A week ago, to escape the mad crowds of the long weekend, we decided to finally visit the famed "Singapore of the yore". It is a mere ten minute ferry ride from Changi point but as you step into this island you realise how true that is!
You do have to get out of the three or so enthusiastic vendors who will try to make you hire a cycle though - one of them was so desperate- he even called V a "bollywood hero" in his desperate attempt to make us stop in his shop. Actually we were surprised how no one seemed to consider taking a walk in this place- Bicycles are a must by the looks of it. But then, we lived long enough in Singapore to know we needn't follow them! And were we glad to take this trek?
Here's what we found in one of the nooks- imagine living here!! What would I not do to live here?
Along the way, we saw a few villagers collecting coconuts and smoking them-so this is where the "Thai" tender coconuts come from then? Where ever they are from, I just love fragrant coconut water. So we stopped at a "hut" selling them and had a taste of heaven. As we walked into the woods, the remnants of urban life disappeared- no more pucca roads- it was mud paths strewn with potholes, dried leaves and broken twigs. V had a good laugh at the expense of my nostalgia for potholes. Walking in the woods really did bring me back to my treasured days in Vizag- those trips to Simhachalam, Srikakulam, Vizayanagaram (more about them some other time).
While walking we came across quite a few people on their bicycles, pardon me for being what I am but to me it looked like they were doing just cycling and nothing else. I mean how can you not break into a smile when you are in such a place? When the wind brings in whiffs of unbelievably sensuous smells- the tembusu, frangipani and a million other smells that lift your spirits and take you into a different world? Quite a few were carrying mobile radios blasting music and I can safely say that none of them cared for the smells and the sounds of the forest. And a lot more were walking around with a two-ton equipment to photograph the sights. I guess it was my "hormone-high" time of the month which brought tears to my eyes. Or perhaps it is this thought that man no longer takes pleasure in nature as it is. I know people from all over the world just love this region. But all this hullabaloo about hiking/ trekking/ diving/ para sailing/ kayaking...what ever .."ing" makes me wonder whether we can ever stop for a minute and enjoy what is around us without having to "do" anything to fill our time (and yes, that does explain my next-to-zero-social-life).
For those of you folks who are reading this and haven't been yet to this place, I'll add that check jawa is amazing- with thousands of crabs (what hues!), barnacles, mollusks and mangroves and to top them all, eagles and hornbills(!). There is also an (swaying) observatory tower which is a great vantage point for bird watching-if you don't mind having to put up with the flights landing at a furious pace (reminding us we are ever so close to civilisation). So what are you waiting for? Shoot Orchard road and take this trip to Pulau Ubin and then tell me if you don't fall in love with Singapore.
(Reminder: for those of you who haven't figured out yet, my views can be slightly biased!)
More slices of the paradise :
2 comments:
ur post is too good.
Now no need to go to Pulau Ubil at all. Its all in your blog :)
Thank you! But I do think you should go there - its really a slice of paradise!
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