Click here for panorama view of Ubin from Bukit Puaka, 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. According to Ubin villagers, the top was lopped off for aircraft safety when Changi Airport was a military airport then.

During the Malayan Emergency, the hill provide vantage points for Ubin islanders watching RAF bombers on their bombing runs on communist targets. A futile show of force like what the Americans did when they bombed the jungles of Vietnam for their elusive enemies.

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 could also be 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