Google Earth Kml

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Ubin for GPS exploring – 1. March, 2010

I having been exploring Ubin with a GPS for a number of years. The problem with GPS is the babel of formats limiting its usefulness. Fortunately times have changed and formats like Google Earth KML are becoming popular, allowing users to share their maps on-line.

My favorite GPS model is GPSMAP 76CSx. I also bought another similar 60CSx which is more compact and popular. The most important function is tracking accuracy for logging trails under tree cover. Expensive units allow you to download routable maps that provide driving directions. Garmin users are able to download free routable maps for Singapore and Malaysia. Software like Garmin Mapsource or Garmin Basecamp allows you to plan your hike in advance.

There is a profusion of smartphones with similar GPS functions. I pay little attention to such 3G subscription based phones. Overseas telecos are scamming the public with exorbitant phones bills. I was in Dubai when I accessed its 3G for less than a minute before turning off the phone and was slapped with $700 phone bill. Traditional GPS like Garmin uses free satellite signals and all you need is the ubiquitous AA batteries to power them. GPS are power hungry and its important to carry a fresh pack of disposable batteries as backups. There are numerous occasions my GPS becomes a useless dead weight when my rechargeable batteries were not charged fully.

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Update: 11 July 2010.
Ordered the Oregon 450 after reading positive reviews. Purchased from Amazon online which includes free shipping. My intention is to get it shipped to Vpost USA address who will then ship to Singapore with attractive shipping rates at one third the shipping costs. Shipping direct would have costs me US$90 instead. The only con is slower transit time but I am prepared to wait.

Turns out to be a mistake. Vpost’s service is absymal. First they refused to accept the shipment while its on its way. They claimed it contains batteries and is therefore considered as dangerous cargo even though Garmin do not ship batteries with their GPS. I have to write a letter twice to them together with description of the packing contents stating it contains no batteries. Next Vpost lost the shipment after USPS delivered it to them. I have to give them USPS tracking number thrice. Took them 2 weeks to tell me they do not have my shipment, giving me a one liner reply asking me to contact USPS myself. A note from them that they checked with USPS with no avail would have helped me claim a refund from Amazon. Disheartened I wrote to Amazon to help me trace my shipment with USPS and within 12 hrs Amazon wrote to me that it considered the shipment as lost and immediately refunded me. No questions asked. Amazon has my customer loyalty. Not for Vpost, .

With the refund, I bought the Garmin Oregon 450 GPS locally which costs me SGD680. The cons for Oregons is the dim screen in daylight and lack of voice prompt. The battery compartment is too tight. Batteries have to be inserted carefully without damaging the contacts which costs $200 to replace. Other than that, it is a vast improvement in UI design. New Garmin models like the Oregons are able to load satellite images by subscribing to Garmin BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery. The annual subscription costs is US$30. The subscription is worthwhile as I am able to download detailed images for Pulau Ubin. I am now able to confirm position of visible landmarks with better accuracy. Its would have been a chore to take multiple readings 90 minutes apart. I found out earlier that Google Earth images are not accurately positioned and cannot be relied upon.
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Update: June 2010.
Progress has caught up. Garmin have a navigation software for Symbian S60v3 smartphones, the Garmin Mobile XT. With pre-loaded maps I do not have to incur expensive data charges. Installed it on my Nokia E72 which have built-in GPS and compass, albeit mickey-mouse in performance. Took as much as 20 minutes to locate satellites. Went to my favorite online site and ordered a Holux bluetooth M-1000 GPS after reading positive reviews. Results looks promising with its tracking accuracy compared well against the popular Garmin 60csx, which unfortunately lacks voice prompt.
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Thanks to Google, you can enjoy discoveries made by GPS enthusiasts even if you do not have a unit. With Googlemaps, you can plan your trip to unfamiliar places with directions and location pictures to guide you. Googlemaps is constantly coming out with new features. My favorite is getting directions just by typing zip codes and using its drag and drop feature to plan alternative routes.

Watch this space. I will be adding more tracks and locations of interesting places. You can also download the kml file and view it on Google Earth. With a bit of technical know how, you should also be able to download them into your GPS unit for your next trip to Ubin.

When exploring jungle terrain, make sure you bring a compass with you as it is not easy to get a satellite fix under thick tree cover causing you to walk in circles.

Ubin on GoogleMaps
Download Google earth kml file Updated 01 Mar 2009
Download Free Google Earth Software

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Ubin Highest Point – 24. December, 2009

Ubin Highest Point

Click here for panorama view of Ubin from its highest point.

The last time we went up there was more than 10 years ago. Then, fallen branches and overgrown bushes would block our path making progress slow and difficult. I was deterred also by the uncomfortable vertigo sensation and the worry of being struck by lightning.

But weather has been dry in Ubin for several weeks already (that was in February 2009, this post is being moved). The sun was hot and its good time to update the blog by taking pano shots and record its tracks on gps.

We went up but were again blocked by overgrown bushes. As machetes are viewed unfavorably by the police, we can only use a little saw from a Swiss army knife to cut through.

Our efforts at making a trail for others were in vain when ants from a disturbed nest went on a biting rampage. Its was only then when we were looking for an alternative way that we found out there is a already a well maintained trail leading to the top.

The trail is easy to find and is just next to Merbah hut. It is also easy to climb and slightly steep at one point. The view is just magnificent. Do watch from a safe distance. Do not peer over the cliff and lose your balance as a result.

There is a rock at the top with drill holes large enough to stuff dynamite in. The quarry operators must be desperate to mine the last granite piece before giving up. Its top was blown up and the peak is now a few meters shorter from its original height of 74 meters.

You can download the directions and view it on Google apps.

View in Googlemaps
Download for viewing on Googlearth

Update Apr 16, 2010: This tall peak was called Bukit Puaka. “Puaka Air” is a Malay term for water ghost which SPI followers are most keen to draw obvious connection. Puaka was simply a mispronunciation for a hill named in honor of William Farquhar, the 1st Resident of colonial Singapore.

Old map with Bukit Puaka shown. Grid scale 1km

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Ubin abandoned prawn farms – 21. December, 2009

Prawn farming used to be thriving in Pulau ubin. Inland swamps are parceled out with dykes. Sluice gates are constructed to control the flow of water.

Water pollution contributed to its demise. Lease are given up back to the Government and building structures demolished.

From GoogleEarth, one can see its scale by its tell tale remnants.

With GoogleEarth, we manage to plot our course by connecting dots of white roofs peeking through dense trees canopy seen under satellite. The course or path is then downloaded into our handheld GPS.

It led us first to a swing.

Then a lovely house

Finally a sweeping view from the remaining sluice gate, also a prime spot for bird watching.

Natural swamps are an important spawning grounds for fishes and with young fishes finding easy refuge. The sluice gates continues today as barriers. At low tide, the remaining fish are easily caught by fishermen casting fine nets.