Cycling at Pulau Ubin

Went cycling with Slug at Pulau Ubin after school. Felt apprehensive as it seemed like unfamiliar territory to me, having been there only once (and that was more than a decade ago). Had lunch at Changi Village, before making our way to the Changi Jetty for a ferry ride over. Stupid rule states that the ferry will only move if there are 12 passengers to fill it up, and we waited for quite some time for that to happen. The ferry uncle jokingly suggested we could pay for 12 persons' seats if we wanted an immediate ride there, and continued to drawl, "政府教我们要向钱看". Wow, even the ferry uncle has foresight.

Setting off for Ubin

We rented two rickety bicycles at $7 each, and paddled away in excitement. We headed east towards Chek Jawa, and rode on smooth tarred roads flanked by tall grasses and trees on both sides. The journey became treacherous when the smooth roads gave way to rocky mud tracks and long arduous slopes. It was such a chore to have to get off the bicycle and push it up the slopes, and it was terrifying riding down the slopes fearing that the rocks embedded in the ground could knock my bike off its course.

Bicycle rental shop

Cycling down the lonely road

Inquisitive monkey

We reached the Chek Jawa area, parked our bikes at the entrance and proceeded to walk along the mangrove trail. Saw many oil palm trees, dead leaves, crabs burrowing into the muddy ground and disgusting oil slicks along the way. We also visited the Chek Jawa visitor centre where preserved specimens of creatures (like starfishes, anemones, shells etc) that can be found in the ecosystem are displayed. Had thought of walking on the mangrove swamp bed and exploring the creatures, but a personal guide (and prior booking, and a hefty $60, and low tide) is needed.

Chek Jawa visitor centre

Start of the mangrove trail

Climbed up the observation tower and enjoyed a bird's eye view of the surroundings: water, trees and more trees.

Observation tower

Looking far from the observation tower

Cute little critter

Resting at a shelter along the trail

Was swatting mosquitoes and shading my face from the glaring afternoon sun along the way. More mangrove forest awaited us, and the pencil roots and prop roots anchored firmly in the waterlogged soil greatly appealed to me. Ordered Slug to take proper pictures of those roots and trees (for use in teaching!), to which he could not understand why I would want pictures of roots.

Prop roots

After the mangrove trail, we attempted the coastal trail as well (added up to 1.1km of walking!). The boardwalk extended out to the sea, where you can view the marine creatures from at low tide.

Walking along the coastal trail

Slug trying to take a professional-looking picture

Inspecting the map

Did not see much as it was high tide, and decided to return to the 'town' centre for some refreshments.

Chilling out with Coca-Cola

At the modest coffeeshop

Friendly stray mutt

Another pro shot by Slug

Resumed cycling, this time heading west, and stopped by an unattended temple to offer some prayers. We unanimously agreed that our favourite Chinese god is the Earth God, whom I think will look cute.

Temple hidden in the quiet greenery

Paddled on for a few metres, before stopping by a quarry and marvelling at the clear reflections in the water.

Quarry

Stopped by another swamp where Slug tried to lure the alligator fishes to the surface by spitting into the water. Passed by a chalet compound and decided to turn back because we had to return our bicycles at 6pm.

Chalets

Cheeky hand-painted signboard

After returning the bicycles, we had dinner at a tze char restaurant there. Thought it would be cheaper than the prices on the mainland, but was wrong. And warning: pictures can be deceiving. What looks like fluffy and light yellow calamari in the menu turned out to be shrivelled, rock-hard brown calamari in reality.

Seafood restaurant

Honey prawns and chicken in mango sauce

Fried calamari and sliced fish with tofu soup

Dinner was really enjoyable, and after that, returned to the mainland reluctantly with aching hips and thighs, a layer of sweat on the skin and odour emanating from our bodies.