A visit to Chek Jawa

Chek what? "Chek Jawa is a 100-hectare wetlands located on the south-eastern tip of Pulau Ubin, an island off the north-eastern coast of the main island of Singapore." - Wikipedia.

End of June, my department's Welfare Officer organised a visit to Chek Jawa. I was very happy I was able to join the excursion even though I was very busy at work. It was an almost one day excursion out to Chek Jawa. We gathered at Changi Ferry Terminal to take a ferry across to Pulau Ubin. I understand the tour had to be booked very early in advance as it was very popular. What made it even more popular was that the day which we visited was the last day of the tour for the year as they closed for renovation of the platoon. Visiting the Chek Jawa wetlands had to be very early as it depends very much on the tide.

We were amazed by how much sea creatures we can find right in our "door-step". After this excursion, I will be planning to bring my family to visit Chek Jawa when it opens again in 2013. You can still go to Pulau Ubin for trekking and hiking or cycling. But I'll give it a pass... For me, the main attraction in Pulau Ubin is Chek Jawa Wetlands.

Bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin


Arrived at the jetty.

Wild boars roaming. Estimated to have 2000 wild boars roaming in Pulau Ubin.

Mangrove plants

Fiddler Crab - Crab with one big pincer.

View from the platform. Low tide, you can see very far.

Need to climb down the platoon to view the sea creatures. This was the platoon that will be undergoing major renovations for the next six months. The lady on the left, in white, was our NPark guide for the day. The whole wetland tour took us 90mins.

Hermit crab.

Sea cucumbers - different species for the next three pictures.

Anemone - expands in water, contracts without water to retain its moisture.

Horseshoe crab
 
View from the Jawa Tower