Pulau Ubin - 26 Oct 08

Pulau Ubin is an island about 10-15 minutes boat ride from Singapore, Changi Point Ferry Terminal. The cost per person per trip is S$2.50. The boat can carry about 12 persons with probably 2-3 bikes for an additional S$2 for each bicycle. The boat is very frequent during the weekends and public holidays due to strong demand.

I rent a bicycle for S$8 for the whole day. There are more expensive and cheaper ones. The cheaper ones may not have gears and suffer from high wear and tear. I travelled fom the jetty to Belatok hut, Murai Hut, Beberek Hut, Balai Quarry, Chek Jawa wetlands, Punai Hut, Pekakak Hut, Kelichap Hut and back to Miurai Hut in a clockwise direction.

The terrain has its ups and down. Some portions are steep. Hence it is easy to loose control while travelling. It becomes more danger if the route is earth instead of tarmac. This is because of the presence of mud and potholes. A rider travelling too fast has to apply brake at steep slope instead of letting the bicycle picks up speed downhill, this is because potholes may be at the end of the slope. Rider may be thrown of his bike out if not careful. There are also private bus and jeep travelling on the same route as bicycles. Precaution has to be taken as safety comes first.

When faced with a steep up slope, I will walk and push the bike. I feel that the track and route do not have sufficient signages and information, especially at the junctions. Probably so because the island is not a tourist attraction, unlike Sentosa. Nonetheless, it is a great nature getaway. It is also not so commercialised as Sentosa and retained some of the kampung feel.

Comparing Chek Jawa and Sungei Buloh, I find that the mangroves in Chek Jawa are more defined, not so muddy and less rubbish. I also find Chek Jawa to have fewer mosquitoes. I do notice a few dead fishes floating around in the sea near Chek Jawa. I travelled only on the broadwalk and did not walk on mud land. For birds lover, I have notice that Sungei Buloh has more birds than Chek Jawa.

I spent about 3 hours on the island. The trip was economical, great to burn off the cholestrol and a way to be back to nature again.