It was a 14 mile outing altogether, probably 11 miles in the loop around MacRitchie Reservoir, including the TreeTop Walk. Surprisingly busy on the trail, but still some good wildlife sightings, including (as usual) macaques (photo 2), monitor lizards (photo 3), and skinks (photo 5). A surprise was a pretty green snake, just off the trail, which I later discovered was a venomous Wagner pit viper (photo 6). Yikes!
Casual afternoon outing on an overcast, warm, and humid (of course) day. Walk across NUS to the Kent Ridge MRT station. Ride to Botanic Gardens. Spend 90 minutes meandering the grounds. Highlight: first time I've visited the Foliage Garden. Hop the 106 bus from the Tanglin exit to Commonwealth. Eat at our favorite mixed veg rice stall (eggplant, white fish, pork chop, white rice, and a lime juice all for S$7.40 = US$5.40). Walk to Buona Vista MRT for the short ride to Kent Ridge. Pick up some groceries at the Fair Price. Quick (2 stop) bus ride back on the 963. Total trip time ~ 3 hours, including about 7 miles of walking. Photos are all from Botanic Gardens.
Southern Ridges, in reverse. From Harbour Front to Kent Ridge via Marang Trail, Henderson Waves, Forest Walk, Alexandra Arch, Hort Park, and Kent Ridge Park. Total distance = 6 miles, plus another mile or so in connecting to bus and MRT. Total trip duration, including transit and sushi dinner: slightly less than 3 hours.
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| Starts from my apartment in Kent Vale |
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| Short rides on a bus plus the MRT leads to Harbour Front |
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| The walk begins with a climb up Mt Faber |
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| Pleasant brick-paved walk with flowering overhang at the top |
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| Amazing views of the Central Business District |
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| Soon, one arrives at the Henderson Waves bridge |
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| Extraordinary condominiums: Reflections at Keppel Bay |
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| Next is a long gradually descending Forest Walk |
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| Excellent Forest Walk views blend trees and tall buildings |
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| Interlace, another iconic private condominium complex |
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| Alexandra Arch connects the Forest Walk to Hort Park |
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| Pavilion and pool in Hort Park |
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| One of the newly added signs in Hort Park |
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| Climbing stairs through the forest to Kent Ridge Park |
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| The ridge line at Kent Ridge, with nice views to the south. |
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| Back in "civilization" on Science Park Road. |
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| Time for Umi Sushi at One@KentRidge |
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| Quick bus ride brings me back to Kent Vale. |
