Hiking at Singapore TreeTop Walk

In the midst of concrete jungle in Singapore, lies a treasure trove of greenery in the heart of Singapore, exhaling fresh air that we desperately need (especially when our regional neighbors are not considerate). 

At the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie), you can admire the panoramic view of lush greenery and azure reservoir on the TreeTop walk, a 250m long steel suspension bridge between the two highest points in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Of course, before you can enjoy the treetop walk, you need to hike for about an hour walking on rocky path filled with lots of small rocks, steep slope and lots of stairs. Kinda like our life; bear with the difficulty first and enjoy later. (先苦后甜）.

Deep in the forest, you'll be immersed by the sound of the forest; from the humming call by the male crickets to the creaky sound when tree branches rubbing against another in the wind. 

If you are tired and need to rest your tired feet, you can rest at a few small sheltered huts in the forest. 

Before you embark on this 3 hours hike starting from Venus drive to Treetop walk and back to Venus drive, make sure you wear comfortable clothes, sports shoes and cap.

Also in this sunny island, apply sunblock or if you want, bring umbrella. Also remember to bring water bottles to hydrate yourself and insect repellent as there is no shop in the nature reserve. The nearest shop is the small Cheers store at the Esso station. 

Try not to eat in the nature reserve as the monkeys might snatch your food. So make sure you have a hearty breakfast or lunch first. I wanted to buy sandwich and have a mini-picnic there but my cousin advised me against it. True enough, we spotted many long-tailed macaques in the forest. Some actually walked on the TreeTop walk railing to my horror.

I enjoy nature walk as it is quite therapeutic. Perhaps its the rustling of leaves or the abundance of oxygen in the forest. After the walk, I felt so happy. What's more the TreeTop walk is free.

The TreeTop is open daily from 9am to 5pm except Monday. 

To find out more, click here for National Environment Agency (NEA) guide at MacRitchie Reservoir.

A Guide to Chemperai Trail at MacRitchie Boardwalks

How to get to TreeTop Walk?

You can take the following bus 52, 132, 162, 163, 165, 166,167, 410,640, 855,980 and alight when you see the Esso Station after Venus drive. 

 The only TreeTop walk in Singapore is constructed in 2002 and has a maximum height of 25m above the forest floor. 

Note: First posted on 21 March 2014

TreeTop walk bridge

 We started our TreeTop walk from Venus Drive

 Map of MacRitchie Trail

 Remember to read the trail manners and don't feed the monkeys. 

 Starting the walking trail with my cousin at Venus drive.

 Relax and smell the flowers.

 Walking into the Nature reserve early in the morning.

 Be careful when you walk on the rocky path.

 Admiring cheery bright flower during the hike.

 You can use the toilet at Ranger Station before you continue your journey to  TreeTop walk.

 Getting to the tree tops the sustainable way.

 Be care of trees and branches.

 Mother monkey tending to baby monkey. So sweet...

 Finally reached the TreeTop walk.

 Start of the journey. 

 Visitors posing for photos.

 From the TreeTop walk you can see the lush greenery and azure reservoir. 

 Immerse yourself in nature, full of lush greenery and fresh air.

 Lots of stairs to climb. Remember to bring your water to hydrate yourself.

 Rest your feet at the sheltered hut. 

 Another pretty flower.

 A little stream in the forest.

 Walking back to Venus Drive and saw Long-tailed macaques trespassing Singapore Island Country club. 

You can take any of the bus for the hike at TreeTop walk.

When you see this Esso station, alight the bus.

Chinese Garden at Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is one attraction that I visit once every few months. I love nature and beautiful flowers. I always feel happy and comforted whenever I'm surrounded by nature and greenery. Last year, I was lucky to buy Gardens by the Bay annual pass at only $34; half the price of $68 as we celebrated 50th years of Singapore independence. Special thanks to my dear cousin who shared with me the lobang aka promotion. 

Anyway if you want to enjoy free attraction and not pay for the flower and cloud forest domes, you can visit gardens like Chinese, Malay, Indian and Colonial outdoor gardens. Today I'm going to share more on the Chinese garden which showcases a sculpture that depicts Chinese from China leaving their homeland and arriving in Singapore; and other flowers and trees commonly found in China. 

Both my grandfathers left China, Chaozhou (潮州）when they were only about 15 years old. My maternal grandfather travelled alone to Singapore from Chaoyang during the civil war in the 1940s, whereas my paternal grandfather arrived in Singapore with his adopted parents from Jieyang. Yeah, that's why my current surname is not really my real surname. My real surname is Tan or Chen 陈。Anyway only my very close friends or buddies know. As I'm a Teochew, maybe that's why I love seafood so much as Chaozhou is near the sea. Well both my grandmothers were Teochew too. 

Back to the topic, let's take a look at free attraction, the Chinese garden in Gardens by the Bay. Thankfully not every attraction must pay admission fees. In addition to Chinese garden, I also include flowers in Flower Dome which you have to pay for admission. 

How to get there?
Gardens by the Bay
Just alight at Bayfront MRT CE1.

 Pinky flowers; my favourite colour.

 Blooming flowers that looks like cherry blossom near the bridge from Bay Sand MRT to Gardens by the Bay. The best things in life are free. 

 Chinese Garden. The Chinese diaspora leaving their homeland, China.

 The Chinese diaspora arrive in Singapore.

 I love this lantern flowers at Flower Dome.

 Looks like sunflower. Brightening up your day!

 I also like cactus and succulents plants.

 My favourite succulent.

 Overview of Flower dome.

 Glad to see baobab trees from Africa in Singapore.

Anticipating Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is my favourite festival! I am so looking forward to a brand new year! Yeah, for me, a brand new year starts on the first day of Chinese New Year. My brothers and I will stay up late to 'shou shui' 守睡 as there is a saying that the later you sleep on Chinese New Year eve, your parents will enjoy longevity. So normally, I sleep very late at around 3.30 am to 5 am so that my parents can enjoy long and healthy life. It's a practice that my brothers and I have been doing for the past few years. 

Another thing that I'm looking forwards to is sumptuous spread of reunion dinner. This year, my brothers and I will buy dishes so that my mum don't have to toil in the kitchen. My brothers have also decorated our home with Chinese New Year decoration. 

Since I'm still single, I can still receive red packets. To me, it's like receiving blessing from my seniors and I'll have more money $$$ which also makes me happy. :) 

This weekend, I will go to Chinatown and see the Chinese New Year decoration and lighting. I really enjoy going to Chinatown to immerse in the Chinese New Year festive mood. Yeah, I'm so looking forward to brand new Monkey year which I read is pretty good for people born in the year of Rooster. Last time was a bit tough for me especially in my career though I enjoyed good company with my relatives and friends. Hopefully in the coming brand new year of Monkey, I'll enjoy great prosperity and happiness. Huat ah! 

 CNY decoration outside Plaza Singapura shopping mall.

Peach blossom garden at busy Orchard Road.

 Hopefully, the year of Monkey is great!

 Was delighted to see lion dance in Ion Orchard shopping mall!

Singapore Night Safari

Singapore Night Safari Park is the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals. Thanks to my generous cousin and cousin-in-law, I was invited to explore the night safari with them and their adorable daughter. Indeed I must count my blessing. Last year, many of my cousins and friends, be they young or old, and aunty and uncle treated me to delicious meals or asked me out for outings. Indeed last year was a wonderful year in bonding with my relatives and friends.

Back to the Night Safari trip, we took the cute tram which took us across different zones like the Himalayan Foothills, Asian Riverine Forest, Leopard trail, Fishing Cat trail and Australia Wallaby Trail. One problem was we could not get a really good look at it was dark but then it was really cool that night. Anyway, I had a really great time at the night safari with my cousin and cousin-in-law exploring the trails. 

Website: http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/

Open daily

Opening Time: 7.15pm

Last admission: 11.15pm

Closing Time: 12.00mn

If you like my blog, do like my All About Singapore Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/allaboutsingapore/ too. Thank you! 

 I didn't expect long queue at Night Safari. There were many tourists.

 Not sure what is this cute animal, but it is smart enough to recycle.

 The majestic lion and his queen behind him.

 Malayan Civet

 Australia Kangaroos. My first and only visit to Australia Sydney and Brisbane was in 1996 when I took a picture with a cute kangaroo. With exchange rate so attractive, I might go there this year. To Sydney again, 20 years later after the last visit.

Inside the artificial cave at the Australia zone. 

Taiwanese Desserts in Singapore Jurong Point

Thanks to my relatives who took me to Jurong Point shopping mall on the first day of 2016, I got to try Taiwanese popular dessert at Blackball store which sells Jiufen taro and sweet potato ball. Yeah, now I don't have to travel all the way to Taiwan to try Taiwan dessert. Frankly speaking I prefer the version here compared to Jiufen taro ball. 

I really love the blackball signature dessert ($5.40) with winter melon crushed ice, grass jelly, taro and sweet potato balls, yam q and golden sweet potato. This is highly recommended. There are many branches in Singapore, including Tampines 1. Hey buddies, let's go to Tampines 1 to try this awesome dessert! 

http://blackball.com.sg/

BlackBall Signature Dessert with red bean, winter melon crushed ice, grass jelly, golden sweet potato, yam q, taro ball and sweet potato ball.

Christmas Wonderland 2015

Sorry for not updating this blog for some time. I was busy with others stuff. Today, I'll share photos that I took last year at Gardens by the Bay, Christmas Wonderland. I do hope this year they continue with this event. I really love the beautiful luminous lighting sculpture.