This is a rather delayed entry. One that I really hoped I could do before I went off for a 3 days 2 nights chalet which ended today. Alas, I was too caught up packing, and planning for the chalet that I had barely enough rest.
So anyways, I went on a fishing trip the weekend after Christmas. It is nothing like those fishing trips whereby you pick up your fishing rod and bait and head down to the nearest beach. Rather, we decided to fish at Pulau Ubin.
The sky was dark when we were headed to Ubin
The last time I went to Pulau Ubin to fish, we caught nothing. Only lots and lots of turtles/terapins/tortoise (choose one) at a disused quarry. Well that was partly because we were ill-equipped having not bought any bait, improper weight rating for the line, and we did not even brought a rod along. But this time, we came prepared! Rod, check! Bait, check! Reel, check! Hook, check! Weights, check!
As expected, the heavens opened up.
It was tough having to tie all our stuff onto the bikes. We got 6x1.5L bottles of water, 3 bags, 1 medium sized styrofoam box and two fishing rods. Since it rained anyways, we took refuge under a shelter and prepped ourselves for the 20 minutes journey ahead.
The styrofoam box was a bitch to tie to the bike.
We set off for Noordin beach, as it has 2 pavilions and there is a toilet located nearby the beach. There is another beach though, but we were satisfied with what we had and set up camp. It was raining heavily, the wind was blowing hard, and it was such a pain trying to pitch the tent. I wonder how the guys who climbed Mt Everest manage to do theirs.
The 3 Musketeers.
Right when we thought that we came fully equipped, we realised that we were missing something. A holder to secure the fishing rods after we cast! lol. But we got that covered and improvised with what little resources we have; rubbish. Thank God for our engineering backgrounds. Nothing is impossible.
We fashioned one out of junk.
We laid the tent on some carpet grass and covered it with groundsheet.
We were getting desperate.
My God, is an awesome God.
It was nearly 3 hours before any action happened. We talked, fished, discussed fishing line strategies, admire the sunset, and finally, we got it! We got a fish! It was not my first time, having caught so many fishes with dad when I was younger. But it was my first time tying my own hook, my own sinker, and actually getting a fish. One can sense the morale boost in our camp after we caught the fish. It was definitely thrilling!
Look! We caught one!
Cockles for bait. The veterans at the camp next to us, advised us that these cockles should be soaked in Belacan overnight for more effect.
Maggie for Supper.
Worms donated from the camp next to us.
No fishes were caught for the rest of the trip. At least, we learnt something from this experience and will come back with more knowledge and a higher success rate. We slept shortly after 1am, amidst the loud music from nearby Malaysia, strong winds and a really uncomfortable stone bench to sleep on. It was a cold, cold night, and I got maybe 2 hours of sleep at most.
Top of Observation Tower.
We fished again early in the morning, got bored, and decided to leave for Chek Jawa. Oh my, a lot has changed since my last visit. There is now the coastal boardwalk, the mangrove walk, and even an observation tower! Looking down on the ground, I can fondly remember that I walked on these grounds just a few years back. Chek Jawa has changed. A lot.
Cute Lizard.
Can you spot the Fiddler Crab? (Its in the middle of the picture)
One thing for sure is we spotted a lot of wildlife and flora at Chek Jawa. The picture above shows a fiddler crab. Yeap, it is small. The fiddler crab is a type of crab that sports a pincer, larger than the other. Only the male variants have this feature and it looks kinda cool if you see it 'live'. Mudskippers were everywhere, and another thing I remembered is that Nipah, a plant, is used to make 'Atap Chee.' the chewy thingy you have in the Ice Kacang. Cool can?
Quarry we came across on the way back to the jetty.
Home Sweet Home!
It was an enjoyable trip all in all and an adventure nevertheless. Most importantly, I get to spend some time with my friends who have played an invaluable part in defining myself as a person. As for Chek Jawa, it is a must visit. You will definitely gain something and appreciate what the Mangrove has in store for you.
Till then, Pulau Ubin rocks!
So anyways, I went on a fishing trip the weekend after Christmas. It is nothing like those fishing trips whereby you pick up your fishing rod and bait and head down to the nearest beach. Rather, we decided to fish at Pulau Ubin.
The sky was dark when we were headed to Ubin
The last time I went to Pulau Ubin to fish, we caught nothing. Only lots and lots of turtles/terapins/tortoise (choose one) at a disused quarry. Well that was partly because we were ill-equipped having not bought any bait, improper weight rating for the line, and we did not even brought a rod along. But this time, we came prepared! Rod, check! Bait, check! Reel, check! Hook, check! Weights, check!
As expected, the heavens opened up.
It was tough having to tie all our stuff onto the bikes. We got 6x1.5L bottles of water, 3 bags, 1 medium sized styrofoam box and two fishing rods. Since it rained anyways, we took refuge under a shelter and prepped ourselves for the 20 minutes journey ahead.
The styrofoam box was a bitch to tie to the bike.
We set off for Noordin beach, as it has 2 pavilions and there is a toilet located nearby the beach. There is another beach though, but we were satisfied with what we had and set up camp. It was raining heavily, the wind was blowing hard, and it was such a pain trying to pitch the tent. I wonder how the guys who climbed Mt Everest manage to do theirs.
The 3 Musketeers.
Right when we thought that we came fully equipped, we realised that we were missing something. A holder to secure the fishing rods after we cast! lol. But we got that covered and improvised with what little resources we have; rubbish. Thank God for our engineering backgrounds. Nothing is impossible.
We fashioned one out of junk.
We laid the tent on some carpet grass and covered it with groundsheet.
We were getting desperate.
My God, is an awesome God.
It was nearly 3 hours before any action happened. We talked, fished, discussed fishing line strategies, admire the sunset, and finally, we got it! We got a fish! It was not my first time, having caught so many fishes with dad when I was younger. But it was my first time tying my own hook, my own sinker, and actually getting a fish. One can sense the morale boost in our camp after we caught the fish. It was definitely thrilling!
Look! We caught one!
Cockles for bait. The veterans at the camp next to us, advised us that these cockles should be soaked in Belacan overnight for more effect.
Maggie for Supper.
Worms donated from the camp next to us.
No fishes were caught for the rest of the trip. At least, we learnt something from this experience and will come back with more knowledge and a higher success rate. We slept shortly after 1am, amidst the loud music from nearby Malaysia, strong winds and a really uncomfortable stone bench to sleep on. It was a cold, cold night, and I got maybe 2 hours of sleep at most.
Top of Observation Tower.
We fished again early in the morning, got bored, and decided to leave for Chek Jawa. Oh my, a lot has changed since my last visit. There is now the coastal boardwalk, the mangrove walk, and even an observation tower! Looking down on the ground, I can fondly remember that I walked on these grounds just a few years back. Chek Jawa has changed. A lot.
Cute Lizard.
Can you spot the Fiddler Crab? (Its in the middle of the picture)
One thing for sure is we spotted a lot of wildlife and flora at Chek Jawa. The picture above shows a fiddler crab. Yeap, it is small. The fiddler crab is a type of crab that sports a pincer, larger than the other. Only the male variants have this feature and it looks kinda cool if you see it 'live'. Mudskippers were everywhere, and another thing I remembered is that Nipah, a plant, is used to make 'Atap Chee.' the chewy thingy you have in the Ice Kacang. Cool can?
Quarry we came across on the way back to the jetty.
Home Sweet Home!
It was an enjoyable trip all in all and an adventure nevertheless. Most importantly, I get to spend some time with my friends who have played an invaluable part in defining myself as a person. As for Chek Jawa, it is a must visit. You will definitely gain something and appreciate what the Mangrove has in store for you.
Till then, Pulau Ubin rocks!
