The impression that hit me the most was the kampong spirit which I hadn't experienced since I moved to the HDBs.
Though there were one or two people who were jostling to get the water the whole community seemed to be very friendly and warm with many volunteers who would help in various ways... like crowd control, pouring water, making sure old people don't slip and fall along the route.
Lugging along 2 cameras (Sony F707 & Coolpix 950), a toolbox, a monopod and a photographer's vest, I stuck out like a sore thumb, and got various reactions from people, from "Arghhh.. reporter!! Hide..." to "Ehh.. that guy taking our photo, quick smile".
Mdm Kang and her daughter, Mdm Pan has been coming to the hot spring for a long time already. Mdm Kang is 67 and she recalls coming to this place since she was 31. She echoed fears from the regulars here that the government will shut this place down and this is the only one in Singapore. (Hmm... this is reminding me of Chek Jawa). Mdm Kang also had a hot spring in her hometown back in China and attests for the health benefits that it provides for people, it's her hope that the government builds a pool for the public to ease the queues & jostling that people have to go through to get to the water.
Apparently, it's not only in the day that this place is active... people arrive with their torches & candles at night to avoid the crowd. The crowd starts pouring in at 8am and the publicity that the Hot Spring is getting will probably mean that the situation won't get any better. The authorities have already made their presence felt, the traffic police were taking photos of the cars which were illegally parked by the road (whew, luckily I arrived at the time I saw the police), and the Ministry of Health has already asked a gentleman who was selling canned drinks for $1 each to cease his 'business' on grounds of hygene concerns. He exclaimed that he was just trying to provide a service for those people who were thirsty.
This place is well worth a visit, but expect to get your feet dirty. I overheard someone cursing that he spoilt his $100+ sandals and another girl complaining to her boyfriend for bringing her to this 'filthy' place. Try it, but be warned, the water is very hot. A man claimed that the biscuit tin container that he was holding the water was left standing over an hour already and when I touched it, it was still hot. I tried to ask Mdm Pan if I could get some water from her to wash my feet but I realised that it scorched and I couldn't wash my feet properly. A kind gentleman offered his tub water soon afterward. It was still hot, but bearable.
If you want to go there... bring a small stool, a basin and a small towel. Go there in the weekdays if you want to aviod the crowd. Enjoy the kampong spirit there... I'm going there again ... without my cameras this time..
