Savings from a joint mommy venture, and monthly contributions mounted up to a sum that excited our little fantasy of a ‘Singaporean Sisters trip‘.
We did not long to travel in a plane far away physically, yet yearned for a space where we could be girls again.
With kids, chaos, husbands, hustles, and mentally draining lifestyles, sometimes the only people who can understand you are ones sailing in a similar boat; your friends!
Six women, endlessly scrolling, searching, and asking for quotations for the best way to find happiness in a short weekend which aligned with all our husbands being available to take care of the babies and all of us just being more than ready to leave our mundane life. Even if it meant for 2 days.
And so we scouted for our neverland and found it through a friendly and accommodating agent Mr. Thoufic. We scrolled and shared links, bought fancy hats and matching glasses from the cheapest vendor on Shopee, and started dreaming of our escapade.
We eagerly exchanged messages on our group chat, shared endless Instagram reference reels, and dreamt of all the time we would waste! Made a list of all things we would need as we do in our daily lives. The scary part as first-world citizens was: no wifi & no air-conditioning!
As mothers, even thinking about being happy is a task. Our to-do list usually prioritizes the joyful existence of our offspring, spouses, and families. We end up looking out for everything and everyone except ourselves.
Telunas Beach Resort is a serene, windows wallpaper-like place where our complicated brains couldn’t relate to the uncomplicated presence of being close to nature.
Our journey included being transported via the fisherman’s boat, the water splashing and sending salty water droplets across our bare face and pretty ridas. The motorboat zoomed over the water like a paper plane in air.
We were out of network and zooming into a world of simplicity.
‘Look at his hair,’ said Khads in awe, our constant ‘make you laugh machine’, comparing our frizzy Indian locks to one of the crew’s beautiful Korean-like silky hair. Our ridiculous sides had started taking over the daily functioning sane women we were just hours ago.
Besho, our Arab beauty, was in action the minute we met at the ferry terminal in Singapore, taking tons of videos as our designated reel queen. We held her surprise birthday there, and lets just say we love here and her eyebrows!
I kept singing all the way. When I say all the way, I mean there wasn’t an hour where I did not give my dormant vocals a chance to sync with the words that flowed from my mouth. I also gave the Azaan, and I kid not, listening to my voice in the open air felt surreal.
Hennafiedbyf kept talking about how we should enjoy life as we struggle together, the youngest in our lot, yet extremely wise. And Zobi, our classy photographer, took pictures from all angles, she is our best investment for we get memories captured without asking! Our honeybee mummy came with her little bee and courageously dived from the two-storied upper deck. The four-month-old was the youngest guest and a sweet treat for sore eyes! We love kids, but only when they don’t do anything! haha.
This therapeutic trip with my Singaporean Sisters was so packed with drama and comedy! Our loquacious group survived on laughter, delicious food, zero chores, conversations with guests and staff, lying in hammocks all over the resort, and a lot of everything simple. We shared outlandish girly stories rich with Pakistani, Indian, and Arab perspectives that can never be retold. The beauty is we come from different places and now belong to one place we have all started calling home – Singapore.
Time was lazy, every hour felt like a page slowly being turned and beautiful poetry penned by Allah for his creations. Pristine waters stretched for miles for eyes that see only schedules and the ticking clock. Rickety wooden planks under our feet that know nothing but concrete roads. Fresh air for our lungs that are used to inhaling city pollution and aromas that instinctively help decide if the food needs extra salt or spice. Our hands felt clean and empty, and our hearts lighter.
A calm feeling enveloped as we left our homes without family and carried our little bags, fully aware the trip would get over in a blink.
A special shout out to the crew and caretakers at Telunas Beach Resort; we were the nosiest bunch. Thank you for giving us the best cottage, with all the privacy we needed. Thank you for taking care of our infant so we could play by the beach and click the thousand photos we wanted. And thank you for showering us with all your warmth and unquestionable hospitality.
Mike, William, Doe, Novi, Agung, Ella, chef Ipan, Jhonny and all the others. Pardon me for misspelling any names.
The journey has ended. However, the withdrawal symptoms will stick around for a while.
I’m blessed and grateful to have found this bunch. I pray the Singaporean Sisters find places and create more stories. Live a bit more, steal ourselves time and again, and each other from our daily lives and find places that our presence brings to life.
