Getting there – Take the MRT to Tampines Station (EW2), then take SBS bus 29 to Changi Village bus interchange, followed by a 10-minute boat ride from the Changi Point jetty. Cost of the boat ride is SGD 2 and the service operates from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm.
Situated in the northeastern coast of Singapore, this offshore island is being developed into a nature park. Much of its natural environment is being preserved and visitors will still be able to experience the rural community atmosphere encompassing granite quarries, coconut and rubber plantations, mangrove swamps, fish and prawn farms, and traditional fishing “kelongs”.
A view of the island from the jetty…
Map of the island – click here to enlarge
Me on my bicycle – cycling is the best way to get around the island…
Prawn farm flood gates…
taking a break on a rock petrusion in the sea…
Granite quarrying was once a major industry on Ubin. The first quarry was started in the 1800′s. The abandoned quarries at Ubin are now filling up with rainwater and the natural vegetation is recovering around their edges. Fish have somehow appeared in some of them, attracting birds such as herons. Although the quarries are now quite scenic, they remain dangerous places. Swimming and other activities near them should be avoided.
The German Girl’s Shrine holds the remains of a German girl who died in 1914 when she accidentally fell off a steep cliff whilst running away from the British who had come to take over the plantation. It is said that her body was discovered the next day, covered in ants and buried at the beach where she was found. The villagers kept seeing her ghost so her remains were moved to a nearby Chinese shrine and kept in an urn. The remains were eventually looted, but the urn remains. It is not known how her shrine became popular with gamblers, among others.
One of the drink stalls on the island…
Where we stopped to enjoy refreshing fresh coconuts…
Not far away was the Image of the Goddess of Mercy, A cut-out on the stone quarry that looks like a statue of Guan Yin. The locals claim that the quarry was closed for quite awhile, but the image of the Goddess of Mercy appeared only recently.
The seafood restaurants in Pulau Ubin is simply delicious and gentle on the wallet. With a wide variety of food to choose from, we decided to stay for an early dinner on the island and was quite happy we did.
See more photos @ carol’s and jenny’s blog! To see the rest of our trips to Pulau Ubin, click here.
[...] post about our trips to Pulau Ubin: Town Centre on 27/07/2008, East End on 01/12/2007, West End on [...]