Pulau Ubin is a place to take your eco-holiday. Its means lots of cycling or walking over uneven terrain. Avoid high heels to avoid falls and broken ankles.
High heels
Pulau Ubin can get very hot, so wear something light and avoid black colored clothing which absorb heat. There are other preferences though.
Wearing a US$200 hiking skirt for men.
All covered up
Another thing most visitors are not prepared for are mosquitoes and sandflies bites. We would often see them scratching themselves. Its too late by then and the itching going to last for days. Get a can of spray repellent. My favorite is “Off!” brand. It contains DEET that keep the most determined mosquitoes and the dreaded sandflies away. Costs around $7.50 to $8.50. The provision shops in Ubin sell them also.
Sunblock lotion. Except for eastern parts of Ubin towards Ketam cycling trail, there are plenty of tree cover so sunblock is optional or wear a hat instead.
Make sure you bring along a first aid kit. Especially when in a group with inexperienced members. Most accidents result in minor skin abrasions. A bottle of mineral water helps wash away dirt and use some cotton gauze and bandages to cover wounds.
Water is important too. Dehydration from sweating can result in painful muscle cramps. Make sure you bring bottled water as the water at NPark public toilets are not treated.
Finally, bring some snacks along and some disposable rain coat in event of a sudden downpour. You can buy these at Ubin provision shops.
Caught in the rain
Wearing flip flops and cycling with terrified kid
Buff HeadWear
Pulau Ubin can get incredibly hot and humid when rains stop and the hot sun comes out. Buff Wear has a comprehensive range to keep the wearers cool while soaking up excess sweat. In my case, my cameras were nearly ruined when salty sweat dripped on them.Those sold locally are limited in choice and overpriced, selling for as much as S$45 at Isetan. I have been buying them online as they are cheaper from US$17.50. Postage is free if your order exceeds US$37.50. There is another 5% off for returning customers who, like myself, find buying them addictive. Orders are fulfilled on the same day of purchase, arriving via UK Royal Mail 4 days later.
For those looking for cheaper alternatives, Mustafa Centre sell other brands at lower prices (around $12.00) but I find their materials to be inferior. Buff wear is cheaper there at $28 but make sure you get one with Buff logo printed on its fabric.
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Tags: dehydration and cramps, emergency, first aid kit, getting there, insect repellent, Off! insect repellent, public toilet, sandfly, what to wear
