Hi Blog,
You know what? Recently, there is a new park just opened to the public! (
news) I thought of going there immediately but I know it is not wise to because confirm crowded!
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So I held my urge, tempted by many photos shared on FB and avoided the weekend... So I decided to visit that new park today! |
Since I took leave today for the possible oversea trip but JH went 🇺🇸 alone so he can overcome his recent broken-up damage, then I shall plan my own trip in Singapore.
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I decided to go in the afternoon instead of the morning because most hikers will love morning hikes than having Mr Sun hanging above their head. |
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But today's weather seemed moody... Hopefully don't rain later. |
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Reached King Albert Station and getting ready for a fat man to eye-sore others. |
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There is the shortest way to reach Rifle Range Nature Park (the nearest is at Beauty World Station) but I will like to walk longer a bit |
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Moody weather just simply made my pictures look emotional |
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Hmm... The crowds during the weekday noon seemed less dense. |
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Perfect for photos without the need for caution ⚠ |
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Beautiful railway bridge but there were people busy snapping already. |
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I doubt I can take any more pictures here. |
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In fact, I should stay focused on the topic. |
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Will snap with you next time. |
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Okay, after the bridge, just head down along this path, we will reach the new park soon. |
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Wah! Spotted an amazing Banyan Tree jungle! |
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Check out its root/trunk system here, it is massive, isn't it? Wanted to snap some more but ants are everywhere here. |
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Surprisingly, there has zero graffiti (in such a state until this date, who knows it might change). |
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Oh yes, did you see that bridge? That meant that I was near Rifle Range Nature Park. |
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It was under construction for at least four years... |
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...and now the public can access it. |
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Welcome to Rifle Range Nature Park! |
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Oooo... 7am to 7pm. I wondered what happened if you access this park after 7pm? I will like to know one day. |
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Shall we explore more of this park? |
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It is like the boardwalk in MacRitchie, Southern Ridges and Lower Pierce. |
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Using the same materials... |
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Both sides have railings to avoid visitors from falling out of the path... |
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...and provide more "branches" for the monkeys to hang around and easy access from place to place. |
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The whole family just simply love these railings. |
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But this boardwalk connects to Beauty World bridge and is very near the canteen which might cause some potential issues in future. |
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Take note of the trail etiquette |
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A map of Rifle Range Nature Park |
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Oooo! New Quarry! The one which I was looking for! From my quarries collection (post) it should be that Kampong Quarry that I was looking for! Yippee! Let's go there now! |
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Boarder boardwalk here... I guess it can become a hosting/gathering stop. |
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Looks like a mini tree top walk or plants top walk. |
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Ooo spotted a few exciting signs in Rifle Range Nature Park. |
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On the poles along the Rifle Range Nature Park boardwalk, there are many different animal signs hanging like an artwork which I had gathered - from squirrels in different poses, sliders and colugos with babies or without. |
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Check this picture out. Just look how dense and thick the foliage is. |
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Even pull out many long vines from itself |
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Gigantic leaf spotted but definitely more than 80cm |
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Along Rifle Range Road, there is this pitstop where you can rest your feet and enjoy a simple landscape. |
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Interesting landscaping here |
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There is a man-made water stream or to collect more rainwater |
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One interesting piece of wood art of a pair of pangolins, nicely crafted |
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A tall ceiling-shaded place for any group gathering |
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Some information about Rifle Range Nature Park |
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And speaking about info, here are some snaps of the info boards |
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which I can read them up anytime |
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Nice to know that NEA was trying their best to preserve and help the animals in Singapore |
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Amazing fact that in Singapore, we have an impressive large diversity of animals on this little red dot. |
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Building connectors (over the head bridge and underground tunnel) to bridge the gap |
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I doubt I can see a live one sliding across in front of my eyes |
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Oh yes, I had to show you guys the toilet here. It looks rather classic and elegant |
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Looks like a condo setting |
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How I wish to stay in a building with such toilet setting |
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Did you see what I see???? |
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YES! ANOTHER ROCK WITH A NAME!!! |
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(Thanks to random visitor) Posed with the rock and wah! Squirrels came and welcomed us. |
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There are some more squirrels around here |
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Interesting way to have them "interact" with us without running away |
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Simple and open place |
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Top view of the water stream |
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oooo, this place was powered by solar energy?! Nice way of preserving energy. |
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Getting closer to the Quarry! |
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It had been a while since I last hiked there. I was trying to find my older posts but cannot find them. |
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I was glad that the crowds were manageable. |
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because... I will have someone who will throw me a disgusted stare |
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Here, you can see two different kinds of trails. One is the original trail last time and another is the boardwalk. Obviously, I will take the new trail to find what I was aiming for. |
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Hmm... another opening along the boardwalk... |
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Oooo! It is a small forest exploration for young kids. |
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Here, they got to learn how Singapore conserves and tries to live with the animals like this rope bridge |
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The animals like squirrels or monkeys can travel across safely than exposed themselves in the opening |
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The roped pole also can be used as a perfect grab hold for colugos. |
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Many logs were placed for some adventure climb |
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Here, they also showcased how an underground tunnel works perfectly for pangolins. |
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They can inspect the tunnel and the animals will be safe to shelter here. |
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The rocky formation allows you to experience how an animal climbs at the quarry side of Singapore. |
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If you are a pangolin, climbing this log won't be an easy task. |
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Speaking of Pangolins, there are many amazing wooden art sculpted pangolins here. |
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What a beautiful pangolin artwork |
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As I walked along... I spotted one interesting panel here... |
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Which leads to a bird-watching hub |
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I loved this hub because of its unique texture |
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You can look out with your binoculars |
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Just check this out carefully... It was made of vines. Looks so organic; so alien. |
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Here we were, the Quarry hub. There is a wide space and it is perfect for any night sky star glazing activity IF they operate at late hours, as there is no street lamp around. |
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Some history of Singapore Quarries |
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Besides Quarry Hub, there is this big wooden box... What is this? |
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It is how they processed bigger granite rocks into small pieces |
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But I wondered why it is not ready yet... Maybe I feel other people will throw in their rubbish and without supervision, it might be hellish to whoever maintains it. |
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OH YES! The new quarry! In fact, it was not new It is Sin Seng Quarry! |
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It was Sin Seng Quarry which I was looking for for years! (post) |
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I wonder why couldn't I find this place before... Hmmm |
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At least, today I completed my search and beautiful quarry too. |
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Oooo, there is a platform up there. |
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Should be taking this path to access the platform? |
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Taking the granite stair up like a granite journey history we used this resource to make roads and buildings. |
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Oooo, this is the view where you get closer to the water edge and I might not be able to come here again after... |
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...this path will be covered by plants planted by NEA. |
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Come, let's go up to the platform! |
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Hmm... Looking back... This view might not last because of the thick foliage growth in future. You won't be able to see that much of the quarry here. |
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Amazing large vine here, If got anyone here to help, I can compare myself standing near it. |
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Ah, here is the stair to the platform |
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Ready? |
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Thank goodness, today was not crowded, I read somewhere, people need to queue to get up here. |
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I wondered what is the amazing part |
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Beautiful Wall tiles which look like a pixelized artwork. |
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Ooo so this platform has a name aka Colugo Deck. |
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It is shaped like a Colugo in flying mode. |
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Like this on the floor, if no one is around, it can become a human spreadeagle shot. |
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Having an additional "fence" to prevent any crazy people from doing crazy things. |
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Just check how far down from here. |
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For now, just admire the green scenery in our rural landscape. |
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Time to go down and explore other areas. |
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As you explored further, away from the famous and popular spot, the number of visitors got lesser. |
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Nice and relaxed where there were not many people around. |
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Since I was still within the Rifle Range Nature Park, let's explore this part of the trail where I had never hiked before. (weird that I can't find the post) I wondered what is new here and if we can get lost here, walking in a loop without GPS or a map. |
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If you want to challenge yourself to walk without a map for the first time, it will be a fun and great challenge for you. |
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Love the quietness of this Gaharu trail |
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Enjoying the me-time moment |
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hmmm... something smelly here like someone vomited... But I know it must be from a flower which I don't get to see.
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Along the trail to Banyan Link, the First banyan Tree was spotted. |
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2nd amazing one is here too and a lot of mosquitoes so gotta run! |
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Great to have this rock to ensure visitors keep their shoes dry. |
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Another large banyan tree was spotted here again. |
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Looks interesting and unique with a water stream flow inwards |
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Looks welcoming. Love this banyan tree! |
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This banyan tree won't worry it can't get enough water. |
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How Beautiful you are. |
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I followed the water flow and just a small pool behind there. |
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I thought the water stream will be something like this behind the banyan tree, but I will love to soak myself here though. |
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A nice platform near the Banyan Tree which is perfe t for feeding mosquitoes (more like an offering platform) while having picnic here. |
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See you again, Banyan. |
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Last time I remembered this trail didn't have railing but this railing will remind us to stay on the trail. |
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Knowing the landmark like a bridge or cross junction will help us knowing where we are. |
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If I needed to exit and head down to Macritchie trail, I will need to take another route but this trail was nice and quiet. |
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This place looked familiar... If I said I am at Bukit Timah, many can't tell the difference. |
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The loop trail here are difficult if without a map especially night time. |
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But exciting trail 😊 which I missed it for years! |
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So night hike here? 😂 |
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Alright, I shall end my blog post for the day here and... |
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Hhh... This Skink will like to say thank you for the day for me. Adorable lizard 🦎 |
Overall, the new Nature Park is quite well organised and educational for singaporean families and foreigners on how a urban country trying it's best to conserve and trying to strike a balance between living and nature. Even though, we can give Nature more but... I am no power to make any changes to the decision of a country and all I can, is to appreciate and take care of whatever remains.
Jeff
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