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Saturday 6 August 2011

Adventure to Pulau Ubin

Another weekend to stay in SG and of course to beat the boring life at room, why not step out for some adventure? :)

It's kinda tricky as I've been most of the places of interests in town and wish to go somewhere further like Batam/Bintan but was advised to go in a group, which is will make the trip more fun and enjoyable. After few consideration, I finally ended up with Pulau Ubin, which located in between Johor and Singapore.

According to Wiki, this is the only village in SG which still can give you the feel of 1960s but sad to know the native villagers left about 40 families. Since this trip involve quite of number of transportation and rather far, so I've departed about 7:15am. First challenge is to take MRT till Tampines then detour with Bus 29 until Changi Interchange. I've been here before and I ever had a nice open space western dinner here :) Without much ado, I quickly grab some breakfast as I know that I will easily spend half a day in the island.

Among the hawkers, I find this Hor Fun stall rather catchy and long queue. Rule of thumb, try the one with long queue ... either it's really good or not to bad. Got myself Hor Fun with chicken fillet.

Why catchy? This stall contain my name and it was founded the same year I was born :)
Hor Fun in SG really not bad and their gravy is great too, with herbs topped with chicken fillet
After the nice and quick breakfast, went across the road that's where the jetty was ... Changi Ferry Terminal. Bumboat ride just cost S$2.50 for single trip to Pulau Ubin and they normally wait until 12 person in order to depart otherwise they will wait. Since today is weekend, so all the seats were taken like hot cakes.

That's my 'ride'
One man show, the gate keeper, conductor and captain. Easy money
Wanted to catch the wave in parallel but not easy
Once landed on jetty, suddenly my urge to visit Redang is back but I guess will have to miss it this time as my work is getting worst and I still need to allocate time to go vacation with family. So have to budget and tekan a  bit lor.

On the island, you will have 3 choices of transportation: rent a taxi/van where the price you will need to bargain; by bicycle where rental range from $6 - $12 and finally by walking ... FOC :) The island isn't small and from one point to another point will need at least 20 - 45 mins by walking. So if you want to save walking time, visit more places and more adventurous, for sure will get the bicycle right? Got myself one and off to go!

My first stop will be the famous Chek Jawa where is has the Broad Walk bridge, mini tower that give you overview of Chek Jawa and others. There was one rest point setup with bicycle parking and should be 10 mins walk to reach Chek Jawa but I took the wrong turn which cost me 30 mins walk to the other direction until I saw this signage!!!

I feel relief to see this but kinda fed up as I wasted my energy and time :p
Luckily on the way back to the bicycle parking, I passed by the Balai Quarry Lake which has a nice and calm view. It used to be quarry during 1920s and some of them were used to built the causeway bridge that link between SG and KL. Now it's left abandoned and modified to human made lake.


A picture speak a thousand words and a video should speak more than that :)


Finally I reached Chek Jawa and there is a rest area near the Broadwalk Bridge where you can wash your face and get some leaks. I know I should have bring my dSLR but mobile cell is my only friend here :(

Rest area @ Chek Jawa
View from rest area
Scenery along the bridge
You can see the high tide marking on the rock itself
So relaxing
This bridge give me a feeling that will lead me to another world :)
I can't imagine how is the scenery during high tide. See the coral  developed on the base pillar
Brief story how this island was began
The Broadwalk Brige where you can get a nice scenery along the coastal
Yin and Yang or ... Wood or grill ;)
Lone ranger ... seems like waiting for something/someone for a very long time :(
So many 'needles' at the swamp
This marked the end of the coast but seems dangerous if kids running around
Some strange fruit that I never see before
Did you see anything?
A reptile looking for food ... where are you my dear camera?!?!

After a full half day, I climb up to the mini tower which is about 7 - 9 storeys high. I do afraid of heights but since I hardly come here and to conquer my fear, I manage to push myself reaching the top and surprised to see so many graffiti along the plank. Just like below, I We Survived Pulau Ubin!!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSS!!!!
So happen I saw this rock was reflecting the sun ray at a nice angle. It will be nice if taken with a dSLR :p

Finally, about 3:30pm ... it's time to say good bye to this wonderful island. I couldn't visit most of the sites but at least I had fun and good exercise today (not to mention I sweat like hell). If were given me another chance, I will visit here again and for sure with my dSLR !!! Wait for my Ubin, I will be BACK !!!

Quick quick buy 4D. Buy me shark fin if you hit it :)

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