Hiking - Keppel Hill Bunker

Hi Blog,

Today was my day off in lieu. Instead of sitting at home, I decided to step out and explore a bit. Where should I go today?

Today's weather was beautiful. I shouldn't waste this opportunity. Even though I felt burned out from visiting the same place, I told myself I should revisit some places to see the updates. Today I decided to explore Keppel Hill.

Previously, I had visited Keppel Hill many times, and I still love its quiet and all its possibilities. If you have missed out on my previous posts about it, you may read them too: Abandoned Keppel Hill Reservoir (2021), Big Banyan Tree (2022), West side of Keppel (2023), Finding the Wall in Keppel (2023), Revisit Keppel (2024).

Oh my, I didn't realise that I hadn't visited that place since 2024 so it was a good refresher visit.

And I had not recorded the bunker location on my map.

I think having a top while taking public transport will be compulsory so as not to be an eyesore.

It is a sunny day, which is perfect for hiking or even sun tanning.

Besides, today was a school holiday, so most families were on their way back from vacation, and there weren't many people around to judge this eyesore.

You know what? A funny thing happened - I was supposed to go to Harbourfront, but because I was discussing tomorrow's program to Lazarus Island with my friend, I went to Marina Bay station and was about to travel to Marina South Pier... 

What's wrong with my mind...

I went back to the right station; time was wasted.

Since I am here, I shall visit the Big Banyan Tree.

Oh no. There is some construction going on here. I enquired with them; they are going to convert this area into a NEA park. Aww... I am surely going to miss this place.

I guessed... Exploring a location brings joy, yet it is bittersweet knowing that the place will inevitably change...

Walking past this area, I noticed a strong smell of urine!

It seems like this tree had donned a philodendron.

Alright, time to start my hike!

The roots reach approximately up to my height.

Exploring time.

Still open and clear.

Will I be able to see any hikers here?

Oh dear... This place was vandalised... Why did they do that?...

I can understand why many individuals do not consider vandalism to be a form of art...

Firstly, Financial & Economic Costs - Cleaning graffiti or repairing broken structures requires a lot of financial resources; that will waste taxpayers' dollars and also reduce property values. Second, Reduced Public Safety and Quality of Life: Vandalized areas often look abandoned, which increases a feeling of insecurity.

Thirdly, Destruction of Valuable Resources - It destroys public infrastructure like historic or natural sites that are expensive or impossible to replace. Fourth, Negative Psychological Impact: It creates an atmosphere of disorder, signaling that an area is unsafe or uncared for. Just look at this photo, like no one cares...

Oh my, it was so dark.

Anyway, Vandalism is widely considered to have negative, destructive consequences that outweigh the intent of artwork...

After a short visit, it's time to climb up the slope. Since these are dry days, climbing this won't be an issue.

Are you able to spot anything here?

Somehow, I was just repeating the style or perspective of my photography from my previous post, like I was running out of ideas (if you have read my previous post)... I won't disagree, and I have a different take.

I will say - I'm snapping photos solo with about the same camera. My past shots were the best, unless someone with a different lens wants to help out...

Additionally, my style reflects a connection with nature, as I feel most at ease when surrounded by it.

Although I may have taken a photo of this before, it appears different now - it has become wilder.

And fatter too...

Honestly, don't stray too far. I couldn't remember this path at all; it looks new, with concrete markings I had never seen before.

However, at least, it connects to where I believe it should be. The path here is getting more and more obvious. I wanted to try something different here, so I decided to deploy a drone so you can see from a different perspective...

Even here, I took a selfie with the drone. Hmm, you may ask, where are the pictures?

Weird, I didn't notice this space before.

It seems that many trees have sunk into Keppel Reservoir, which has become a perfect and undisturbed breeding ground for mosquitoes. I hope there are plans to develop this area.

Perfect and iconic spot for photography

Ooo, I spotted a Prosena siberita (Sabre-tongued Parasite Fly). Some information about this fly: the adult is a harmless nectar feeder on flowers, but its larvae parasitize the larvae of various beetles.

And this ugly fly is a nerdy eyesore; and gives others discomfort whoever noticed him.

I wondered if there is a better way to take photos here.

Yes, is to fly a drone for a different view! Result?

I will show you the result later.

Just enjoyed the moment with the tree.

Okay, let's proceed to find the bunker.

Honestly, this place changed so much... Every visit always seems new.

Like how did I enter to another zone?

Even for a few months, all the grounds and forage can be different.

Like, only if we speed up the timeline for the plants, the vines might be alive to bind me down. Okay, my imagination started to kick in.

Let's stay focused to find the path. You might wonder what path I am talking about; from the photo, it looks the same to you, but personally I can see the path here.

Yes! Found! The West Side of Keppel Hill!

Looking back, I had only been here once, and even this second time felt so new.

But how I wish I could jump into different timelines to see how this place looked like in the past. It is like a buried history or the place had been forgotten on purpose.

This fresh sign meant that some hikers had visited this place.

And those signs in the distance pointed to a location for me.

That bunker! Okay! I shall pin it down on my Google maps.

Love how the tree's roots embraced this whole place.

Honestly, this Keppel Hill Bunker should not be named a bunker because it doesn't have what it takes to be one.

Wow, the roots spread out like a web, that's cool!

Very dramatic.

I would like to be part of the web or network.

My reason why Keppel Hill bunker isn't a bunker is because a bunker is like a super tough, usually underground hideout. Its main purpose is to keep folks or valuable stuff safe from things like attacks, big booms, or even nasty weather. Basically, it's usually used as a military defense or just a safe spot for people.
Now, with that in mind, let's look at this. Here is the only entrance into the so-called bunker.

How will anyone use this as an entrance? There is no way to bring anything into the store for any emergency (just look at the 'stairs'), and inside is dark without light. The bunker is supposed to provide hiding too, but this one is exposed..

From the pipeline, I will safely comment. This is a water tank, not a bunker.

Standing at the edge of the top of the water tank, I deployed my drone for more interesting photos! Yes!

Time to go back because my drone and camera were low on battery... That's fast...

Arrived to Keppel Hill Park.

Let's have a last shot before it goes completely dead.

What a peaceful park, but really nothing else... Maybe I should give a rating for this park, or just focus on making a post about it?

Hmm, weird... Something was missing... I remembered there were two shelters by the two sides and now it was gone! If you try to Google, you will find the two shelters standing. Why did they remove it?

Oh yes! Before I left home, I wanted to find a boulder in this park.

Still untoned and ugly, but I can smile whatever I want.

Found it! My boulder collection has been completed! I will make a post about it next month.

Just a nice feeling to complete my boulder collection :)

By the way, you might have asked me where the drone photos are. They were deleted. What happened? I had transferred the photos successfully and don't usually keep them on the memory cards, so I intended to delete them. However, after deleting the photos in the drone app, I realised it also deleted the photos on my phone! Next time, I need to be more careful with the photos taken by my drone. Anyway, I am saving up for a new drone for myself, hoping to get a new perspective for my blog.

Jeff