We departed Marina South Pier in an air-conditioned launch together with approved guides from Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research - National University of Singapore.
As it was a landfill, I had expected to inhale some stench as we approached the island. Surprisingly, the air was fresh and crisp when we alighted from the launch. We unloaded all our stuff from the launch and headed straight for the visitor centre where we had an introductory briefing of the island. A bus then took us on a tour of the island and its facilities.
When we were back at the visitor centre, there were bicycles waiting for us. Thanks to the National Environment Agency, they were loaned to us free-of-charge. So we rode on the vehicle-free road and did birdwatching at the same time. We spotted the Nightjar and a Great-billed Heron - the largest species of heron that can be found in Singapore.
At about 5pm, we cycled to the lagoon bund-end to start the barbecue fire. We had the chance to watch black-tip reef sharks in action chasing their prey in the lagoon. That little recreational area was powered by a combination of fast spinning windmill dynamo and solar energy. In the distance was Raffles Lighthouse, and we could also see fighter aircraft flying and training above Pulau Sudong, Pulau Pawai and Pulau Senang.
After the barbecue, we cycled 4 kilometres in pitch darkness back to the visitor centre to rest. The bicycles came without lights and torches, so we really had to make our way back with extreme caution. But along the way, we chanced upon mangrove trees that glittered like Christmas Trees. They were lighted up by fireflies. What an awesome sight!
We couldn't wait for today as it was the best part of the trip - the intertidal walk on the Semakau shore. Waking up early, we walked this time a long distance to the shoreline. We divided ourselves into 3 groups so we could interact better with our guides.
Before entering the area, all 3 guides briefed us echoing: "check that all of you are wearing covered-footwear. For your safety, no sandals or slippers. I have seen stonefish at other nearby islands but not here. If you are lucky, you will see one here. If you are not lucky, you will step on one. Please do not touch anything as the creatures you see may be poisonous. I will tell you which of these creatures can be touched and I will let you touch them. Please walk behind me in a single file so as to minimise any damage. You would step on some creatures during the walk and they may pinch, bite or inflict pain on you. Please remember that they are living things and they are merely defending themselves. It is their habitat and they are also struggling to survive."
It was an abundance of life when we stepped in there. Gobies and other fishes were swimming everywhere. Among the common things were the seagrass, mushroom coral, sponges, sea cucumber, common sea star, the edible flower or blue swimmer crab and the hairy "teddy bear" crab.
We also spotted nudibranchs, anemone shrimp, a resident giant clam, pipefish, the knobbly sea star, noble volute, scallop, snapping shrimp, frog fish and clown fishes.
We learnt and saw so much from the walk. We left there amazed at God's wonderful and marvelous works. I would certainly love to go back there again. Pulau Semakau is not open to the public, but visits can be arranged accompanied with guides from NEA or Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.
There is another place in Singapore called Chek Jawa, which is similar to Semakau, but visitors there can no longer walk on the mudflat. Boardwalks have been built so that visitors do not step on the animals and damage the mudflat. Chek Jawa is on Pulau Ubin which is open for public visits.
Ron Yeo's blog: http://tidechaser.blogspot.com/2008/05/semakau-landfill-trip-with-sbwr-staff.html
2 comments:
The place doesn't look very impressive, but sound interesting
People were starting to call me after I put up photos of this visit on Facebook.
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