Green Corridor — Bukit Timah south

Sunday afternoon, my colleague, Stefano, and I hiked the southern portion of the Green Corridor, about 7 miles.  It was a great loop.  Starting from the 151 bus, which we picked up on the NUS campus, we rode to King Albert Park and joined the trail where the old trestle bridge crosses Bukit Timah Road.  We walked south and east along the old rail right-of-way almost as far as we could.  When we popped out, we decided to just jump on the first bus, which happened to take us directly to Vivo City.  After a food-court dinner (char kway teow — my new favorite!) we strolled across the bridge to have a quick look at Sentosa Island before returning via the MRT and the 97 bus.  We departed Kent Vale at 2:30 PM and were back just as dusk was settling in about 7 PM.  Almost 11 miles of walking in all.

We alight from the 151 at the first stop on Bukit Timah Road

It's easy access to the trail at the trestle bridge.

I love this sign announcing the one former train stop mid-island.

Much of the path feels remote.

Giant elephant ears

At times, we are reminded of our proximity to urban life.

Spectacular fan palm

We didn't see much wildlife, but did spy a few chameleons.

Hiking MacRitchie Reservoir

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!

Botanic Gardens

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.

 

My favorite walk in Singapore

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.

Starts from my apartment in Kent Vale

Short rides on a bus plus the MRT leads to Harbour Front

The walk begins with a climb up Mt Faber

Pleasant brick-paved walk with flowering overhang at the top

Amazing views of the Central Business District

Soon, one arrives at the Henderson Waves bridge

Extraordinary condominiums: Reflections at Keppel Bay

Next is a long gradually descending Forest Walk 

Excellent Forest Walk views blend trees and tall buildings

Interlace, another iconic private condominium complex

Alexandra Arch connects the Forest Walk to Hort Park

Pavilion and pool in Hort Park

One of the newly added signs in Hort Park

Climbing stairs through the forest to Kent Ridge Park

The ridge line at Kent Ridge, with nice views to the south.

Back in "civilization" on Science Park Road.

Time for Umi Sushi at One@KentRidge

Quick bus ride brings me back to Kent Vale.

Another Saturday in Singapore