Hiking - Labrador and Gillman Visit

Hi Blog,

Saturday again. I was supposed to attend a class, but I wanted some me-time. After what happened yesterday, I had a stronger urge to just lie down and doom-scroll; however, I gave myself a little push to go for a hike.

So where should I go today? In my mind, Labrador Nature Reserve stood out, so let's go there and also visit Gillman Forest again to find the spot I missed before. If you missed visiting Gillman Barracks Forest, you can check here. I would rather explore that forest sooner rather than later because it will be deforested for a future project.

Speaking of Labrador Nature Reserve, it is one of my favourite places for exploration. I've been feeling a strong urge to go there lately, so let's go together and see why. If you missed my previous post about Labrador Nature Reserve, you can check it out: Exploring Labrador Nature Park (2017), Night Exploration at Labrador Park (2019), Half Day Hike (2019), With my Childhood Friends (2020), Batu Berlayar AMTB Battery (2022) and again (2022), Finding Old Hideout Shelter (2023), and Revisiting Labrador Nature Park (2024)

I got stuck on my bed for a while and had to drag myself up. The need for motivation is real.

I wanted to sleep... My emotions just felt so heavy.

Took a deep breath and left this place.

I went hiking at noon. With the sun directly overhead, I could distinctly feel the intensity of the heat.

Oh well, once I stepped out, my thoughts would be more focused, which is what I need.

These days were the dry season and really hot days.

Okay, Labrador Nature Reserve, so what do you want to summon me for?

What a peaceful afternoon.

The sun was intense as there were no clouds at that time. Time for me to move under the trees for shade.

Today, Labrador House seemed quiet, unlike my previous visits. It looks like it was closed.

The classic green door

I don't get to see this door anywhere else besides at some Nyonya heritage centre. However, I think something is too quiet here.

Hmm, there is no car in the car park. Something is wrong... Anyway, I will explore first, then conclude later.

Whenever I visited Labrador Nature Reserve, I paid this water tank a visit.

I doubt I can find this water tank anywhere else in Singapore.

I don't know what this is for: water collection or a toilet bowl.

Rusty water valve which I won't touch.

I wonder if this water tank is meant to serve the Labrador House.

Further down, we would find the old rusty gate.

Really old rusty gate.

Frankly, this path is not very effective for navigating the woods; one must rely primarily on general direction and intuition.

Iconical hidden spot

We can see Pasir Panjang Power Station from an uphill slope. Ooo... It's quite dangerous here.

It looks abandoned somehow, but based on how clean the road is, it is not yet abandoned.

Hopefully, I can go in and visit before it goes.

And this spot is quite dangerous and beautiful; however, I won't stay long, as there are some more to explore.

It had been a while since I last saw this.

I love the Banyan tree taking over and becoming part of it.

The vines on the Banyan tree are a natural decoration, while large trees will have ferns and other plants.

I wanted to cross beneath this to the next ruin; however, the structure is supporting the entire weight of the tree, and its walls are cracked on the sides. It's very risky to cross.

I went to the top of the ruin to check the tree. Oh well, I'd better try not to risk myself and proceed to the next ruin.

The next ruin is quite near but...

...the vines are everywhere and leave no space for photos or anything, so I won't get near them.

Something about this Labrador House... After researching, I found that it had closed down at the end of 2025. It used to be a high-class restaurant; in my opinion, the location, cost, rent, popularity, and target audience definitely made it extremely difficult to maintain.

I guess it is goodbye for it...

Time to explore the park side of Labrador; I wanted to know which summoned me.

I wanted to enter here to find the hidden ruin; however, the vibe wasn't right.

One of the beautiful sides of Labrador Reserve.

If they can do some clean-up, it will be an iconic spot.

Was it the history of the Labrador Battery that summoned me?

Hiking in the afternoon is really peaceful.

I can really take my own sweet time and enjoy a peaceful moment to explore.

But it can also be boring for some people.

1892 store room - how I wished I could enter this to have a good look.

It seemed like it was not the Labrador Nature Reserve that summoned me... It might be another area of the Labrador Nature Reserve.

Under the hot sun again.

The other area is where the ruin battery is located.

Can anyone open the door for me so I can enter and explore? Anyway, I was approached by Batu Berlayar AMTB Battery.

Oooo! OOO! Are they trying to build something to fence off others from accessing here?! It seemed like it!

Was this the reason why I felt the need to come?

If they are fencing it off, then it means it is no longer accessible...

Honestly... I started to miss this place already...

Looking down at the area where they are going to fence it off, it seemed like something had happened earlier or some complaints had been made, hence the authority decided to do so.

I seem to have forgotten whether the hole was already there or if it is something new that I overlooked.

Batu Berlayar AMTB Battery - hello!

I had so many memories here.

I only went up there once. Today, I would like to go up there.

I felt thankful that I was able to make it in time before it was too late.

Luckily, there isn't any crack around here.

However, I cannot climb up the tower anymore. The stairs are gone; they must have been used by many people and eventually...

Oh man... I really wanted to go up...

Looking at the wall... I think enclosing this place might be the only way to stop some irresponsible people...

And this is also the reason why they have to enclose this whole place. Did you see that each pillar is supported by metal bars?

Because the main pillar started to rust and is breaking down, which is risky as it is a time bomb.

I would like to imagine the scene in the past here. Must be very busy here.

Oh... No matter how busy it was, eventually, it would stop and return to nature.

This place will be part of my memories. Argh, I forgot to take a picture of myself walking through it...

This location is intriguing as well. I initially assumed it was intended for their cannon, but there is no cannon track present.

So I don't know anything about this place.

But what I do know is... I hope this chaos wasn't caused by mischievous hikers. If it was done by them, what else can I say?

You may observe the area on the left side of the room; everything remains unchanged - won't that be nice?

Now like this? Sigh... I want to help, but... I'm not a superhero with super strength, so I can't achieve anything alone, like putting things in place.

If you read my post in 2022, you will see how it was when I first arrived here.

Even in this room, any spirit that remains here would be disappointed... When will humans be better?

I believe I understand the rationale behind the use of metal stairs: in the event of an enemy approach, the stairs could be removed from the ground, similar to the missing tower stairs.

2nd floor - But they couldn't stop the graffiti-wannabe from leaving their marks around.

3rd floor - A lot of private parts graffiti...

4th floor - Why can't they be more creative?

I am okay with the line figure, but why is there a need for extra features?

The steps on the metal stairs have started to wear down, indicating potential risks.

5th floor - I cannot proceed to the last floor because the last few stairs are heavily damaged; I doubt they can withstand my weight.

I walked around to observe the tower, appreciating it for the wonderful memories it has provided me.

I sincerely hope it remains secure and intact.

I guess next time, we will view this battery only from this perspective.

Perhaps my next exploration will be Sentosa.

Before I ended today's hike, and since I was nearby, I decided to visit somewhere...

Gillman Barracks Forest is near here, and I shall go there to find some special features which I missed out previously. You can check this post about Gillman Barracks Forest here.

Ooo! Something caught my attention!

This one is a Paradise tree snake (Chrysopelea paradisi). It can actually glide from tree to tree. It is somehow venomous, but it hunts for small prey like lizards and is extremely shy of humans.

I decided to enter the forest in the reverse direction from my previous visit.

Hmm, it should be here where DK and I exited.

Oh no! Oh no! Something bad happened! As I entered the forest, I needed to cross over a large log, which I don't remember there being. As I put my left leg over the log, I suddenly felt sharp burning pain in my arms and thighs! I couldn't see anything besides seeing black insects on my body as I quickly brushed the insects away from my arms, thighs, front, and back (I might have killed or injured them as I did that). I didn't have time to think; my only thought was Run! Did you notice the red mark on my hand? It appears to be a bite. Initially, I thought it was from ants, but the insects were flying like bees. I may have accidentally stepped on their nest.

After running away from the scene to make sure the 'bees' didn't chase me, I stopped and inspected myself. I had a deep abrasion from the initial struggle to get away. Painful...

I checked my thigh area and found it swollen and painful. I suspect that paper wasps are responsible for this, rather than bees. If it were bees, I could be in bigger trouble since there are many of them.

Found that viney network, messy, and massive, like a disorganised LAN room.

I guess... I wasn't in the mood to imagine and quickly exited this place because of the insect bites... I was worried my body might have an allergic reaction and I might faint.

Returned to the plague to re-shoot, and now it is not in zoom mode, which I won't know until I check the setting on my phone.

I recalled some hikers actually took this path.

After a while, I didn't feel the insect bites, which means I will be fine. I shall proceed with exploring.

Hmm, it seemed like someone came here before.

It looks like there is a path here going uphill.

Maybe there is something inside.

Exploring and wandering around... It seemed like I was lost... I don't know what to expect ahead. In my mind, I can trust the exploration process because it is just a small forest; if it were a large forest overseas, I wouldn't dare to go and would constantly make markers.

As I was exploring and trying to find 'something', I noticed a few large wooden bracket fungi.

It shows how stable and mature this forest has aged...

Just look at the size of it!

Not long, I found what I was looking for!

A low obstacle wall, and yup! That's it! Mission accomplished.

I was just trying to get some memory shards since they will be gone soon.

Lastly, I tried to find the iconic fallen obstacle wall in Gillman Barracks Forest from the low wall and really lost my way, which made me worry.

However, I managed to find it. What a sense of achievement.

Oh man... I really need some rest. Insect bites, getting lost in the woods, injuries, and a low camera battery... It's time to say goodbye to Gillman Barracks Forest, as I doubt I will return here again. Thank you for leaving a deep impression and creating memories together.

Yippee! Two places covered! So happy today!

The purpose of visiting those places was that I wanted an outlet for my emotions and to alleviate the feeling of being summoned. I guess I am beginning to understand why. Firstly, the Labrador House was closed, and that small part of the forest might be restricted. Secondly, the battery will be enclosed soon. Thirdly, I was stung by wasps to remind myself to be humble and thankful for the blessings during the many hikes I have taken.

Jeff