shot with the city skyline before we depart.
I was comfortable sitting at the deck when the captain walk towards me. For a moment, I thought that ferry also got autopilot mode? Then the captain point to me the new captain- Captain Anna. The ride was ...er...ok.
Back at the pier, we say goodbye. Then at the bus stop, we goodbye again. Alighting from the bus, we goodbye again. Then after lunch at Amara, we goodbye finally for the last time.
Getting there:
Sisters' Island is only accessible by charterred ferry from MARINA SOUTH PIER (20mins ride). Each ferry is normally cap at 12 person.
Prior permission is required for overnight camping. Visit Sentosa website for more details.
Disclaimer:
All photos are use with permission. biu_biu79
2 comments:
There was one more bye, on the train.. haha!
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