Chapter 08 – Into the Unknown
Dilapidated though it was, the car brought us freedom.
Not only could we venture into Singapore city without being dependant on buses and taxis, but we could go much further and across the Causeway which linked Singapore to the Malaysian mainland.
Singapore Island was a malaria-free zone because the authorities sprayed the monsoon drains and other mosquito breeding grounds regularly. However, once across the Causeway it was a different matter. In the 1970s the only preventative medicine for malaria was a small white tablet called Paludrin, which had to be taken daily for a month before a visit to Malaysia and for a further couple of weeks after returning to Singapore. Therefore it seemed sensible to take it all the time. After all, we never knew when we might need to pop over the Causeway at short notice.
One weekend, I was given a Saturday morning off, and Peter and I decided to take this opportunity to get away from the noise and bustle of Singapore and have a weekend up country.
‘We can go up the east coast to Mersing,’ said Peter ‘it’s a small fishing town and I’ve heard there is a good Government rest house where we can stay quite cheaply.’
We left really early – 6.00 a.m. on the Saturday morning – in fact almost as soon as the ‘widgery’ bird had made its first infuriating call. It was better than any alarm clock. Although heavy traffic was already rumbling along the main Sembawang Road, it was no where near as busy as it would be in two hours time and we wanted to get a good deal of the journey behind us before the real heat of the sun bore down.
Travelling with only light luggage, we locked up the flat and went around to the side road where the car was parked. Removing the brick from the rear wheel, we rolled it into action, triggered the starter, and headed off through the Singapore customs post at the start of the Causeway. We had managed to get about a third of the way across when suddenly, the engine ground to a halt.
Muttering under his breath, Peter moved around to the front of the car and lifted the bonnet. I hoped it was only a question of more of the thick white corrosive powder building up around the battery connection. I still had my heeled shoes which had proved invaluable last time. But I could soon tell the problem was not quite so simple.
Peter’s face appeared at the window. ‘We’ll have to get some help from a garage. There is one just the other side of the Malay customs post.’ he said, nodding to the other end of the Causeway. ‘It shouldn’t take you too long to walk there. Just tell them we need help.’
I was somewhat put out that he had not actually asked if I minded walking that distance, and just assumed I would. But the alternative of staying put in the car as the day got hotter and the traffic built up was worse – or so I thought.
I set off on the trek and it did not take long before perspiration was dripping down my neck and back and turning my simple sundress into a limp rag.
Arriving at the Malay customs post looking very dishevelled, I tried to explain. The official regarded me suspiciously. ‘Where your car?’ he demanded gruffly, not used to European pedestrians walking across the Causeway.
On the point of collapse, I pointed into the hazy distance and panted ‘Back there – it’s broken down – need to get help from the garage.’.
The Malay official waved me through with an air of dismissal.
Chapter 08 – Into the Unknown