Hiking - Kranji Marshes Alone

Hi Blog,

On Saturday, I was scheduled to travel to a farm near Sungei Buloh to collect my plant. As I considered where to go before heading to the farm, I decided to visit Kranji Marshes again.

As usual, the weather is good and very encouraging. My friend RD wanted to join my hike, but it might be intense, which I will explain later.

Looking back on my last visit to Kranji Marshes, I can't believe it's been a long while since I was there. You may read my past posts - Kranji Marshes (Apr 2017) and Short Visit (Jul 2017). I will compare changes from then to now.

Looking back at older photos, I have mixed feelings. I see myself as young back then, but now I've 'exploded' in size.

Since chatting with ChatGPT, I realise my lifestyle has changed... Oh well, never mind, it will be a topic for next time.

Okay, let's focus on things I like to do, explore Kranji Marshes today.

Okay, there is an important fact about exploring Kranji Marshes: to access it, you will need to walk more than 2 km from the bus stop.

I tried to calculate the distance by walking, but Google Maps couldn't suggest a route, so I switched to the cycling option. It is a total of more than 3 km of walking. (maps link)

Mind you, it will be a more than 3 km walk without any shelter.

Along Neo Tiew Road, I saw a location that didn't have a name on Google Maps (map link), and its structure on the map is unique from a top view.

With my urbex experience, it is an abandoned building and appears rather clean from the outside.

According to an online source, it is an abandoned transmitter station in Singapore.

I don't feel any interest in exploring further because...

There is a new or unrecorded facility right beside it. A security guard walked out and checked on me. I enquired further about what this place is and that abandoned place. The security guard shared that this unrecorded facility is a place to store all F1 setups without F1 racing cars, and he also mentioned that the abandoned tram station belonged to the BBC. I tried to search, but found no information about it.

Okay, I had a long walk back to Neo Tiew Road.

I could feel Mr Sun's power, and it would melt anyone.

I think the main reason why Google Maps doesn't suggest walking on this road is that there is no walking pavement. If you walk along the road, there will always be heavy vehicles passing close to your side. Quite dangerous.

Halfway there, most people will have reflected on their decision and go for the easier option, like taking a taxi there.

For poor people like me, I will not regret making tough decisions and adjusting myself by covering both my shoulders with my shirt to avoid sunburn.

Feeling relieved when I came to this road because...

...I reached Kranji Marshes!

(2017) Look at the back of the words; it is cleaner and better. I noticed that they had added some more rocks.

Come! Let's see what changes there are.

At noon, in a deserted and inconvenient place, there will hardly be any visitors.

The plants are really overgrown here.

(2017) Everything seemed so young and controlled.

The vibe here has been very chill, both then and now.

Let's try to spot the difference!

We will have to cross a bridge to the lobby.

Ooo, a big, tall plant is here, completely submerged in water.

This plant is Cyrtosperma johnstonii, commonly known as the Avatar Alocasia or Johnston's Giant Swamp. It is a semi-aquatic perennial plant that thrives in water. It can grow quite large, often growing up to 4 to 6 feet in height, with arrow-shaped leaves that can exceed 1.5 meters in length.

Speaking of the pond, it has more water lilies compared to before.

This is a tropical water lily of the purple cultivar, specifically the 'Tina' variety, also known as 'tropical blue' (I wonder why it's called tropical blue? Why not tropical purple?), commonly found in Singapore. I love the strong contrast of purple and yellow.

Here we can spot some silhouettes of birds in Kranji Marshes, reminding us that this marsh is home to many local birds. This one, I believe, is a silhouette of a Waterhen.

Look at the glass ceiling; you will see silhouettes of cranes, and a disgusting Jeff who spoiled the sight.

(2017) Looking back at the older photos, I realised many of the cranes' silhouettes were gone.

Comparing this board now and in 2017 (for which I didn't take any image), it is rather worn out.

Some information about Kranji Marshes.

I doubt you need me to type the whole thing, do you? Haha. Anyway, here is my Summary of Kranji Marshes. Kranji Reservoir was created in the 1970s when the Kranji River was obstructed, which led to the loss of mangroves near the river mouth and prevented the natural discharge of sediment into the sea. However, that obstruction led to the formation of rare freshwater marsh habitats. Over time, the buildup of sediment and vegetation overgrowth turned portions of the marshes into a dry shrub habitat. At the same time, many water plants invaded the open water areas, further reducing the suitable habitat for marsh birds. Starting in 2008, Singapore organisations implemented a habitat management plan to maintain a good balance between open water and vegetated areas for marsh birds to use. These efforts lasted until 2014 with the support of Bloomberg Singapore and volunteers. As time went by, it became rich in biodiversity and required protection. Beginning in 2011, URA and NParks worked closely to enhance and enable the public to enjoy nature. The enhancement was completed at the end of 2015. Today, the Kranji Marshes are a rare environment that supports a variety of unique wildlife. Together with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, it provides an important habitat in the Kranji area for the conservation of biodiversity, especially for marsh birds.

Hmm... Seriously, I don't sense anyone is here today.

I went to the toilet and really love the open space or wall-less concept here.

I believe that the plants in open spaces grow extensively.

(2017) It seemed like there were some gardening changes.

Shall we go down further?

Ah, an oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), and it is bearing a bunch of fruits, which grow in large, dense clusters on the palm tree. The fruits are harvested to produce edible palm oil and palm kernel oil.

Ooo, I could smell something nice.

Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius), often called the "vanilla of the East," are fragrant tropical leaves used in Southeast Asian cuisine. They flavour rice, desserts, and curries by boiling, frying, or extracting their green juice, often tied in knots, for their sweet, grassy, and almond-like aroma.

Birds in Kranji Marshes, and an ugly bird here.

Oh no... What happened to this... Historically, this iconic structure was constructed resembling a baya's weaver nest made of straws, but it no longer exists...

(2017) Observe this remarkable historical structure; it is truly impressive.

I guessed... The artist utilised organic materials to construct this structure, which is expected to have a limited lifespan due to environmental exposure and natural wear. Additionally, small creatures may also contribute to its deterioration.

Well, inevitably, just like a bird's nest, once it has finished being used without maintenance, it will age like this too; now, only the bones of imagination remain.

Oooo, interesting! Here are some facts that matter. Where does the name 'Kranji' come from? Kranji derives its name from a native tree, the Velvet Tamarind (Dialium indum), which belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae) and is also referred to as the Keranji Tree.

Kranji Marshes has four zones: the gate, a long path, the marsh station and the conservation zone. After the gate, where the weaver nest structure is located, we will have to take a long, quiet path to reach the next zone, the marsh station.

Ooo, Hi Oriental garden lizard (Calotes versicolor)! This one is special - it's red in colour!

Hmm, there was a change in the light. Is it going to rain soon?

Ooooo, I thought I was alone here; I was welcomed by a bird and a lady.

I think I had just disgusted the lady and the bird as I approached them.

Along the long path, we will pass by two shelters.

Weaver Shelter

Some information boards in Weaver Shelter

Looking out from the shelter blind, there is nothing.

I remember in 2017, the trees here were short.

(2017) Looked at older photos and my old posts; things had changed so much... Even my writing style, which I found silly. Haha

Next, Woodpecker Shelter.

I was hoping to see a woodpecker.

More information boards in the woodpecker shelter.

There is nothing to be seen here, either

I recall that there was a giant nest structure here, but I cannot find the photos, and it is no longer here.

Arrived at Marsh Station.

The place was so quiet, even the Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis), a common songbird, fed right in front of me.

Another iconic feature in Kranji Marshes.

The Raptor Tower is almost blocked by tall plants.

(2017) I missed the scene in 2017, unblocked and clean.

There is a Kingfisher Burrow bridge here, and an additional tree nearby.

(2017) At least it didn't grow wildly like it did in the past.

I was hoping that the photos taken here would have a clear blue sky.

I will take photos of the well-maintained green patch of grass!

Can't really see the man-made pond.

The marsh station area is quite small.

Moarhen Blind

How nice to be here.

Feel free to sit here quietly and watch the birds without disturbing them.

If you brought binoculars or a zoom lens, it would be a perfect experience.

Here is the general view from the blind.

Seriously, I should have brought a zoom lens.

Just looked it. What do you see?

My 3x or 10x zoom doesn't allow me to see them clearly.

Oh my! This area has become overgrown with vines!

(2017) Just look at the condition in that area. Honestly, I want to enter this next zone.

Raptor Tower

Feeling great as I was alone.

Nice place to visit.

Mr Sun was back!

The number of birds that lived here. Can you find all of them?

It seems that I can only see the untouched area from this spot.

I heard a storm coming, so I had to leave right away.

Dried up pool here.

If you have a vehicle, do try to visit the Kranji Marshes.

Oh, yes! I always forgot to visit beneath the Kingfisher Burrow bridge.

Some interesting information about the marsh.

Time to walk back under the hot sun.

I found a better way to drape my shirt over my shoulder, but Miss Sky was trying to tell me something.

A storm was approaching. It was roaring, and I was still halfway to civilisation.

I managed to catch the bus before the storm caught up with me.

During the lightning storm, I took some time to reflect. I realised that even nature undergoes changes; in just ten years, I could see how much a place evolves, much like humans do. There's no point in getting upset about my appearance now or how I looked in the past. Instead, I should focus on ageing gracefully and becoming a better version of myself—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. Reading my past posts, I can see how I have grown. So, today’s visit serves as a pure healing moment for me.

Visiting Kranji Marshes may seem like an ordinary spot, but it's important to remember that this place is the result of a combined effort of nature and human intervention, creating a peaceful home for birds and other wildlife. Take a moment to appreciate the tranquillity and escape from the bustling city while you’re here.

Jeff