Priceless: pulau ubin adventure

pulau ubin adventure

In succession to our West Coast Park expedition on Tuesday, Sarah, Peiyan and I headed to Pulau Ubin for somemore adventure!

Because of the long journey - we took a 50min train ride to Tanah Merah, then a 15min bus ride to Changi Point Ferry Terminal, followed by a 10min bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin - and the secludedness of the island, it felt like a day trip to Malaysia or something. We were all bubbling with excitement.

Once we set foot on the island, we rented some bikes (with rear suspensions specifically) and off we went to explore! Unlike everywhere else in Singapore, Pulau Ubin is largely left undeveloped. Which also happen to mean that they don't really have road signs that point out the directions. So all we had was a map, and our vague sense of direction to guide us!

If you're looking for a truly adventurous cycling trip, Pulau Ubin is your place. Especially if you take the turns that we chose to.

Embracing the true explorer's spirit, we turned off the main road into every side road that we came across, not knowing where it'll lead us. At one point of time, we turned into a very narrow path strewned with coconuts, battled ferns, bushes, tree branches, SPIDER WEBS WITH TINY BABY SPIDERS and whatnot, only to find ourselves in the middle of the forest with nowhere else to go. Haha!

We also struggled up (read: got up and pushed our bikes up) steep, rocky slopes and raced down equally dangerous slopes with our hands tight on our brakes. It was such a bumpy ride and we definitely wouldn't have survived if not for our rear suspensions.

The destination we had in mind was the newly-built Chek Jawa Boardwalk. But following the map, every other route that leads to it was closed! So after making endless detours and a good 2hours later, we finally found the place! I tell you, we felt like Survivor participants seeing civilisation again.

Chek Jawa was pretty much worth the journey there. It offers long boardwalks along the seas, viewing jetties and a peep at wetland creatures during lowtides. We had a mini picnic, watched tiny little crabs defend their homes, and ran away from gigantic spy-like beetles. It was a pretty glorious afternoon!

At the ferry terminal, feeling like we were leaving Singapore.

The bumboats docked at the jetty.

That's ours!

All fresh, ready to take on Pulau Ubin!

Setting foot on the island.

At our first deadend - a beach for the campers.

Spot the baby spider!
They were all over Peiyan's back and bag, eeks!

One of the quarries. The water is incredibly blue!
Anyone knows why?

Finally, at the faraway Chek Jawa.

Jumping shots at the viewing jetty! Sarah's in the air.

Then Peiyan's in the air! Hahaha. Very happy pictures. :D

That's the Frog Island.

Me, looking like a backpacker at the end of the jetty.

The three of us, adventurous!

Spot the tiny crabs!

The view out.

At the bike park (you can't cycle all the way into Chek Jawa), getting ready to head back.

The journey back was surprisingly fast! I think it had something to do with our decision to stick to the main road all the way this time. HAHA. We arrived back at the bike rentals within 20minuts!

We were also forced to drop by the only air-conditioned establishment on the island - the Police Post - because Peiyan lost her phone somewhere along the way. It took ages to file the report due to the lack of internet connection, but we were more than happy to enjoy some aircon after the whole afternoon out in the humid weather.

Then it was back to Mainland, and off to the airport for a Popeye's dinner! We were so hungry that the three of us ate a 4persons meal, and almost polished it all. It's the whole day's meals combined into one. Haha. I love their fries, mashed potato and coleslaw, but I still don't like their famous biscuit-buns.

We had a very different and great Saturday out! And meanwhile, we will be staying away from bicycles for awhile. Haha!