70 pax to Pulau Hantu on a ferry? CAN!

Mass visits to our Mother Shores, can? We test this out during our annual Family Day for regular team members. Who valiantly brought family and friends from all ages and backgrounds to visit Pulau Hantu at a high tide (2m).

Despite the hazy day, most enjoyed the stroll around the island, although many would have preferred a low tide visit. We had a little booth to share photos of the Mother Shores. Her biodiversity as well as history. A scope to look at more distant places (challenging with the haze). And everyone shared heartfelt thoughts about their hopes and dreams for Pulau Hantu.

At high tide, it is not possible to walk from Hantu Besar to Hantu Kecil (without getting really wet). But we still had a nice time exploring the high shore of Hantu Besar. Exciting finds included the Blue striped hermit crabs (seems so much more common at high tide - or maybe we miss them at low tide because we don't look so closely at the high shore). Also mudskippers, gobies, and many kinds of birds flying about. On the island, there were pretty butterflies and interesting insects.

I had a quick look at the mangroves. They somehow look nicer at high tide surrounded by clear waters.  In the distance, the mangroves that have settled on the artificial seawall. On the low shore, a variety of old and young mangrove trees. On the high tide line among the Gelang laut plants, many young mangrove saplings have settled down. If we leave things alone, we might get a mangrove on Pulau Hantu!

The Sea almonds are turning red, a seasonal event that gives a feeling of 'autumn' on our shores. The trees here are so tall the buttress roots come up to our shoulder! We walk along the footprints of shorebirds. And come across Saga seed trees.

Thanks to Chui Qing and family for discovering the best station. Chilling in the breeze at the jetty looking down on the corals and reef life in water that is quite clear. Or at the landscapes on the horizon. They saw a very large cuttlefish, also sharks and other fishes.

Thanks to Samuel and Raphael for getting a scope for us to see things in the distance (a bit challenging due to the haze). But we still managed to get a good look at the Sudong reclamation. (Group photo by Richard Kuah).

The favourite booth was the one with Richard's photos of marine life that can be seen on Pulau Hantu and our Mother Shores. As well as historical sites in the area. Richard's sharing about the photos was a special treat. Thanks to the ladies from RP for helping to set up, and for everyone who obliged with my bad attempt at photo booth props - mama corals and mama mangroves...maybe too cheesy?

How wonderful to have two families with young kids with us. Seems the kids enjoyed 'touching sand' and the family made memories together. Thanks to Jason for bringing his family, and his RP students, and this photo!

Thanks also to Mathias and Rachael for guiding their friends, so that the rest of us could scope out what is possible at high tide. Thanks also to Ian for documenting our trip. And Lon for trying his best to launch the underwater drone. Quite hard to do at high tide. Samuel also flew the aerial drone.

The most precious gift were the heartfelt thoughts shared by participants. About their hopes and dreams for Pulau Hantu. From the littlest ones and the youths, to the young at heart.

Here's a few of the important thoughts shared. Full photos in this flickr album Pulau Hantu Guestbook.

Thanks to everyone who made the time to come and visit our Mother Shore!

We hope to do this again, and open to the public. What do you think?