I've been enchanted by the idea of Pulau Ubin. According to the guide books it is just the way all of Singapore used to be, rustic and simple. So ofcourse anything labelled rustic and I am hooked.
The other Saturday we were sitting around at home. Michael was falling asleep in front of the TV and Lenny was watching it. It didn't look like anyone was going anywhere fast. but I needed some onions so got ready to walk to the shop. WHen I announced I was going, suddenly everyone wanted to go. So we went - and found ourselves in a taxi going to Changi Village - with a very interesting taxi driver who told us about the Hungry Ghost Festival.
We then went down to the jetty and had to wait for another few people before the requisite 12 allowed the boat to leave. It was a gorgeous evening - sun setting on one side and the full fat moon rising on the other. The boat was old and noisy, and it was a quick 15 minute trip across to the island. Smoke was wafting off the island as the chinese burned incense and paper to appease the hungry ghosts.
Bicycle shops, small fish restaurants, funny little shops, a small temple - more a makeshift shack really - and surprisingly a large stage was set up, and soon a full chinese opera was in mid flight. We stomped into the temple like a couple of left footed bulls, and lit our incense - they wouldnt let us burn our paper money, I think they were nervous we might burn the place down. A man in a blue shirt explained to me wearily (another bunch of boorish foreigners) that we had bought too much offering stuff and we only needed to burn 3 sticks of incense at a time.
We ate fresh fish, green chinese vegies with garlic, and a delisious fried rice at an outdoor restaurant, and watched the opera, which was being drowned out by the shrill auction through cheap amps.
I really love this place, and I look forward to going back and staying soon. There were dogs, and whacky shops, and cranky locals around, and I'm sure it will be interesting.
Came home on the boat again, wandered through Changi Village for a short while, then caught another taxi home.
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