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SURROUNDING ISLAND 2

Ferries leave at regular intervals and make a circular route, landing on both islands. Tickets are available from the desk at the back of the World Trade Centre (65/6321-2802). Adult tickets cost S$9 (US$5.15), and tickets for children under 12 are S$G (US$3.45). During "Kusu Season"-the month of October-thousands of people make their way to Kusu Island to pray in the temple there, and during this month the ferry departs from Clifford Pier ( 65/G532-7441). To get to the World Trade Centre, take MRT to "Tanjong Pagar, then bus no. 10, 97, 100, or 131. For Clifford Pier, take the MRT to Raffles and walk through Change Alley. A small tip: There's a Cold Storage grocery store in the World'frade Center where you can pick up water and provisions for the trip.

My favorite island getaway has to be Ubin. Located off the northeast tip of Singapore, Pulau Ubin remains the only place in Singapore where you can find life as it used to be before urban development. Lazy kampung villages pop up along side trails perfect for a little more rugged bicycling. It's truly a great day trip for those who like to explore nature and rural scenery. Toward the end of 1999, the Singapore press carried numerous reports about government plans to develop the island for public housing, so I expect that within the next 20 years we'll see poor Ubin burdened with boxy housing estates and the hideous trappings of urban sprawl. And when they eventually extend the MRT out to the island, it's curtains for this place. See it while you can. A side note: Rumors have it that during the occupation the Japanese brought soldiers here to be tortured, and so some believe the place is haunted.

To get to Ubin, take bus no. 2 to Changi Village. Walk past the food court down to the water and find the ferry. ']'here's no ticket booth, so you should just approach the captain and buy your ticket from him-it'll cost you about S$2 (US$1.15). The boats leave regularly, with the last one returning from the island at 9pm. Once you're there, bicycle-rental places along the jetty can provide you with bikes and island maps at reasonable prices. A few coffee shops cook up rudimentary meals, and you'll also find public toilets and coin phones in the more populated areas.
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