Exploring Singapore on foot

Finally getting down to documenting all my adventures in the last weeks. And I don't mean exploring the cafe culture or chancing upon a random alley of uncovered magic. When I say adventures, I mean attempting the tried-and-tested trek routes around Singapore.

I've never noticed how connected Singapore is becoming. I can now go anywhere on foot as long as I'm willing to spare the hours and effort. Whoever came up with the ingenious idea of park connectors has got my ultimate thanks for making working out so much easier.

I sometimes feel like a foreigner in my own hometown because I'm so used to traveling to the same few places – Orchard, Causeway Point, Northpoint – where the MRT station is within minutes. But this new habit of attempting a trek route almost every Saturday started out with an impromptu suggestion by the cousin.

And we headed off to the HSBC Treetop Walk one fine Saturday morning:

14 May 2016

By this point, we were seriously so close. As we inched closer to our final destination, we had to brave the sudden inclinations and numerous steps. Not complaining! After all, we did conquer the wetlands before arriving onto a decent cemented pavement.

We entered through Venus Drive and followed the single route available. At other times, when we were unsure, we trailed other trekkers. It's unlikely to lose your way because there will always be people around (in the day, at least.)

Truth be told, I was too scared to look anywhere else but ahead. My phobia of heights is real so the moment I got on the treetop walk, I couldn't wait for it to be over already. People probably don't realise that not everyone thrives on adrenaline so the bridge continued to shake for as long as I was on it. If you haven't guessed it yet, my whole point is I didn't get to enjoy the view as much as I had hoped to because my fears kicked and it was taking everything of me to try to stay afloat.

On the way down, we were met with more steps. The descend was much more relaxed and we exited the treks halfway. We decided to hit the roads instead.

It began drizzling on our way down and in hopes of escaping the impending storm, we picked up speed only to realise we were too far in to make it out fast enough. We eventually whipped out our umbrellas and brisk-walked to the nearest bus stop.

We trekked for over 3 hours but I'd say it was worth the experience. The only physically challenging area was the steep inclinations. The wetlands were not too pleasant to trek through and there were several points I thought I was going to slip and break a bone so it's important to always be on your toes. Take extra caution while trekking but remember to take occasional looks ahead! Nothing intrigues me more than the unexpected view.

Oh! And we saw macaques as well! One of which actually subtly attacked a trekker crossing the treetop walk. We were advised to avoid eye contact with them because they don't take our friendly signals well.

The following Sunday, the teeter was away on a business trip so we decided against planning anything but because Jo and I were severely bored, the two of us went ahead with cycling.

21 May 2016

Nothing new or fancy. We started at Pasir Ris Park and intended to cycle our way to the next bike rental store at East Coast because we could return our bikes there but... we got lost.

There was nothing breathtaking. Maybe because we've been here countless times when we were much younger so it felt a little less like taking a journey down memory lane. Well, all those said memories feel like they belong to someone else from another time.

We both rented the same bikes. The vendor suggested this model because we told him we were up for some long distance cycling and he told us these seats were more comfortable. Should've known it made no difference because both our butts had a tough time. I had bruises on my inner thighs the next day.

When I say we got lost, I mean we really got lost. We were cycling by construction sites, industrial buildings and more unfamiliar sights that were vastly different from what I remembered. Also, I fell off my bike at some point and a kind cyclist stopped to help us but he failed to rectify the problem. When he left, I had almost resigned to fate that I would have to push my bike back. But Jo turned into a genius at this point and with her instructions, we managed to revert the gears back to the right positions! (I was half-betting the gears would explode and the entire bike would break down but it didn't.)

We reached Changi Village, grabbed a drink at 7/11 and then cycled back.

By this week, I was starting to pick up momentum and realised, well, it wasn't that bad an idea to work out weekly. The company makes up for the exhaustion and I like when I get a good sweat.

27 May 2016

My cousins decided to take a break this week so that meant I had to find someone else to work out with. Or, I could do it alone but that wouldn't be as fun.

That week, I took a walk with Mama.

It's the same route I used to cover when I went jogging. I don't anymore because my knees are so bad and due to all the reworks, the route has become quite a maze. I guess I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to.

We were blessed with nice weather that morning.

A lot of times I don't realise the beauty in the nature surrounding me. In some sense, I guess I take it for granted that it'll always be here because I don't intend to move overseas. (But who knows, I'm definitely open to changes!) As time goes by, I forget how comforting it can be soaking up in the sun or just staring out in the wide open. I used to think Singapore doesn't offer as beautiful scenes as the skies and seas in foreign lands but there's always no better than home.

4 June 2016

The teeter returns from her business trip and the cousins are up for some more exploring. This day, we decided to challenge Coney Island.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to experience Coney Island at its best. As you might have already deduced from the above photo, the skies were gloomy and it was already drizzling when we reached. In fact, it was raining as we made our way there and we surely had ample time to make a detour but we decided to go ahead with plans and hoped for the rain to pan out, which didn't happen.

We went ahead into Coney Island but the rain got quite heavy so we stopped by a waffles place at Punggol Settlement.

Being the gluttons we have always been, we ordered 2 waffles with 4 scoops of ice-cream, truffle fries and a pot of tea. This was even before we got a full workout! So yes, we indulged even though we didn't quite deserve it (yet). (I just realise I have abnormally huge eyes because Jo turned on the beauty function for her camera and it makes all of us have enlarged eyes and perfect complexion.)

Anyway, the rain did not subside and we eventually forfeited our plans. Returned our bikes, scooted to the bus stop and made our exit.

Plans to conquer Coney Island that day failed miserably but we're most definitely looking forward to going back there again. I mean, we've yet to witness the lone cow that resides on the island!

8 June 2016

After a failed attempt to explore Coney Island, Jo pestered me to the treetop walk again because she missed out on the previous one.

This day, I suggested the MacRitchie Trail instead because I haven't gone down that lane before. And besides, I'm not up for repeats. Jo didn't have any qualms about it anyway.

Weather started out great. The ground was slightly damp but the sun was peeking through the woods and it felt like we were on our way to a good start.

Kudos to Jo for bringing her selfie stick because she was eager to take pictures everywhere!

Chancing upon a gem of a sight as we made our way further in. It is being up close with nature like this that reminds me how simple bliss is. Up till this point, the weather was still not too bad. It was cloudy but we decided to take our chances.

So we continued our trail and it began to drizzle shortly after. We walked past a lady that remarked it's about to rain and I actually casually replied, "I know!" But Jo and I were daredevils that day and we were challenging the weather. Just a couple more steps in and we were met with defeat as the rain poured down on us!

Along with 2 other explorers, we began running towards a random hut. Ultimately, Jo and I took a stroll in the heavy rain and got drenched through and through! As we sought shelter at a hut with other trekkers, Jo and I changed our minds and decided to walk through the rain and all the way out because who knows how long it would've taken that rain to stop!

Yet another failed attempt to explore a new route but that's okay, we're keeping this trail for reserves.

18 June 2016

After 2 consecutive failures, the sister jetted off to San Francisco for another business trip so the cousins decided to recover from disappointment instead. I, on the other hand, couldn't let my Saturday go to waste. And besides, it was a rare morning with sunshine!

Luckily, I made plans to trek Southern Ridges with Kat a few days earlier when we met for dinner. (Both Mel and Banana weren't very keen on the idea. Actually, they probably couldn't bear the thought of meeting at 8:30AM!)

Despite getting less than 3 hours of sleep (yes, that damned thing called insomnia came back to haunt me), I got out of bed before 8 and got ready to meet Kat. We reached Harbourfront MRT around 9:20AM!

We started off on Marang Trail. We didn't realise there was an MRT exit nearer the trail so we actually exited from Vivo City instead. No harm, just a couple more steps to take!

Southern Ridges connects 5 different parks and brought us to many high points where we got to feast on the Singapore landscape. Albeit cluttered with high-rise buildings and endless roads, watching it from afar allowed me to disconnect from the everyday hustle.

We were greeted by gloomy skies but it wasn't raining. The sun was hiding behind the clouds but we were just glad we could complete out trek with occasional breeze.

Upon reaching Mount Faber, I already felt so distanced from my usual life. All I could think about was how glad I was to be away from the city.

This was from Henderson Waves, I believe. In any case, we kept going higher and higher! Even on our way down, we experienced some really nice scenes.

All we did was walk and each step brought us somewhere new. It's amazing, really. Southern Ridges has got to be one of the most fulfilling treks in Singapore!

Our end point was Kent Ridge park, which we arrived at after a couple of turns and detours.

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Phew, finally managed to finish documenting my 6 attempted treks! Sure took me long enough.

I can be sure I'll be heading back to Coney Island and Southern Ridges with the cousins but I'm not complaining. I've been getting back on track with my workouts. (Took me long enough to reach Week 9 of the BBG routine!) But I'm lazy again today. Anything that needs me to work out my arms just-

Another trail I intend to cover is the Lower Seletar to Woodlands one! Can't wait, can't wait!

It is now time for me to go burn some calories after downing a packet of instant noodles.