The Granite Island of Singapore

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Believe it or not, I've never been to Universal Studios in Singapore despite residing here for over 5 years now. Well, first excuse I made through the years is "I'm busy". Second excuse, "I can just go next year". Third, "USS is just around the corner". The vicious cycle continuous.

So that is my excuse I'm not able to talk about Universal Studios in Singapore in my blog now.

The place I would like to write about is an island situated in the north east of Singapore.

The Pulau Ubin,

The Island is a flashback of time from modern Singapore civilisation. If you're a nature lover and adventure seeker, you'd embrace this place.



It's a 10 to 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Ferry Terminal, which cost SGD5 per pax. A minimum of 6 pax per boat is required for the journey to start, if you are in a rush they can let you can pay for the remaining seats. Don't worry the usual waiting time is 5 to 10 minutes for the seats to be occupied. I think it's bearable.



The similarity it have with the city in Singapore is (drumrolls!!!!) the presence of Signages! They're everywhere, of which I am so thankful. There is no tour guide around so you really have to depend on the signages.



There are numerous shops of bicycle rentals, you can try a few to feel which one suits you as it will be a long ride. I did! I love riding bikes since I was a child, I have had few accidents as well. The last one was in Taiwan in 2007, where my chin endured 5 stitches. I had bruises on my philtrum, left cheek, forehead and side of my left eye. I can litteraly step in a Halloween party not needing a costume.

The bicycle rent ranges from SGD10 to SGD15.



Once you started the track, there is no turning back, if not you'll miss the real beauty of the island. You can bring food and drinks but advisable to put it in your bags as there are monkeys along the track. Believe me, it is not a nice meet up. I thought we were fortunate when I saw a monkey in the track a few meters ahead of us. I was taking a photo of it when suddenly one after another appeared. For a moment it was scary, we were about to cycle back when a small pick up came and yonk at the monkeys to back off. Well, they did. We rode our bikes side by side the pick up.



I saw a tall tree along the way and it have a great view. Well, the "Dora the explorer" in me have to have a photo of it. It is covering a small abandoned Muslim cemetery, according to the signage. After reading that, I started to have some chills so I quickly, but quietly, make a move.



We finally reached the trail to Chek Jawa, a wetland at the south eastern tip of Pulau Ubin, after more than 30 minutes of cycling.

There is a parking space for bicycles as they don't allow bicycles inside the nature reserve.



We rested for a while at a shed outside the nature reserve entrance. We met an Australian couple on their honeymoon, they're in Singapore for 3 days and spend one of it in Pulau Ubin. It was worth it. Lovely couple.



We enjoyed the scenery, mangrove trail and the coastal boardwalk. The place is well maintained and preserved. For a small island, to see wide ranges of marine wildlife is amazing.



I spent so much time watching the small crabs walk. It was fun challenging your self to find them at the muddy mangrove trail.



There was a separate track back to the coast. On the way is a breathtaking view of an abandoned quarry, which looks like a very calm lake now. Pula Ubin means "Granite Island" in Malay. The rocks in the island were used to make floor tiles in the past, hence the name.

All of these in three hours.

So if you have a spare three hours on you rest day, you may want to take to stroll to the lovely island of Pulau Ubin.

Oh, one last tip for your Pulau Ubin stroll, put on some mosquito repellant stick-ons or lotion.



See you on my next visit!

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