A Singaporean In Australia

Little Erwin having a wild time in a make-shift pool in the garden

It was much better earlier, with the sky as the rainbow

Soon the sky turned completely dark. Eugene urged me to moved in the water myself while he took care of his own preparations. I did and plodded suspiciously into the pitch darkness.

The place was fascinating. I wondered how it looked in the day. The waves were extremely gentle compared to some other coast spots in Mandurah. What was most impressive was that I could walk for 1 or 2 km out from the coastline and the water would not even reach my knee level. In fact it would be always around the ankle level. Well ok, I'm ignorant and ill-travelled go ahead and laugh. But when was the last time YOU were amazed by things? It was an awesome feeling, no?

It felt a bit scary to turn back and realised how far you were from the coastline. I shuddered the first time I did that. If I were to go that far in Singapore at night, I swore I would be swept to Batam by morning. Regrettably, it was very difficult to express this experience in words. You have to be here to do it and understand. Even a picture that paints a thousand words could not be applicable here, an impossible night shot beyond my abilities.

Meanwhile, the Tan family got ready and were raring to go. Boy, they were WELL PREPARED!

!!!?!

No one, I mean no one takes his young daughter and son 1 km out in the sea in a inflated toy boat in Singapore. Over here, you couldn't stop Eugene from doing it. When he said family crabbing outing, he meant it. His wife, mother-in-law and children joined him right out there out in the sea. He had everything ready. Torch lights, crabbing tools and a styrofoam box to store his catch floating gingerly along.

Jen as well as the MIL came along with me for a while. We had a decent time in spite of the grumbling MIL. I made a mental note to come again with Jen again without people who are disinterested. We will make a brilliant team as usual and have a good time. I am very sure Jen feels the same way. She will give me a peck and tell me I was right when she reads this. And we will. Next Christmas perhaps? Will any of you join us?

The trick to catching crabs here, is to do it at night. According to Eugene, the reflection of the clear water is too distracting in the day. On top of that, you may get a bad sun burn at the end of the day. So it is better to do it at night. Basically, you shine the torch around and try to spot a crab. Once you see one, you sweep and try to catch it. That's how simple the whole thing is and that's probably what makes it fun for all.



We were not so lucky this year. It was a little too 'cold' this Christmas. Apparently the warmer the day, the more crabs there would be. If we revisit on a hotter day in Jan or Feb, we would likely come back with 2 full crates of crabs like Eugene did on the previous year. Not this time though, we ended the 3 hour adventure with only 6 crabs.

Eugene got 2 boxes full of crabs last year. Better luck next year!

I'm not sure about you, but after this I understood why Phoenix insisted to come despite feeling quite sick. It was all pretty fun. Miraculously, she recovered by the time we reach home at around 2300hrs and was giggling beside me while I provoke the crabs in the box.

The crabs met their unfortunate end on Boxing Day as snacks after dinner.