A short week that felt like a long one

This week the Great Race preparations took us to new heights. One of the city's Housing Commission Buildings consists of seven connected 50-storey towers. It also features the world's two longest sky gardens of 500 metres each, on both the 26th and 50th floors. All seven towers are the world's tallest public housing buildings. It was to the 50th floor level that we ventured this week to check out the views. 

 Busy dockyards and Sentosa

 Business District

Then we wandered all around the streets in the area coming across some charming old shophouses and interesting eating places that we will need to investigate further with the next lot of visitors. Jim and Joan Crisp arrive next Sunday and when they leave on the Friday for a trip to Sri Lanka, Judy returns with Roger from France. 

 Back on the ground

On Monday the walkers took on a new venture we haven't done before from Bukit Batok Nature Park through to Chinese Gardens.  Near the entrance of the park, at the foot of a high cliff wall, is a lovely waterhole - a positive outcome from an early quarry. Up at the peak is the remains of a Japanese Memorial to their dead soldiers, a relic from WW11 which informs visitors of the significance and meaning of the location.

Our highlight was 2 new bird sightings; the white crested laughing thrush and the striped tit babbler. Both were easy to observe as they were not at all concerned about us. 

We walked the park connector from this park to the Chinese Gardens which kept us well off the road. Once we reached the Chinese Gardens you couldn't help but soak up the tranquility of the meandering footpaths, the gentle stream and the carefully structured plants and rocks, positioned with as much attention as you would furnish a home. It has been some time since we were last here and it was beautiful. 

 Koi fish 

 Top level of the Pagoda

On  Tuesday we were out and about again. I dropped a piece of batik from Java at the framers, had my haircut and we double checked some more legs of the race. Getting plenty of legwork done with these preparations. For dinner we tried out a little Nyonya Kitchen not far from our back gate. Enjoyed a beautiful curry chicken dish for about $5 ea. Then met Peter and Richard for a quick drink at our local wine bar. 

Wednesday we were back at work but not before a morning visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Travellers Clinic for the second round of Hepatitis A jabs. We probably don't need it, but since we had the first of 2 before going to Nepal, we figured we might as well finish off the course for life-long protection. Eric has made the commitment to join the trekkers to Annapurna Base Camp in December but I am going to save my knees. At this time I am considering going to Nepal too, but walking the National Parks instead. Anyone free to join me?