Singapore Sparkles!

Bright sunshine. Haze-free skies. Glorious tropical clouds. Nice.

Tropical downpour

For the past several days, we've had spectacular afternoon thundershowers. Today was the most impressive — about an hour's worth of lightning crackles accompanied by deep booming thunder. And the rain! I couldn't figure out how to keep my camera dry and capture the impressive strength of the rainfall. So these shots of the grounds near where I work will have to do.

As I write, only an hour after shooting the photos, the rain has subsided and the clouds are starting to part. But I was too impatient to wait. It's less than a mile from work to our apartment (it's in the background of the 4th shot); my common route is mostly covered or through buildings; plus I had an umbrella with me. Still, I got soaked.

A breath of fresh air!

We've been suffering through an extended period of moderate haze in Singapore — perhaps ten weeks of almost continuous gray, visibility obscuring conditions. Last summer, we had a short intense period of haze that was like an acute illness. Really bad, but then it was done. This year it was more of a nagging, persistent, condition that just wears gradually on one's spirit.

Last Saturday, on the day we walked the Green Corridor, it was much better. Today, although the official haze statistics weren't great, the visibility was. I celebrated by leaving work an hour earlier than usual and taking my favorite walk, along the Southern Ridges, from Kent Vale to Harbour Front. The photos capture some of the beauty that Singapore features when the skies are free of haze.

Sculpture at Botanic Gardens

Green Corridor — Hike across Singapore

The Green Corridor is a former rail line that extends from the Woodlands Checkpoint in the north of Singapore to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (now closed) in the south.  On Saturday, we hiked the entire length, about 20 miles, from south to north.  The previous night had been stormy, so relatively speaking the weather was "cool," at least during the morning hours.  The trail was wet in places.  Ten of us started the hike; three made it to the end.

Intrepid hikers meet at 7:30 AM ready for the long walk.

Very little evidence of the track remains.

Art deco style at (closed) Tanjong Pagar station

Typical trail scenery: Nice blend of tropical nature and city.

Graffiti adorning one of the underpasses; tolerated unseen

"A place for everyone" is ironic; the trail is "hidden" but open.

Love the geometry!

Good news: only 1 flood to ford; bad news: 15 miles to go with wet feet!

Free flow formations and meandering conversations.

Bukit Timah railway station marks the midway point.

A few impressive old bridges interrupted the greenery.

The biggest elephant ear plants you've ever seen!

Bridge out! Detour off the Green Corridor to cross Hillview Road.

A deserted bridge and a more overgrown trail in the north.

By mid afternoon, the sun was shining and we started cooking.

Near the end, we were diverted across this modern bridge.

Welcome to the northern terminus…

Success: The causeway to Johor, Malaysia!

Downward Dog on Orchard Road