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Hello!
At last I get to write something because I have actually had the chance to go somewhere other than my desk at work! Thursday was national day here in Singapore (47 years since Uk rule) so as you can imagine they milked it for all its worth. Personally I didnt feel like going into town and being squashed into a crowd of people to watch soldiers go by, so I took this chance to get off the island of Singapore and see what else there was. To the north east there is an Island called Pulau Ubin, and I had read that this island was probably as close as you'd get to how Singapore "used to be", and my sources were not wrong.
To get there you take a small bum boat from the ferry terminal and in about 15 minutes, you are there, not very far from the mainland at all, but very far in terms of development, just what I was longing to see while in SE Asia. The island is just how you'd expect it, green, green and more green, with the odd stray dog, monkey and lizard thrown in for good measure. I opted to rent a bike for the day (which due to my height cost me top dollar) and just set off and explore, and that I did. You can get round the island in a few hours or if you are one of the locals who prefers to push the bike rather than ride it, it may take you all day (didnt quite get that!) non-the-less, the views were amazing and the overall experience worthwhile.
There are various tracks you can take to work your way round, I decided to try them all out and just see what I come across. Even though this is an island and seemingly quite cut off from the mainland, it has its restrictions. Some areas are fenced off and huge "do not enter signs" cover the gates, so you arent exactly completely free to roam, although there was some temptation just to go through a few of these gates, just to see what lies beyond, but I never did .
The island has a few things for you to see, German girls shrine was interesting if not a bit creepy and supposidly her ghost still haunts the island to this day - woooooooo. The quarry was pretty cool too but unfortunately you were not allowed down into it where the lush water was just tempting you in on the super hot day. Out of them all I'd say the best thing I saw were the wetllands, a section of the island that allows no bikes but instead takes you on a board walk through the wetlands and out onto the sea, it was just really nice seeing something other than steel, glass and concrete!!
Overall, a worthwhile visit finished up with some local food overlooking the sea while I decide what time to bum boat it back to the main land, if im honest, I'd have stayed there as long as I could!
I am currently looking into my next trip and it may well be next weekend as we have another bank holiday, so watch this space!
Daniel
P.s. Go team GB!!!
- comments
Robbie C. This looks amazing. If your intention is NOT to make people jealous, then I believe you're failing sir.