RSBS @ Pulau Ubin!

It was a bright and sunny day... okay that's too cliche, but it really was -- at least, it was until about 3pm in the afternoon. We met in the morning at Tampines Interchange before heading to Changi Beach via bus 29. There, it was just a short wait before we boarded the bumboat to Pulau Ubin. I thought we were lucky that the queue built up quickly since the boats would only take us if there were 12 passengers. Perhaps it was due to the weekend, since there was a constant flow of human traffic through Changi Point Ferry Terminal, and there was an even longer queue of people going to Perengang. There was this Chinese family on the boat with us, and they seemed to be running a provision shop on Pulau Ubin. They seemed rather bemused when we asked them to take a photo of us, but they kindly acquiesced. Here it is!

On the bumboat, making our way to PU

Boarding the Pulau Ubin jetty, we were then immersed in a quaint, rustic charm of a place modernization had only left the wispiest of touches. That said, however, there were still vans making the trips around the island every now and then that forced us to move to the road shoulder to wait for them to pass. Bike rentals there were cheap, since the market was cut-throat. The first stall we passed had a sign saying "$2, really?" in response to a stall down the road which advertised "Bicycles for $2". Eventually we managed to settle on $5 a bike at another stall, after some haggling, and off we went!

Beside a quarry with our bikes

Very soon, we found ourselves at Ketam Mountain Bike Park, the only dirt trail park in all of Singapore! It was then that we decided to give it a shot, and so we ventured in. Slowly, asphalt roads gave way to gravel trails, and then dirt trails, and the going became tough, with undulating paths on hill tops that were uneven, making for a bumpy ride going up, and an equally bumpy ride coming down. But it was worth it, for with the wind in our hair and a spectacular view of the ocean ahead, it validated our brave efforts, slipping and sliding our way down the path.

Sea view @ Ketam Mountain Bike Park

There were really a host of photo-taking opportunities there too! With its location by the sea, and the many grassy trails snaking up hilltops, it proved irresistable and we caved in.

Wei Fen is so talented at biking!!! Only Yisheng's eyes can be seen, it's normal actly! :)

I wonder... Can bikes float? Smiles of satisfaction after a gruelling ride

We made a short pit-stop at the sea-side, the hide-out of many "sea cockroaches", as we discovered! Actually we started out skipping stones and then proceeded to compete to see who could throw comparable stones the furthest, which led to our discovery as the heavier stones were lifted up.

Most of the afternoon was then spent playing ball and lazing at a small, cozy hut at the top of a hill, which offered us shade from the afternoon sun. The thorny vines lining the empty area not far away from the hut did not deter us from indulging in ball games like "monkey" and volleyball, after which we sought shelter in the hut, digging into our stores of green tea, chocolates and biscuits for nourishment. Feeling refreshed and unwilling to venture out into the hot sun, we played card games, amusing ourselves with the antics of a few ^.^

Then came the trying part of the trip: the Pine Trail ride. After the rounds of card games, we started biking again, and soon came across the Pine Trail, diverging from the main gravel trail and leading upwards into a shady patch of forest, winding near Ketam Quarry. We embarked on this trail, and soon found our cycling abilities sorely tested by the rough and bumpy trail, merciless in its up and downs and snaking turns. We paused for breath more than once, especially near the steep uphill parts of the trail. This was where some picturesque shots were taken!

Pictures taken along the scenic but testing Pine Trail

It proved rewarding, however, as the trail ended in another hut overlooking the quarry, offering a splendid view of the red sandstone cliffs and the greenery all around! In terms of elevation, it was much much higher than the previous hut we had been too and there was almost a 360 degree view of the surroundings.

We've reached the top!

To say that the ride up was exhausting is an understatement; nevertheless, after taking some time to rest, we then zoomed down the hill and returned to the main village.

For dinner, we returned to Changi via bumboat, ordered takeaway at Changi Village's hawker centre, and selected a choice spot along the beach, eating our dinner and at the same time, enjoying the cool sea breeze and the lovely beach scene. As the sun set, we delighted in the breeze ruffling our hair, the memories of a day well spent, and most of all, the companionship and camaraderie.

=p Let's hope we have another outing soooooon!