Our family stepped back in time as we went on an excursion to the last village in Singapore, Pulau Ubin (Ubin Island) with Mountbatten Constituency Sports Club. As there were almost 150 members, we could only do a quick tour of the island.
We took a 10-min bumboat ride (S$2.50 each) and then a van to the Chek Jawa Wetlands where one can find Singapore's richest ecosystem. There are 6 different types of habitats in Chek Jawa.
The best and most popular way to see the island is on a bicycle. Near the jetty are shops renting bikes. It costs S$3 to S$12 for an hour.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore..... we spent time walking on rustic roads under swaying coconut trees, explore trails in rubber plantations half expecting a wild boar called 'Lucy' to come surprise us. hehehe...... We saw the flourishing mangroves.... need to return to check out privy info about nudist camp on secluded beaches. :P The air here is fresher and the sights and sounds are so soothing to one's soul!
Besides the plantations and mangrove swamps, there are granite quarries, fish and prawn farms, and traditional fishing "kelongs".
Seagrass Lagoon - One can see lots of seagrasses and seaweeds. Find marine creatures during low tide in this shallow lagoon. Try to look for secretive crabs, snails, colourful sea cucumbers (seasonal), sea hare, squids and mantis shrimps.
Coastal Boardwalk and natural Rocky Shore - It looks barren but many living creatures are hidden beneath the rocks or wedged in the crevices. I was told to look for barnacles, crabs and shell-boring snails called drills.
Scale 20m high Jejawi Tower to get a panoramic view of Chek Jawa. I raced my son to the top. My lungs were almost bursting when I reached it! Oh dear! Got to hit the gym.Bird-watching will be fun, I forgot to bring my binoculars. The view was not that fantastic. I'm scared when the tower sways in the wind!
My hubby was left behind at Pulau Ubin Jetty because there were only places for two more in our bumboat! ta-ta....I have to go back to the island again .... No, not to get my hubby. There is the info to be verified ....... hehehe.......
weekend-snapshot
never knew abt this little island in Singapore. Looks like fun with lots of activities there. Is it a residential little island or just a tourist spot?
ReplyDeletefarah deen,
ReplyDeleteThere are some residents on the island though. It's being developed into a tourist spot. It's good for those who like the outdoor and the rustic village atmosphere.
hahahaha! oh dear. u left uncle chris there? lol! poor chris.. looked like a good escape!
ReplyDeleteehon,
ReplyDeletehahaha....
Alamak.... he looked bewildered, right? Beloved wife and son left him behind.
One of his community members who was seating next to me, remarked that I was ecstatic when the bumboat left without him and then I started snapping pictures. haha....
Nice!!! We went last year with the guided tour, educational and fun for both kids and adults :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been a while since I last went to Pulau Ubin. It seems like I should check out the Coastal Boardwalk if I visit Pulau Ubin in the future.
ReplyDeleteNice. Glad that the Government has not filled it in and built more HDB Flats. I went there a couple of times when I lived in Singapore. It is quite rustic compared to most of the rest of the island. More like Johor once you get out of Johor itself.
ReplyDeleteAlamak... U dumped ur hubby behind? I guess there r some hunks waiting for u at the other side! Hahahaha!!!
ReplyDeleteSingapore gamen shud take more effort in preserving the island's last eden. It's for the benefit of the citizen and the world. :)
Not only I missed interesting places in Korea, I'm amazed it has such beautiful island in S'pore (other than Batam which was introduced by PCK!). Another good write!
ReplyDeleteBTW, the DNA tower was located in Kings Park, Perth; it was said that it resembles the double helix of deoxyribonucliec acid (whatever it means). Hence it was named the DNA Tower.
It's very unique, if u want to know more check it out here - http://lifeonperth.com/bigstaircase.htm
Hola ECL, wah...holiday it seems some ppl! I didn't know abt this island before, thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAm voting for ur BOTB dear, do vote for me too if u can! Just got myself a challenger he he! :)
Oh my the last time I went to Pulau Ubin, the boat ride only cost me $1! hehehe.. that sounds so ancient right?..
ReplyDeleteNot a big fan of the island though.. so doubt it will be on my to do anytime soon :)
So did you guys wait up for your husband or what??
Hmm I never knew Singapore has such nice places. LOL!
ReplyDeleteA greatv tour guide of a hidden jewel!
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful, and sounds like lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThe word 'bumboat' caught my eye in the reader, I just had to come investigate. Nice article and photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Looks like a very interesting excursion.
ReplyDeletewow what a great and fun weekend! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI wanted to visit Pulau Ubin last time, but kept on postponing the trip until now I am in HK.
ReplyDeleteI have not visited Pulau Ubin before :O
ReplyDeleteWhen I finally get to go to Singapore, I will definitely go here. What language is spoken at this island?
ReplyDeletethat looks like a very fun time and so pretty--ecstatic to leave him? Not You :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful place...looks exciting and fun tour.
ReplyDeletecheers!
You certainly had such a great day!
ReplyDeleteNothing beats weekend in the lush nature.
I bet you have lots of fun in there...:D
ReplyDeleteVisit me in here
hope someday can visit singapore...so far, we got to singapore only until the airport ^_^ waiting to change a plane to jkt or back again to netherlands hi hi hi
ReplyDeleteMine in here and here Thanks
one of my regrets is never having to see pulau ubin :( :(
ReplyDeletethat looks like a great place for a getaway! nice place to learn, too, am sure! :)
ReplyDeletemy impression of Singapore before this was always skyscrapers... :)
ReplyDeleteECL, u r the best. What prompted this comment? One by one, my fav bloggers r leaving the blogging scene, n u go up the ladder auto :)
do u know Judy and Kopi-so? miss them
napaboaniya,
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have a guided tour. :( It was just one round through Mangrove Loop and Coastal Loop.
I'll have to go back again.
oceanskies!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's an activity we could do together, if you don't mind my sometimes crazy ideas. hehe...
colin,
ReplyDeleteGood news! The Government's not going to build HDB flats on it! Some Singaporeans fought hard to retain it.
It's such a beautiful place. I don't mind living on the island. :)
kyh,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could dump him! He took the next ferry. duh.
horsoon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link.
Batam doesn't belong to Singapore, it's Indonesian.
This Pulau Ubin is so cool, in our own backyard and yet I didn't discover it.
*piak piak myself*
mariuca,
ReplyDeleteSorry, I was too tired after my trip yesterday night. I'll vote the next round. Wish you luck.
Vote for me in Singapore Blog Awards!
LadyJava,
ReplyDeleteS$1!? weiiii.... must be very long ago!
Hubby took the next ferry back lah, so easy to dump him wan meh. :(
day-dreamer,
ReplyDeleteI should look harder, I'm sure there are many more interesting and fun places in Singapore. :)
Captain Picard,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! It's a hidden gem!
gran,
ReplyDeleteIt is fun, I'm going back. :)
sailor,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. Glad you like this post. :)
malaika's mummy,
ReplyDeleteAlamak! When are you coming back? Love the Venetian Hotel in Macau, so grand.
tigerfish,
ReplyDeleteYou have not? What do you do in Singapore? So many places never been before and don't know also!? hehehe...
speak in doodles,
ReplyDeleteWe speak English too. Many of the islanders can speak English too. Particularly good with numbers. haha....
marcia,
ReplyDeleteNot ecstatic? Why not me? I don't look the type to dump my husband? hehe.....
That looks like a wonderful place. I hope tourism doesn't undermine its natural integrity.
ReplyDeletestrawberrygurl,
ReplyDeleteI hope you can come back again to tour the island. :)
maiylah,
ReplyDeleteYes, a lovely place. The kids will enjoy seeing the marine creatures. :)
bengbeng,
ReplyDeleteSingapore is not just high-rise buildings.... there are several interesting and fun places to see.
Come lah! Visit Singapore.
I know Judy and Kopi-soh. Alamak! I'm the thick-skinned aunty, only one left liao.
sandy,
ReplyDeleteI hope not. It's the last village in Singapore.
I like that boardwalk and the tower. They give good views of the place I guess.
ReplyDeletelyn,
ReplyDeleteYes, they do. It's hard work climbing up the tower but it is fun to be up in the air, 20m above ground. :)
eastcoastlife: I don't mind climbing up 20m up the ground at Pulau Ubin or checking out the board walk.
ReplyDeleteWhen's a good time to visit Pulau Ubin? I wonder if anyone conducts a Pulau Ubin walking tour...hmmm....
Sounds like you have had a busy weekend. Hope it was recharging though?
Looks like a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteoceanskies,
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit it on a weekday but they conduct tours only on weekends and when there's a minimum number of people.
I have the maps of the island and we can ask the islanders for details.
Weekends are too crowded. :(