Pulau Ubin Island and the Tale of Three Bank Robbers

A Pulau is an isdand.
Problem
How to get there, what to wear, see, do, timing, problems?

Answer
It's a tiny boat carrying about ten people and costs about $44 each way.

Expect a delay until the boat is full, and while paying.

Stories
I went years ago with an American Women's Group. It was like sharing a taxi. The boat took ten people. With about 15 of us we had to get the two leaders in two boats and decide who went first and who went last and where we would meet up at the other side.

The Army's Island
My favourite story is one I read in the Singapore newspapers years ago. If I remember rightly (and I can no longer find the newspaper report) three robbers stole from a bank in Johor on the coast of Malaysia near Singapore. As is often said, "Why let the truth get int he way of a good story?" Here's my version of the story. Treasure Island.

With their bag of looted cash, they stole a boat and rowed off to a nearby deserted island, hoping to lay low for a few days.

What they didn't know was that the deserted island was being used as a place for a training exercise for new recruits to the Singapore Army. The cadets, I presume mostly Chinese by race, were told to hide in the forest around the beach, preparing for pirates or an invasion. They duly hid. Along comes a fishing boat contained three Malays and lands. So the cadets rush out waving their machine guns, surround the three visitors, capture and secure what the army cadets assumes is fake money reprinting a terrorist or pirates stash. Imagine the surprise of the commander, when the three terrified prisoners arrive, with the jubilant cadets. Imagine the surprise of the cadets on being congratulated for making a genuine arrest. Imagine the robbers nursing their bad luck. Imagine the joy of the Malaysian bank getting back their money, thanks to the Singaporean army.

Moral of the story
Do not rob a bank.
Check you will be welcome at the island you are visiting.
Do not land from your boat on unknown islands around Singapore.

Tips
Take sunhat, suncream, walking shoes, insect repellent, bite relief, camera and batteries or smart phone and charger block, water bottle, chocolate bar or sustenance, small coins for payment of ferry charge and buying a drink or postcard or hiring a bicycle.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. If you enjoyed this post, please like, follow and share.