Thinking of getting out of the hustle and bustle, fast-paced, stressful and noisy city? Pulau Ubin is definitely the place for you!
It can be considered as the last kampung (village) in Singapore and it brings you back to the 60s, showing you how simple life can be. This wonderful journey begins once you board the bumboat headed for Pulau Ubin. Now, do let us bring you back to the times of how Singapore was like...
Getting there
There is actually only one way to get to Pulau Ubin, which is via the bumboat. To take the bumboat, you would first have to make your way to Changi Ferry Terminal Point. For your convenience, there are a few different ways that you can get to Changi Ferry Terminal Point.
For instance:
-By SBS BUS: 2, 29, 59, 109
-By CAR:
http://www.gothere.sg/ or http://www.streetdirectory.com.sg/
-By MRT: Tampines, nearest station.
Upon reaching Changi Ferry Terminal Point, you will find out that the bumboat will not depart until there are about 12 passengers heading to Pulau Ubin. But no worries as the wait does not usually take long. For the 15 minute boat ride, it costs a mere $2.50 per person and $4 if you are bringing your bike along.
If you can't wait to get there to enjoy what this peaceful beautiful island has to offer, you just have to pay $30 for the boat ride and you can set off straight away without having to wait for 12 passengers. Also, the bumboat operates from sunrise to sunset. Thus, you can start your journey at the break of dawn and come back when the sun is about to set, giving you enough time to explore the whole of Pulau Ubin.
On the bumboat, let the cool sea breeze blow away whatever troubles you may be facing. Leave all your worries behind and look forward to a closer walk with nature! Along the way, you can get to see some "floating" villages along the way, which people used for fishing purposes in the past.
Upon reaching, you will not only be greeted by the wandering dogs (they won't bite!) but the smell of fresh air!
Turn to your right after the entrance sign and you will see an Information Kiosk where you can obtain free maps of the island and information regarding the latest happenings on the island from the friendly staff!
If you were to turn to your left after the entrance sign, you will feel like a "celebrity" because competing bicycle shop owners will approach you to rent their bicycles! The price for the bicycles varies, depending on the shop you go to, the type of bicycle, etc. Baskets are provided for free upon request. Remember to bargain a little for the best price! For us, we paid $4/bike for unlimited usage for the day.
We suggest you rent the bicycle for the whole day instead of a few hours. This is because it is more worthwhile to pay for a whole day's rent rather than going by the hour. Secondly, an hour or two is not enough to explore the whole island.
Getting around
There are a total of 3 ways to get around the island:
1) Walk - Pulua Ubin is an ideal place for leisure strolls. There are well-marked roads and signs all around the island, so you do not have to worry about getting lost in this small island.
2) Cycling - Another good way to explore the island in a faster and more adventurous way.3) "Taxi" ( Van ) - It is consider as a taxi over there and is able to take up to 12 passengers. The vans can not only be hired by the hour but also for journeys to specific destinations in Pulau Ubin. Many of the drivers are experienced and can bring you to special places for your viewing pleasure. As for the price, it can be negotiated before the journey begins.
In Pulau Ubin, you will able to find many old buildings and dilapidated houses which can no longer be found in the city. This is definitely an eye opener for visitors who have never been out of the city area.
Thirsty along the way? No problem! There are are quite a number of drink stalls located all around the island where will be able to quench your thirst. Feeling tired and need a place to stopover? Don't worry! Huts are located around the island, providing you and your friends a place to rest. A picnic in one of those clean huts may be a good idea too!
A beautiful coral lake and a clear blue sky is what you would get in Pulau Ubin! It will once again, draw you back to nature. Pulau Ubin, a wonderful place, landscape and creation.
Chek Jawa
Chek Jawa is a cape and is the name of the 100-hectare wetlands located on the south-eastern tip of Pulau Ubin. In addition, Chek Jawa is among the last few places left with a natural rocky shore.
General Information:
The facilities are open daily from 8.30am to 6pm.
Free admission.
Bicycles are not allow into Chek Jawa.
Bicycles are to be parked at the designated bicycle park area near Punai Hut. After which, you can take a slow stroll with your friends along the path.
Do not remove any wildlife.
Afraid that you may get lost in Chek Jawa itself? Don't fret because you can always approach the friendly staff at the Information Kiosk to ask for assistance! Also, there are signs around the area to provide you with directions.
Check out the 20 meter Jejawi Tower with a panoramic view of the surroundings!
Take a walk along the 1.1 km mangrove boardwalk and you might get to see many interesting plants and animals.
One example would be the mangrove trees. Mangrove trees have unusual shapes and properties as they are adapted to being covered in seawater at high tide and to grow in soft mud. The new boardwalk brings you closer to these trees as well as the Fiddler crabs and mudskippers.
Highest Peak
A trek up Pulau Ubin's highest point, the 75-m high Puaka Hill, will give you a bird's eye view of the granite island's largest quarry. With its grey and ochre rock walls and clear jade waters, it is definitely a sight to behold.
Upon standing at the highest peak, you will feel as if you are at the top of the world, as if time has stopped temporarily. This magical feeling is simply indescribable...
Need a place to vent your anger? Let out a huge shout at the highest peak! It is really stress relieving!
Toilets
People usually have the impression that the toilets in Pulau Ubin are dirty and poor in mantainence. But that is not the case! Take a look at the picture below and you will know that we aren't lying!
Celestial Resort
In Celestial Resort, you will get to enjoy the interesting wildlife and most importantly, the serene and laidback atmosphere within the resort that is very unlikely to be found in a highly competitive society nowadays.
Check out the full of activities offered in the resort!
They support indoor activities like prawn & crab fishing, mahjong, an american pool table and various board games. In addition, there are many outdoor acitivities like rock climbing, cycling, beach volley-ball, flying fox and guided trekking for all for visitors. Not forgetting the water sports like kayaking, jet-skiing and wake boarding.
All the rooms in Celestial Resort are well equipped for your utmost comfort and convenience. With teak wood furniture and fully air-conditioned facilities, rest assured your stay with them will be a good one!
As for the room rates of the accommodation, you can check them out at http://www.celestialresort.com/roomrates.html for more details.
German Girl Shrine
Have you heard the history of this German Girl?
This German girl was the daughter of a coffee plantation manager who lived near the present temple site in the early 20th century. At the end of World War I, British soldiers rushed in to intern her parents but she was said to have escaped through the back door. In her haste, she fell into a quarry behind the coffee complex, stumbling to her death. Her corpse was discovered by Boyanese plantation labourers, who threw sand over her body and offered prayers, flowers and incense as a gesture of goodwill each time they passed her. Later, a group of Chinese workers on the island carted her remains to the crest of the quarry's hill and gave her a proper burial.
The picture above is an urn in an obscure Pulau Ubin temple which holds the remains of the World War I German girl and has been attracting devotees since the 1930s.
They call her the German Girl, or the Na Du Gu Niang (a Malay-Chinese appropriation of the words "Datuk" and "Miss").
Yummy Yummy!
Feeling hungry after a fun filled day at Pulau Ubin? Well, there's a couple of coffee shops and also a seafood restaurant located near the ferry terminal. It would be a great experience to enjoy seafood by the seaside, especially in the evening because you can get to watch the beautiful sunset too!
Before leaving the place, make sure that you do not bring any animals or plants back to Singapore. In addition, you would have to pay another $2.50 for the return bumboat trip.
Though you might feel tired and weary after a full day at Pulau Ubin, we can assure that you won't regret exploring this awe-inspiring and astonishing island.
Till we meet again! Stay tune for more updates!
For more information, please visit Pulau Ubin Website
Cheers,
FUN@SG
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