A study trip to Daniel's Kelong

The morning began in the quiet hush of pre-dawn. I took a cab to Lorong with my son, who is conducting a study on the Kelong as a living museum for his Master's degree thesis. The sky was already hinting at a storm. The horizon carried dark clouds, and the air was thick with the scent of rain. As I checked the weather, my suspicions were confirmed—a rain cloud was approaching, teasing the day ahead with uncertainty. At 7:40 AM, I stood waiting for Daniel, a friend who arrived on his Vespa. Daniel is the owner of the Kelong, having bought it from the previous owner. He brought us breakfast and was joined by his consultant, Yeng Sheng, who would accompany us on the trip. Soon after, the four of us boarded a small boat around eight, the gentle rocking of the vessel signaling the transition into another realm, where the pulse of the city faded into the rhythm of the sea. Upon arriving at the Kelong, we were greeted by a cluster of dogs, their tails wagging in welcome. These three dogs...