Exploring further afield

On Thursday a group of us returned to Eco Green at Tampines and on to Pasir Ris, hoping to see the owls again. Unfortunately they have moved on but we did see some more lovely birds including the busy weavers, a purple heron and highlight of the day - Coppersmith Barbets feeding their young. Heather was happy with her new binos. Eric had a senior staff mtg at Jurong, on the other side of the island, so he had to stay home but enjoyed a sleep-in. 
On Fri the two of us ventured north to Yishun and walked to Sembawang via the Park Connectors. 

These are images of the very peaceful Yishun Park. From Yishun MRT it wasn't far to the neighbourhood park which is well known for its gallery of rainforest trees. Then we joined the Simpang Kiri PC which follows the river out to the Straits of Johor. Next time we do it, we will go right to the end to visit the Bottle Tree Village, but for this walk we connected with the Canberra Sembawang PC and walked through to Sembawang Park. 

Sembawang Park is one of the few parks in Singapore with a small stretch of natural beach. A group of women were just finishing up a game of Petanque on the sand court. They invited me to come back and join them next week but when I explained I live in Seranoon they said, "Oh, so out of the way!". Funny, I was thinking the same thing about the location of their park.  There were some massive old trees and nesting boxes, probably encouraging the return of Pied Hornbill to the mainland. 

It also encompasses Beaulieu House, built in 1910, which was the residence of the Admiral (Commander-in-Chief British Eastern Fleet) back in the colonial days. Sembawang was home to the Naval Base which included dockyards, wharves and workshops, as well as supporting administrative, residential and commercial areas. 

It has all since been handed over to the Singapore government, which in 1968 converted it into a commercial dockyard. Fortunately many of the 'black and white' colonial buildings have been maintained. They look so cool and tranquil set well back in huge grounds in the leafy streets.

Then we headed along Admiralty Rd beside all the dockyards and military instalations. It was hot and we were beginning to feel weary but instead of taking a shortcut to Sembawang MRT along Canberra Rd, we continued on and made our way back along the Sembawang PC. Once again this followed a waterway so was cooler and we found ourselves at an interesting temple which on further investigation turned out to be the Sembawang God of Wealth Temple. The building supports a impressive God of Wealth statue, weighing 8000kg and measuring almost 9.5m, mounted on the roof. You might be surprised to learn that of the many gods, the Chinese God of Wealth is the most favored god. It was such a colourful temple with another image inside completely shrouded in red ribbon offerings, red lanterns totally obscured the ceiling and coils of incense burnt slowly. 

Thankfully it is currently testing week, so leg weary as we were, we could sit through most of the evening at work. On Sunday night we returned to Wild Oats at Punggol Park for dinner but once again the beautiful lakeside setting was spoilt by poor service and unsatisfactory management policy. I keep saying we won't go back, but inevitable we try once more to see if things have changed. Why won't they serve you a free glass of water? Once you have ordered a bottle of wine surely you are entitled to complimentary water, especially in this climate. Everywhere else we go it is offered without even asking if we want it.

On Monday we walked one of my favourite trips from Kent Ridge to VivoCity via Henderson Waves and Mt Faber. Eric was the sole male as Peter went back to Drysdale, near Geelong, to celebrate Past Players day with the old boys at the footy club. It was a very hot day for a walk but good to be out walking freely. On the way home we went via Kallang and Dhoby Ghaut in search of specialties for our Great Race outfit. The first of the point scoring quizes was released this week. 

Then we followed that up with with a trip across to Pulau Ubin on Tuesday morning. Arriving at the Ubin jetty, after the 10min $2.50 ferry trip on a bumboat, is like taking a step back to the 80's. Most of us hired bikes, as this is the best way to get around the island. Top left are the ferries lined up at Changi Point, clockwise we're on board. Below we arrive and walk up the main street lined with bike rental outlets. Left, June, Kathy and Sarah are with us as we get ready to head out of town.

In no time at all we were fortunate to find an Oriental Pied Hornbill. Ubin has the only wild population of these birds. It was on its own but later we heard the raucous cackling of a flock, though couldn't see them for dense vegetation. We walked along the boardwalk through the Chek Jawa Wetlands, around the Coastal boardwalk and to Ubin House No1. Along the way we found quite a few local residents. Top left is the Philippine Glossy Starling, below it an Oriental Pied Robin, centre the White-rumped Shama and left the Oriental Pied Horbill. 

Ubin House No1 was built in the 1930's in the English Tudor style, similar to the cottages built in tea plantations during the British colonial era, with a great view of Pulau Sekudu and mainland Singapore. According to one account, it was built in the 1930s by the then Chief Surveyor, Langdon Williams, as a holiday retreat. In other accounts it was said to be the vacation home for the resident British medical officer.

Whoever originally owned it, it would have made a lovely weekender. A far less grander scale than the ones we walked by last week but a fabulous setting. 
From there we rode past a disused granite quarry and on to one of the campsites before making our way back to town along some roads less-traveled. 

Just on the outskirts of town, Eric went on to the lagoon and the girls headed home along the Sensory Trail but the map wasn't accurate (author's privilege) and at one point we had to abandon our efforts and retreat back the way we had come. I hate that! And have the bruises to prove the struggle undertaken. We had come to a precipice and turning back was the only option, believe me. 

Wearily, we eventually made our way into town only to find Eric was not out with a search party scouring the jungle looking for us, but sitting in the shade of an umbrella enjoying his beer, even though I had his money and backpack on my bike. He was still able to convince the owner of the local provisions store that he was good for it. 

I swear nothing has changed in this store in the 4 years we have been visiting, not even the prices. 

We caught the bum boat ferry back to Changi Village and enjoyed a late lunch at the Hawker Centre. In the evening we caught up with Peter at Plonk. He has just returned from Australia and tomorrow leaves for Korea where he will meet his grand daughter for the first time. A very excited Papa.