“Kelong” Houses
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Published by eGal | Filed under Reminisce

“The developement of a city erases many things, including the pleasure of fishing right at your home’s window…”

The wooden platforms are forever shaky and sometimes, I wonder how these “kelong” houses can actually hold the weight. The wood, amazingly, doesn’t get mouldy and weak and then everything collapses.

As a fishing village last time, Singapore used to have many of these “water houses” or the so called “kelong” houses. Today, you can only get to see them at Pulau Ubin. And not many of them are left too. Many are actually left for storage purpose.

I personally will enjoy the process of fishing just by the window in my little cosy wooden cabin and then taking a long stroll along the “kelong” path, while feeling the breeze in my hair and of course, trying my best not to plop into the water beneath. Hahhaha!

Bum Boats
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Published by eGal | Filed under Reminisce

“Have you ever been on one? If you haven’t, you got to!”

You don’t get to these around much these days. Apart from the plying services at Changi Jetty - to and fro Pulau Ubin and Penggarang, Malaysia, you will get to see them only at the Singapore River as River Taxis.

Singapore River is right at the CBD area but how many a times are you willing to spend that $12 to just take a 45min cruise down Singapore River? I have done that, with someone I fancy too! So that feeling was perfect! The view and scenery is simply amazing…not breathtaking but amazing.

Otherwise, you can always just pay $2 to hitch a ride over to Pulau Ubin and another $2 back, of course. The total “sea” journey travelled will be approx. $4 for about 40min, thus making it a much cheaper way of “indulging” in the bumboat experience.

Think of it another way, isn’t it nice that you are actually creating better job income or opportunities for those tanned uncles whose hands are filled with calluses from the hauling and pulling of the thick ropes to anchor the bumboat? Something for a thought…

Pulau Ubin
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Published by eGal | Filed under Reminisce

“The diminishing scenes of yesterday….”

This is the offshore island that Singaporeans may think of when they want to get close to the raw nature, cycling, fishing…A mere 20mins boat ride is all it takes. Pulau Ubin once used to be a hustling and bustling kampong with frequent opera plays, crowded festivities celebrations, etc.

These days, Pulau Ubin is decreasing in population as more and more residents move into mainland Singapore. What’s left there are the nostalgic folks who still find kampong life mesmerising… I still go to Pulau Ubin nowadays to struggle on the 2-wheel bicycle simply for the fun of sight-seeing, soaking in nature, admiring the flora and fauna and the simplicity of non-city life…

A Walk Down The Aisle
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Published by eGal | Filed under Reminisce

“Walking down the aisle has just taken on a totally different meaning…”

This is not some garden or red carpet aisle. Instead, it’s a part of a “kelong” house extension. At the end of this wooden aisle, you can imagine yourself sitting down on it with your lover or childhood friends, both of you dangling your legs in the air and chatting as if there’s no tomorrow…