Finding Our Inner Zen At Ubin Day 2015

The weather couldn’t have been worse – the rain was pouring and the wind was howling. But it didn’t stop the masses of people from jumping on a bumboat headed to Pulau Ubin for Ubin Day 2015. And it certainly didn’t put a damper on the spirits of the participants who were joining us for a day of yoga against the quaint and rustic backdrop of the island.

Once again, with support from the Ministry of National Development (MND), TheSmartLocal brought over 100 people to Pulau Ubin for an event that has never been done before – Yoga@Ubin, organised in conjunction with Ubin Day 2015.

In line with The Ubin Project launched by MND in 2014, Ubin Day is an annual event held to encourage more Singaporeans to embrace the island as one of the last remaining kampungs in Singapore. Yoga@Ubin is just one of the many activities available for visitors on this weekend-long event.

Supporting us on our journey to inner peace were social media personalities, Georgina Poh, Sandra Riley Tang, Angeline Yeo and Erica Tenggara, who were also the yoga instructors for the day. We also had YouTubers Audrey Goh and Hirzi Zulkiflie onboard, who have dabbled with yoga before but who were curious to explore doing yoga outside a studio environment.

Check out the video we made to document Yoga@Ubin as well as the various other activities that were available at Ubin Day 2015.

5 Things We Discovered At Ubin Day 2015

The last time I went to Pulau Ubin was for the first #InstaWalk held on the island last November and I never thought I would head there again so soon after that. But after Ubin Day, I learnt that there were so much more I could do (and some I never thought possible) at Pulau Ubin and that reinvigorated my enthusiasm for the island.

1. Re-Discover A Fitter You

Even though all of us were hoping for a sunny day out, the wet weather couldn’t stop us from doing what we went to Pulau Ubin for – Yoga@Ubin. However, there was something very calming about the wafting scent of lemongrass essential oils burning mixed with the gentle smell of petrichor from the rain. Perhaps, it was all meant to be.

Although it was a little cold, we quickly warmed up as all of us started stretching our limbs and bodies on the yoga mats provided to all participants by TheSmartLocal. While some found inner peace, some, including myself, struggled. But at the end of the day, it was undeniable that all of us had a lot of fun – it didn’t matter that some of us were strangers to each other because we were all in it together.

This one-off event had four sessions and each of them was led by a different instructor with a very different style of teaching so it was interesting to see how each of them led a good mix of yoga beginners and enthusiasts their classes.

From Sandra Riley Tang’s more laidback style to “silent killer” Erica Tenggara, everyone definitely got a good workout on a Sunday. It sure beats lazing around at home, doing nothing and being bored.

If yoga is a little too static for you, exploring the island by foot is a breeze – trekking around the 10.19 km² island doesn’t sound too daunting. But take your adventure up a notch by renting a bike at Ubin Town and exploring the island on wheels!

Not only is it a more efficient way of getting around, a bike is an amazing prop for when you’re posing for that cool picture for Instagram. Oh, you can burn some calories too.

Source: AdventurePaddlers WaterCross

Water babies were not left out because Ubin Day 2015 gave all visitors a chance to try out paddle-boarding around Pulau Ubin! I was bummed to find out that I missed the opportunity but I’m pretty sure those who managed to try it out had a lot of fun.

Did you that you can also try out kayaking around the mangroves of Pulau Ubin? Available all-year-round, this half-day kayaking trip gives kayakers a chance to spot the various species of birds and sea animals commonly seen around Pulau Ubin.

2. Take In The Sights and Sounds

For Ubin Day 2015, the Nature Society set up a tent by Pekan Quarry for visitors to try doing some bird-watching. They set up scopes and binoculars for visitors to catch a glimpse of feathered friends native to Pulau Ubin. It was a great opportunity to see and learn more about the egrets, herons and sea eagles who have made Pulau Ubin their home.

If you decide to visit Pulau Ubin in the near future, you will not be disappointed with the attractions it has to offer. With locations like the Coastal Boardwalk, the newly-renovated Jejawi Tower at Chek Jawa and the multiple quarries in Pulau Ubin, you have no reason to not be trigger-happy with your camera – the island is actually more instagrammable than you think. Need some suggestions on how to pose and where to snap your next Instagram post – read and watch our coverage of #InstaWalk at Pulau Ubin here.

3. Feeding Your Ubin-Sized Appetite

Why go so far for an island vacation when Pulau Ubin is just a 10-minute bumboat ride away from Changi Point Ferry Terminal? It’s no Boracay but it’ll have to do for a day-trip on a weekend. And the best part of any tropical vacation? The food of course!

Ubin Town has a variety of seafood restaurants catered for all visitors. With fresh and affordable options, you’ll be digging into a hearty meal in no time. But best of all, Ubin Town also has a store that sells ice-kacang and chendol – these refreshing desserts are a godsend after an entire day of physical activities.

But if seafood and desserts are not for you, maybe the fruits native to Pulau Ubin would be up your alley. If you’re lucky and they’re in season, you can buy some durians for you to sample. And these organic durians are said to be the best in Singapore! But for the ultimate island vacation experience, try the young coconuts that are available at various locations on the island. Now all you need is a place to lounge by the beach. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find since you’re on an island.

4. Bring a Friend Home With You

Whenever you think about going to Pulau Ubin, you think about all the things you need to bring like snacks, bottles of water and even mosquito repellant. Yes, all these things are important but did you know that you can also bring a special something back home with you?

No, I’m not talking about the memories you gained while exploring the island. While those memories can last a lifetime (especially if you explored the island with your friends), I’m talking about something a little more tangible – puppies!

Save our Street Dogs (SoSD) rescues the puppies that roam the island. These lovable puppies need homes because if left to fend for themselves, they risk catching malaria or even get eaten by wild boars. So, if you are ready to adopt a pet dog, why not adopt one of these Ubin-born doggies.

5. Go With The Flow

Even with a list of all the things you can do on Pulau Ubin, don’t feel pressured to do every single thing. After all, the main reason anyone visits the island is to get away from the hustle and bustle of mainland Singapore, with its busy streets and crowded malls. The charm of the island lies in its rustic natural environment where villagers have made their kampung.

Instead of making a list of things to do on the island, just go to Changi Ferry Point Terminal, get on a bumboat (it only costs $2.50 per person) and figure out what to do when you get there. Live the “Ubin Way” and go with the flow.

Until Next Time…

Don’t forget to follow @thesmartlocalsg and @MNDSingapore on Instagram for more information on our future events! You can also check out all the pictures we took in our full facebook album and the instagrams our followers and friends took with the hashtag #TSLGoesUbin and #UbinDay2015.

This post was brought to you by The Ministry of National Development Singapore.