World City Guide

Excursions

For a Half Day

Pulau Ubin: The boomerang-shaped hill-covered island with just 100 inhabitants is a very popular getaway, especially at weekends. With its thatched huts, rubber plantations, mangrove swamps and traditional fishing kelongs, Pulau Ubin, rich in granite, offers a vision of a lost Singapore, although it is gradually being developed into a nature park with trekking and camping facilities. On the eastern tip is Check Jawa, a beach with a great collection marine life, which can be visited by boat during low tide, but numbers are limited to protect the ecosystem. Bookings must be made with the National Parks Board, which also has good information (tel: 6542 4108, fax: 6542 4843; e-mail: nparks-mailbox@nparks.gov.sg; website: www.nparks.gov.sg). A couple of colourful temples lie by the seashore, near seafood restaurants and cafés. The 10-minute boat ride from Changi Point jetty costs S$2 (S$4 with a bicycle) and boats leave 0600-2000, provided there are enough passengers. Visitors can charter the whole boat for S$20. Near the pier is the information kiosk, open 0900-1700, where bookings can also be made for a free guided tour every 4th Saturday of the month, at 0930 and 1000. Bikes can be hired at the pier for around S$7 per day.

For a Whole Day

Johor Bahru: Singaporeans flock to Johor Bahru, known as JB, just over the Malaysian border, for its food, bargain shopping, golf and beaches. It usually takes less than an hour to get there by car, although it may take much longer at weekends and public holidays, and it is accessible by MRT (to Woodlands then a bus on the other side of the border). With its blend of historic and modern architecture, JB’s most striking building is the Royal Bakar Mosque, whose majestic domes and minarets overlook the Straits of Johor. A string of outdoor restaurants serve up seafood on the waterfront by the Eden Gardens Hotel. For further information contact Johor Tourism (tel: (607) 223 4935 or 224 9960 or 1432; fax: (607) 223 7554; e-mail: info@johortourism.com.my; website: www.johortourism.com.my).

Riau Islands: The Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan make for a great weekend or one-day getaway with luxury resorts, fairways, beaches, duty-free shopping and delicious seafood. Ferries leave daily from the Harbour Front Centre and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (see Getting There By Water).

Malacca: The 15th-century seat of the Malaya Sultanate, Malacca (a 3-4 hour drive from Singapore) was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British in their attempts to gain control of the region and the lucrative spice trade. Located on the western coast of Malaysia, its quiet demeanour belies its historical significance: Malay folk hero Hang Tuah wandered its streets, while St Francis Xavier preached on St Paul’s Hill. Highlights include St Paul’s Church, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, antique shops on Jonker Street and the ruins of the Portuguese fortress Port De Santiago. Transport from Singapore includes bus, train and private tour bus.