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Arrangement has been made by Fang for two 7-seater spacewagons driven by two Malaysian drivers into Singapore. The pick-up location was at Ponggol MRT Station at 9:00am. We have parked our car in Rivervale condo, thanks to Andrew and Esther's arrangement with their friend.
Everyone came promptly by 9:00am and we set off!
We were grateful that it took about just half an hour to clear both local and Malaysia customs on a popular weekend.
With the strong air-conditioning blowing at us at full blast, nice FM933 songs being played and Colette's cheerful chattering, we continued with our journey to Kukup!
We stopped at Pedrona's gas station for a fuel top-up and a toilet break.
We reached Kukup finally. It was rather puzzling why we were asked to alight at a private car park. As we were in the second car, we were not sure what was happening. An dilapidated van with open door arrived at the parking lot and some of our friends got into it. I was a bit worried where they would be ferried to. After a short while, the same van came to pick up the remaining gang. We got into the van and immediately felt like some illegal immigrants ! BC and myself couldn't help giggling. It was pretty hilarious because we alighted after a very short distance just outside the fishing village ! Frankly, we could have just strolled over ...Nonetheless, all of us safely gathered at the entrance of the humble fishing village. The sights and sounds of the fishing village was unforgettable, at least, for the first-timers like some of us !
There were some shops at the beginning of the narrow path on stilts. This path was the one of the utmost important features in the fishing village. The path served as a walking/cycling path and a linkage way to all houses. Only bikes and bicycles were allowed into the fishing village.
This fishing village has indeed transported us back to Singapore in early 1970s or even earlier ! As you looked down at the swarm, there were mudskippers and tiny crabs busying with their activities during low tides. Simple stalls were set-up outside the villagers' house foyer selling local specialities like salted fish, prawn crackers, fishmaw etc for a living. As you ventured further into the village, a saltish smell from the swarm greeted you. It would take you a while to accustomed to the scent.
We could tell that a lot of tourists walking about were Singaporeans. Of course, there were Malaysians too. As we walked along our path to "Hello Resort", villagers on bikes and bicycles zoomed passed us with friendly horns to give way to them. I must admired their courage of cycling and biking along the busy and crowded narrow walkway. I guessed this is their way of life and they have gotten quite used to it. As a city dweller for the past 23 years, it was quite unthinkable to revert to village or kampong life.
The things we have taken for granted in Singapore like the ease flow of big gush of water from taps, the well-maintained roads, the clean environment, the orderly waste collection system or even the huge varieties of food selection were sternly reminded in Kukup! I was not sure about the history of this fishing village but one thing for sure was that this fishing village has prospered over the years. There were some new extension of guest houses being constructed over the swarm and big houses with modern glass structures were being built. Somehow, the few modern-looking houses were fitted in oddly amongst many of the old wooden humble houses. The rich and the humble households were far too obvious in this village. The rich owned the well-established kelongs and the moderate families do the odd jobs for a living.
Nonetheless, the villagers were a friendly lot and their customer service was good. Their easy-going ways have gained much liking from tourists especially if you were selling your products in the guesthouses !
"Hello Resort", big house with 3 bedrooms, provided our group with accommodation, breakfast, lunch, tea break, BBQ dinner and supper during our stay for just S$50 per person. The hosts occupied the second storey of the house.
In Kukup ... you need to get used to the flies that simply flew uninvited in swarm to our food on the table ! As we held our spoon with one hand, your other hand was busy waving off the flies away from our feast ! It wasn't quite enjoyable to eat your food in such an environment without imagining where these flies have been before they touched their germs infested legs on our food ! However, in order to fill your tummies, don't think and just tucked in lah !
The hygiene and environment in the village was definitely not encouraging. People threw rubbish or even spitted into the swamp. The swamp, to them, is a convenient big open dustbin for dumping unwanted, non-biodegradable plastic bags, left-over food and unthinkable items into it. It was a shame that a quaint village was not maintained to it's fullest potential for longer-term tourists investment. However, the most worrying part was that if the village or government did not do something about cleaning up the swarm and educating the villagers, the next generation and so-forth would suffered.
Ok, so much about thoughts on such environmental concerns issues, let's get on to more light-hearted topics.
The night fell and the excitement was drawn to the dark skies ! This was a very unforgettable moment for all of us ! All of us combined to buy a firework and were so excited to see the fireworks which was set-off by our own group !So shiok ! The fireworks busted into colourful patterned formations just above us ! They were the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen! The wonderful experiences continued with the neighbouring guests setting of two firecrackers ! The firecrackers were loud and so festive ! They reminded you that CNY is just around the corner. Not so fast lah, please let the snowy feeling of Christmas come first ! 
The good mood were continued by a pre-birthday celebration for Ryan, Esther and Tiang ! There were no confectionery shop in Kukup, therefore, Tiang has brought in a delicious rich chocolate cake from Rive Gauche ! Surdap ! We sang birthday songs to the gals and boy ! It was a joyous and so unique birthday celebrations !The rest of the night was spent playing majong till early wee hours on Sunday.
Next morning, we ate breakfast. Chatted a bit and packed our luggage to get ready for the boat ride to the kelong. The kelong was just a few minutes ride from our guesthouse. It was a small kelong with wooden planks professionally tied to floating plastic containers to form natural smaller "pool" with netting for rearing fish.It was a cooling day to visit a kelong with light breeze and mild sunlight. We were blessed to have good weather. After a hurried lunch, we met up with the drivers to head towards Citysquare to shop till you dropped !
Overall, this was a unique and fun trip ! Despite the poorer conditions of the place, the activities and people made a big difference of an enjoyable holidays !
It was a rare opportunity to be able to gather all people to a trip. We also get a chance to meet Andrew's father and LL's mother. Both were accommodating and easy to get along. I hope they have enjoyed the trip too. Very happy that Auntie will be joining us in Bangkok next year ! My mother will be happy to have someone nearer her age to talk to ?? Hee hee.
MOST OF ALL, thanks to our resourceful friend, Fang for making this trip possible ! And to all of us who made time for this trip !
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