it is about to dump.....

....... yes, as you can see by the photo I took at 7.45 am this morning, it looks like it is about to dump, just when we are about to leave to head over to Pulau Ubin, one of the Islands Northeast of Singapore in the Johor Straits.

From here - at Bukit Batok - it takes about 90 minutes to reach Changi Point Ferry Terminal as we go by train and then the last 30 mins is on the bus. So really not worth the time to go there only to find it raining so heavily we cannot get across to the Island, let alone enjoy the day wandering around there!

The same thing happened last Saturday when we were also planning on a day trip to the Island, but we miss judged. It looked as though it was going to be heavy rain when we looked over that way, but not one drop of rain actually fell...... So we are staying put for the moment.

If it clears up a little later we may head out for a few hours, somewhere closer to home. We will eventually get there!

Since the British founding of Singapore , this island has been known for its granite. The numerous granite quarries on the island supply the local construction industry. Pulau Ubin today is being developed as a nature reserve for outdoor activities and is also where the Ubin Resort is located. Pulau Ubin is in essence, the last 'kampung' (village) in Singapore. A stroll through Ubin apparently takes you back to Singapore in the 1960's with the simpler pleasures of life. We are told the slow lane starts as soon as you join the queue for the bumboat at Changi.

Ubin is supposedly a great day trip to be spent walking or pedaling through rustic roads under swaying coconut palms, exploring shady trails in overgrown rubber plantations, checking out secluded beaches and flourishing mangroves. On Ubin, the food tastes better, air is fresher and sights and sounds so soothing to the soul. But we are yet to discover that.

This is one of the boats that leaves from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal to go across to Ubin.

Cost of the bumboat: $2.50/person. Maximum 12 passengers.

You just join the queue and the boats will leave when they have 12 persons. If there are less than 12 persons, you might have to wait a little while until enough people turn up. Or you can pay $30 and go straight away.

one day, when we do actually get across there, I will post images of the boat trip itself.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend, whatever you are doing or wherever you are.


3.00pm UPDATE ........

cannot believe it. Not one single drop of rain over here in Bukit Batok all day!

but, it did rain over on the East Coast, so I don't feel so bad 'cos we couldn't go to the Island.