A TikTok video by @/botakspirit, posted four days ago highlights the reality of a slower way of life on Pulau Ubin. Titled “Pulau Ubin Story: Kampong Boy & Kampong Cendol,” the clip centres on Ah Huat. Ah Huat is a 60-year-old islander whose daily routine reflects the kampong spirit many can associate with Ubin.
The video shows Ah Huat tending to his surroundings by the beach, renting out bicycles, and enjoying simple pleasures like spending time his boat. The creator frames him as a “kampong boy” born and bred on the island. He has been living much as he always has while Pulau Ubin quietly resists the pace of modern Singapore.
In the Video
Ah Huat is introduced in the video as a kampong boy who owns 45C Bicycle Rental, a small shop along a breezy stretch of road on Pulau Ubin. Born and bred on the island, he lives a kampong lifestyle by the beach, and goes about his daily routine at an unhurried pace.
The video shows Ah Huat enjoying happy hour on his boat and selling what is described as the island’s ‘one-and-only kampong cendol.’
The spot is presented as a familiar stop for visitors, especially those cycling around Ubin. The shop is located next to the Wayang Stage, offering cendol and fresh coconut drinks.
The in-video text highlights the breezy road leading to the rental shop, positioning it as both a practical service and a small slice of island life that regular visitors return to.
A Living Reminder of Singapore’s Past
Laying off the northeast coast of mainland Singapore, Pulau Ubin is often described as a place where time stands still.
With its traditional kampong houses and dense greenery, the island offers a glimpse of what Singapore was like decades before urban development reshaped the country.
The island is particularly suited for cycling and hiking, with trails cutting through forested areas and past lakes formed from old granite quarries. For visitors, Pulau Ubin feels worlds away despite being just a short boat ride from the city.
Preserved, for Now
Pulau Ubin is also notable for having Singapore’s last natural rocky coastline, as most other islands have been altered through land reclamation.
While development plans for Ubin exist, they reportedly remain on hold unless expansion becomes necessary.
For now, videos like @botakspirit’s serve as reminders of what still exists — and what could one day disappear — as Singapore continues to grow.
Watch the video here:
@botakspirit Pulau Ubin Story: Kampong Boy & Kampong Cendol Ah Huat, 60, the owner of 45C Bicycle Rental, is born and bred on the island. He lives a kampong lifestyle by the beach, rents bicycles for a living, tends the flowers around his shop, and—best of all—serves the island’s one-and-only cendol: fresh, icy, and delicious. He enjoys happy hour on his boat. #pulauubinisland🏝 #pulauubinsingapore #45cbicyclerental #kampongcendol #kampongboy
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