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Share your reflections about the journey here. It can be related to self, work or perhaps national or global matters.

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Go to this webpage, zoom onto Pulau Ubin on the map, and select the year from the tab on the left.

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National University of Singapore Libraries

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Historical Maps of Singapore, digitised by Department of Geography, National University of Singapore

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Historical Maps of Singapore, digitised by Department of Geography, National University of Singapore

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Apart from being an escape from the hubbub of city life, Pulau Ubin is home to a small but dwindling number of Singaporeans. Ang Seow Leng sheds some light on life on the island.

Sunset at Pulau Ubin jetty. Courtesy of Ria Tan, www.wildsingapore.com

Offshore islands such as Pulau Ubin have been largely spared the development that has taken place on mainland Singapore. However, recent land use plans have impacted Pulau Ubin's landscape, its islanders and their rustic way of life.

Pulau Ubin is located northeast of Singapore, a mere 10-minute boat ride from Changi. The Malays once referred to the island as Pulau Batu Jubin, meaning "granite stone island". At one time, the granite mined in Ubin was used to make floor tiles known as jubin, later shortened to ubin. The Chinese called the island chieo suar (石山), meaning "stone hill". Originally, the 1,020-hectare island comprised a cluster of five smaller islands separated by tidal rivers, but over the years bunds erected for prawn farming unified the tiny isles into a single curved island that resembles a boomerang. Today, Pulau Ubin is Singapore's second largest offshore island.

Pulau Ubin was first visited by the Second Resident, John Crawfurd, on 4 August 1825 when he made his way around Singapore on his ship, the Malabar, to take formal possession of Singapore. The Union Jack was hoisted, followed by the firing of a 21-gun salute. Later, James Richardson Logan, who was responsible for the first scientific scholarly journal in Singapore - the Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia - published a book on a study of the rocks and geological features of the island during his visit to Pulau Ubin in the early 19th century.

In the 1840s, Chinese stone cutters, and later convicts were deployed to quarry the granite in Pulau Ubin, which was later transported to Pedra Branca to build the Horsburgh Lighthouse in 1851. Granite from Pulau Ubin was also used to build the Raffles Lighthouse in 1855 and the Causeway in 1923. Pearl's Hill Reservoir, Fort Canning, Fort Canning Reservoir, the expansion of Fort Fullerton and the Singapore Harbour were also built using granite from Ubin. A block of granite was even reportedly sent to build the extension of Portsmouth Cathedral in the south of England.

The People of Ubin

The earliest inhabitants on Pulau Ubin were the Orang Laut and indigenous Malay of Bugis and Javanese origins. Subsequently, Chinese quarry workers settled on the island - mostly Hakkas, followed by the Hokkiens and later Teochews. In the 1880s, large numbers of inhabitants from the Kallang River area moved to Pulau Ubin. Migration spiked again prior to the Japanese invasion in 1942 when the mainland residents fled to Pulau Ubin for its perceived safety. Apart from quarrying granite, the main industry from the 1800s to 1999, other economic activities in the early days included rearing poultry and the cultivation of rubber and cash crops such as coffee, nutmeg, pineapple, coconut, durian and tobacco, as well as prawn farming and fishing.

The 1970 Singapore population census indicated that there were 2,028 residents living on Pulau Ubin at the time. This number was halved by 1987 due to resettlement and the closure of the granite quarries. Even then, Ubin was the most populous island compared with Pulau Sakeng's 250 residents, St John's Island's 10 residents and Kusu Island's solitary temple keeper. By 2002, however, the number of residents on Ubin was down to just 100; today, fewer than 100 people live on the island. During a speech made on 15 March 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted Pulau Ubin as one of the last two kampungs left in Singapore, the other being Kampong Buangkok.

The rapid urbanisation of mainland Singapore has impacted Pulau Ubin in more ways than one. In the late 1960s and early 70s, Singapore embarked on a labour-intensive industrial programme, setting up factories and hiring as many workers as possible. At the same time, a public housing scheme was launched, which proved so effective that by 1985, some 80 percent of Singapore's resident population was living in subsidised public flats. These flats on the mainland came with facilities that were sorely lacking in Pulau Ubin, such as piped water and electricity. Not surprisingly, Ubin's more educated younger residents started moving to the mainland to seek jobs and a better life.

One prominent island resident was the late Lim Chye Joo, a Teochew migrant who was instrumental in the development of Pulau Ubin. He arrived in Singapore from China in 1936 and lived on Ubin all his life. Lim was the headman of the island for more than 30 years and was also the former chairman of the Pulau Ubin Community Centre. He helped set up Bin Kiang School on the island and was often involved in fund-raising activities, simultaneously rearing pigs and chickens, and running a provision shop. Until he was 90, Lim was still very active, walking at least 4 kilometres everyday to check on his vegetable and prawn farms. He passed away at the age of 101 in 2006.

Housing, Land Use and Changes

Resettlement from Pulau Ubin to mainland Singapore began in the 1970s and picked up pace in the 1990s. The 1991 Concept Plan by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) proposed that while Pulau Ubin would be marked for leisure and recreation for as long as possible, once the population on the mainland exceeded 4 million, a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and a major road would be constructed to link the mainland to Ubin. In addition, plans were unveiled for high density housing and industrial development on Ubin. Chek Jawa (at the southeastern tip) was also earmarked for land reclamation in 1992.

However, the proposed development did not take place and reclamation works on Chek Jawa were halted. In 1997, the URA proposed that Pulau Ubin would remain as a place for sports and recreation. Half of the land area would be set aside as a reserve site while a third of the land area would remain as open space. Two sites were proposed for the development of a holiday and outdoor recreation activity centre, in addition to the existing National Police Cadet Corps campsite and the Outward Bound School.

An Island in Transition

The island has seen a sharp decline in population within just four generations, with many residents moving to the mainland in pursuit of better opportunities or to be with family. The closure of the last granite quarry in 1999 spelt the end of that means of livelihood for most of the islanders. Most jobs these days are geared towards meeting the needs of tourists who visit on the weekends. When provision shop owner Madam Tan was interviewed in 2000, she commented that there were five provision shops on the island vying for business from a small number of residents. In 2013, a resident observed that, "after a while, you see the same person pacing the town centre. It's most likely the same villager you saw in the morning, rather than a fresh face from the mainland."

The island's only primary school, Bin Kiang School, closed in 1985, the only clinic closed in 1987, and the Pulau Ubin Community Centre closed in 2003, all victims of the dwindling population. Places of worship, instrumental in binding the community together, have also moved to the mainland, leaving mostly the old and the retired behind. Furthermore, with the government acquiring the land in Pulau Ubin, residents now have to pay rent for the land they occupy. One villager said, "Those who don't live here think we have a relaxed time. Try it, and you'll see how difficult it can be"; another shared that they had been surviving on the compensation given by the government after their fruit plantation had been acquired and were worried about how long they could survive without proper work.

Making the move to the mainland has not been easy. A newspaper report in 2001 tells of Fadila Noor, aged 39, who packed up her belongings, left her cats behind, and moved into a one-room flat in Singapore, describing her flat as "barely larger than the kitchen in her house on the island". Another, Madam Hamidah, shared that life in Ubin was "more peaceful, more calm... In Singapore, the moment you step out of your lift, you spend money. When you wake up and open your eyes, the first thing you think of is how to earn more money."

Communal Spaces in Pulau Ubin

There are some significant buildings in Pulau Ubin that bring people together and stand as markers of the island's history. Bin Kiang School was the first and only primary school on the island. Set up in 1952, it had over 400 students at its peak until it closed in 1985 and was demolished in 2000.

Pulau Ubin Community Centre was once a hive of activity and a key landmark on the island as Singapore's only waterfront community centre. Built in 1961, the building was originally a community hall that was converted into a community centre in 1966. In the 1970s and 1980s, the centre offered residents a wide array of activities, from soccer and sepak takraw to dragon boat racing and traditional Malay sports such as miniature sailboats ( jong) races and spinning tops ( gasing) competitions. The community centre also followed the fate of the school, closing down in 2003.

In Chinese folklore, the Goddess of the Sea, or Mazu (妈祖), is an important celestial guardian who ensures the safe passage of fishermen and seafarers in rough seas. Worshipping Mazu is a practice that is mostly prevalent among Southeast Asian Chinese, and temples dedicated to Mazu are often situated along coastal areas. The Ma Zu Temple at Pulau Ubin was originally sea-facing but when the land it sat on was acquired to make way for the Outward Bound School Camp 2 site in 2001, the temple was moved to Sengkang on the mainland.

However, not all of Ubin's buildings face closure or demolition. The Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple pre-dates 1869 according to the date inscribed on the temple's renovation stele. The temple is located near the jetty and is one of the rare Chinese temples in Singapore that has a permanent stage for wayang (Chinese opera). The temple and its stage come alive twice a year, during the fourth and seventh months of the Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese operas and contemporary getai performances are staged in honour of Tua Pek Kong and to mark the Hungry Ghost Festival. This is a far cry from the 1950s when weekly wayang shows were put up to entertain the villagers.

A crowd watching a Chinese opera performance on Pulau Ubin in 1992. The wayang (opera) stage still stands on the island. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

House No.1, situated at the eastern end of the island near Chek Jawa, was built in the 1930s by the British Chief Surveyor, Landon Williams, as a holiday or weekend retreat. It is a significant landmark with commanding views of Changi Point and the Straits of Singapore. The structure is believed to be Singapore's only remaining authentic Tudor-style house with a fireplace. A Lianhe Zaobao article reported that the building used to house the managers of the island's rubber plantations. Rubber tapping activities ceased during the 1980s due to increasing costs of production. The house gradually fell into neglect but was given a new lease of life when it was restored and turned into the Chek Jawa visitor centre, and was given conservation status by the URA in 2007.

People and places tell the story of the island, and unless there is a new "wave" of migration from the mainland, Pulau Ubin may become a fragment of a distant past that will slowly be replaced by new memories from transient visitors. In the meantime, there are plenty of enthusiasts in Singapore who try and keep Ubin alive and relevant. The island is thronged by mountain biking enthusiasts and nature buffs every weekend and the blog Pulau Ubin Stories was started in 1995 to collect news and stories about the island. In May 2014, a dedicated Facebook page provided another avenue for enthusiasts to share information and photos on Ubin.

Author Dr Chua Ee Kiam located a similar rock that resembles the one captured in a striking painting done more than 150 years ago by John Turnbull Thomson - Grooved Stones at Pulo Ubin near Singapore. Hopefully, in spite of the island's evolution and the encroachments made by man, that rock will still be around for another 100 years.

Painting of Pulau Ubin by John Turnbull Thomson. "Grooved stones on Pulo Ubin near Singapore, 1850". Used with permission from the Hall-Jones family.

Rock facade similar to that in the 1850 painting by John Turnbull Thomson, photographed by Dr Chua Ee Kiam. Courtesy of Dr Chua Ee Kiam.

Painting of prawn ponds on Ubin by Cultural Medallion winner Ong Kim Seng. Ong spent eight months painting on the island and his paintings were showcased in 2001 at "Charms of Ubin", an exhibition held at the People's Association headquarters, organised by the Outward Bound School to raise funds to develop an adventure park for children. Ong's time on Ubin reminded him of his kampung days. Courtesy of Ong Kim Seng.

UBIN'S FLORA AND FAUNA

In his book, Pulau Ubin: Ours to Treasure (2000), wildlife enthusiast Dr Chua Ee Kiam wrote about the natural areas in Pulau Ubin that were "a little wild, relatively undisturbed and support a large variety of indigenous flora and fauna". He recorded a total of 179 species of birds, 382 species of vascular plants and 19 animal species on the island despite the fact that Ubin's original rainforest was destroyed during the 1950s and early 1960s when entire hills were blasted for the extraction of granite. Ubin is still home to a relatively large number of rare animals, birds and plants. A National Parks Board (NParks) website on Ubin provides detailed records on the flora and fauna of the island. As of January 2014, the island is home to 603 species of plants, 207 species of birds, 153 species of butterflies and 39 species of reptiles.

The oriental whip snake is also known as the green vine snake and can grow up to 2 metres long.

The nipah palm can be found in the mangrove swamps of Pulau Ubin. The leaves can be used as thatch for roofs and its sap, when fermented, is drunk as an alcoholic drink called "toddy". Images courtesy of Ria Tan, www.wildsingapore.com

SAVING CHEK JAWA

Kampong Chek Jawa, on the southeastern tip of Pulau Ubin, was probably named after the Javanese who first settled there. The villagers who used to live there were mostly fishermen and rubber tappers. Chek Jawa has six different ecosystems within its 1 sq km area: mangroves, coastal hill forest, sandy ecosystems, rocky shore, seagrass lagoon and coral rubble. This rich diversity makes it a veritable haven for scientific studies and nature lovers.

In December 2000, Nature Society (Singapore) members made an accidental discovery of the rich marine life thriving at Chek Jawa. A newspaper article two years later reported that a biodiversity survey made at Pulau Ubin discovered several rare coastal plants, many of which were recorded for the first time in Singapore. News of Chek Jawa's land reclamation and the imminent destruction of its ecosystem sparked off a deluge of visitors to the area. Numerous letters were sent to the press to appeal to the authorities to halt the land reclamation plans.

On 14 January 2002, the Ministry of National Development announced that land reclamation work at Chek Jawa would be postponed indefinitely. In addition, NParks formed a committee with representatives from the Nature Society, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and other experts to study how Chek Jawa's unique and fragile ecosystem could be maintained.

High tide at the Chek Jawa boardwalk. Courtesy of Ria Tan, www.wildsingapore.com

Ang Seow Leng is a Senior Reference Librarian with the National Library of Singapore. Her responsibilities include managing and developing content, as well as providing reference and research services relating to Singapore and Southeast Asia.

REFERENCES

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Atoll's history retold as myth. (2009, June 19). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

BoeKeng. (n.d.). Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple. Retrieved from Beokeng website.

Chandradas, G. (2001, July 8). Chek out this hidden Eden. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Chua, E.K. (2000). Pulau Ubin: Ours to treasure. Singapore: Simply Green. (Call no.: RSING 333.78095957 CHU)

Chua, E.K. (2002). Chek Jawa: Discovering Singapore's biodiversity. Singapore: Simply Green. (Call no.: RSING 333.91716 CHU)

Chua, E.K. (2001, July 28). Destruction of Chek Jawa will be a loss for all. The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

D'Rozario, v. (2001, December 28). Chek Jawa an ideal outdoor classroom. The Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Geh, M. (2001, July 16). Chek Jawa's natural beach should be preserved. The Straits Times, p. 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Hall-Jones, J., & Hooi, C. (1979). An early surveyor in Singapore: John Turnbull Thomson in Singapore, 1841-1853. Singapore: National Museum. (Call no.: RSING 526.90924 THO)

Helmi, Yusof. (2003, October 16). Farewell Ubin CC. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Heng, L., & Kang, A. (2013, April 13). This is our ONLY HOME. The New Paper, pp. 2-3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Ho, B. (2005, April 27). He does it by... keeping life simple. The Straits Times, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Ho, M. (2001, November 4). The folks who live in paradise. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Leong, K.P. (2001, December 24). Chek Jawa has unique ecosystem. The Straits Times, p. 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Lim, L. (2002, January 15). Reprieve for rustic Ubin. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Low, Y.L (1994, July). Isle be seeing you. Singapore Tatler.

Ministry of National Development. (2014, March 10). 2014 - Speech by MOS Desmond Lee "Working together to build a liveable and green Singapore" [Press release]. Singapore: Ministry of National Development. Retrieved from Ministry of National Development website.

Murphy, C. (2003, July 3). Destination Singapore - Pulau Ubin abode for Thai monk. Bangkok Post. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB's eResources website.

National Heritage Board. (2013, March 14). Pulau Ubin. Singapore: National Heritage Board. Retrieved from Roots.sg website.

Chua, A. (2009). The Causeway. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia, National Library Singapore.

Chew, V. (2009). Housing and Development Board. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia, National Library Singapore.

Cornelius-Takahama, V. (2018, July). Raffles Lighthouse. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia, National Library Singapore.

National Parks Board. (2013, May 19). Pulau Ubin. Singapore: National Parks Board. Retrieved from National Parks Board website.

Neo, H.M. (2002, August 24). A kampong without village people. The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Prime Minister's Office Singapore. (2014, March 15). Transcript of speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at National Residents' Committee Convention. Retrieved from Prime Minister's Office Singapore website.

Pulau Ubin clinic to close from Tuesday. (1987, November 26). The Straits Times, p. 22. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Pulau Ubin headman 101 dies. (2006, October 7). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Saifulbahri Ismail. (2013, April 17). Pulau Ubin residents to start paying rent for first year. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB's eResources website.

Singapore. Oral History Department. (1990). Recollections: People and places. Singapore: Oral History Dept. (Call no.: RSING 959.5703 REC)

Stone from Malaya to help build English Cathedral. (1939, July 23). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Tan, C. (1987, November 10). MPs take a boat ride to remote parts of their wards. The Straits Times, p. 19. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Tan, H.Y. (1996, August 2). Take me to the headman's house. The Straits Times, p. 40. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Tan, T. (2000, December 4). Island living The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Tay, S.C. (2007, October 6). Chek Jawa Visitor Centre. The Straits Times, p. 109. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (1991). Living the next lap: Towards a tropical city of excellence. Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority. (Call no.: RSING 307.36095957 LIV)

Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (1997). Central water catchment, Lim Chu Kang, north-eastern islands, Tengah, western islands, western water catchment planning areas: Planning report 1997. Singapore: The Authority. (Call no.: RSING 711.4095957 SIN)

Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore). (2007). Architectural Heritage Awards - No. 1 Pulau Ubin. Retrieved from Urban Redevelopment Authority website.

Visitors' centre for Chek Jawa? (2001, December 31). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

White, T. (2001, February 12). Leaving Ubin for life on mainland. The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Zaccheus, M., & Ee, D. (2013, October 4). Pulau Ubin: Rustic or just rustling away? The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

叶孝忠 . (2001, July 14). 乌敏岛另类风情. 联合早报,第 35页 陈鸣鸾 (访员) (1987年11月4日) 林再有先生访谈文稿. National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved from http:// archivesonline.nas.sg/

NOTES

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Apart from being an escape from the hubbub of city life, Pulau Ubin is home to a small but dwindling...

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Chek Jawa Days: A Father’s Letter to His Son

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Chek Jawa Days: A Father’s Letter to His Son

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No sooner, the glaring shimmer of the sea broke through the gaps in the woods like a chandelier of lights caught in the wind. We quickened our steps and gingerly picked our way among the rocks and boulders on the rugged shore.<<

Dr Geh Min

Joseph Lai's letter to his son depicts very movingly the beauty and poetry of nature and her place in our personal memories and shared heritage. The writing is given great poignancy by the sense of loss or impending loss that threatens all nature, particularly in Singapore.

All of us must have realised at some point in time what this piece expresses—that, in the face of progress and affluence, the legacy we leave our children is that significant places in our lives may no longer exist except as precious memories.

President, Nature Society (Singapore)
Dear Lai Min, Chek Jawa Days

Chek Jawa days are just full. Remember that windy and sultry day? I led you through the woods.

You appeared hesitant at first. I had your hand in mine, and gave you a squeeze to tell you I was near. Two lonely figures we were, in a tunnel of trees and shrubs, walking upon the soft and winding trail. It might rain, they said, but I was undaunted.

The sea was near. We stopped momentarily to look at the rustling of the leaves and felt the breeze in our faces. "That's the wind", I said. "And that's the sea!" I added in jubilation.

And there you were, bubbling with excitement. You took fancy in almost every piece of broken coral and pebble. If only you could see the twinkle in your own eyes and the quiet joy in a father's heart. For a moment, I felt immortality and that we could walk on in time eternal. Did you not feel the desolate vastness of the sandflat beneath our feet and the sky above our heads? Would you remember the warmth of a father's care when I pulled your socks off so that you could stand in the pools left by the receding sea?

You ran around pointing out all the starfishes you could find and asked in the most natural way if you could keep one in the fish tank at home. I laughed. "It's better they stay in the sea" I said. You held one for a moment in your small palm and then let it go. Time was counted in sea anemones, sponges and fishes trapped in the pools. We were 100 metres out from the shore and there were starfishes everywhere. Two hours passed within a breath and the rumble of the darkening sky signalled our return. Back to Issue contents

As usual, you tire easily, and asked to be piggybacked. Why not, I said. There will be a time when you will grow up and I will not be able to do so again. As soon as we were back to the rocky outcrop, it began to drizzle. We took shelter under the canopy of the seashore nutmeg and got our raincoats on. The sea rose steadily and covered the meadow of sea grasses like the drawing of the curtain to signal the end of a show. It was time to go.

I look back in fond memory how two of us retraced our path along the forested shoreline under the rain. We took off our caps just for the fun of it. The moistened trunks and roots looked so enriched in tone over the smooth boulders. Even the pebbles became alive in livid colours. The rain also brought the birds back. We too were going home. Every creature, big or small, has a home to return to. With you in my hand, I gave my silent farewell to the families of starfishes that had finally returned to the swollen sea.

I wrote this, my dear son, so that the memory will stay with you forever. I hope you will grow up to feel the same as I do for the home that we share with all these wonderful creatures. I hope you too can experience this unique place with your own child and carry on for yourself the immortality I felt when I was there with you.

I dedicate this poem to you and hope you will discover for yourself, that the true sense of being is being with nature.

Love,

When Rain Meets Wind

There is a kind of abandonment
how you come meet the earth.
And sparkle for just that little whilst
before glistening a teardrop farewell
down a quivering grass blade.

Still you remain till like a memory
stirred by a gentle wind,
you rose invisible, and
in shades of white,
set the clouds in the brilliant sky.

Graced with fleeting lightness,
you skip hither and thither,
a young heart just born of gladness,
only too clear that he the wind is near.

He is there seen but unseen;
existed because you existed.
He guides the way you toss and heave,
hand in hand paints white on blue
of imaginations wild and free.

When rain and wind meet,
there's sweetness in the air;
they are happy just being.
Though the grass may quiver once more
the days for skyward rendezvous
are everlasting.

Joseph Lai, 2001

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articles from Nature Watch, magazine of the Nature Society of Singapore

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Walking through the rubber plantation from the jetty to the NPCC campsite at Noordin and carrying all our camping stuff, logistics and water. It usually took us 30-45min.

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My first encounter with Pulau Ubin was through the NPCC Seniors Training Camp in Sec 2 and 3. The environment looked so “wild” to me and our seniors certainly used the environment to challenge us to our limits.

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Doing sit-ups during morning PT or as punishment at the old gun emplacement located in the old NPCC campsite at Noordin. 

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We were often exhausted and so grubby (we didn’t get to shower in spite of the sheer exertion of the camp activities) during the camp at Pulau Ubin. Here, all I remember of this gun emplacement at the campsite are the numerous push-ups and sit-ups we did there, and the ghost stories. I never once wondered about what it was and who used it. Perhaps I was too tired.

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Staking a claim on Pulau Ketam/ Sekudu(?) during the kayak journey that was always part of the camp at Pulau Ubin.

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My memories of Ubin- learning to enjoy the outdoors 

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My memories of Ubin- learning to enjoy the outdoors 

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The same dreaded camp at Pulau Ubin also introduced me to rugged activities in the outdoors that I would eventually grow to enjoy. I’m glad to say that I now look at Pulau Ubin as a place where I discovered I could bear more than I thought I could. It is also a place which piqued my curiosity and continues to intrigue and charm me today.

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The round Ubin kayaking, kayaking through the mangrove, eating the delish zichar at ubin

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One of my fondest memory of Ubin was conducting camps there as an instructor. Back then, Marina Country Club (MCC) was operating the resort (now celestial resort) and I remember it was such a nice place to be in. Though there weren't many amenities except for a small little mamak shop by a Chinese family staying on the island, the students and instructors would often visit them to get little snacks and cold milo.

The auntie would remember the instructors and complain how noisy the students were but they were always happy to see schools camping there and exploring the island.

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Ubin's Last Malay Taxi Driver: Holding On To Singapore Kampung Life | On The Red Dot - Secret Heroes

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a very vague memory. but I rem my first trip to Ubin was with my dad taking the boat from Punggol End.

We went to Ubin to visit a temple which I think don’t exist anymore. But it was filled with many ppl and very vibrant then…

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mainly the 12 day PESS camp at OBS. had real good fun.

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I wonder how things have changed at Ubin since 22 years ago when I was there for PESS OBS camp.

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I wonder how things have changed at Ubin since 22 years ago when I was there for PESS OBS camp.

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It was my Day 1 as a beginning teacher. I was deployed to the Sec 3 Cohort Camp as an accompanying teacher. My school used the NPCC campsite. I felt unprepared to face the students in an unfamiliar environment.

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I wonder how can Ubin remain rustic but at the same time be in touch with the developments.

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Mangrove park to be opened in Pulau Ubin in 2026 with around 8,000 trees

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Recreational opportunities at the site are expected to be available to the public. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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NParks plans to protect Ubin coastlines 

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NParks plans to protect Ubin coastlines 

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NParks to use nature-based solutions to protect coastlines on Pulau Ubin

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Plans are afoot to ensure that nature continues to flourish on the island in the Republic’s north-east. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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The (Original) Legend of Pulau Ubin – This Is Your Life Now

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Taken from John Murray’s sketch map of Singapore from 1830

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A brief timeline of Ubin- population, migration, landuse…

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A brief timeline of Ubin- population, migration, landuse…

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1500s-1600s: Under influence of Johor-Riau empire, inhabitants were Orang Laut and indigenous Malays with Bugis and Javanese origins

1840s: Chinese settled in Ubin to quarry granite

1850s: Government granite quarries established, convict labour used

1880s: Many inhabitants from Kallang River area (mostly fishermen) settled in SE part of Ubin

1900s: Plantations of cash crops such as coffee, nutmeg, coconut, pineapple, durian, tobacco, rubber, were set up

1942: Many mainlanders moved to Ubin, hoping to seek refuge from the Japanese Occupation

1950s: Prawn farming takes root

1980s: Rubber tapping cease

1990s: Quarrying activities cease

1991: URA earmarked Chek Jawa for land reclamation in 1992

2000: Nature Society (Singapore) members accidentally discovered rich marine life at Chek Jawa

2002: MND shelves plans to develop Chek Jawa

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My "fondest" memory of Pulau Ubin was when I attended the Outdoor Educator Module 1 course conducted by OE unit. During the course, Kim Seng made us do a solo night in some ulu location. We had to build our own basha and I was bitten to death by sandflies.

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This kayaking expedition in Pulau Ubin marked my return to outdoor activities after a hiatus, and while it proved more challenging than expected, it "reminded" me of good memories with nature and the outdoors.

The chance to disconnect from urban life and reconnect with the natural world was invaluable.

A highlights of the trip were the "small talks with each other as well as spotting a group of 6-7 eagles soaring overhead during our final leg.

This experience reinforced my conviction about the importance of outdoor experiences for us, providing benefits and lessons that cannot be found through digital platforms such as YouTube or TikTok..

Zack

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really appreciate the opportunity to connect with self, others and nature thru this journey.

affirms the work we do here at OE, and the importance of preserving nature for generations to come.

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Kayak meet ubin

Kelong mangrove soaring birds

Calm, breezy, happy

Cass meet open sea

Tried wayfinding, try again

Lost, serene, happy

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As we navigated the intricate waterways, I was reminded of the importance of immersing ourselves fully in the natural world to truly grasp the lessons it offers.

This journey reinforced principles of outdoor education—learning by doing, fostering teamwork, and developing a deep respect for the environment.

Through the planning, we were able to enact the lessons (both safety and SoP) we share with teachers. Again reinforcing the work we do.

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While paddling out in the open sea, lots of memories came back to me.

A learning journey it was to be, with a little bit of Sense of Place for me.

If only we could do this regularly, confirm would be a joyful respite to many.

♡ John ♡

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balance between outdoor education and nature conservation

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balance between outdoor education and nature conservation

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while we want to encourage our students to participate in outdoor activities and develop the skills, attitudes and values through these activities, i think it is also important not to over stress the environment such that the negative impacts that we bring to the environment outweighs the learning gained by our students. the human presence/actions and the possible waste that we bring along might be detrimental to the environment although the programme objectives state otherwise.

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Was impressed by the 2 masters on their prep work for the LJ. the amount of effort put in to cover both the safety aspects and also develop a better sense of place (P.Ubin) demonstrated how an outdoor activity should be conducted from the planning phase to the consolidation phase.

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Going to Ubin has always been something of an adventure for me and this journey was no different. Though it was work-related (enacting SOP, navigation, safety), there were also so many moments of wonder for me. Seeing the fig tree, the hornbill, the red leaves of “autumn” littered on the camp grounds, the white and dark grey herons, the serenity of the mangroves, the kites circling in the skies above… tried to capture all these in photos/videos but they did those moments seen through my eyes no justice at all.

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The pre-trip briefing opened me to the rich history of Ubin. I’m happy this island brings us back in time.

I get to appreciate the importance of mangrove systems. It protects and filters the environment. The trip was planned with the tides in mind. Good planning, plus blessings from nature made it an experience to remember.