March 9,

Up and about by 0730. We had our Javas in our tiny room and then down to breakfast. They had over easy eggs; toast; fried battered fish; veggie mix of cauliflower, carrots and mushrooms; fried rice and fried noodles. With full tummies😋🤗 we went back to our room to sort out our plans.

We went out around 1015 for an international church, but due to a special ten year service we misunderstood time and location. Instead we decided to go to another national garden. It was quite a ways from the downtown/main city area. So we hopped on a city bus. It was another double decker one, so we went up and were able to take in the views from the front. As we were enjoying the unique buildings again, it started to rain. So plans thwarted again🤔… we just stayed on the bus and took in more of Singapore. We finally, worked our way over to another Hawker Food Center that the Youtubers we met had recommended. When we arrived most of the stalls were closed – we hit it around 1330, our bad. The remaining stalls that were open did not excite us, so we walked to a close by restaurant. It was called Roasted Delights. We had Steamed Chicken Rice, which is Hainanese Chicken and its Singapore’s national dish; and Char Siew Noodles. They both came with a Wonton Soup. Both dishes were so different and good in their own right. The Hainanese Chicken dish did not look appealing, but it was so aromatic and flavorful. The Char Siew was roasted pork over noodles with a hint of sweet, almost molasses tasting soy sauce. We both had an A&W Root Beer – they seem to be more common over here, and surprisingly these were cold and good! Not as good as in a frosty mug, but they hit our spots!

Now we caught a bus to a shopping center, Mustafa Center. It is in Little India and it felt like we were back in India! The place was wall to wall of people and seemingly disorganized… Chaos!! We finally found what we came for, bought it, and left. Crazy! Jeff thought it was so busy because it was Sunday. That could be, but I just had vibes of being in India, and I was not fond of them. Anyway… Back at our place we had a siesta and then a light supper of bread and blue cheese with some wine, calling it a day.

     March 10,

At 0630, we both were awake, but got up slowly. Our backs were a tiny bit sore, so we both did a session with the TENS unit, and had our Javas. By 0900 and feeling better, we went to breakfast. We had HB eggs; battered, fried chicken pieces; hashbrowns; and a cabbage veggie mix. But we got the end scraping bits, as most things were empty. The staff did replenish some, but the chicken was now a formed sausage, and the cabbage was just a plate of veggies. Oh well, it’s our last breakfast here. We leave earlier than breakfast opens tomorrow. At 0930, we went back into our small room and talked with my sister, getting caught up. Then readied and headed out.

Around 1000, we took the MRT to the Marina South Pier. We booked a ferry ride to three smaller Singapore islands. It cost us S$15 each for the ferry tickets, which is $11.27 each. By 1100 we embarked on the ferry to the first island, St John's Island, arriving at 1130. It was interesting to see Singapore city skyline from the boat. When we landed we went to a little gazebo shelter – called and talked with Jeff's sister and B-I-L. It rained off and on while we were talking. When we finished catching up with them, we walked about this island some. It used to be a quarantine island for Singapore, similar to Ellis island for the US. Then the island transformed to a rehab hospital for opium addiction. When this closed in the mid 1970's, it transformed again, becoming a small resort and camping area for getaways from the city of Singapore. It has a couple of nice beaches. A second island, Lazarus Island, is joined by a walking causeway. It was a quarantine place also, but for Beri Beri. This second island is mostly reclaimed land. We actually didn't walk onto the island, but this island also has nice, small beaches. But not anything worth seeing for us. We did walk on the connecting causeway, and noticed a current here(?) It must be tidal, maybe?? Questions? There was a free diver here, probably getting shellfish of some sort on the cement dike. We walked back to St John’s pier and caught the 1350 ferry going to the third island, Kusu.

We landed and walked around this island. Kusu means turtle or tortoise in Chinese. The island is a “zoo” for turtle repopulation. There is a Marine center here – not open to the public but we did see an enclosure of many turtles, I assume are close to being released. But I don’t know and there is not anyone around explaining, or even placards… but I have QUESTIONS!  Anyway, there was a Taoist temple on this island. There was supposed to have been a food court here as well – well there was a food court but is was completely empty. This is our impression of these three island: they are just here, but not set up really for tourists this time of year, as in no food facilities. Basically, all I really saw open was the temple here and toilets with showers. The history of them… seems like you could do something more with them. We sat waiting for the ferry to take us back, and watched a big rain storm coming to inundate Singapore City. It was so heavy you could not see what it overtook. We were hoping the ferry arrived before it came here. We were lucky and were getting on board when it started raining.

We caught the 1515 ferry and arrived back at the Marina South Pier by 1540. We took the MRT to Little India. We are hungry and there is a great Hawker Food Court here according to our Youtubers, Lisa and Josh – I just realized I never mentioned their names. Anyway, we are here at more of an awkward time, but this place is huge! We found an open Indian- specialty stall, called Hajiah Turfan, #1-297. It looked great! We ordered Mushroom Masala; Mutton Rogan Josh; and Mixed-variety Naan Plate. While we waited for our food, Jeff went in search of drinks. The guy in the stall brought out some veggie samosas, that were included. I ate half before Jeff returned. I tried waiting, but… All the food was great, about the only thing we miss from India. The guy also brought us some Dhal– that I really miss. Anyway, it cost S$25 for the food, and S$5 for the drinks – a mango lassie, and a lime juice. That was $22.54 total. We finished and left back to our place via a grocery store.

Once back at our place we took a siesta, packed some, and then just chilled out for the evening. I blogged and Jeff read. Bedtime came quickly. We leave Singapore tomorrow!