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[00:00.40] A short boat ride from the wealthy city-state of Singapore is something rare – a small, quiet island.

[00:11.57] People living on Pulau Ubin still talk about the arrival of solar power 11 years ago.

[00:20.60] They call it a “miracle.”

[00:23.79] Although the electricity was expensive, Chu Yok Choon said he loved the convenience.

[00:32.56] He could just press a button, and a pump would send water to his home from the village well.

[00:40.53] Until 2013, Chu had to carry water from the well by hand and use generators to provide electricity.

[00:52.49] Chu is one of 30 people living on Pulau Ubin.

[00:58.06] The island measures only 10 square kilometers.

[01:03.37] He spoke to Reuters recently and compared life on the island to life in Singapore, or as he calls it, the mainland.

[01:15.59] "Life on the mainland doesn't feel natural," said the 79-year-old.

[01:23.29] "Life here is quieter."

[01:25.15] Pulau Ubin includes forest areas and wetlands.

[01:31.53] The wetlands were once under threat from development until the plans were postponed.

[01:40.30] The island offers visitors walks along thick greenery and lakes that were formed from rock quarries.

[01:50.65] They can ride bicycles on roads free of vehicles and eat seafood meals by the water's edge.

[02:00.21] For those living in Singapore, the island is an escape.

[02:06.85] It can be reached in about 10 minutes by ferry.

[02:11.63] But for those who live on the island, those ferry rides can be inconvenient.

[02:19.08] Trips to the mainland to buy food and other necessities can be delayed.

[02:26.51] Also, ferries can be costly.

[02:29.96] For visits to the city, Chu said he would have to wait until the ferry filled up with 12 passengers. Each person pays $3.

[02:42.71] This cost is similar to Singapore's public transportation.

[02:48.56] But if he is in a hurry, he would have to pay $36 for the whole boat.

[02:56.53] Still, the residents stay.

[02:59.45] They say they are enjoying a life different from the busy, stressful conditions in the city.

[03:07.95] "The energy is so fantastic," said 54-year-old Koh Bee Choo.

[03:14.32] She lives in a house on top of wooden supports that extends out over the water.

[03:21.23] "I go for morning walks and I absorb the energy in the jungle," added Koh.

[03:28.14] She lived in Singapore for nearly five years but returned to the island to run a bicycle rental shop.