Hiking - Facepalm Wrong Forest

Hi Blog,

I am glad there is a public holiday, and I can go for a short hike. I wanted to explore Maju Forest (if you missed my first exploration, you may check here: 2021 - Maju Forest & The Jurong Railway Hike), which is set to be developed, angering many Singaporeans. (news)

Since there has been no rain these days, it is perfect for exploration!

I don't know why... I was thinking of exploring Maju Forest before it was gone, but somehow... I ended up going to the wrong forest... My Facepalm moment... (If you'd like to revisit my previous posts on the wrong forest I visited, you may check this out: 2022 - Dover Forest & Dover Forest Part 2, 2023 - Easter Dover Trees)

Same colour again, but a different suit. Maybe I should rotate as I hike.

I have blue, black, grey, red, white, and lastly other random colours: maybe I wear them in this sequence for hiking and jogging - blue, red, black, grey, white, then other random colours.

Wearing a top over my trisuit is the only way to make the public feel comfortable.

I arrived and witnessed that the construction is underway to remove the forest.

But my tummy started to move... So I felt like my tummy felt like a perfect moment.

Not sure if it is safe to enter the forest while construction is ongoing, but as long as I stay in the portions where they aren't working, it should be fine.

Ah, it should be fine!

Today's weather didn't seem very bright, and yet, it won't rain anytime soon.

Not sure why, but I felt some weird feeling when I looked at these tall plants...

As they are quite thick, they are completely different from what I could remember since 2023...

I paused for a while at this and somehow decided to trust my gut.

As there is no clear marker here, it is difficult to determine the position.

One thing is for sure: it is a small forest, and I have no fear of bashing through the woods; I will be fine eventually.

Most people will think this is a grasshopper, as I did; however, it is a cricket whose name I can't recall instantly.

Back to the hike: so far, I can manage the path here.

Ooo, I spotted something unique - there is a log stab in the tree trunk, fused together like an infected wound.

Somehow, as I entered deeper, the tall foliage covered my track...

There are too many distractions.

Ooo, I love this part of the forest—the bamboo forest.

Which makes a very nice scenery, and check out how massive it is.

Very dramatic

The spacing between one bamboo and another creates just the right spacing for a photo.

It appears to be an entrance created from a bamboo wall.

Oh no, whatever you are looking at right now—that is the situation: thick foliage... I was kinda of lost.

I noticed some damaged plants, which indicates that someone had been here recently.

Several large trees remain robust in this area. I hope they are preserved even if development occurs.

I also see some big plants here; too bad I can't take them back to grow...

Looking at all those vines really sparks my imagination.

And there are a lot of them, which shows how robust and long-standing this forest has grown.

I have so much thoughts right now...

Check out this clean skeleton leaf.

I got a bit lost and didn’t know where I was, but it’s kind of exciting like a new adventure!

It can be scary for many people because there are numerous unique bird sounds and the rustling of leaves suddenly indicates that animals are running away from me.

Ah! Found that well!

They are still intact and have less debris.

But the unlucky one will be this tree... It is covered with a lot of foliage, so I cannot take a good picture of it anymore...

Here, it used to show clearly how the banyan or parasitic plants spread around a tree, but now it is blocked by newly growing and fallen plants.

Oops, I forgot to set my camera to portrait mode to show you how beautiful this plant is, not focusing on this eyesore person.

Yes! Yippee! Found it! My favourite graceful banyan tree! I shall name it Lady Banyan.

Why is it called Lady Banyan? Its remarkable roots resemble a flowing dress, and it maintains a graceful, elegant posture.

Lady Banyan is definitely one of the tallest trees here.

It looks small in size compared to the eyesore.

Want me to show you illusion?

This is the actual size of Lady Banyan.

Just look how small I am in front of Lady Banyan and its massive root system.

I feel I should visit her regularly, and that  reminded me of the Great Banyan Trees (2023 - West Side of Keppel Hill) and the Tree Shrine (2022 - Hidden Tree Shrine).

I still need to find one more tree, but I don't know where it is.

I had to attend another program, but I plan to return for the third tree, wearing a different trisuit next time.

I realised... I lost my way out and could not find the clear path, so I had to bash through the forest...

I think it's safer to make some more markings next time, to avoid losing my way... That explained why I felt weird before I entered or something else.

Finally, I made it through a different exit, but after thinking it through, I understand what the weird feeling at the start was about: I went to the wrong forest! I was supposed to go to Maju Forest, but I ended up going to Dover Forest...

Oops, I didn't realise I got a long scratch after exiting the forest. I was too careless.

I sustained an injury, but fortunately, I did not get any deep cut and mosquito bites. The mosquito repellent cream appears to be highly effective.

I continued with my next program to help out at ZN's new house. Meanwhile, I took some time to reflect, as I arrived early. Hmmm, I wondered why I mistook Dover Forest for Maju Forest... and only realized it after I completed it. I guess it's the excitement and joy of exploring.

I think the construction going on at Dover Forest made me think it was Maju Forest. I have only been to Maju Forest once, so I don't have a stronger impression of it than of Dover Forest.

But it was tiring and enjoyable hike.

Since the SG Government has many plans due to economic or political reasons, over which common people like us have zero influence, I can only embrace every single moment while they are still around before they become mere memory shards. For my fellow readers, if there are any, try to experience it before they are gone.

Jeff