Thank-you meals by MOS Desmond Lee for Ubin Day volunteers

In appreciation for making Ubin Day happen, MOS Desmond Lee hosted all Ubin Day volunteers to lunch and dinner.

This Kampung-style event was organised by Phillip Lim and the Eastern fish farmers of Pulau Ubin. They and their volunteers harvested farm produce, and cooked traditional meals from family recipes.

Photos by Lily Chua on facebook.

We feasted at a long table ('tok panjang') kampung-style. Just as in the old days, when the kampung folk get together to help build a house or harvest crops, the grandmothers and mothers get together to cook a meal for everyone! Thanks to the Eastern fish farmers for volunteering their time and effort and fresh produce from their farms for this event.

Photo by Ria Tan on facebook.

A special treat: Make your own ice-ball!
Photo by Min Lin Lee on facebook.

Thanks to the Eastern fish farmers for creating a warm kampung atmosphere for the volunteers who worked hard for Ubin Day!

Photo by Johnson Ong on facebook.

Photo by Ria Tan on facebook.

The Ubin Way on Ubin Day! So we didn't have to use disposables, we brought our own utensils.

Photo by Ria Tan on facebook.

Thanks to MOS Desmond Lee and the Eastern fish farmers for this most memorable part of Ubin Day 2015 for the volunteers!

MOS Desmond Lee (left) with Joseph Wee (right) creator of
the special seaweed soup for the dinner.
Photo by Ria Tan on facebook.

Phillip Lim (in blue) organised the meals
and many other aspects of Ubin Day 2015.
Photo by Ria Tan on facebook.

Coastal Cleanup with Sea Shepherd: 13 Jun (Sat)

Get hands-on experience and help keep our shores clean. You will learn how trash is affecting marine life, as well as how Singapore manages its trash.

You will also have fun as we will be on the look out for interesting and weird finds amongst the trash!

This year, local artist, Wang Ruobing, will be giving the plastic trash collected a second life for his art installation next year, as well as raise awareness on our excessive use of plastic and its effects.

There is no age restriction but parents are to supervise their own children, especially younger ones. Anyone unwell or have medical conditions should consult their doctors first as clean-up can be physically strenuous. You are advised to drink up and hydrate as weather can be scorching. For safety, all participants have to wear covered shoes (diving booties are the best). No sandals, slippers or crocs.

Date: 13 Jun (Sat)
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Meeting point: Assembly Area opposite the HSBC Volunteer Hub (at the Sea Shepherd booth), map.
Website: http://www.seashepherd.asia/
No charge, the activity is free!
No registration required, simply come to Sea Shepherd booth at the Assembly Area.

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

One of the youngest volunteers giving a helping hand!

Removal of a barrel dumped not long ago as it was not there at the clean-up during Ubin Day 2014.

As Sea Shepherd Singapore clean the shores, Adventurepaddlers pick up trash floating on the water. A concerted effort.

More photos in the Sea Shepherd Singapore facebook group album

Explore Ubin Quarry with OBS and RP: 13 Jun (Sat)

Updated 25 May: "Thank you for your overwhelming response, we have closed the pre-registration for the activity. We do accept walk-ins but pending availability. Please print the consent form (see below) and bring it along to the quarry. Thank you and hope to see you." - Outward Bound Singapore and Republic Polytechnic

The quarries are usually closed to the public. But on Ubin Day, instructors from Outward Bound Singapore and Republic Polytechnic are organising this opportunity for you get up close and personal with the Ubin Quarry. By kayak or raft!

This is a unique opportunity! Limited to 350 participants!

Age limit:
10 – 14 years old (accompanied by parents)
15 years and above with consent forms

Date: 13 Jun (Sat)
Time: 10am – 5pm. Each kayak/raft experience lasts 1 hour. You will be allocated a 1-hour time slot upon registration.
Meeting point: Ubin/Republic Polytechnic Quarry, map.

The meeting point is near the “Y u so like dat” drinks stall.

Cost: No charge, the activity is free!

Website: Republic Polytechnic http://www.rp.edu.sg/ and Outward Bound Singapore http://www.obs.nyc.gov.sg/

Limited to 350 participants!

Registration and consent forms are required: Thank you for your overwhelming response, we have closed the pre-registration for the activity. We do accept walk-ins but pending availability. Please print the consent form (see below) and bring it along to the quarry. Thank you and hope to see you.

Download and print the consent form from this link. One consent form for each person in your group. Bring along completed consent form and submit it for on-site registration at the quarry before activity commences. Participants under 21 years old will need to have their forms endorsed by their parents/guardians.

Important information to note to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone

• Minimum attire: T-shirt, shorts. Minimum acceptable footwear are sports sandals. (No slippers/ barefoot). Please bring along sun protection and change of clothes.
• Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your confirmed time slot for on-site registration and safety briefing.
• Please do not bring excessive valuables. You are responsible for your personal belongings.

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

Participants getting into their kayaks at the quarry

Quarry rafting!

MOS Desmond Lee dropped by the quarry to kayak too! 

A very refreshing quarry kayaking!

More photos of the event shared by Alex Tan on facebook.

Try watersports for free by Adventurepaddlers: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)

Always wanted to try kayaking? Or a standup board? Here is a chance to do so for free!

Only on Ubin Day, Adventurepaddlers provides free trials for you to experience a safe and eco-friendly way of traveling into nature.

Date: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)
Time: 2-4.30pm
Venue: Jelutong Campsite (West), map
Website: https://www.facebook.com/adventurepaddlers.watercross
No charge, the activity is free!
No pre-registration required. Just walk-in to Jelutong Campsite (West).

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

Practicing first before heading out!

And off they go! Free stand up paddling for the community

MOS Desmond Lee joins in the fun too! 

And he takes a quiet and scenic route through the mangroves 

 More photos in the Adventurepaddlers photo album:

Kayaking at Sungei Jelutong with the Marine Conservation Group, Nature Society (Singapore): 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)

As one of the most interesting mangrove rivers in Singapore, Sungei Jelutong is a gem in the heart of rustic Pulau Ubin. Come, join us for a leisurely 1-hour guided paddle where our volunteer guides will share interesting facts on the flora and fauna along the river, the importance of our coastal forests, and what we can do to conserve them. This trip is suitable for both adults and children.

Date: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)
Time: Each trip will last 1.5 hours including safety briefing.
Meeting point: The kayak launching station is located next to Jelutong bridge which is about 1 km away from Volunteer Hub, map.

Cost: $20 per person (to cover cost of equipment rental and logistics handling). Any proceeds received, will be donated to Nature Society (Singapore) for conservation efforts.

Website: http://www.nss.org.sg

Registration is required. Registration is closed due to overwhelming response. Thank you!

What to bring?

• Sun protection (hats, long sleeve clothing)
• Sufficient drinking water
• Snacks
• Change of clothes (will get wet!)
• Wear proper covered footwear (strictly NO slippers or sandals)

Things to note:

• Please note that there will be NO safe area to leave your bags or personal belongings. Therefore, please be prepared to bring your bags onto the kayaks with you, and waterproof them, as they will get WET.
• Please note that there are NO toilets / changing facilities available at the kayak launching point. Toilets are only available at Ubin Village / Main Jetty
• Please be on time. As we are running the trips back to back, we apologise that we cannot wait for late-comers and have to launch our kayaks on time and depart every hour.
• Do plan your ferry ride early and hop over to Pulau Ubin and take a leisurely 30 minutes walk to Jelutong Bridge.
• It is necessary that you provide your contact no. and email address so that we can acknowledge your booking and send you a booking confirmation.
• Cancellation: As this is a charity event, we seek your understanding that there will be no refunds once sold. In the event of bad weather, departure timings may be delayed.

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

Thanks to Cuifen Pui, we know that despite the rain on Day 2, lots of participants still came for this ever popular introduction to the mangroves. Lisa Lim giving a safety briefing before the group sets off from Ah Ma Drink Stall.

Here's the route taken by the group

More photos by Cuifen Pui on facebook. 

Ubin Jalan 'Treasure Hunt' with Raffles Institution ODAC: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)

Learn more about Ubin Town by participating in Ubin Jalan 'Treasure Hunt' with students from Raffles Institution Outdoor Activity Club (ODAC)!

1. Collect Activity Sheet
2. Follow trail and obtain stamps along the way
3. Post on instagram with the hashtag #ubinday #ubinjalan

And stand to win one of 20 "You Been to Ubin?" books! 

Date: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)

Time: The activity is available 9am-5pm, you can do it at any time and at your own pace. Just pick up an Activity Card from the Assembly Area and be on your way to discovery!

Venue: Assembly Area opposite the HSBC Volunteer Hub, map.

Website: https://rafflesodac.wordpress.com/

No charge, the activity is free! 

No pre-registration required. Just walk-in to the exhibition area. 

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

The students from Raffles Institution Outdoor Activity Club (ODAC) came well before Ubin Day with their teacher Mr Tan Sijie to recce and create the activity. Among the fun stuff they found: a kapok tree and a durian!

Here's some kids doing the activity on Ubin Day!

Here's some of the submissions made on Instagram #ubinjalan

Learn about the LED Green Lantern with Daily Life Renewable Energy: 13 Jun (Sat)

Daily Life Renewable Energy Pte Ltd (DLRE) is bringing you the coolest green technology in town: the LED Green Lantern.

The LED Green Lantern is powered by seawater or salt water, which can also be used to charge an of your USB devices!

Date: 13 Jun (Sat) 

Time: 9am-5pm

Website: http://www.dailylife.com.sg/

Venue: Assembly Area opposite the HSBC Volunteer Hub, map.

No charge, the activity is free!

No pre-registration required. Just walk-in to the exhibition area. 

What happened?
Here's a glimpse...

The team shared about their work with the Guest-of-Honour Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

Ria bought a lamp because it is perfect for her pre-dawn intertidal trips!

More photos of DLRE on Ubin Day by Donna Daritan.

The Big Coastal Clean Up - Kayak Expedition by Adventurepaddlers: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)

The Big Coastal Clean Up is a worthy event organized by Adventurepaddlers where our heartland community can contribute to the preservation of Ubin's unique charms through a kayak expedition along its enchanting shoreline.

Marine litter is an environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problem. Promoting environmental awareness, this eco trip will allow you to observe, gather and properly dispose marine waste which will otherwise cause prolong habitat destruction to our ecosystem.

Come experience the kampung spirit. What better way than to cruise down the scenic waterway into the heart of our very own Ubin Island.

(Tongs and trash bags will be provided during the event.)

Dates: 13 Jun (Sat) and 14 Jun (Sun)
Times: See registration details
Venue: Jelutong Campsite (west), map.
Cost: $25 per participant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/adventurepaddlers.watercross

Registration is required. Please sign up on the Adventurepaddlers facebook page events  https://www.facebook.com/adventurepaddlers.watercross/events

13 Jun (Sat): 9-11am
13 Jun (Sat): 12noon-2pm
13 Jun (Sat): 3-5pm

14 Jun (Sun): 9-11am
14 Jun (Sun): 12noon-2pm

What happened?
Here's a glimpse ...

A participant found a shoe! 

Ensuring that the rubbish is tightly secured to the kayak so that they can bring it back and properly dispose it

The amount of trash at our coast

Thank you Adventurepaddlers for such a wonderful event, allowing participants to kayak along Ubin's enchanting shoreline while doing their part in contributing to the well-being of our eco-system by cleaning up our coasts! 

More photos in the Adventurepaddlers photo album: 

Talk on 'Kampong Houses in Singapore and Malaysia' by Dr Lai Chee Kien: 13 Jun (Sat)

Kampong houses are commonly found all around Southeast Asia, formerly on the main island of Singapore, and throughout peninsula Malaysia. This talk introduces the common types found in Singapore and Malaysia and the parts that make up these houses. They demonstrate how they can create a better living climate as well as make use of natural resources to create liveable spaces.

All are welcome!

About the speaker: Dr Lai Chee Kien researches on histories of art, architecture, settlements, urbanism and landscapes in Southeast Asia.  He graduated from the National University of Singapore with an M Arch. by research [1996], and then a PhD in History of Architecture & Urban Design from the University of California, Berkeley [2005]. His publications include Building Merdeka: Independence Architecture in Kuala Lumpur, 1957-1966 (2007); Cords to Histories (2013); and Through the Lens of Lee Kip Lin: Photographs of Singapore 1965-1995 (2015). He is also a registered architect in Singapore.

About Singapore Heritage Society: The Society is dedicated to the preservation, transmission and promotion of Singapore’s history, heritage and identity. Over the years, we have been involved in many projects including publishing books, organising talks and forums, and conducting heritage tours. It advances civil society viewpoints on many issues, such as the remaking of Chinatown in 1998 and the demolition of the National Library building at Stamford Road in 2001, and more recently, the historical significance and future use of the former KTM Rail Corridor and of Pulau Ubin.



Date: 13 Jun (Sat)
Time: 4-5pm
Website: http://www.singaporeheritage.org/
Venue: Seminar Room, HSBC Volunteer Hub, map.
No charge, the activity is free!

No pre-registration required. But the room can only seat 40 persons so please come in good time to get a seat.

What happened?

Here's a glimpse ...

"Has anyone lived in a kampong house?" 

MOS Desmond Lee (in a black Youth Corps shirt) joins in for the talk too! 

 Thank you Dr Lai for a very interesting and informative talk!