It's official. The Friday Pre SinDo event for this year is going to Pulau Ubin. There is also the ability to go to Malaysia from the same ferry terminal. Meeting place will be the lobby of the Concorde Hotel, 100 Orchard Road at 9a.m. The hotel is a short walk from the Doby Ghaut MRT station.
It has often been said that Singapore is not an exciting place, as early as yesterday 6a.m. by my seatmate, a Portland expat. living in Singapore, whose home is 5 minutes from mine. Let's hope that this year's destination is a pleasant surprise.
After spending an interesting hour at the Singapore Tourist Office on Orchard Road the day before yesterday, the staff convinced me that this would be the best day trip option. The other 2 are reached by a 10 a.m. ferry and who wants to look at a couple of statues of turtles anyway?
The question posed, can you provide information for day trips to include an offshore island with connections to Southern Johor? I explained that we planned to do a triangle trip covering a Singaporean island and returning via Johor Bahru province and back via the causeway to Singapore. The greeter was one of many related individuals all having the same surname, "Trai Nee". She was eager, went to one of her more experienced colleagues, also named "Trai Nee" whose facial expressions were typically Singaporean. "He wants to do what?" raised eyebrows wide open eyes and a disbelieving look. "That's impossible, how un-Singaporean."
Eventually they explained that what I proposed could not be done. The multiple Trai Nees all deferred to their tall Singaporean Indian Supervisor who sternly suggested that the only way was to hire an experienced travel agency with contacts having a hundred person boat available for a large sum of Singpore dollars. Probably, we would require dispensation from various agencies to do such a thing and then one may travel to JB only to shop and only by road (or alternatively to KL only on SQ and then on to JB on, heaven forbid, MH). So Pulau Ubin it will be. My Trai Nee helper's favorite gesture was 2 thumbs up rendered frequently with a broad smile as she scurried around getting me information much of which I could have found from home on the internet.
Alternate expediter: to be named later should I not show up.
Routing:
MRT (subway) to Tanah Merah
Bus #2 or #29 to Changi Village Bus Terminal
Walk to pier edit 4/30 at Changi Point
Bumboat (capacity 12) to Pulau Ubin $S2.50 one-way or $S30/boat
Bicycles available for rent on the island
Rental vans also available to visit Chek Jawa Wetlands
Afternoon return retracing route in reverse or for the high-rollers, taxi
I was given conflicting advice as to whether we have to reserve park access. So please let me know well in advance if you are planning to join us so that I can call Singapore National Parks to confirm.
Like previous years this will not in any way resemble a tour. There will be absolutely no flag-waving, umbrella-hoisting or megaphone-shouting.
My apologies to those who really want another stamp in the passport. Sunday is a good day to take a quick trip to Malaysia or even to Batam for stamp and Indonesian Visa seekers.
Thanks to TowTruckDriver; it appears possible to actually appease the stamp seekers in a cost effective way from the same location as the jaunt. In fact, if we become bored with staring at mosquitos breeding perhaps we can do both.
Latest news as of 4/29/2009. A call to Singapore yielded the following information for those who absolutely must have another passport stamp. The ferry from Changi to Malaysia does still run. Its schedule from Changi pier as of today is 0715, 1000 and 1200. Cost is $S32 return.
A less expensive and easier route is to take a bumboat from the same pier as the boat to Pulau Ubin to Pengerang Johor. Conflicting reports give the price as $S9 one-way with the return roughly ½ paid in Ringit (RM). The last return boat is at 4p.m. but always inquire locally. If the boat has left, it has been reported that one can take a taxi to the other ferry and return later. This is a much more expensive option. Pengerang Johor has an abandoned WWII fort adjacent to the jetty. It is located in jungle and all web-sites have the same warning to beware of pythons, cobras and green tree snakes; 1 out of 3 is non-poisonous-it’s method of killing you is squeezing you to death. For the less adventuresome there appear to be 3 seafood restaurants touted to be good and much cheaper than in Singapore or even JB.
So for the inveterate Mileage Runner, not the normal SinDo attendee, North American attendees could fly in on the UA or NW (DL) flights or even in F on SQ11, spend a couple of hours in the transit hotel, shower, catch a taxi to the pier, get on the 0715 ferry, get stamped in & out and return in time to meet us for the trip to the island.
Last edited by opushomes; Jul 26, 09 at 10:57 am.
Reason: Meeting place and time
TowTruckDriver provided excellent advice, bring mosquito repellent, not just because the bites are annoying, but because Dengue is a genuine risk, there is no prophylaxis, the Aedes variety bites during the day.
Bring an umbrella. It may rain.
Bring your passport should some of your friends convince you to also go to Malaysia.
I have a couple of "Essential Singapore Guide" that I can send to those interested in a printed booklet. PM please or contact the appropriate Singapore Tourist Office to perhaps get a copy.
If you are going to meet at the Changi Bus Terminal, don't miss the nasi lemak stall at the hawker centre next to it. There is usually a line of customers.
As for dining options on the island (Pulau Ubin, that is), not much there. I believe only a coffee shop that serve "zhicha".
The island is pretty much what Singapore used to look like in the 70s or early 80s - kampong style. Most locals would head over to Ubin to cycle around the island. But not on a Friday. So the group should pretty much have the island all to themselves. Would be interesting to find what you guys think of the island.
Oh, remember to bring insect repellent to fight off mosquitoes.
I was thinking of you by making sure that we took the MRT and bus to Changi Pier.
Yes, they have raised the fare by $S.50 per person. That 50 cents works out to an additional $S6.00 for an entire boat if one is the only one there and one is very impatient. Since we have 4 confirmed, three stealth travelers waiting in the wings and myself, our total impact would be an additional $S1.25 per person to be impatient. That is if the numbers do not change. Today's exchange rate is approximately $US.67-$S1. Total additional cost calculated as a full boat passenger is 67 Lincoln pennies and that is round-trip.
Of course the caveat is always to be the last on the boat to save money. I realize that the additional 70 cents per person to taxi rather than MRT to Harbourfront to go to Batam almost broke the bank but the risk exists only if we have 12+1 or 24+1 or 36+1 and you are the unlucky +1. The additional cost is zero at multiples of 12.
And I always thought that musicians were mathematically inclined. I guess an Ivy League education from Hahvuhd does not teach one simple multiplication
BTW: Informed as they always are, the Singapore Tourist Office still thinks the fare is $2/person one-way.
To make it an afternoon trip, may I suggest that you spend a mere $32 extra round-trip for the ferry to Malaysia and meet the rest of us for lunch.
I will for the present add you to the extraneous group.
You can please none of the people all the time or, is it?-none of the time.
Changi Point Ferry Terminal vs Changi Ferry Terminal
Quote:
Originally Posted by opushomes
The ferry from Changi to Malaysia does still run. Its schedule from Changi pier as of today is 0715, 1000 and 1200. Cost is $S32 return.
Quote:
Originally Posted by violist
S30 for a boat? It was S24 just a year ago.
Not sure if you guys are referring to the same ferry service. Here are the options (reproduced from wiki).
Quote:
Ferries shuttle from Singapore to southeastern Johor and are handy for access to the beach resort of Desaru.
* Pengerang: Bumboats shuttle between Changi Point Ferry Terminal at Changi Village, 51 Lorong Bekukong, tel: 65-65452305/1616, and Pengerang, a village at the southeastern tip of Johor. Boats ($9 per person, $2 per bicycle one-way) operate between 7 AM and 7 PM and leave when they reach the 12-passenger quota.
* Sebana Cove Resort, Desaru: Ferries to/from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal operated by Indo Falcon, tel. +65-65426786 in Tanah Merah, [37]. Three ferries daily except Tue. $48/38 including taxes and fuel surcharge.
* Tanjung Belungkor, Desaru: Cruise Ferries (tel. +65-65468518, 65468675) operates passenger ferries from Changi Ferry Terminal three times daily, departures at 10AM, 5PM and 8PM, $22 return. The previous car ferry service has been suspended.
To head over to Ubin, Changi Point FT would be the right place to go. From that same jetty, you can also take a bumboat to Johor.
Don't confuse Changi Point FT with Changi FT, which is about 4km away and there is no bus service to there. Map
Edit: My bad. Realized the first link I sent was for the ferry departing from Changi FT. Thought you guys are planning a side trip. Hence, Desaru Resort came to mind. If it is all about getting another immigration stamp, the bumboat ride from Changi Point FT might be the cheapest option to go. And most convenient one too.
Last edited by TowTruckDriver; Apr 30, 09 at 4:36 am.
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If I make it to the SIN Do in 2010, I'll be a yes for Pulau Ubin.
A few of us took a day trip there this year and it was fantastic. This time I have to make sure my riding skills are a bit more in shape so I can truly enjoy the island!
For those who like adventure, you can rent bikes. For those who like to take it easy, you can take a taxi/rental van to the more scenic parts like the Chek Jawa Wetlands. Or you can just stay in the little village and drink Tiger and eat chili crab.
We did not have to reserve park access and the bumboats (which run either when they have a full load OR when you pay the full boat fee, whichever comes first) are $2.50S one-way per person or $30S per boat.
Bike rentals varied... the more you negotiate, the better the deal... and there are several vendors so if you don't like the rate you are quoted, walk to the next one.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techgirl
If I make it to the SIN Do in 2010, I'll be a yes for Pulau Ubin.
A few of us took a day trip there this year and it was fantastic. This time I have to make sure my riding skills are a bit more in shape so I can truly enjoy the island!
For those who like adventure, you can rent bikes. For those who like to take it easy, you can take a taxi/rental van to the more scenic parts like the Chek Jawa Wetlands. Or you can just stay in the little village and drink Tiger and eat chili crab.
We did not have to reserve park access and the bumboats (which run either when they have a full load OR when you pay the full boat fee, whichever comes first) are $2.50S one-way per person or $30S per boat.
Bike rentals varied... the more you negotiate, the better the deal... and there are several vendors so if you don't like the rate you are quoted, walk to the next one.
Spot on. As part of that crew last year, couldn't agree more w/ what a fantastic day it was. I hope to make it to SIN DO 2010, and if so, this outing will be a must for me.
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